New Youth Activities Chairman Needs Ideas

[JBagley]

Good morning,

In our Post, one of additional duties of the Jr. Vice CDR is also the Youth Activities Chairman, primarily responsible for the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen Scholarship contests. I am a relatively "green" member (joined the Post in July 2009, at-large member for three years) and as this is my first foray into Post-Level activities, I am looking for advice to maximize participation in these two programs.

I have read the Youth Activities Chairman's Manual posted at Department Resources, and have found a few schools to advertise the programs and pique potential contestants' interest. However, I'm looking for "tried-and-true" methods to really help these programs take off in my area.

Any suggestions?

• Tweet

[recondog]

Get into the schools, and do it soon, if you wait until school starts again many teachers have their lesson plans done through oct. and won't take on a project due by nov.
arrange to meet a couple of the english teachers.
we found the pto is a good place to start that way your getting the info to the parent and the teacher.

• Tweet

[tstruwe]

Check in your local area for the home schooled children.  I think the school district offices should be able to connect you with that segment of the youth.  We get a very high number of entries for VOD and PP from the home schoold.

• Tweet

[Chris Weber 5468]

One thing that I have done was to enhance my talks with interested teachers with the recordings of the National Winners. This gives the teachers a chance to hear what is desires for presentations.

• Tweet

[JLazyV]

J, the replies posted prior to this are great and absolutely on target. Something you might want to consider when approaching the teachers, ask when they think might be a good time to present your Post awards. A lot of Posts present their awards at a dinner, and that's great. We're a small homeless Post, so we work pretty closely with the schools on all of our Youth Activites. In different years, we've presented our VOD /PP awards at school assemblies, Veterans Day programs, Honor Society presentations, and (my favorite) at the half-time of the first basketball game of the year. Getting those youth recognized in front of their peers and a gym full of friends and neighbors, including a neighboring town, is a sure fire way to get a head start on your upcoming students. But your Post's sincere appreciation and a nice photo in the local paper will go a long way toward making your yearly efforts a pleasure.

By the by, when doing so make sure you recognize those teachers also!!! The V-2 and P-2 certificates offered in the VFW catalog only cost 85 cents each. Presenting certificates/medals/checks is alot of fun. So, make sure you enjoy  it!

• Tweet

[fabulous fifth]

John, first things first, thanks for your service to our country.  I bet you will do a great job as Jr. Vice Commander and as Youth Activities Chairman.  The previous posts here are full of good ideas for increasing participation by eligible students in both the Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen programs.  There are other youth programs you might want to consider for your Post to participate in i.e. JROTC medals and certificates and new Eagle Scout citations, both of which are available in the VFW Supply catalog.  Would your Post be interested in sponsoring Little League baseball or softball in the summer?  Let us know from time to time on this site how your programs are working.  Best of Luck!

• Tweet

[DoggyDaddy]

A Post and/or Auxiliary should offer incentives for participation and winning at the local level.
Each participant can be presented a VFW Certificate of Participation.  1st-3rd place Winners can receive special certificates.  1st-3rd Prizes can be awarded $100, $50 & $25 Savings Bonds respectfully.
Have a local awards banquet/dinner for the winners and their families with advance press release.
Just a few ideas.....

• Tweet

[JBagley]

Thanks to those who have replied with ideas. I will definitely do my best to incorporate them into my plan to get VOD/PP into the schools.

We do offer a scholarship at the Post level, albeit a small one. Hopefully this can change if we can get things moving with this program.

I will keep the thread updated with my progress during the time I am working on these projects. I believe that our community involvement has a direct effect on the view of the organization both at the local level and as a whole.

Wish me luck!

• Tweet

[fabulous fifth]

John:  You are absolutely right.  Public perception depends greatly upon the programs that your Post provides to the community.

• Tweet

[JBagley]

So far we have distributed entry forms with three school districts in our Post's geographical area, and I've spoken with the school counselors concerning the programs. Further, this week I will be emailing the counselors a digital copy of each entry form so they do not have to wait on us to be available to drop more forms off.

I haven't received any calls with questions, so either the counselors are able to answer them at their level (Yay!) or there's a complete lack of participation (Boo!)

Again, thanks for all the great ideas. I'm planning on working with the Ladies' Aux to arrange an awards banquet for our District winners, and will go out of pocket if necessary to give the Post placing entries a certificate if necessary.

• Tweet

[fabulous fifth]

The awards banquet is a great way to showcase your youth winners in your Post or District!  It allows the parents and friends of the students to see what they have accomplished, and also to let them know of the commitment of the VFW to area youth.  I hope it all goes well for you, and that you have lots of entries in both programs come November 1st.

• Tweet