Public Relations

Our Vision; to showcase each of the 30 Connecticut Elk Lodges through their benevolent efforts within their community” the Mission of the CEA Public Relations Committee is to “broaden the awareness of the benevolence of the Fraternal Order of Elkdom throughout the State of Connecticut”.

 
We are committed to helping the 31 Lodges across Connecticut promote Elkdom through the media and appearance. We strive to keep the BPOE image both positive and enticing for membership, programs, and the community. We will work with all of you to promote your Lodges and elevate your events and programs to maximize exposure.

Committee Members

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Proud recipient of the 4 Star Award for 2021-2022. 

Some helpful disclaimers about your lodge social media

By Rick Gathen, GL Membership and Public Relations Manager
 
Local Lodges that promote themselves through social media – including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr – should be prepared to set limits on how those platforms are used on their behalf.
 
Please consider using the following social media disclaimers for your Lodge. Prohibit postings that:
are hateful or mean-spirited.
are potentially libelous, obscene or sexually explicit
are personal attacks, or involve profanity or insults.
are private or public information published without Lodge consent.
violate any law or promote the violation of any law.
contribute to or encourage discrimination or harassment
display photos of Members drinking or smoking, or considered harmful to the Elks’ image and reputation
contain the names of minors.
divulge Lodge business that may violate your Obligation.
are not positive and informative
 
Other practices that should be avoided include:
Don’t dive in head first. Social media beginners should focus on a few things and do them well
Don’t accept non-Members as friends
Don’t post photos of Members drinking or smoking.
Don’t post photos that may be “harmful” to the Elks image and reputation
Don’t post names of children
Don’t post Lodge business that would violate your Obligation.
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Maintain good public relations from your lodge

By George E. Olson – GL Activities Committee Member

Republished from the GL Newsletter, October 2013 

Public relations is all about influencing audiences. When performed aptly, public relations can be an organization’s most valued resource for building brand value, maintaining vitality and establishing credibility. It is the practice of controlling the flow of information between your Lodge and public. Find Members who have strong conversation skills and understanding of our programs and let them provide the benefit.

Public relations doesn’t go off and on whenever you have the time or budget to throw at it. If you’re not actively participating in it, you’ll quickly find that your Lodge will soon be missing the public relations boat.

Public relations does not just happen. Every Lodge has done newsworthy programs, but they haven’t made the news. All of us have faced this problem. Remember, it doesn’t just happen; we have to make it happen. Public relations is a program that must be nurtured for it to continue to grow. While some things such as news events force information out quickly, other stories take time. When the story is about how Elks help, it raises the Lodge visibility, and can help with Member recruitment.

Why do we care about this? What are the goals of public relations and media coverage? A good public image will aid in recruiting Members, volunteers and sponsors whose donations keep our programs at a high level.

It is important to develop contacts with local media and determine the types of articles and pictures they prefer. If we give them the kinds of news they like, it is more likely they will use the news.

But the most important thing for a top notch public image is to perform meaningful and helpful programs in your community. This is the prerequisite to a good public relations program…having something worth boasting about.

And do not forget to use your newsletter and your Web page to pass your message on to your Members and other online followers. 

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Helpful Information from Grand Lodge

You can now find on the Grand Lodge website (http://www.elks.org/) the PDF fillable certificates for all our Teenager/Student programs, plus the Scouting certificates. You can also download a Public Relations power point presentation. All downloads are in non public Members Only section, under Grand Lodge Activities Committee downloads.

Log in as a member, Click on Grand Lodge, Click on Grand Lodge Committee, Click on Public Relations

The Elks Media Relations Handbook

Unique Lodge Event Offers Unique Press Opportunities

Elks “Hoop Shoot”® Press Release Kit

History of the Elks

So You’re Planning to Stage an Event or Activity …

The ABCs of Publicity

Making a Difference Through Publicity 

Remember that all the time, effort and money that you and your Lodge contributes every year plays an important role in your community. Don’t shortchange yourselves by not spreading the information and letting your community know! You have to make your own good press whereas bad press is always lurking in the dark. “Let the Darkness Out” 

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CT Elks Association Local Lodge Newsletter Contest

 

1) CT Lodge Newsletters will be judged during the following months of the CEAC State Year – June through April.  

2) Judging will be based on: 

     Content (0-100 points): Coverage of Lodge, CEAC, and GL Programs, up-to-date information, news, and a calendar of events. 

     Layout & Typography (0-50 points): Ease of accessibility and readability. 

     Pictorial (0-25 points): Good use of photos and graphics with the use of borders, shading, and color. 

     General (0-25 points): Usefulness to Members. Does it provide the necessary information about Your Lodge, CEAC, and GL programs to Members. Does it tell non-members what the ELKS are about and how to join? 

3) Only Lodge Newsletters that are posted on the CT Elks Website will be judged! 

4) The CT Lodge Newsletters will be judged by the CEAC Public Relations Committee. 

5) All awards will be announced at the CEAC Annual Convention.

How to Submit Content to the National Newsletter

How to Submit Content for the State Newsletter

The State Association follows the same guidelines as the national newsletter in terms of content and permissions for publishing.  To submit something for publication, contact your District Chairperson and they will guide you through the process.