A publication of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress
June 2000/July 2000
Public Affairs Committee Report
Communications At Ground Zero
By Jim Doyle, Chair
On June 14 President Clinton signed the In Memory Plaque bill into law. This bill authorizes the placement of a plaque in the vicinity of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington commemorating Vietnam veterans who returned home but died years later as a direct result of their service. VVA has been a supporter of this project since we were first made aware of it in 1998.
Soon the design, site selection, and fund-raising will begin. Our help is still needed. VVA members are encouraged to continue to be part of this admirable project. For more information about the In Memory Plaque, go to http://members.aol.com/vietwarmem/plaque.htm
Effective communication is an essential element in the growth and survival of any organization. At the Leadership 2000 Conference in Buffalo, the Public Affairs Committee will present two workshops dealing with communication.
The education subcommittee will present a 90- minute session on the mechanics of developing a Speakers Bureau and the tools necessary to manage it effectively and efficiently.
As Vietnam Veterans, we are often asked to talk about our service and the issues that we have dealt with for over 25 years. The Speakers Bureau workshop will provide chapters and state councils with information that will simplify the task of developing and presenting information about the Vietnam War to students of all ages
The subcommittee has targeted the 2001 National Convention in Greensboro for distribution of the VVA Speakers Bureau handbook.
The Public Affairs Committee and the staff of The VVA Veteran will present a workshop, "Communication At Ground Zero." This workshop is aimed at the experienced newsletter editor, and the novice. Effective internal and external communication is essential to our mission, and a quality chapter newsletter is just one tool that can be used. If you have specific questions about any aspect of newsletter production, from copy to layout, copyright to libel, photography, illustration, etc., bring them to the workshop, and let the group take them on.
E-mail us at TheVeteran@vva.org