NALPA
P.O. Box 334 West Seneca, NY 14224-0334

National American Legion Press Association

NALPA (National American Legion Press Association) is an association of editors, writers, business managers, historians, Public Relations officers and staff personnel who are members of The American Legion, Sons of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and other subsidiary organizations. 

Founded in 1923 as an adjunct to the Legion’s early publications committee, NALPA was established to facilitate communications, from the national organization to the post level, within The American Legion. Through a network of active members, NALPA fulfills the mission by encouraging idea exchanges among members; promoting the development of local communications; advancing training through information dissemination; enhancing professional development; promoting the Legion’s goals; and acting as a voice of the association’s membership. 

We like to think of NALPA as the image-makers and communicator of The American Legion, and we strive to let people know what The American Legion is – especially on the post level.  Members of NALPA are strong loud voice of The American Legion.  

NALPA is a professional association of Legion Public Relations officers, editors and staff members of publications who come together to enhance their trades. Through local publications, NALPA encourages posts and departments to promote The American Legion objectives to the membership. All members hear about the national agenda from National Headquarters’ publications and mailings, but many don’t always know what is happening in their own back yards. A well-done post newsletter bridges that gap.  

We have found that posts with newsletters have a more active membership that is greater in numbers. When people get that post information in their hands, they know what is going on in their area and can share it with potential members, as well as take action to make a difference for veterans and their families. 

Post newsletters also assist older veterans who can’t get out much. This might be the only communication they have with the post. They, like everyone else, deserve to be informed about what is going on.  Items of interest to the veteran that occur in there cities, towns and villages can be included in the post newsletters. 

NALPA’s association with the National Public Relations Division and The American Legion Magazine, has made it easier for the average NALPA Legionnaire to keep up-to-date on the happenings of The American Legion if he or she is a NALPA member. In recent years, belonging to NALPA has created extra perks through the national organization. The American Legion Magazine and The Dispatch publications are offered to NALPA members at a cost of only $6. That’s a saving of $9 off the annual subscription rate. This is especially beneficial to members of the Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion who belong to NALPA. 

NALPA conducts an annual “Best Papers” contest with categories for the best competing publications nation wide in The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and other affiliated organizations. 

The annual “Best Papers” competition provides NALPA with an avenue to recognize local publications that go the extra mile to inform their members. The competition is open to publications of all sizes. Awards are given in various categories, including editorial, newsletters and web sites. Competition categories are:

NALPA Press Awards
 Competition Categories and Rules

1. Department — George W. Hooten Award

For Department-wide publications

A.     Department publications for Departments over 70,000 members

B.     Department publications under 70,000 members

C.    Other Department Publications (SAL; Auxiliary, press associations, etc.)

2. District, County, Regional — Emerson 0. Mann Plaque

For District-wide. County-wide or Region-wide publications

A.  Legion publications

B.  All other district, county or regional publications (SAL, Auxiliary, etc.)

3. Larger Posts— Al Weinberg Plaque

For all publications produced at the post level.

A.  Posts over 750 members

B.  Posts with 250 - 749 members

4. Smaller Posts, Units, Squadrons — R. C. Cann Plaque

For all publications produced at the post level.

A.  Posts up to 250 members

B.  All other unit/squadron publications (SAL, Auxiliary, etc.)

5. Websites - Mary B. Howard Award

For all websites created to support the American Legion Family

A.  Department websites

B.  All other websites

6. Editorial — William E. Rominger Plaque

Must have appeared originally in an American Legion or member publication within the Current year.

A.  Original effort of editor

B.  Guest editorial (by lined or author identified)

Rules

Basis of Judging

Newspapers will be judged on: Content (Legion. Auxiliary, SAL. local, county, district. state national news, as appropriate); clear. concise and balanced writing; make-up; design and appearance; use of photos and illustrations.

Editorials will be judged on: Headline and lead arousal of interest; clear, concise and imaginative writing; Research and grasp of subject; Timely and appropriate objectives suitable to public

#1 Websites will be judged on: Local information. site design, links, appropriateness of information and attractiveness. 

Entry Instructions

- Must be current member of the National American Legion Press Association

- For categories 1, 2, 3 and 4, submit three (3) papers, one each of three separate issues.

- For category 5, submit the electronic address for your website.

- For category 6, submit only one (1) editorial. Send entire paper or tear-sheet containing the editorial, and date of issue.

- For all newspaper and editorial entries, an identifying cover sheet must be submitted, to in the following information, typed or printed neatly:

a. Name and Number of Post. District. Unit, Squadron, etc.

b. Full address of Post, Unit, Squadron, etc.

c. Name of Publication

d. Frequency of Publication

e. Average circulation number

f. Name mailing address, phone number of Editor

g. Name, mailing address, and phone number of entrant, if other than editor.

For Website entries:

a.   Name and number of Post, District, Unit Squadron, etc.

b.  Full address of Post. Unit, Squadron, etc.

c.   Address of website

d.   Frequency of Publication

e.   Name, mailing address, phone number of Editor

Entry Fee

An Entry Fee of $15.00 for each entry must accompany the submission. Entry fee can be paid check payable to NALPA.

Entry Deadline

Entries must be postmarked not later than May 31, of the contest year and mailed to: The current President, His/her address may be found in the NALPA newsletter or on the web at www nalap.org

Please mark the lower left corner of your mailing envelope: "CONTEST" and indicate the en category for judging. (e.g. 2-A; 5-B; etc.)

Awards are presented at the annual NALPA awards luncheon in the National Convention city just prior to the formal convention sessions.

NALPA, through association membership, provides its members with a quarterly newsletter at no additional cost. This newsletter provides a forum for the NALPA membership to gain and share information to enhance their local publications. Contributions to this publication comes from various sources, such as the National Commander, National Public Relations Director, Past National Commanders, NALPA Members, and other interested individuals wanting to spread the works of the American Legion. You can not only receive the newsletter in a printed format, but also in a digital format by requesting a digital of the newsletter by emailing your request to nalpanewsletter@gmail.com

Department Press Associations 

A department press association is just as vital and necessary as the department itself in the set-up of The American Legion organization. If a department does not have an active press association the department leaders should seek a Legionnaire to organize an association and actively promote communication through the post and district editors. Good communications is a key to education and membership. 

A department press association can tie all its papers web sites and e-mails together for the purpose of mutual helpfulness. Editors can create a net work of fellow editors department wide and exchange ideas, newsletters, information and publications which will keep the membership of their department informed and encourage the spread of information. Information is the life blood of our organization.  It can carry on an active campaign, post by post, to create new publications. It can publish its own monthly newsletter, designed to help post publications through suggested material, suggested editorials, and by calling attention to various programs and events that posts should publish. It should spearhead the yearly Legion membership drive by seeing that all its post publications use all printed and electronic media methods to stimulate these drives. 

A department press association is a subsidiary of the National American Legion Public Association (NALPA), and wherever possible, collects national dues at the same time it collects department dues. NALPA dues are sent to: The American Legion Public Relations Division, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. Include with your check a transmittal list of names and addresses of those covered by the payment. NALPA membership cards will be mailed at the close of the National Convention. The NALPA fiscal year is from August 1 to July 30 of each year. The membership year co insides with the fiscal year,  NALPA has a membership meeting at the National Convention at which time officers are elected and area vice presidents and committees give their reports.  

It is suggested that a department press association meet at least twice a year: the department convention and Mid-Winter Conference are considered the best times. A Public Relations and Publicity Workshop should be conducted at each meeting. 

A department press association can make yearly awards to the best publications as an incentive to increase effectiveness, as well as an award for a job well done. The suggested time to make these awards is at the annual meeting in conjunction with the department convention. 

It is suggested that the close of the fiscal year for a department press association be at the time of the annual department convention. Yearly reports should be made at this time, and officers should be elected for the coming year. The president should appoint a nominating committee and an auditing committee at least two months prior to the annual meeting. 

A department press association can be organized even though only two or three post publications are in the department. The prime purpose of a department press association is the creation of new post publications. The department press association can be the conduit through which information and education can flow from the National Publication Relations office to the Blue cap legionnaire.

NALPA encourages the widest use of the electronic media fore communications. The National American Legion as well as your departments is making use of the web sites and e-mails and newsletter editors should make use of this type of communication.  

Every organization is the sum of its membership and through membership comes the power to pave the road that NALPA will follow into the future. The greater the membership the smoother the road.   

Increased membership is needed to carry on programs and ensure the future of The American Legion. The lion’s load of work is often left to a loyal few. We need a rebirth of ideals and ideas. Department press associations, with initiative and determination, can lead the way to a greater American Legion that will more effectively represent the majority of America’s veterans. 

Twenty-one departments now enjoy the presence and assistance of NALPA. Each of these associations takes on a local name to reflect the department’s overall image. For example, the New York department has the name, “New York American Legion Press Association (NYALPA)”.

If you have a desire to become an “image-maker” and “communicator” for The American Legion, or if your department is interested in starting an association, refer to the National American Legion Press Association Web site at www. nalpa.org. 

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