If a significant event is coming up, issue a local Press Release! In any case the PR person knows the local media editors and Mayor personally! Doesn't she/he? The District Commissioner is, of course, on first name terms with the Mayor and local parliamentarians already!
Group Annual Presentation Nights are approaching in some Branches. Others are having District, Region, even Branch Presentation nights. What a great impression they can create such as: decorated Halls/Dens; warm welcome; supper or a barbeque beforehand; youth members involved in some demonstration activity; clear and well organised reports and plan for the next year; local Mayor or Councillors attending and given brief jobs to do! (A not so good impression is given if not enough presentation effort is made and visitors are not welcomed personally. Surely the days of an old fashioned AGM in a cold hall are now ancient history!) Office bearers for the coming year have been asked well beforehand and agreed! If there is an election, keep everyone involved in some capacity. Perhaps the new PR person for the Group/District!
At present, as they say in sporting circles, the momentum is with us. Keep it rolling in all Formations of the Movement. As we head to the Australian Century let our local communities know that we are providing Excellent Scouting!
John Ravenhall AM
Chief Commissioner - Scouts Australia
