Public Affairs / Media Relations
Maj. Howell Balsem CAP Public Affairs
Exceptional Achievement Awards
The Maj. Howell Balsem CAP Public Affairs Exceptional Achievement Awards are now open. A template to enter the 2019 competition is available on eServices. Accomplishments must have been completed between Jan. 1, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2018, by any CAP officer or cadet in good standing. A completed entry form (included on the eServices template) MUST be included with each entry.
Entry deadline: May 29, 2019
(Entries must be received via eServices by this date! No exceptions, so please plan accordingly.)
Read over these awards entry guidelines before proceeding:
- All submissions must be the work of a Public Affairs Officer or any member whose work product was generated while acting as a PAO and/or mission PIO.
- PAOs may enter on behalf of cadets and their work but make it clear that you are entering for them. Be sure to fully identify the cadets and their work.
- Otherwise, all entries must be the work product of the person submitting the entry.
- Competition is limited to five entries per member.
- A project may be entered in only one category.
- Every entry must have your Unit Commander’s approval to be eligible for judging; no exceptions.
- All entries must be submitted electronically through eServices, when possible. Please include an entry form for each separate entry.
CATEGORIES
Please read the requirements for each category carefully. Most require some type of backup information generated by the PAO to generate desired outcomes. Entries must fulfill the entry requirements to be eligible for judging.
Brochure/Poster/Flyer: Brochure, poster or flyer developed for external PR, marketing and/or promotional purposes. Provide a copy of the brochure, poster or flyer. (Reducing image size to fit in the eServices template – less than 1 MB – can be easily accomplished with Photoshop or any other photo editing program. Google Photos and GIMP, to name two, are free and easy to use.)
Slide/PowerPoint Presentation: Slide or PowerPoint presentation used to externally market/promote CAP. Provide copy of slide or PowerPoint presentation. (Reduce document size to less than 1 MB to fit in the eServices template, if feasible. If not, provide active link, submit disc or USB drive by mail, or use file hosting site such as Dropbox.)
Website: Content management of a website used for a public affairs program by any CAP Squadron, Group, Wing or Region – both external (open to the public) and/or internal (password-protected for CAP members only). Include links to screen grabs or copies of key pages. Include the website URL for external sites, and website URL and generic password to access internal sites.
Photography: Image published externally in print or posted online by an external media outlet. Must submit JPEG, as well as proof of publication (newspaper/magazine or URL for website). (Reducing image size to fit in the eServices template – less than 1 MB – can be easily accomplished with Photoshop or any other photo editing program, such as Google Photos or GIMP.)
External Media Coverage of CAP: Article used by external print or broadcast media or posted online by an external media outlet. Attach a copy of the news release, as well as copies or active links to the printed, posted or broadcast article. (Reduce document size to less than 1 MB to fit in the eServices template, if feasible. If URL for article is no longer active, please submit article on disc or USB drive by mail, or use file hosting site such as Dropbox.)
Magazine: Magazine generated by a wing or squadron. (No newsletters, please; they are no longer required by CAPR 190-1.) Provide active links to a minimum of three magazine issues.
Event Promotion: Any special event used to market/promote CAP.
Provide a copy of your event PA plan and links to copies of media coverage. (Reduce document size to less than 1 MB to fit in the eServices template, if feasible, or submit material, examples of media coverage, etc., on disc or USB drive by mail.)
Crisis Management: An issue or crisis in which PAO/PIO played a leadership role assisting the commander. Provide a copy of your crisis plan and links to copies of media coverage, if appropriate. (Reduce document size to less than 1 MB to fit in the eServices template.)
Social Media: Copy, photo and/or video posted on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. (Do not submit entries posted on personal social media accounts or in groups.) Provide copies of and/or URLs of your postings. (Reduce document size to less than 1 MB to fit in the eServices template.) Each entry must provide a screenshot or details from the platform analytics concerning the post.
Entry form requirements:
For each entry submitted, you must name your project and then describe concisely each of the four project elements listed below. Keep your descriptions short — no more than two or three sentences for each element.
Project Name
Project Goals
Project Strategies/Actions
Project Results
The Balsem Awards program is administrated by CAP’s Chief of Marketing and Strategic Communications. Winners will be selected based solely on the judges’ view of each entry’s creativity and overall effectiveness, with emphasis on following the four-step planning process. The judges may award a first-place Balsem Award certificate, second-place Award of Excellence certificate and third-place Certificate of Merit for each category, OR the judges may opt to not present an award in any category. More than one first-, second- or third-place award may be selected, as the judges deem appropriate. The Lt. Col. Al Pabon Best in Show trophy will be awarded at the judges’ discretion.
Questions? Send queries to mac@capnhq.gov
Media release submission guidelines
Tools for the Public Affairs Officer
Maryland Wing PAO Award Winners
Public Affairs Plans
Social Media Success