CHAPTER TWENTY

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Section 1: Policy and Approval Authority

2010 - Policy

2010.1 Public relations is an "All Hands" evolution. Each member of the Corps is charged with the responsibility of working to build a favorable image of the Corps and of the Navy and Coast Guard in the minds of the public at-large and of American youth in particular.

2010.2 The Executive Director and NHQ Representatives, along with Commanding Officers and Regional Directors, are responsible for developing and coordinating the public relations program within the NSCC, the Navy, the Navy League, and other entities, to obtain maximum program awareness and to ensure that all publicity generated supports established policy of the NSCC, the Navy League, and the Navy.

2010.3 Public relations projects must be in good taste and project a favorable image of the NSCC. Local questions about the propriety of proposed projects will be referred to the NHQ Representative or his designated representative for decision.

2011 - Approval Authority

2011.1 The Executive Director, acting for the National Chairman, is the approving authority for all national public relations programs.

Section 2: Public Affairs at the National Level

2020 - External Public Affairs

2020.1 The external public affairs program is directed toward promoting awareness of NSCC/NLCC on the part of both civilians and the military, and to ensure that all publicity generated is in consonance with established policy of NSCC, NLUS, and the Navy and Coast Guard. Accordingly, National Headquarters will:

a. Establish a NSCC Public Affairs Network to include both unit and regional members, and provide each with public affairs guidance to include formatted press releases, promotional materials, etc.

b. Produce promotional videos and brochures as feasible.

c. Ensure fullest utilization of Sea Power and Navy Leaguer, and Navy/Coast Guard publications as a means of raising awareness of the NSCC/NLCC programs.

d. Work with active duty and reserve Public Affairs offices of the Navy and Coast Guard to assess what literature and media material are available and how these materials can be used to the benefit of the Cadet Corps programs.

e. Arrange for CHINFO, through its field offices, and Naval Reserve Public Affairs Offices to provide Regional Directors with assistance, guidance and direction in public affairs efforts.

f. Identify volunteers who will assist in public affairs efforts (in a non-pay status) at all levels (unit, regional and national).

g. Place emphasis on Naval Sea Cadet Corps Month and the NSCC birthday (10 September) to encourage supporting Navy/Coast Guard commands and NLUS councils, sponsoring organizations, to highlight the Cadet Corps programs, as well as to use the occasions to recognize individual accomplishments and fund raising purposes. This will serve to raise Navy/NLUS and community awareness of, and increase support for, the Cadet Corps programs.

2021 - Internal Public Affairs

2021.1 Keeping members of NSCC/NLCC informed is essential to attainment of program goals. Accordingly, National Headquarters will:

a. Publish a program newsletter (Wash-O-Gram) quarterly to keep NSCC/NLCC leadership (officers, midshipmen, and instructors) and NLUS National Officers and Directors, as well as Council Presidents and NSCC Committee Chairmen, abreast of Sea Cadet Corps activities

Section 3: Public Relations at the Unit Level

2030 - General

2030.1 An aggressive public relations program at the unit level is essential; consequently, unit Commanding Officers, NSCC Committee Chairmen, and NSCC Regional Directors/NHQ Representatives must use their initiative and good judgment in developing local public relations projects. The Executive Director will publish lists of promotional materials available for this purpose.

2030.2 Copies of public relations articles and photographs (prints) appearing in local media should be forwarded to National Headquarters for use in national publications.