Back when the cost of mailing newsletters started to cost American Legion Nanticoke Post 6 more money than we had in our membership fund, the Public Relations Chair decided to switch the distribution from monthly U.S. mail to a weekly e-newsletter sent out to the 550 members with e-mails on file early in the week.

"We started out with Mail Chimp, then moved to Mailer Lite when the cost of Mail Chimp got too high," noted PR Chair Roy Lamberton, "Naming the newsletter 'The Buddy Check' made a lot of sense since we were reaching out to a large percentage of our members - those who already had e-mails on file - along with much of our Legion Family as well."

At the same time, the post decided to upgrade the televisions in the canteen and added slideshows to a large-screen TV that highlighted local, department and national Legion Family programs. These programs and event slides are included in the weekly "Buddy Check." "Those of us who have worked in advertising know you have to get as many impressions as possible, and using the talents of our Legion Family developing slides, we can post and e-mail 5-6 slides, with text, every week," Lamberton noted, "And we do see better turnout for events we promote in both media."

The post also conducts telephone Buddy Checks around Veterans Day, and since the e-mails reach up to 50% of the Legion Family every week, the Buddy Check carries the message that if a member needs help, all they have to do is call the post and help is available.

"I guess you can call them 'E-Buddy Checks." Lamberton commented. "All I can tell you is that we have veterans coming into the post who rarely came in, increased interest in our programs and as a side benefit, our membership in October was already at 68% of last year. I'll take those results."

The moral? Add as many kinds of Buddy Checks as you can, and using an e-mail system is another way to grow.