NER: NER PAO Announcement

TO: ALL PAOs in the NER,

For several year's now NHQ department of Public Affairs has recognized the fine work done by Public Affairs Officers through the Major Howell Balsem CAP Public Affairs Exceptional Achievement Awards program. This competition provides Public Affairs Officers with the opportunity for recognition of outstanding achievements in a variety of categories. The Balsem Awards are named in honor of the Air Force Major considered by Civil Air Patrol’s Historians to be the first Public Affairs Officer to serve CAP at the national level in the 1950’s. These national awards are normally presented at the annual National PAO Academy but as of this year there is no longer an annual academy, so NHQ is allowing the regions to hold their own Balsem Awards competition.

Members can submit nominations in the following categories:

Writing for the Media
Brochure/Poster/Flyer
Newsletters:
Slide/PowerPoint Presentations
Web site:
Photography:
Media Coverage of CAP
Event Promotion/Crisis Management

This will be a region competition where PAO from any squadron, group or wing within the NER can submit bodies of work for one or more of the categories listed above.

Awards: First place winners will be recognized with a Region Commander’s Commendation Award, the second place selectee will receive a CAP Achievement Award and the third place will receive a Certificate of Recognition. I encourage all PAOs within the NER to participate in this program, attached you will find all the supporting documentation.

Wing and Group PAOs, please ensure that this email and supporting documentation gets to your subordinate units.

Capt James Ridley, Sr.
NER Director of Public Affairs