The Publicity and Public Relations Job WHAT THE JOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN THOSE CONCERNED with publicity and public relations have always had a two-fold job, namely, 910 to interpret Girl Scouting to the community, and (2) to interpret to the Girl Scout organization how their activities will look to the public. The job of interpretation to the public is generally through various media, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, window cards, and public speaking. These persons are usually members of a public relations committee. Qualifications. Those who would help with Girl Scout publicity and public relations persons receive special training both before and after they undertake the job. The Public Relations Division of the national organization renders various services to supplement the efforts of local public relations committees, which include the following: (1) periodical services (Copy, News Sheets, Radios Service); (2) standard material (printed matter, such as annual reports and reprints of magazine articles, booklets on public speaking, window displays, broadcasting), and an Exhibit Service; and (3) special kits and news material issued as needs arise. Since these persons are usually members of a public relations committee, they receive help from their chairman, other fellow committee members, other committee chairmen, and troop members. Through the Local Council Quarterly, Local Council Handbook, and local records, they receive written suggestions and techniques. WHAT MAKES THE JOB MORE IMPORTANT TODAY Publicity and public relations has the power to change the actions and attitudes of people for good or evil. Perhaps it is not too much to say that the present war and revolution was put into action through the clever use of propaganda. An important part of the national defense of the United States, therefore, is to use publicity methods that will offset that of the 26 Totalitarian countries. What is needed is propaganda for democracy. Girl Scouting is training for democracy. Promotion of Girl Scouting, and all efforts at setting up good public relations between the Girl Scout organization and the rest of the community is, therefore, a step toward spreading conviction concerning the democratic way of life. It becomes a patriotic duty of local Girl Scout agencies to increase not only the quantity but the quality of its publicity. The public relations committee can, if it does its work well, help at this time to bring unity to the community and an increased understanding and love for this Republic. NEW OPPORTUNITIES THE JOB OFFERS FOR DEFENSE SERVICE The publicity and public relations job has new opportunities for service today. Through various media, these include: 1. Opportunities to build morale: a. By spreading propaganda for democracy (interpreting Girl Scouting is propaganda for democracy). b. By breaking down the lines of social and economic demarcation through promoting the idea (so appropriate to the Girl Scout way) that everyone has something to contribute at this time. c. By bringing to the attention of the community the work that the Girl Scout agency is doing the train its girls as effective citizens in a democracy. d. By perfecting various publicity media, such as radio, visual aids, and so forth, and by cooperating with other local agencies, various commissions, the Federal Radio Commission in Washington, the Child Study Association, etc. e. By using the talents of those who write well and speak well. 2. Opportunities to meet demands of the military and industrial victory program: a. By informing the Civilian Defense Volunteer Offices and the public of the opportunities to volunteer for civilian defense offered by the local Girl Scout organization. (See pages 33 and 35). b. By informing agencies through publicity as to the use they can make of Girl Scouts in defense activities. c. By increasing cooperation between agencies through perfecting the public relations of the local Girl Scout agency. d. By supplementing the propaganda of the federal and local government by its own publicity (for example, appeals for paper, cardboard, and other defense materials). e. BY spreading information as to what other local groups are doing for defense. f. By defining the place of group work in the community at this time, and the contribution it can make to the defense program. 27