What is a UPAR?

State Public Affairs Office Staff

Unit Public Affairs Representative Course Introduction

Introduction

1. Tell your unit’s and fellow Soldiers’ stories through print, photographs and social media. -Positively impact unit recruiting, retention and morale by highlighting training and talent

 2. Serve as the Commander’s advisor/subject matter expert on media issues and

operations.-Be prepared to assist the Commander in preparing to meet/escort the media

 3. Be the communications conduit to the State Public Affairs office and other MACOM PA

assets (e.g. 130th PAD, JFHQ Public Affairs, 103rd AW Public Affairs) -Inform of issues, notify of upcoming training events/potential stories, research questions, coordinate support/schedule coverage

 4. Help to develop and maintain your unit’s Command Information Program

-Assist in the design and content of your unit’s Facebook page, Twitter account, website, Unit newsletter, Command Information bulletin board, etc.

UPAR MISSION

WelcomeIntroductions

Agenda

GoalsDefine What a Unit Public Affairs Representative IsIdentify the Roles and Responsibilities of a UPARPrepare Attendees to Serve as Their UPARProvide all UPARS the Tools Needed to be Effective

StandardsSuccessfully Complete Two Prerequisite On-line Courses (for Army Guard); the Two-Day UPAR Course; and the Final Practical Exercise

STATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

UPAR

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERVIDEO PRODUCERGUARDIAN EDITOR

PAO/UPAR Organization

MACOM/UNITCOMMANDERS

130TH PUBLIC AFFAIRS DETACHMENT

AIR GUARDPUBLIC AFFAIRS143RD ASG

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

JFHQPUBLIC AFFAIRS

Goals• Increased public awareness of the Connecticut National Guard• Increased public confidence of the Connecticut National Guard• Increased public support of the Connecticut National Guard• Increased Command Information to Guardsmen, Families, Retirees, and

Employers

• Positively impact unit recruiting, retention and morale by highlighting unit’s training and talent

• Inform of issues, notify of upcoming training events/potential stories, research questions, coordinate support/schedule coverage

* * DIRECTLY IMPACT THE SUCCESS OF THE CTNG STRENGTH , DIRECTLY IMPACT THE SUCCESS OF THE CTNG STRENGTH , IMPROVE PUBLIC PERCEPTION & INCREASE INFORMATION FLOWIMPROVE PUBLIC PERCEPTION & INCREASE INFORMATION FLOW

Being aUPAR• Is about taking care of your Soldiers and Airmen• Is about taking care of your Veterans• Is about taking care of your Retirees• Is about taking care of your Families

• Being a UPAR is enhancement of the Public Affairs Office, NOT a replacement for it

• Being a UPAR is your responsibility & an additional duty

• Being a UPAR is about telling OUR story

Duties• Be the ‘Eyes & Ears’ of your unit for the PA Office• Inform the PA Office of upcoming events that could be

covered by internal and external media• Request coverage of events, training, ceremonies, etc.• Provide Hometown News Release information to PA

Office• Cover events for the Connecticut Guardian and/or

Social Media• Assist in preparing Commander/unit members for

visits by internal and external media sources• Assist Commander and TAG in publicizing the

Connecticut National Guard, its mission and its people• Provide PA Office with information on Community

Involvement Missions• Prepare the Commander for Media Interactions• Tell the Stories of the Soldiers/Airmen in Your Unit

Responsibilities

• Accuracy• Timeliness• Meeting deadlines• Maintaining communication with PA Office

and Commander• Hometown News Release Program• Equipment accountability• Knowing your unit and the people in it• Community involvement• Using provided forms

Expectations

• Make a commitment to being the best UPAR you can be

• Know your unit and the people in it

• Provide input to Connecticut Guardian/Social Media as often as possible

• Personality profiles on members of your unit

• Meet deadlines• Open Communications• Request Assistance when

needed

Review

• UPARs are NOT a replacement for Public Affairs, but an enhancement of Public Affairs

• UPARs take care of their Soldiers, Airmen, Veterans, Retirees and Families

• UPARs help tell the story of the Connecticut National Guard and its people

• UPARs are the ‘Eyes & Ears’ of their units• UPARs are important to the mission of the

Connecticut National Guard

Q & A

Questions?