July 11, 2026. NW Div Meeting. Boise ID
NVC Northwest Skip Nakashima
Hello Commandants.
This email is going out to all NVC’s, ADVC’s and Department Commandants and it will be all the information on the National Newsletter Competition, and I ask that you pass it on to your detachments. Entries to the competition will be accepted starting June 8th through June 30th. The period covered is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and there must be three issues in one document in PDF format.
Why should I have a Newsletter? At most conventions and Conferences, we talk about communications, and Newsletters are a great tool in Communication. I take mine and post it to FaceBook and LinkedIn, as well as sending them out with every request for License Plates or information. They allow us to inform the community and others about what we do and why we do it. It allows us to recognize our Marines in every aspect of our service to others whether it be fundraising, honoring, or being acknowledged for what they do. It allows for celebration and remembrance. We can visit our Conventions and conferences and make note of who we recognized for service above and beyond. It allows us to bring attention to every asset of our Marines Lives. Do you know how many Marines are authors? How many novelists are there, how many poets? How many Marines perform as great leaders and we look forward to where their path may take them in the future, and how that will benefit us and the League. Lastly, it promotes sharing, as in ideas who has an idea that will help with something I need to accomplish, and there are many out there. I have seen things in Newsletters and contacted the Department for more information, and they sent me the entire script.
Individual Groups: Right now, Divisions really need to step up. We only have one Division with a Newsletter and up till now that Division has been judged with the Department Newsletters which means one Department loses out each year. Divisions are the leaders, the big guns. They cover the largest territory. Contain the most Departments and Detachments, so you are also communicating with them. If detachment A has a newsletter and detachment B has a newsletter, A will read A and B Will read B but what a division could publish would be A through ZZ, in other words they would spread everyone’s message.
Everyone: No matter what level your newsletter is, it will need support. Marines have to send in photos and or stories on the activities of their unit. Certain positions in each unit should be given a page to address Marines with what they are responsible for. It could be informative or motivational for the Commandant. The same for the pack leader or pound keeper. The Chaplain should have a platform. Other ideas, Marines for Life, Toys for Tots, Young Marines, HAMSAL, Ads, for coming events, TAPS, recruiting, and From the Editor.
I am available for help or advice at: walt.benson5@gmail.com, MCLnewsletter.comp@gmail.com, 203-768-8435
There is also a Facebook page where last year’s winners are listed and the newsletters they won with Facebook.
I will send out one more reminder in April, which will be about 8 weeks prior to the opening for entries. This is an opportunity to deliver your message, show off your detachment, department or Division, as well as showcase the job your Marines are doing
Thank you for your attention and support.
Semper Fi
Walt Benson
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Walt Benson
Chairman
MCL National Newsletter