TALMA/Department Media Awards

The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA)

The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA) is open to anyone who is a current member of any branch of The American Legion Family. It is intended to be for members who handle media including but not limited to public relations, website, social media, newsletters, etc. at the post, district, county or department levels.

The American Legion Media and Communications Commission chairman annually appoints three members from the commission, council or are otherwise affiliated with the commission to serve one-year terms on the TALMA subcommittee. The subcommittee works with a liaison from the national Media and Communications staff on all activities involving TALMA. The subcommittee and staff member communicate with the chairman on a regular basis.

The membership year runs Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 and dues are $15 per year. Members receive exclusive benefits including:

  • A press credential with lanyard.
  • Free entry into the annual contest.
  • Resources for promoting Legion programs, post activities and more.
  • Training by subject matter experts.
  • Subscription to a regular e-newsletter.

To sign up, please visit www.legion.org/talma/join

For questions, contact us:

• By email: magazine@legion.org or submit this form.

• By phone: (317) 630-1272.

• By mail: The American Legion Media Alliance, Media and Communications Division, The American Legion, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

Publication Style Guidelines

Publication Style Guide” Release by The American Legion

The American Legion National Headquarters just released a “Publication Style Guide”.

The style guide has been developed to assist American Legion staff and volunteers to be as consistent as possible in all written communications. The ultimate goal is for articles, press releases, social media posts, brochures, booklets and other published material to have a uniform style. It is designed to offer guidance as to established norms, and is highly recommended for use at every level of the organization.

Sections include:
• quick tips
• the use of abbreviations, acronyms and capitalization
• titles
• military terms and ranks

In most circumstances, The American Legion follows AP style, as outlined in the latest editions of The Associated Press Stylebook and Webster’s New World College Dictionary.

Legion Publication Style Guide (PDF)

Entry Instructions

For Categories 1 and 2, an identifying cover sheet must be submitted to include the following information, typed or printed neatly:

a. Name, number, city of organization Post, Unit, Squadron, Chapters, (County or District), as applicable
b. Full address of Post, Unit, Squadron, Chapter (County or District)
c. Name of publication
d. Category of entry
e. Frequency of publication
f. Average circulation number
g. Name, mailing address, phone number of Editor
h. Name, mailing address, phone number of entrant, if different from Editor

For Category 3, an identifying cover sheet must be submitted to include the following information, along with copies of three (3) separate, published issues, on a CD and flash drive:

a. Name, number, city of organization Post, Unit, Squadron, Chapters, (County or District), as applicable
b. Full address of Post, Unit, Squadron, Chapter (County or District)
c. Name of publication
d. Category of entry
e. Frequency of publication
f. Average circulation number
g. Name, mailing address, phone number of Editor
h. Name, mailing address, phone number of entrant, if different from Editor

For Category 4, submit the electronic address for your website, along with an identifying cover sheet which includes the following information, typed or printed neatly:

a. Name, number, city of organization Post, Unit, Squadron, Chapters, (County or District), as applicable
b. Full address of Post, Unit, Squadron, Chapter (County or District)
c. Website address (URL)
d. Name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address, of webmaster
e. Name, mailing address, phone number of entrant, and e-mail address, if other than webmaster

Media & Communications Committee

It is the goal of the Department Media & Communications Committee to promote better communications within the Legion family and the general public. 

The committee hosts an annual Media Contest in four categories. All categories require publication between May 1st and April 30th of the following year. All categories must be a publication of the Legion, ALA, SAL, or Legion Riders or a joint publication of two or more of the three organizations, at the Post, Unit, County, or District level. There is NO entry fee.

1. Single Sheet (Deadline for submission: April 30)
2. Multiple Sheet (Deadline for submission: April 30)
3. Electronic Newsletter (e-mail) (Deadline for submission: April 30)
4. Website (Deadline for submission: April 30)

All submissions, with required documentation as outlined in the entry instructions, must be mailed to:

The American Legion of Iowa
ATTN:  Department Media Awards
720 Lyon St.
Des Moines, Iowa  50309

Categories 3 and 4, require additional electronic submission to programs@ialegion.org, by the April 30 deadline.

Basics of Judging

Categories 1, 2, 3 will be judged on content of Legion, ALA, SAL, Legion Riders local, county, district, department (state) and national news, as appropriate, clear, concise and balanced writing, make-up, design, and, appearance.

Category 4 will be judged on local information, user-friendliness, the cover sheet which must contain the information listed below the site design, links, appropriateness of information, and, attractiveness.

Awards

Awards are provided by The American Legion, Department of Iowa, and awarded at Department Convention.

a. Each category will recognize a First Place winner, and awarded an appropriate plaque, inscribed with the name of the publication and entrant.
b. Second Place winners will receive  a certificate, inscribed with the name of the publication and entrant.
c. All entries will receive a participation certificate.