32 THE AUDUBON TEBULE Ee 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: 
EFFECTIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS 
FOR THE AUDUBON MEMBERSHIP 
by R. M. BARRON 
Volunteer Press Secretary, IAS 
“In modern times effective public relations have come to equate with 3 
aggregate of PERSONAL pressures.” 
“Every newspaper editor knows the chances are better than two to or 
that a letter from a reader in his ‘Sound Off’ column will be read ... ; 
comparison with his own piece in the adjoining editorial column.” 
These are quotations we have recently run into. From our own pre 
experience we add this one: “A letter on a timely subject by any individu: 
is ten times as likely to be printed in your newspaper as an organization: 
press release on the same subject.” 
The inference is clear. To tell the public the Audubon story it 
necessary that IAS people—officers, board members and just plain men 
bers—write, write and write again to their newspapers. Every paper i 
larger cities and many in smaller places have columns which go by vario 
names, all reserved for opinions of their readers. It is true that such lette 
are welcomed! 
What to write about? Almost anything. The range of possible subjec 
is as wide as the interests of IAS. Recently published letters on conservatio 
have varied from a neighborhood appeal to save threatened roadside tres 
to an attack on the outrageous Rampart Dam proposal in Alaska. 
Conservation must be made a major issue. This will be done by gettin 
people—and consequently politicians and public officials—to talk about i 
And if our own members do not tell the people of Illinois, through tt 
columns of their newspapers, about the positions and policies of IAS, sure! 
no one else will. 
People are always interesting. The Chicago Tribune, for example, 
eager for letters that mention someone whose picture they can run alongsic 
a letter, which’ you may send them or which they can find in their file 
So write about Audubon people, from John James himself to the new] 
appointed secretary of your chapter or club. It is also well to personaliz 
your message by quoting from State or local IAS persons, or other conse! 
vationists who are well known. 
If no other subject appeals, write about birds—or other wildlife. Widé 
spread interest in nature is a revelation to anyone who reads carefully th 
pages of even great metropolitan newspapers. Of general interest are n¢ 
only our persecuted and endangered species but common birds and mai 
mals, unusual sightings, earliest arrivals, and instances of spectacular re: 
cues. The possibilities are endless. 
President Mostek suggests: “Set a letter-writing schedule for yoursel 
Resolve to write a letter to a newspaper on a certain day each month, or < 
least one at the turn of each season, so this important volunteer duty wi 
not easily be forgotten.” —826 S. Wabash, Chicago 6060 
