TARGETING AND RECRUITING THE HISPANIC COMMUNITYNew York Wing In April 1994, Buffalo Squadron #1, New York Wing, developed a Spanish language (Puerto Rican dialect) recruiting leaflet. This one-sided, 8 1/2 x 11 inch leaflet was produced in two colors. Light blue for use as a leaflet and poster and white for mailings to local media. This leaflet was developed to focus on the growing Hispanic community in Buffalo, New York. The intended audience was Hispanic parents that may not be completely familiar with written English. We hoped if these parents learned about Civil Air Patrol, they would in-turn inform their children about the Cadet Program. The increase of Spanish language newspapers and radio shows in the community provided us with a medium to disseminate our recruiting information. We estimated this method of recruiting would bring positive results. In May 1994, five of the Spanish language leaflets were mailed to local Hispanic newspapers, magazines, and radio shows. With this initial effort, five prospective recruits, with their parents, visited our meeting. Out of these five visitors, four joined. Along with providing this leaflet to all Hispanic media, we also used it as a poster. Our Cadets, placed the poster in stores, libraries, and other public places. The effectiveness of this poster continued to bring prospective recruits to Buffalo Squadron #1. Squadrons can increase their membership and awareness of Civil Air Patrol through this method. Research your community to learn what immigrant groups, with English as a second language, have large populations in your area. Find out what newspapers and radio shows serve that group. Develop a leaflet. If you have no one in your squadron with a knowledge of foreign language, make coordination with local schools. The Foreign Language Department of a university can also lend assistance in proper translation and dialect. The message and mission of Civil Air Patrol deserve the widest dissemination possible. Only in this way can we continue to increase our membership and continue our tradition of service to the community, state, and nation.
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