2025 Season Seven (7) is a wrap

Brother Sig from the Appalachian Chapter returns to the Podcast table with a promise to make regular appearances in the upcoming 8th Season!

We start with the intent of looking back over the previous season. Not surprisingly, CY2025 was one of the busiest years in the chapter's history, with an event a month. He remembers the K9 event in September as his personal highlight, but notes quickly that they also jumped in quickly on a fundraiser for a local police officer shot in the line of duty and another for the family of a police officer killed in the line of duty.

The conversation then quickly turned to using social media to support the chapter's endeavors and events. Sig was quick to credit the Chapter President Rodeo, whom he characterized as a social media guru. Sig has a love-hate relationship with technology but somehow succeeds in using it.

We start to explore how the chapter has embraced social media and other non-traditional means of "getting the word out". Without a doubt, Sig remarked, they got a real return on the effort the chapter put into those campaigns. All of the people attending the event would comment on how they saw it online.Social media increased awareness of the upcoming events.

The geography around the chapter spreads out the target demographic, and their online accounts help them reach a broader audience. Sharing events to community "at large" pages extends the chapter's presence beyond our network of "friends".

The chapter hasn't abandoned print media entirely and has used large-scale advertisements like electronic billboards, but those all cost money.

Word of Mouth remains a timeless and credible means of getting information out. Once the club is known and established, people ask about and talk up the upcoming events. Getting to know the patches personally and building bridges are still important. You have a network in person.

Stickers and courtesy cards are still king. The chapter pastes their QR code on all of those documents to reel people in and provide information about what they have been doing and what's coming up.

One of my personal favorites for continuing to engage an audience about a specific upcoming event is the Facebook Event pages. Once someone indicates they are interested or attending, you can immediately provide updates to those folks. Event Pages are particularly effective.

The Appalachian Chapter has some especially strong sponsorship, and they are committed to crediting those sponsors and recognizing their generosity. They also invite their sponsors to come to the event and set up an informational table or put up a banner.

"The magic is getting the community behind what you do and then spreading the good word", says Sig. Being out there every month and getting those vests in the sunshine so people see you is really important. Being at the favorite locations or events and telling people about the club and what you do is.

What works in one region may not translate well to another. You need to figure out what works best.

Sig explains how the chapter participates in the Angel Tree, a holiday gift program. There's a local business that hosts the Angel Tree and administers a short application process. Each child gets a "want" and a "need". Anyone can take a card off the tree and shop for the gifts, and then return them to the tree, where they are wrapped and put under the tree for those children. The chapter has already sponsored 45 Angel Tree cards, and they in on going back for more.

Looking forward to the next year, Sig talks about what the chapter has coming up. They start back up in February with their annual Chilli Cook-Off.

In April the chapter will host its spring party to mark the 28th Anniversary of the chapter. April 9th through the 12th at local campground that offers cabins, glam-camping, tent sites. Its a massive facility and they will have the whole campground reserved for the Nam Knights. Paved roads in the campground and shuttles to & from the local attractions. Friday night will a club only party at the campground and Saturday's event is intended to be an open event at a local brewery.

More event information will be coming out soon. Watch for more.

In September they will be hosting their annual K9 Event and will have a special raffle item! Johnny Middleton, bass player for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, has arranged for signed electric guitar, signed by the whole band. Tickets should be available starting in January.