Chapter Handbook (2012 Edition)
Chapter Handbook
We use the Fourteenth Edition | December 2017
This Handbook reflects that our Chapter is governed by the national association's formal incorporation rules and the local standing rules.
99
Correct Applications
Everyone Wave
The wave graphic is used in many AARP communications and allows for easy placement on some pieces. It is most successful when used as a corner element that identifies the national relationship, but does not restrict the local voice.
Since it is a minor element of any communication, its size should not dominate the page, but it should be used as a support element to anchor the communication.
It can be done in red or black as shown below.
100
The Chapter Store
Chapters can continue to purchase AARP Chapter merchandise mate- rials through the AARP store (www.aarpstore.org). These products use the AARP logo in conjunction with the “Chapters” sub brand. Low quantities of popular items can be ordered at a reasonable unit cost.
If you choose to have other items produced that include the AARP logo mark, use the proportions on page 99 to have artwork created. Because we are always interested in how Chapters engage with the community, it would be helpful for us to see how these items work for your events.
Examples of items we have found successful:
101
Our Outside Voice
Talking to folks is what we do. When we communicate with members or those 50+ generally, either through print or online, we want to speak with a single voice, so that we don’t confuse our audience. We also want to make sure that the Chapter voice comes through on all communications, so the AARP Trademark should not be the larg-
est item on the page. It is important that your voice shine in these interactions.
Below are just a few examples of applying the AARP brand in ways that allow for closer connection to the AARP mission, while maintain- ing the local flavor.
Correct Applications
102
Friends and Other Relations
To avoid relationship confusion, the AARP Trademark should not be given to any other organization.
Correct Applications
103
Terms You May Need
Glossary of Terms
EPS (encapsulated post script file)
Used primarily for professional reproduction in all print applications, files can be enlarged and reduced without loss of quality. These files cannot be opened without appropriate illustration software but can be placed as a picture within Word or PowerPoint.
JPG (joint photographic experts group)
A photographic file used for online application, such as a website. It cannot be used larger than 100% without loss of resolution and may not look “crisp” when professionally printed. Images can be place as pictures within Word or PowerPoint. They often open for viewing using a standard picture viewer.
PNG (portable network graphics)
Similar to a JPG, this format works well with PC-based documents such as Word. It tends to print “crisper” and format better in elec- tronic documents.
Electronic Format
Any file that can be attached to an email or sent to a third party via the Internet.
PDF (portable document format)
A document created by using Adobe software that converts a series of pages into a transferable format that can be opened by any computer, using an Adobe reader. Documents can be as simple as a two-sided sheet of paper or as complex as multi-page books. Some formats of PDF documents are created specifically for professional printers. Not all PDF documents are formatted in this manner, especially those attached to websites.
Please check with your Chapter president for electronic versions of the AARP logos. They are available in EPS, (professional printing), JPG (website), and PNG (Microsoft® Word or Office) format.
AARP Trademark
The “AARP Trademark” refers to the AARP name and/or logo.
104
Frequently Asked Questions
We want to make sure AARP Chapters have all the information they need to help strengthen their communities and deliver real value for their Chapter members. Sometimes questions arise that may not be addressed in the materials AARP provides to its Chapters. Following are some answers to some frequently asked questions. We hope they help.
We like to take advantage of group discounts for our Chapter members. Is it OK for us to arrange these discounts with compa- nies and other organizations?
Your Chapter can deliver real value (along with a lot of fun!) for its members by taking advantage of group discounts. We understand many Chapters use group discounts on everything from cruises to movie matinees. These arrangements are fine as long as:
It is clear that this is a one-time or occasional event made possible by your Chapter and does not appear to be an AARP-endorsed discount.
Any materials you use to promote the event or opportunity do not showcase the commercial entity or appear to be endorsing or promot- ing that entity. It’s the event you’re promoting, not the company.
Can Chapters get involved in local politics and mobilize people in our community to support a candidate?
No. AARP is a nonpartisan organization and as long as you align your- self with AARP, your Chapter is not permitted to support or endorse
a specific candidate. However, your Chapter members can make a big difference by mobilizing people to get educated on the issues and vote.
We want to do a drawing as a sweepstakes for fun at our next event. Is there anything special we need to know or do? Are there special rules we need to be aware of?
Contest and sweepstakes can be considered a lot of fun but may be tricky for a lot of reasons. There are several applicable laws that are different from state to state. So be sure to check with your state before conducting a sweepstakes or contest to be sure you are complying with all state laws.
We get approached by a lot of other organizations in our commu- nity to partner on activities or events. Is it OK for us to partner with
105
these groups and is it OK for the AARP logo to appear right next to another organization’s logo?
At the national level, AARP creates relationships with a variety of commercial and non-profit organizations, so it needs to be clear that it is your Chapter involved in the community alliance, not AARP. The AARP logo can never appear next to another organization’s logo to make sure there is no confusion about the alliance.
Your agreement with our Chapter says you want us to send you samples of our materials as part of Information Sharing and Quality Control. What exactly do you need to see and how often do we need to send these materials to you?
AARP is interested in what you are doing in your community and how you are delivering value for your members. The materials help us understand this better and it also helps us ensure that Chapters are following the brand guidelines. You are NOT required to submit materials for approval. While we will not be reviewing and approving materials on a regular basis, we may contact you if we see something that needs to be corrected or executed differently in the future.
In an effort to make this request easy for you, you can send us mate- rials however it works best for you. For instance, you can add the Office of Volunteerism and Service to your mailing or email distribu- tion list whenever you send materials to everyone else. The Office of Volunteerism and Service mailing and email addresses are
AARP Office of Volunteerism and Service 601 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20049
ATTN: Chapter Office
email: chapters@aarp.org
Or you can submit a sample set of materials at the end of the year when you submit information for your AARP Census & Activity Report. Sample materials include newsletters, flyers, posters, etc., and one or two of each (depending on the materials you create) will be fine. If your Chapter has a website, please make sure to list the URL on your AARP Census & Activity Report.
106
Notes:
107
Notes:
108
We use the Fourteenth Edition | December 2017
This Handbook reflects that our Chapter is governed by the national association's formal incorporation rules and the local standing rules.
99
Correct Applications
Everyone Wave
The wave graphic is used in many AARP communications and allows for easy placement on some pieces. It is most successful when used as a corner element that identifies the national relationship, but does not restrict the local voice.
Since it is a minor element of any communication, its size should not dominate the page, but it should be used as a support element to anchor the communication.
It can be done in red or black as shown below.
100
The Chapter Store
Chapters can continue to purchase AARP Chapter merchandise mate- rials through the AARP store (www.aarpstore.org). These products use the AARP logo in conjunction with the “Chapters” sub brand. Low quantities of popular items can be ordered at a reasonable unit cost.
If you choose to have other items produced that include the AARP logo mark, use the proportions on page 99 to have artwork created. Because we are always interested in how Chapters engage with the community, it would be helpful for us to see how these items work for your events.
Examples of items we have found successful:
- Hats
- Shirts
- Coffee Mugs
- Bags
- Pens
101
Our Outside Voice
Talking to folks is what we do. When we communicate with members or those 50+ generally, either through print or online, we want to speak with a single voice, so that we don’t confuse our audience. We also want to make sure that the Chapter voice comes through on all communications, so the AARP Trademark should not be the larg-
est item on the page. It is important that your voice shine in these interactions.
Below are just a few examples of applying the AARP brand in ways that allow for closer connection to the AARP mission, while maintain- ing the local flavor.
Correct Applications
102
Friends and Other Relations
To avoid relationship confusion, the AARP Trademark should not be given to any other organization.
Correct Applications
103
Terms You May Need
Glossary of Terms
EPS (encapsulated post script file)
Used primarily for professional reproduction in all print applications, files can be enlarged and reduced without loss of quality. These files cannot be opened without appropriate illustration software but can be placed as a picture within Word or PowerPoint.
JPG (joint photographic experts group)
A photographic file used for online application, such as a website. It cannot be used larger than 100% without loss of resolution and may not look “crisp” when professionally printed. Images can be place as pictures within Word or PowerPoint. They often open for viewing using a standard picture viewer.
PNG (portable network graphics)
Similar to a JPG, this format works well with PC-based documents such as Word. It tends to print “crisper” and format better in elec- tronic documents.
Electronic Format
Any file that can be attached to an email or sent to a third party via the Internet.
PDF (portable document format)
A document created by using Adobe software that converts a series of pages into a transferable format that can be opened by any computer, using an Adobe reader. Documents can be as simple as a two-sided sheet of paper or as complex as multi-page books. Some formats of PDF documents are created specifically for professional printers. Not all PDF documents are formatted in this manner, especially those attached to websites.
Please check with your Chapter president for electronic versions of the AARP logos. They are available in EPS, (professional printing), JPG (website), and PNG (Microsoft® Word or Office) format.
AARP Trademark
The “AARP Trademark” refers to the AARP name and/or logo.
104
Frequently Asked Questions
We want to make sure AARP Chapters have all the information they need to help strengthen their communities and deliver real value for their Chapter members. Sometimes questions arise that may not be addressed in the materials AARP provides to its Chapters. Following are some answers to some frequently asked questions. We hope they help.
We like to take advantage of group discounts for our Chapter members. Is it OK for us to arrange these discounts with compa- nies and other organizations?
Your Chapter can deliver real value (along with a lot of fun!) for its members by taking advantage of group discounts. We understand many Chapters use group discounts on everything from cruises to movie matinees. These arrangements are fine as long as:
It is clear that this is a one-time or occasional event made possible by your Chapter and does not appear to be an AARP-endorsed discount.
Any materials you use to promote the event or opportunity do not showcase the commercial entity or appear to be endorsing or promot- ing that entity. It’s the event you’re promoting, not the company.
Can Chapters get involved in local politics and mobilize people in our community to support a candidate?
No. AARP is a nonpartisan organization and as long as you align your- self with AARP, your Chapter is not permitted to support or endorse
a specific candidate. However, your Chapter members can make a big difference by mobilizing people to get educated on the issues and vote.
We want to do a drawing as a sweepstakes for fun at our next event. Is there anything special we need to know or do? Are there special rules we need to be aware of?
Contest and sweepstakes can be considered a lot of fun but may be tricky for a lot of reasons. There are several applicable laws that are different from state to state. So be sure to check with your state before conducting a sweepstakes or contest to be sure you are complying with all state laws.
We get approached by a lot of other organizations in our commu- nity to partner on activities or events. Is it OK for us to partner with
105
these groups and is it OK for the AARP logo to appear right next to another organization’s logo?
At the national level, AARP creates relationships with a variety of commercial and non-profit organizations, so it needs to be clear that it is your Chapter involved in the community alliance, not AARP. The AARP logo can never appear next to another organization’s logo to make sure there is no confusion about the alliance.
Your agreement with our Chapter says you want us to send you samples of our materials as part of Information Sharing and Quality Control. What exactly do you need to see and how often do we need to send these materials to you?
AARP is interested in what you are doing in your community and how you are delivering value for your members. The materials help us understand this better and it also helps us ensure that Chapters are following the brand guidelines. You are NOT required to submit materials for approval. While we will not be reviewing and approving materials on a regular basis, we may contact you if we see something that needs to be corrected or executed differently in the future.
In an effort to make this request easy for you, you can send us mate- rials however it works best for you. For instance, you can add the Office of Volunteerism and Service to your mailing or email distribu- tion list whenever you send materials to everyone else. The Office of Volunteerism and Service mailing and email addresses are
AARP Office of Volunteerism and Service 601 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20049
ATTN: Chapter Office
email: chapters@aarp.org
Or you can submit a sample set of materials at the end of the year when you submit information for your AARP Census & Activity Report. Sample materials include newsletters, flyers, posters, etc., and one or two of each (depending on the materials you create) will be fine. If your Chapter has a website, please make sure to list the URL on your AARP Census & Activity Report.
106
Notes:
107
Notes:
108
