relations program or special event. Acceptance of the Navy and of newcomers, information on local holidays, taboos,  peculiarities  of  local  dress  and  social activity-particularly the various levels of society and public interest in education, libraries, museums, art and music–should be determined. While a Sunday public visitation  of  your  command  may  be  completely acceptable in the southwestern United States, it might antagonize relations in certain small communities in the East and South. But customs, traditions and culture are equally  important  as  opportunities  and  charnels  of communication to reach key publics in the community. Individuals  are  usually  tuned  to  the  frequencies transmitting messages related to their personal mental set or awareness of the world around them. Mutual Problems and Interests Before the opinion leaders or the community at large  can  be  motivated  to  act,  there  must  be  an understanding  of  mutual  interests.  Every  community knows what it wants for its well-being, what it expects each  organization  to  give  and  how  it  measures contributions. The following are opportunities for mutual interest between the Navy and the community: l l l l l l l l l l Commercial  property Support  of  religion Full  employment Adequate  schools Law and order Area growth and development Adequate and low cost housing and utilities Varied  recreational  and  cultural  opportunities Individual and public welfare Health and sanitation As a starting point, it is worthwhile for the public affairs  staff  and  the  base-community  council  to  consider each of these areas of mutual problems and interest as posed  by  the  following  questions: .  What is the economic impact of the Navy on the local  community?  Is  the  public  aware  of  this? .  Have plans and agreements been worked out between  the  Navy  and  local  officials  on  mutual l l l l l l aid in the event of a natural disaster, accidents, epidemics  of  sickness  or  disease? How much cooperation is there between local civilian law enforcement agencies and Navy law enforcement and security organizations? Does the community provide adequate schools and cultural activities? Is the community aware of  the  educational  and  cultural  needs  of  the Navy? Does the community know how much the Navy spends in the local area for services and supplies? Are items purchased elsewhere that might be obtained  locally? Is the public aware of the contributions by naval personnel of funds and services to local charities and  service  organizations?  Do  command personnel know what services are provided to them? Does the command contribute to local health and sanitation problems? Do the local citizens know how much effort is made by the Navy to strengthen local health and sanitation? Past and Present Community Relations Activities It  is  rare  for  a  public  affairs  staff  to  have  the opportunity  to  start  fresh  and  build  a  command community  relations  program  from  the  ground  up.  Like our  personal  heritage,  most  PAOs  and  officers  in command inherit a community relations program from their  predecessors,  in  both  their  own  installation  and other  service  organizations  in  the  community.  The  local stereotype of the Navy can be greatly affected by the previous   community   relations   programs   or   by   a complete lack of contact between the Navy and the local community. If the organization and the Navy are not new to a community, the public affairs staff must determine the status  of  community  relations  programs  and  try  to evaluate  community  relations  efforts.  One  of  the  first steps is for the staff to become acquainted with the public  affairs  staffs  of  other  military  and  federal organizations  in  the  area.  An  analysis  of  the  data collected   in   the   community   survey   can   reveal considerable information about previous community relations   programs.   Informal   discussions   with appropriate  local  reporters  and  chamber  of  commerce 5-12