What is the Greater New Orleans Supports Our Military program?
The Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee (MMAC) initiated the Greater New Orleans Supports Our Military (GNOSOM) campaign in May 2004 as a way of encouraging local area merchants and businesses to show their personal support for U.S. military members and their dependent families by offering tangible benefits (discounts and/or gratuities) to them upon proof of service or dependent status. MMAC has worked hand in hand in planning and establishing this program with two other dynamic organizations that have shown great support for our locally based military personnel – Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) and the Louisiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (LA ESGR). Together, this three-way team is striving to make this endeavor the premier community support of the military program within the entire nation.
What are the overall benefits of participating in this program?
The benefits of this program are twofold:
- For the military member and his or her family, the benefits are quite obvious – they receive discounts and/or gratuities from participating businesses in recognition of their faithful service to the nation.
- For participating businesses, the main benefit is in knowing that you are doing something worthwhile for these very dedicated people. However, there are other benefits to participating businesses as noted below.
How would my business be recognized for participating in this program?
If approved to participate, you will receive a colorful and patriotic “We Proudly Support Our Greater New Orleans Area Military Community” vendor sticker that you may display in a prominent place at your business. You will also receive a letter of appreciation from the Mayor of the City of New Orleans. Last, your business will be listed on the GNOSOM web page. This will allow military members to see exactly what businesses have joined the program as of that date. If you so choose, a hyperlink will allow the military customer direct access to your business web site.
What level of discount is required to participate in the GNOSOM program?
A minimum discount of ten percent (10%) is the desired goal, but it’s understood that certain types of business may need to offer less than that due to their more conservative profit margins. In lieu of (or in addition to) a percentage discount, a monetary discount (such as “Two for One” or “Second One Half Price”) also would be considered.
Who else besides those businesses that offer discounts and gratuities to military people will be recognized as Supporters on the GNOSOM web page?
We will also acknowledge and list those businesses that support their employees who are recalled to active duty in the National Guard or Reserve by making up the difference in pay between their civilian occupation and active duty pay. Realizing that such sacrifice comes off the “bottom line” of their profits, we want to give such employers due credit for their generosity and monetary sacrifice for the good of our Guardsmen and Reservists, particularly at a time when such “citizen soldiers” are being utilized more than ever before in the defense of our great nation.
Who are the approved recipients of these discounts and other benefits?
Active duty, National Guard, Reserve, military retired, disabled veterans, and in all cases, their dependent family members are considered eligible. In each case, they will be expected to show their U.S. military ID cards to provide proof of their eligibility for the benefit(s) you provide.
How do I apply for this program?
Application is made on-line by clicking on the GNOSOM Application Form and filling in the required information. Once you submit the form on-line, designated voluntary members of the Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee will review it. You will be notified by return e-mail within ten business days as to whether you’ve been approved for the program. If approved, the banner and letter of appreciation will be sent to you within another ten business days and your business will be listed on the GNOSOM web page as a Supporter. If you so choose, we will add a hyperlink to your business’ web site for access by prospective military customers.
What if I decide to drop out of the program at a later date?
All that is required is to go to the GNOSOM web page and request that you be removed from the list of businesses participating in the program. You will receive an e-mail reply acknowledging that removal.
If I do decide to participate, will my discount and/or other benefits be truly appreciated?
Military members and their families throughout the Greater New Orleans area certainly will be greatly appreciative of your support for the sacrifices they make in the service of our great nation. It also is reasonable to expect that those who have never served in the Armed Forces of the United States will appreciate your willingness to support our veterans, particularly during this time of crisis in the War on Terror.
I’m ready! How do I sign up?
Again, go to the GNOSOM Application Form, fill it out, and submit it electronically. Thanks for your interest and support!