[Nfb-editors] Blueprint to a basic newsletter

Mon Feb 21 13:39:57 UTC 2011

As I have listened to newsletter editors through the years, I would say
that, though the barrier to getting a newsletter started may be people's
fear of the size and complexity of the editing job, the largest problem in
producing a publication year after year is recruiting contributors and
getting them to write good articles. I personally do not think twisting arms
to get chapter reports for every issue is worth the trouble. Mostly these
are boring and discouraging. At their worst they are lists of who has died
or is in the hospital. Even when the information is worth knowing, the
reports are usually stretched out and diluted so that again, unless one is
reading about one's local chapter, people lose interest. We have developed a
column called Buckeye Briefs. It is loosely modeled on Monitor Miniatures. I
wish chapter presidents wrote the notices themselves, but mostly they do
not. I watch our affiliate listserv and snag announcements there, and then I
write the notices. This keeps them short enough. 

I wish I could offer a failsafe method of acquiring material worthy of
publication. I cannot. Some states have a larger group of capable writers
than others. But the job can be done even so, if the editor is determined.
Karen Mayry, when she was healthy did one of the best state newsletters we
had, and she did it alone. She read every other newsletter, and she
reprinted liberally. She also persuaded the state library director to write
columns for her publication and the state agency director. South Dakota is a
small state, and everyone in state government knew and loved or feared
Karen, but she made her newsletter happen because her elderly affiliate
depended on it, and it went to everybody and his brother in government, and
she told them what to think about blindness, and they believed her.

I would say that the one point that the editor can never forget is that the
newsletter is a house organ and not a neutral publication airing both sides
of every issue. We have a point of view on blindness, and we should publish
what will strengthen our arguments. I am not suggesting that we be unfair,
but I would never print a piece about the national convention, for example,
that complained about the crowds in the elevators and the expense of the
food in the restaurant and never mentioned the speakers and meetings with
excitement. 

Most of us editors will have to ghost write for various affiliate leaders.
Our job is to make the people who do write for us look good, so editing to
get rid of grammar and punctuation errors is necessary. Mostly you have to
be thinking of the newsletter all the time. Get people to write you notes if
nothing else about the efforts they undertake. Then you have something to
work with.

That is what comes to mind immediately; hope it helps.

Barbara Pierce

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Robert Leslie Newman
Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2011 8:46 AM
To: editors nfb list
Subject: [Nfb-editors] Blueprint to a basic newsletter

Editors

RE: The creation of a newsletter where one does not exist

Okay dear people: I do not need to sell you all on the importance of a
newsletter. Fact- they say and I'm going to find out, that half of our
affiliates do not have a newsletter. And my guess is that the most often
reason for this is --- that the job is seen to be too big and complex. What
I am asking this group to do is come up with an outline for a basic easy to
do blueprint for a newsletter. Like:

#1  what are the basic parts? (Examples: a presidential report. A section on
giving a brief accounting of what the affiliate has done or is going to be
doing and is proud of. Reports from chapters or divisions. A section on
helpful blindness alternatives, or section on recipes, etc. 

#2 What is a method for getting those parts created? (Example- each chapter
is required to submit  a summary of their activities. Ask for people to send
in their favorite recipes and techniques) Also, with the editor being a
member of this list, they can find material from other affiliates
newsletters (We within the NFB are dedicated to educating each other). 

#3 What formats should a beginning newsletter think of providing? Email
alone is a good start. Braille and/or print can come as it is possible.
Posting the mag on the affiliates webpage and/or in that states Newsline
would be easy to arrange.

#4 The editor is encouraged to be part of this list. Here they get support
of all kinds! Material, suggestions, technical assistance, etc. 

#5 The newsletter, to begin with or --- will be as short or as long as it
--- can be. 

(And the technical quality, with help, can and should be acceptable and
could and should improve where needed. You tell me how this part of the
message must be stated.) 

But hey you all!!! This is all reachable. Let us come up with a reasonable
outline, blueprint and get it out there. (I am unaware of this having been
done and already out for others to consult. In fact, we should put this
"blueprint" in every publication we have that gets into our members hands.

Robert Leslie Newman

President, Omaha Chapter NFB

President, NFB Writers' Division

Division Website

 <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org

Personal Website-

 <http://www.thoughtprovoker.info> http://www.thoughtprovoker.info

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