[Nfb-editors] Blueprint to a basic newsletter

Mon Feb 21 16:31:46 UTC 2011

Gary,

Excellent post as always.  I do have a suggestion regarding your fifth
point.  While articles should have something to do with blindness, I think
it would be good to feature the occasional article on the state of the
economy in general and personal investment in particular.  Perhaps my
feeling is owed to my full-time gig working for a financial education
organization, but blind people ought to know how to use the money they are
having come in and invest that in a way that will not impact their benefits
while growing a nest egg for the future.  With retirement not at all looking
like what it did after World War II, it's important for our fellow blind
peers to know how to survive, especially if the high unemployment rates
persist.  I don't know how it works with Social Security Income.  I would
think the money would not be touched if invested in an IRA, but my point is
that there are a few general issues that should be of equal importance to
blind individuals, even if they do not impact blind people specifically.
Just my twenty dollar's worth.

Best,

Joe

"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Wunder, Gary
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 10:50 AM
To: newmanrl at cox.net; Correspondence Committee MailingList
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] Blueprint to a basic newsletter

1. What is your legislative agenda assuming you have one?

2. Who has done something noteworthy--new job, graduation from college,
certified by Microsoft as a technician, completed a Hadley course.

3. What seminars has your state done and how were they received? Are there
plans for more?

4. What philosophical issues come up in general discussion? In Missouri one
of those issues is the Blind Pension, a monthly check sent to those with
very limited vision with less of 20/200 or a visual field of less than 20
degrees. Does it serve to motivate people to work by meeting some of the
extra expenses of blindness or keep them home because it pads the safety
net? How many people move here to get it? Is it like what we're pressing for
in our Social Security reforms or is it different? When did it start? How
was it created?

5. Try to have your articles have something to do with blindness. There are
many social issues that people will want to write about, but do they bring
together or divide our readers? Many of us have views we'd love to write
about on divisive social issues. We have the right to hold those views and
to say what we feel in appropriate forums. I will not divide my affiliate
with issues such as the wars in which we find ourselves, environmental
issues VS the rights of businesses and growth, marriage for people of the
same sex, taxation and cutting government spending, the role of the local
school board in setting educational standards and the part the state and
federal departments of education should play, gun laws, religious freedom,
and a whole host of other things the informed American and citizen of the
world will consider when we listen to the radio and read the newspaper. The
question is in what forums we discuss these and other issues. I suggest it
not happen in the pages of our publications where our focus is on those
things that unite us.

There is plenty to think about, but far fewer articles. In July many folks
told me how glad they were that I was becoming the editor of the
Monitor--all of them held out the promise of an article or even a column,
and many suggested that the standards before had been a little too tight to
allow for their entries. Take it from me--we aren't hurting for material,
but we do have to scratch for it, and the issue isn't some tough standard.
It is that people have more ideas than they do the time or discipline to
write them.

I hope this stimulates some thoughts and helps in generating content.

Gary

-----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 7:46 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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