[Nfb-editors] Blueprint to a good newsletter

Wed Feb 23 21:49:32 UTC 2011

Joe,

That's right!  Just ask Nebraska people about my cattling prodding
abilities.  They groan when they see me!  LOL

The word nag has been bandied about!  *smile*

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
nfb-editors-request at nfbnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 12:00 PM
To: nfb-editors at nfbnet.org
Subject: Nfb-editors Digest, Vol 75, Issue 9

Send Nfb-editors mailing list submissions to
	nfb-editors at nfbnet.org

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
	http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
	nfb-editors-request at nfbnet.org

You can reach the person managing the list at
	nfb-editors-owner at nfbnet.org

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than
"Re: Contents of Nfb-editors digest..."

Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Blueprint to a basic newsletter- protecting	ourcontent
      (Joe Orozco)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:27:12 -0500
From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
To: "'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'" <nfb-editors at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] Blueprint to a basic newsletter- protecting
	ourcontent
Message-ID: <6C6006B1A49A47EAB25EA0FE319B4DC9 at Rufus>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Robert,

Well, if you put it that way...But, no you cannot distract me from the
article I am already committed to preparing for Gary, and Bridgit's
going to take a cattle prod to me if she does not see a first draft of
my article for her!  Interesting point though, and I will consider it,
though I want to make it clear that my financial management prowess is
most definitely a work in progress. :)

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 Robert Leslie Newman
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 11:35 AM
To: 'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] Blueprint to a basic newsletter- protecting
ourcontent

Joe and Others who are thinking of the nature of our publication's
content

You know, there is so few publications out there in the world that have
blindness as their theme and purpose. And of those that are in
existence, like --- who else out there tells it like we do! And so to
maximize our punch, our positive effect, we cannot afford to publish
content that is not in some way hitting at changing what it means to be
blind. 

Specifically to Joe, here is a creative thought! Say you are a financial
planner or advisor of some kind, and if you wanted to point out a non-
blind, real life concern, you could probably get into the Monitor   by
writing such a creative and provocative Description of your career and
how you do it as a blind person (all the time, slipping in some
informational pointers). The reader will walk away smarter about
blindness, the level of your financial astuteness, and wiser about the
world.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Wunder, Gary
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 9:01 AM
To: jsorozco at gmail.com; Correspondence Committee Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] Blueprint to a basic newsletter

We did just what you suggest, I believe it was in January, when we
highlighted an insurance plan that will provide some college funding for
the children of young people who die unexpectedly, and without any
premium to those below a certain income. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Joe Orozco
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 10:32 AM
To: 'Correspondence Committee Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Nfb-editors] Blueprint to a basic newsletter

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

_______________________________________________
Nfb-editors mailing list
Nfb-editors at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfb-editors:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org/gwunder%40n
fb.o
rg

_______________________________________________
Nfb-editors mailing list
Nfb-editors at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfb-editors:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org/jsorozco%40
gmai
l.com

_______________________________________________
Nfb-editors mailing list
Nfb-editors at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfb-editors:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org/gwunder%40n
fb.o
rg

_______________________________________________
Nfb-editors mailing list
Nfb-editors at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfb-editors:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org/newmanrl%40
cox.
net

_______________________________________________
Nfb-editors mailing list
Nfb-editors at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfb-editors:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org/jsorozco%40
gmai
l.com

------------------------------

_______________________________________________
Nfb-editors mailing list
Nfb-editors at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-editors_nfbnet.org

End of Nfb-editors Digest, Vol 75, Issue 9
******************************************