[Nfb-editors] Making the newsletter work

[Jewel]

I just stared the draft for April's newsletter, and I agree that no
articles is kinda pointless...we do phone reminders and reminders at
meetings...we don't need to print it out or any such. However, I also
agree with what was said about reprinting. It should serve a point.
Reprinting an article from the Brialle Monitor would probably be
redundant, unless your membership is mostly people who don't read the
Monitor (*gasp*). But reprinting can serve a purpose. Reprinting an
article from a local newspaper in a state newsletter could draw
people's attention to a problem elsewhere in their state.

One thing I have been told not to do and have sooo much trouble
avoiding is state legislature in our local (county) newsletter. We're
in the state capital (Raleigh, NC), so the state legislature is right
here, and our local members are active in it, most particularly our
president. But I know that should be left to our state newsletter, the
News and Views.

One thing I've done and will do again with the April newsletter is a
member profile. I did a member profile on a member who was quiet at
meetings, always listening. Turns out, he's involved with a health
group who are as we type in Africa, helping people with eye diseases,
either with surgery or by training them to use the techniques related
to blindness (cane travel, for example). The member profile
highlighted this work and got the group interested in what he was
doing. Now we are on pins and needles waiting for an update on how he
is doing. I look back and am proud of my member profile, becuase it
did what it was meant to do, which was highlight the work of one
person in the local community who is fighting for the cause. That is
what I strive for in our newsletter beyond the fundraisers and
upcoming meetings...to highlight the work of individuals and the group
as a whole to fight for the cause, for equality, opportunity, and
security for the blind.

Ok, I'll shut up now *big grin*

Sincerely yours,
Jewel
Wake Federation of teh blind, Raleigh, North Caroina

On 3/12/11, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com> wrote:
> Here's an idea worth mulling over.  What about regional publications?  It
> would open the scope for additional writers and open the range for
> additional issues, especially in states where legislation may be hot.
> Sadly, I agree with Bridgit's post.  I think a newsletter ought to be a
> newsletter, articles and all, but enthusiasm that will never succeed at
> drawing blood from a stone only leads to disillusionment that makes it easy
> to presume that if the newsletter cannot happen then maybe the chapter won't
> get stronger or the affiliate more popular.  Maybe a bit extreme, but you
> get the point.  The idea here is also a little off the wall, but maybe we
> need to think crazy to make things work.
>
> 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
>
>
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