Squadron Newsletters

[jimmydeanno]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking to create a newsletter for our squadron members.  I'm looking for design ideas, layout ideas, etc.

Do any of you have newsletters for your squadron that are posted on the web at your squadron webpage or something?

I'm pretty interested to see what is out there.

I've found this one so far and is is IMO designed really well: http://fccs.okwg.cap.gov/page17/assets/RookReader0704Web.pdf

Thanks!

[Capt Rivera]

Region Level: North Central Region

http://ncr.cap.gov/cgi-bin/index.cgi?page=newsletter

[jimmydeanno]

Thanks, that one is definitely different than the one I posted.  I also noticed they are using the "more than meets the skies" tagline...

Since I'd probably be biased against any design I make and think it is easily read or neatly laid out because I'd know where everything is, do you guys have a preference as to what types of layouts are easier to read?

What about formats that would be good for print and web...

[RiverAux]

I think the squadron newsletter has gone the way of the dodo bird.  It has probably been more than 5 years since any squadron in my Wing has had one, and perhaps even longer.  With the advent of email there just isn't any need for them in order to announce upcoming events (which was usually the most useful part of them).  Even most Wing don't have newsletters anymore.  The ones that actually have active PAOs seem to have gravitated towards posting news storeis on their web page (and even that is kind of rare). 

[Capt Rivera]

I think you did an excellent job on your news letter! Don't be discouraged about what others do or don't do. if your squadron is active enough to consistently produce such a product, I believe you should.

Just looking at one issue here are some  things I can see:

• Professional Image for public (Parents, friends community, etc) - let them know what  is really happening on the local level
• You welcome new members in a way that makes them feel valued - much more then the "Hi, Welcome..."
• You congratulate members for their accomplishments
• you allow members and probably encourage them to write articles [even cadets]
  -Technically, your cadets are now "published"
• Recruiting tool - Leave copies every where teens and parents frequent.

etc...

I still encourage you to submit stories to your wing/group/region/ newsletters & your local newspapers/magazine's. Of course every story/announcement etc might not be appropriate for every venue so use your discretion.

Beyond this, the only advice I have left is to contact the NCR PAO (contact info at the previously mentioned URL) He might have answers to your questions and is very approachable.

[jimmydeanno]

Josh,

The link I posted isn't my product, by I agree with the points you made about it. I thought it was a high quality product worth emulating, but was interested in seeing a variety of newsletters to see how people approached them.

1) Were they more frequently used as informational items for existing CAP members or potential members, or both.

2) What types of varying formats do they use.

3) What is the most prevalent voice?  Is it written as though it were addressing friends or more aloof?

4) How do they address the challenges of creating it as a printed document vs. posting on the web.  Is there a difference?  Should there be?

5) What is the most prevalent frequency they are being written at?  Quarterly? Monthly? Bi-Annually?

6) What type of content is being published?  Is it mostly communication for upcoming events or changes in policy?  Are they more frequently articles about what the squadron did?

These are the types of things I was trying to assess.  I do think that the squadron newsletter should be published, even if only in electronic form.

Here is what I was thinking for the one I'd like to create.

We are a VERY busy squadron so I thought that a monthly newsletter would be great.  In it I could publish brief articles about the events we did, welcome new members, and have a brief space for upcoming events.  My thinking on this was that it would mean something to those who are featured in the newsletter - especially the cadets.  The articles would be brief enough and simple enough so that someone visiting the squadron as a potential member could see at a glance the variety, frequency, etc of the squadron's activities. 

I was thinking that I could put a monthly safety article in there that was appropriate for the time of year.  For example, for September putting an article about the hazards of bird strikes would be appropriate.

To mix it up a little, put a message from the C/CC and Sq CC in there ocassionally.

I think it would be important to create both a printed and web version of each so that we could send the web version out in an e-mail to all the members.  That way, the inactive members could see how active we are and potentially come back.

I'm not a graphic designer and don't want something where you can see the photocopy lines from where I cut and pasted the images onto the paper...but we all know that for someone to pick something up it needs to look interesting.  Just look at the national inquirer...

[♠SARKID♠]

http://www.timmermancap.org/Portals/0/0710_The_TICKER.pdf

We just put out our first issue

[Walkman]

On the printed vs electronic issue:

I was going over some new business plans with a mentor when I told him I didn't have a need for new stationary, since I did everything via e-mail. His reply was that since everyone does most of their communications online, getting something in the mail that wasn't a credit card offer or a bill was a pleasant surprise and was apt to be opened.

Some food for thought...

[RiverAux]

There is no way I would do a printed newsletter.  It is just way too expensive to make and mail.  I would probably print one out for the squadron bulletin board, but thats about it. 

[Capt Rivera]

There is no way I would do a printed newsletter.  It is just way too expensive to make and mail.  I would probably print one out for the squadron bulletin board, but thats about it. 

non-profit postage is "cheaper". go to local usps bulk postage area and ask for details.

could try to get local business to sponsor the news letter.

[Pylon]

non-profit postage is "cheaper". go to local usps bulk postage area and ask for details.

Non-profit bulk postage permits cost several hundred dollar a year for the permit alone, require you mail at least 200 pieces per mailing to qualify for the rate, and all of the pieces must be barcoded, in zip code order, and meet DMM (Post Office) Setup requirements as well as having paperwork filled out for each mailing. They also can only be sent from Bulk Mailing Unit's at designated post offices.

Not worth it at all (monetarily and in the labor) for most squadrons who would only be sending out smaller batches of mail infrequently.

[jimmydeanno]

On the printed vs electronic issue:

I was going over some new business plans with a mentor when I told him I didn't have a need for new stationary, since I did everything via e-mail. His reply was that since everyone does most of their communications online, getting something in the mail that wasn't a credit card offer or a bill was a pleasant surprise and was apt to be opened.

Some food for thought...

That makes a lot of sense.  Now that I think about it, I do that myself.  I immediately throw out all the junk and if something "unusual" shows up, I open it.

I'm not exactly worried about being able to mail these however.  We only have about 5 "inactive" members on our roster now, so I can print them, hand them out at the squadron and spend $1.00 every time I mailed the five of them out.

I'm working on a template/layout now, so when it's done, I'll try to get some feedback here.

[wuzafuzz]

Here is the shiny new publication for Thompson Valley Composite Squadron.  The newsletter was created in Pages '08, one of the programs in the Apple iWorks suite.

http://web.mac.com/ericschwarm/iWeb/Site/CAP.html

The newsletter is only distributed electronically, as a PDF file.  Although we use a distribution list for time sensitive items, the newsletter is nice for other items like atta-boy articles, how-to articles, etc.  It is also intended for viewing by the general public (once it is posted on our squadron website it will be easier for people to stumble onto.)

[star1151]

http://www.timmermancap.org/Portals/0/0710_The_TICKER.pdf

We just put out our first issue

Seems very cadet oriented...

[Bluelakes 13]

Yes -

http://mccs.group22.net/newsletters.htm

[dwb]

I'm of the opinion that internal squadron newsletters are more trouble than they're worth.

That said, I think a professional flyer that is published quarterly and left in places like FBOs, middle schools, etc. is a great idea.  That's what the Volunteer is supposed to be good for.

It'd have to look good though, because sufficiently bad advertising is worse than no advertising at all.

[jimmydeanno]

I'm of the opinion that internal squadron newsletters are more trouble than they're worth.

Any particular reason why?

[CAP Producer]

Samples of a Wing Level Newsletter

http://www.mncap.org/wingtips.cfm

Samples of Unit Newsletters:

http://nhs.mncap.org/newsletter/index.htm
http://redwing.mncap.org/newsletter.htm
http://www.mncap.org/viking/VikVoice.htm

[dwb]

I'm of the opinion that internal squadron newsletters are more trouble than they're worth.

Any particular reason why?

Mostly it's the time put in to making a good newsletter versus the reward you will reap from having one.  It takes some desktop publishing and newswriting talent to produce a good one, and those two skills don't necessarily exist in every squadron.  I think a crummy newsletter is worse than no newsletter at all.  Plus, with the proliferation of squadron web pages, it's easier to just point members to the web site.

I think printed material has its place, I just don't see the point in printing off a bunch of newsletters containing things members already know.  Seen too many of them in the trash can after closing formation, I guess.

[Major Carrales]

Here is last week's...

http://www.texascadet.org/news/stories/2007/200711/NEWSLETTER_13_Nov_2007.pdf

You can see more of my newsletters, as well as links to those of Captain Arthur Woodgate, at this link...

http://www.texascadet.org/news/news_embeds/2007News/index.html

The Corpus Christi Comp Squadron Newsletter, Through the Air Over South Texas, is a weekly publication of the Corpus Christi Comp Squadron designed to provide the unit's members as well as those of neighboring units with information and news. It also serves as the historical documentation of the
SQUADRON.

Additionally, it serves as a Civil Air Patrol almanac recording an documenting
critical information for the use of Unit members.   Submissions are welcomed.

I print out a few copies and leave a version of it at a few FBOs and provide some print copies to certain community members that ask for it.  It is mostly an e-newsletter.