New Editor needing guidance

[lisapetker]

Good afternoon from California,

 

On November 27th I was voted in as our clubs newsletter editor. HELP!! I am trying to understand all the ins and outs of what to do and where to start.  Is anyone out there willing to provide help and guidance?  I have read the editor manual and have a good understanding of everything, but am curious who all outside of my regions members I send the newsletter to. I can't find addresses on AACA.org nor can I find any info about NAAP on the website.  Any guidance/help would be greatly appreciated.

Lisa Petker

Santa Rosa, CA

RERAACA Newsletter Editor

[MCHinson]

Welcome to the AACA Discussion Forum. The editor's manual is a bit out of date. It is in the process of being updated. I wish I could say that will happen soon, but it will be a while. There is still lots of great information in it but the details about the NAAP have not yet been updated to include the option of uploading newsletters for judging which is now allowed although, it is still possible to also send them for evaluation via normal postal mail. 

As soon as your club's Officer Reporting Form is submitted to National listing you as the Newsletter Editor, you should receive a mailing with information about the NAAP. So the short answer is, you should be receiving more information soon. When new issues of The Rummage Box are posted on the website, you will find a notice here in the Newsletter Editor and Webmaster Forum. You can (and should) reprint information from The Rummage Box in your local newsletter to help get National information to your members, as well as for the additional NAAP points that you earn for News From National items. Feel free to ask any other question here in this forum as well.  

[John_S_in_Penna]

Lisa, welcome to the editorship!  You may find that being

editor lets you meet many more people, both within your

region and without.  You'll enhance your enjoyment of the

hobby while you are giving your readers interesting articles

to read.

 

Matt, I thought the information about the newsletter contest

("N.A.A.P.") is sent out only once a year, in March, and applications

for the year are due sometime in March.  Newsletters are being judged

only from around April to sometime in September or October.

Edited December 13, 2018 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

One timeless article written by Earl Beauchamp 

was very helpful to me when I became our region's

editor in 2008.  Earl, then the AACA's V.P. of Publications

and another time the national President of the AACA,

told what made an excellent newsletter.  A good newsletter

is the glue that holds the club together, especially for

members who don't get out frequently to events.  Simply put,

keep the newsletter friendly;  have reports of club events;  and

have car articles, which you write or reprint, with substance.

 

When I became editor, more than once I was given the good

advice, "We're a car club.  We don't want to see pictures of 

people eating at restaurants!"  So instead, I would have

articles of members' experiences with their cars, and also

write articles on other automotive subjects.  Occasionally I'd

do an interview with people, even across the country, who had

special automotive insights to share.  Finding articles in old

magazines 100 or more years old, that told of life with cars

in the early years, often brought insights that have been totally

forgotten today.

 

The forum's software doesn't allow for attaching PDF files.

If you send me a Private Message, I can e-mail you Earl's

helpful article from the Spring 2005 Rummage Box.

The qualities of good newsletters and good writing never

go out of date.

 

All the best to you, Lisa, in your new position!

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2018 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[MCHinson]

1 hour ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

Matt, I thought the information about the newsletter contest

("N.A.A.P.") is sent out only once a year, in March, and applications

for the year are due sometime in March.  Newsletters are being judged

only from around April to sometime in September or October.

 

The Officer Listing Form is what triggers editors receving information on NAAP. It may very well be in March when it arrives, but unless National receives the form with the editor listed, the editor won't receive it. NAAP evaluations run from April to October.

[lisapetker]

Thank you all so much! These have all been so helpful! I will alert our secretary to look out for the form and ensure they fill the form out with me listed as the newsletter editor. I will start looking at the Rummage Box and seeing what I can bring forth to our newsletter. The previous editors never posted anything from National, so I would like to bring new content forward to our club. And I agree with you John, everything should be car related!

 

Grateful,

Lisa

[DAVE A]

Lisa , I am the current VP of publications.  If you want to give me a call, i can answer questions you have. 4847697856.

David Anspach 

[Dynaflash8]

12 hours ago, DAVE A said:

Lisa , I am the current VP of publications.  If you want to give me a call, i can answer questions you have. 4847697856.

David Anspach 

Can't you arrange to send a copy of the NAAP sooner than after all the officer reporting forms, etc., are required?

[John_S_in_Penna]

On 12/12/2018 at 6:16 PM, lisapetker said:

I can't find addresses on AACA.org nor can I find any info about NAAP on the website. ...

 

Lisa, once you enter the contest (Newsletter Achievement

and Awards Program) in March, you will be sent a list of

addresses.  Those individuals (usually 3 in number) will be judging your

newsletter and awarding it points according to specific criteria in many categories.

Those criteria change slightly every year.  You will also send courtesy copies

to the AACA national president and the AACA national office.

In the last couple of years, editors can send electronically if they don't wish

to mail printed copies.

 

Since the contest isn't going on at this time of year, there is

no need to send those extra copies until the 2019 contest begins.

[lisapetker]

On 12/15/2018 at 9:37 PM, John_S_in_Penna said:

 

Lisa, once you enter the contest (Newsletter Achievement

and Awards Program) in March, you will be sent a list of

addresses.  Those individuals (usually 3 in number) will be judging your

newsletter and awarding it points according to specific criteria in many categories.

Those criteria change slightly every year.  You will also send courtesy copies

to the AACA national president and the AACA national office.

In the last couple of years, editors can send electronically if they don't wish

to mail printed copies.

  

Since the contest isn't going on at this time of year, there is

no need to send those extra copies until the 2019 contest begins.

 

Thank you John!!  Now that the holidays are over, I can focus back on this.

 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

 

Warmly,

Lisa

[Roger Frazee]

Many editors exchange their newsletters in order to get ideas for their own publications.  There is also a Google shared drive that holds all of the electronically submitted newsletters in the NAAP  program.  As an editor, you will have access to this drive, once you sign up for the awards program.  It's a great resource.  

 

[Walt G]

Great to see everyone helping to answer the questions Lisa has about the requirements etc and locations things have to be submitted to. I can't address that, but can make a few comments that could possibly be used by all editors. Content of the publication is important! some members ( both regional and national) will never ever submit any material for publication and feel that if they pay their dues then that is their contribution and they should sit back and wait to see what they can read about current events of the club, historical facts, photographs etc.

Sure it takes time and effort to contribute something, BUT if everyone gave something to the Editor of the publication even a comment as to where a dealership once was - the building survives and now is home to a pet store or discount food service; then it just gives the editor - her/him/them more material to choose from or even possibly expand upon. If you do send something to them do not expect to see it instantly or at all in print, just be glad you contributed - it is a start!  I have researched and written for some time ( some of you who know me are now probably thinking - yeah -- to long 😉) and when I was editor of assorted publications I wanted to see the membership contribute as well - they feel more a part of it if they see their idea or possibly words in print. Get your members inspired enough to contribute, it makes them more active and everyone benefits.

I am following my own words - I joined ( as a very very young lad) AACA in the 1960s, and only now have sent in my first contribution to our wonderful AACA magazine Editor West Peterson - - yes he did chide me at Hershey a few years ago "any time you want to send me something Walt" - and gave me that  its about time don't ya think look, which I have taken to heart now that some time has freed up to do so. SO West has something from me  . Keep in mid it is the Editor's decision as to what will or won't work , and when!    End of my lecture and advice for 2019 , back to research and writing.

Lisa I wish you my sincere  very best , you will do great.

Walt G.

[AnniesSS]

On 12/16/2018 at 12:37 AM, John_S_in_Penna said:

 

Lisa, once you enter the contest (Newsletter Achievement

and Awards Program) in March, you will be sent a list of

addresses.  Those individuals (usually 3 in number) will be judging your

newsletter and awarding it points according to specific criteria in many categories.

 

That's not current information.  Editors submit to a Google drive folder and evaluators are given a list of newsletters to review between April-Oct/Nov each year.

 

good Luck with it all Lisa!  it can be fun and daunting all at the same time. 

[John_S_in_Penna]

That information was current for us in 2018, the most

recent contest.  We mailed in our newsletter, though

some editors send theirs electronically, a process as described

above.  

 

To my way of thinking, excellence is not only in content, but

also in format.  Just as a book I cherish I want to have on 

long-lasting acid-free paper, and in an attractive binding, a well-done

newsletter presents itself well on excellent-quality paper

and a format more lasting than electrons.  To me, life

is about excellence and permanence!

Edited January 20, 2019 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[MCHinson]

There are two different ways to participate in the NAAP. The participant can choose to mail printed copies for evaluation, or the editor can choose to upload electronic versions of their newsletters for evaluation. Some evaluators rate the mailed issues. Some evaluators rate the newsletters that are submitted electonically. I suspect some of the evaluators rate both.  

[AnniesSS]

My mistake. I didn't know they were also mailed in.  So many are uploaded electronically.

[Olsarge]

On 12/14/2018 at 6:22 PM, DAVE A said:

Lisa , I am the current VP of publications.  If you want to give me a call, i can answer questions you have. 4847697856.

David Anspach 

David, I have been editor of the Fort Lauderdale Region "Steering Wheel" for about a year and a half.  I was aware of the awards program but, quite honestly, was so fixed on publishing a newsletter I didn't entertain submitting it for consideration.  If it's ok I'm going to call you in the next few days to get a better understanding of the process.  Thank you and all the other who help make this a better organization.

[R W Burgess]

On 1/20/2019 at 3:11 PM, John_S_in_Penna said:

That information was current for us in 2018, the most

recent contest.  We mailed in our newsletter, though

some editors send theirs electronically, a process as described

above.  

 

To my way of thinking, excellence is not only in content, but

also in format.  Just as a book I cherish I want to have on 

long-lasting acid-free paper, and in an attractive binding, a well-done

newsletter presents itself well on excellent-quality paper

and a format more lasting than electrons.  To me, life

is about excellence and permanence!

*

John I still enjoy your mailed copies. It is much nicer to have a quality newsletter in your hand to read then to read it on-line. I will say though that our region loves to see their pictures and names in our newsletters at the different eating events that we have. I think we eat in our group more than we show cars, at times anyway.

[R W Burgess]

On 12/12/2018 at 6:16 PM, lisapetker said:

Good afternoon from California,

 

On November 27th I was voted in as our clubs newsletter editor. HELP!! I am trying to understand all the ins and outs of what to do and where to start.  Is anyone out there willing to provide help and guidance?  I have read the editor manual and have a good understanding of everything, but am curious who all outside of my regions members I send the newsletter to. I can't find addresses on AACA.org nor can I find any info about NAAP on the website.  Any guidance/help would be greatly appreciated.

Lisa Petker

Santa Rosa, CA

RERAACA Newsletter Editor

*

*

Lisa, below is your link to all of the Rummage Boxes already on the web site.

http://www.aaca.org/Publications/rummage-box.html

 

By the way, Dave Chiotti's family youth sponsorship was announced Saturday night at the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. Tell Dave and Marilyn Hi for me.

I miss your region's members.

Wayne

 

[John_S_in_Penna]

17 minutes ago, R W Burgess said:

John I still enjoy your mailed copies. It is much nicer to have a quality newsletter in your hand to read then to read it on-line.

 

Thanks, Wayne.  As of the summer of 2018, though,

I gave up the editorship after 10 years.  It was time

for something different, and I've organized a few outings,

such as to discuss cars with Jay Leno and to tour Nicola Bulgari's

collection.  We have a new editor.

 

One nearby region has tried to convert as many members

as possible to getting a digital newsletter.  I receive it as

a courtesy, but I spend MUCH less time looking at it

than I did when I could sit in a comfortable chair and peruse it.

Edited February 11, 2019 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[R W Burgess]

3 minutes ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

 I receive it as

a courtesy, but I spend MUCH less time looking at it

than I did when I could sit in a comfortable chair and peruse it.

*

Enjoy your next project John. Will see you around somewhere.

W.

[Bill Boudway]

Hi Wayne,

Where can I find the newsletter awards for 2018?

 

[John_S_in_Penna]

28 minutes ago, R W Burgess said:

I will say though that our region loves to see their pictures and names in our newsletters at the different eating events that we have. 

 

That's good that you're pleasing members with a tangible product!

However, rather than Tom and Tillie Turpenhafer eating spaghetti,

or Joe and Jolene Johnson with a mouth full of french fries,

I would show the members with their antique cars and write a few

descriptive lines.

 

The way I see it, plenty of people will like to see Tom and 

Tillie's car and learn about it.  The only people who will

like to see them slurping spaghetti are Tom and Tillie themselves!

 

It's just like our national magazine used to be full of pictures

of people shaking hands with the club president when 

receiving awards.  The eyes of 59,998 people glazed over,

and only that couple admired that picture!   That was changed

to a big picture of the award-winning car, with a small inset photo

of the people.

[R W Burgess]

13 minutes ago, Bill Boudway said:

Hi Wayne,

Where can I find the newsletter awards for 2018?

 

*

*

Bill, I just sent a message to Headquarters, hoping they will forward a copy for me to put up. I am sure they are pretty busy today though putting Annual Meeting things back away.

[R W Burgess]

3 minutes ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

 

It's just like our national magazine used to be full of pictures

of people shaking hands with the club president when 

receiving awards.  The eyes of 59,998 people glazed over,

and only that couple admired that picture!   That was changed

to a big picture of the award-winning car, with a small inset photo

of the people.

*

*

I beg to differ John. The Annual Meeting is a good example. Region/Chapter photographers would run up to the stage every time to get pictures of their club members winning a National Award. Of course some took pictures of the slide on the screens of the car awarded too, but ALL of them took pictures of the members receiving them.