Just an idea I had - what do you think????

[24T42]

Well, another exciting year at Philly. As always it is great to see old friends and, of course, make new friends. Couldn't sleep last night so I started thinking (this could be dangerous). Here is what I came up with.

Once again this year, I was fortunate to win Master Editor for the Brass-Nickel Touring Region's newsletter <span style="font-style: italic"> On the Road, Again!</span> Along with the each win, I get a lot of requests to exchange newsletters, which I always try to comply with as this an excellent way to learn. So, I like to exchange with as many editors as I can. But, we are a small Region and pretty soon I will be mailing out as many complimentary issues as I mail to members. So, here is what I was thinking about.

What if there was a place on the AACA web page where the newsletters of the Master Editors could be featured (probably in a pdf format). These could then either viewed on-line or printed out. Here is a suggegtion of how it would work -

1. Each master editor would pick what they think was their best issue of the year. These would then be included in the Publication section of the AACA web site.

2. These would be made avaible for one-year until the next year awards were announced.

3. I think it would be helpful to also include the follwing information.

a. name and size of Region

b. name of newsletter

c. frequency of publication

d. number of issues printed

e. editor's name and contact information

f. what software used - Publisher, Adobe, etc.

g. if printed in house or sent out. If printed in house, what printer is used

h. format of the newsletter - 81/2 x 11, booklet, etc.

This wouldn't have to detailed just listed like above.

I think this could also be done for Master editors of web pages as well. A page would be created that would link to each award winning site.

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Now here comes the big question - who would do it? Since I have access to the Publication section, I would be willing to do the work if National approved. What do you think? I know I for one would like to be able to see the Master newsletters as I don't exchange with all of them. Like I said, just a thought I had.

[R W Burgess]

I think that's a great idea Judy. I've been thinking along those lines myself.

First, I went to a lady in the Publication Seminar to get her address so she could see what an ME Publication looks like. Have misplaced her address temporarily. She wanted to know what she had to do to get there. Her Region got an Award of Excellence this past year, so she's already close.

Second, I was thinking of exchanging my far away exchangers from years past with new people that need help. No disrespect for anyone, but if we all get better, the AACA can't help but get better itself.

Third, a hard pill to take, but I was considering not competing this year to give extra regions a chance to win. Dumb, huh? Against everything I believe in, I know, but I'd like to see new Regions have their Newsletters attached to the Master Editor Award "Board" in Philly. Haven't taken the jump yet, though.

Fourth, Judy will like this, I'm thinking seriously of working a Publication Seminar next year...with Judy's help. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Don't shoot me Judy. I'd just feel comfordable with you sitting beside me, Judy. I've never had to put on anything like that in front of a large crowd. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, the web site idea sounds good. Let me know what you need. Wayne

[JanK]

1. Judy, this is a great idea. Not only might it bring more people over to the AACA website (a great resource in itself), but it would also save the regions and chapters a few bucks in printing/mailing costs. And the "best of the best" would still be on display for others to learn from.

2. Wayne, DO NOT take yourself out of the competition. Stay there and carry the standards to new heights. Like you said, if we keep raising the bar we ALL get better. That's why I never hesitated in helping other editors. It forced me to take a hard look at what I was doing and do it better if I wanted to stay ahead of them! That said, is there a point at which someone "retires" from competition, much as cars are pulled from active judging? Yes, when someone steps down as editor! :-)

Jan K.

Wis Region

[Guest BruceW]

Judy,

Per your request,

I think your idea of placing ME newsletters on the AACA web site is a good one for anyone that wants to see the current ME newsletters. It would make them more accessible for everyone to see and perhaps give other editors some new ideas.

However, I would also caution (especially new) editors that the mere presence of those newsletters is not meant a "cast in stone" template of how one might develop an ME newsletter.

Each newsletter should have its own personality. I exchange with a number of newsletters, both ME winners and non ME. However, I have never knowingly used any as a basis for the Harford Horn. The Horn is based on what the region wants and feels is most important to them.

I know some editors that have stated they have everything that is listed as neccessary for an ME newsletter. However, some of these newsletters, perhaps in trying so hard to win an award have seem to lost its personality and I think that hurts its value to the region, of which is the main purpose of a newsletter. A very well respected, fellow AACA ME repeat award editor recenty stated to me "I think some are placing too much emphasis on the reward. If you just do the best you can usually everything will fall in place."

I would also caution editors not to limit their exchanges with just ME newsletters. Many of the newsletters I have asked to exchange with are not ME recepients. For instance, there are a number in the surrounding regions throughout the state and neighboring states that are not ME winners that I exchange with. This is to keep abreast of "local" news in the surrounding areas and to have a contact with those neighboring regions. Sometimes those newsletters have informative information or important news worth sharing.

Just a few thoughts.

[Shop Rat]

Bruce W., I agree with you on your advice. My husband worked for Union Carbide and they had a local company paper called "The Carbider". It contained a lot of photos and stories of local interest. As long as it was locally done it was read by many people all over the valley here. But once Dow got their hands on the employee paper and turned it into a corporate bulletin, no one wanted to read them. There was very little of local interest in them so they just sat in piles with no one reading them. Before the change they had to limit how many they printed or the cost was too much.

The same thing happened where I worked at the phone company to what had been a very good company newspaper.

[Guest imported_Brenda Shore]

Bruce,

I would like to lend support to your comments. As a judge on the web sites we use a set of criteria that includes ease of use of the site and the quality of the information provided. We see some great basic sites that are an asset to the club and provide existing members with good information. In addition, they can attract new members. These sites are excellent and we attempt to recognize them as much as recognizing the most elaborate and fancy sites. We do know that the website - and newsletters - are prepared by a great group of people interested in the hobby, not professionals who make their living at this activity.

As to Judy's recommendation - I think it is fantastic. As move forward as a club we need to engage our readers on all levels - including the web. Remember however that we still have a large population that likes print so we may need a transition period to do a full implementation of e-access.

Brenda

[Terry Bond]

Its a great idea to facilitate the newsletter exchange. Many of our regions and chapters are already posting their newsletters as PDFs on their individual websites so maybe all it will take is a notation alongside the region/chapter listing to indicate they have newsletters "on-line."

I think Bruce made some astute observations - we dont want to discourage anyone because they cant afford a color cover, etc. Its always been content vice glitz that does the trick and that goes for the websites as well.

As for Wayne trying to retire early - your absence won't increase the number of award winners and your presence isn't hindering anyone. It helps! Im sure Earl will agree that we'll give out just as many awards as we can - in fact that's how I prefer to view the assignment. Our purpose is to give out awards rather than keep them from being given.

Terry

[24T42]

While I agree with all that has been said in this thread about newsletters (and web sites), my only objective in my proposal was to highlight the current award winning newsletters and web sites. It was in no way a mandate on how each should be accomplished.

The newsletter exchange is a great thing but can be somewaht of a burden to the smaller Regions. National encourages examining newsletters by making available each year at Philly copies of papers they have received throughout the year. Most everyone walks away with an armfull. My proposal would allow those you don't go to Philly or are not able to exchange to see what National considers a good newsletter. As a matter of fact, I think that with newsletters the playing field would be leveled as they would all appear in the same medium - electronic. Elements like shinny paper would be eliminated.

Wayne,

Do not drop out of the contest. If everything stayed the same each year (judges and entrants) then I would say yes. But since each year is started with a clean slate, you have to earn that spot. Nothing is given to you. And as you know, the competition is getting tougher. Also, you know that I will help you in any way (if you need it) with an seminar.

[R W Burgess]

Thanks Judy and the rest of you for your support. I've decided to continue, but will try to update what I already have as a newsletter. To give you an idea, I spent 1 1/2 hours last night just trying to reformat a new header for the Northern Region Newsletter. I wonder how West Peterson did his so easily. You did say it was easy, didn't you West? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

By the way, West told me at Philly that there were still a lot of changes coming in the next AACA Magazine. He wasn't real happy with the last one, can you believe it? Anyway, keep your eyes on the mailbox. I understand the next magazine is in the mail. That's everybody, but Novaman. Steve is delivering his personally!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[24T42]

Wayne,

Glad to hear that you are staying in the contest. And thanks for the support on my Master Editor idea. Since we didn't hear from the VP of Publications, I guess this will just stay an idea I had.

Got to get back to the printer. Got an issue coming out.