Lodge newsletters

1. Lodge newsletters

2. How are you involved? Lodge Newsletters • Who here is responsible for producing a lodge newsletter? • Who here today wants to join a lodge newsletter team? • Who here today has a lodge newsletter, but it needs a major redesign and new energy?

3. Session objectives Lodge Newsletters • To learn the purpose of lodge newsletters. • To learn about all aspects of lodge newsletters including layout, design, content, building a team and distribution. • To learn about developing a year-round lodge newsletter communication plan.

4. Why lodge newsletters? Lodge Newsletters • To share information with the lodge membership including the • Lodge calendar • Leadership messages, • Lodge updates • To serve as a way to record lodge history • To allow youth interested in communications to learn relevant skills • Journey to Excellence requirement #9 for lodges.

5. From the beginning Lodge Newsletters Developing a team The layout and key parts to a newsletter Developing a yearlong plan Newsletter distribution

6. Your team members Lodge Newsletters Editor-in-Chief Content Editors Layout Editor Staff writers Staff photographers Advisers Lodge officers / Lodge Executive Committee Contributing writers

7. Editor-in-chief Lodge Newsletters The edition-in-chief is the lead youth and oversees the lodge newsletter team. He is appointed by the lodge chief and provides direction for the team including recruiting youth editors, developing a storyboard, reviewing content, and making decisions regarding the newsletter.

8. Content editors Lodge Newsletters Content editors help lead a section of the newsletter team. This can be compared to a news editor or a sports editor for the local newspaper. Content editors will oversee the content that is assigned to them by the editor-in-chief. The editors work with staff writers and photographers. The newsletter team can determine the number of content editors. Examples include events and programs editor, people and recognitions editor, chapter news editor photography editor.

9. Copy editor Lodge Newsletters • The copy editor works with the Editor-in-Chief to proof each article prior to publishing. The copy editor also ensures that the style guide is followed. • What is a style guide?: A style guide is a tool for newsletter teams to ensure that names, punctuation and capitalization is consistent throughout a publication. An example would be Arrowmen and Scout.

10. Layout editor Lodge Newsletters The layout editor is responsible for the actual layout of the publication. He works with the editor-in-chief in publishing the newsletter.

11. Staff writers Lodge Newsletters Staff writers work with their editors in covering assignments for articles in the lodge newsletter. This could include writing about a lodge event, interviewing a lodge officer, or covering a lodge program. Staff writers also either work with a photographer or get a photo to go with their story.

12. Staff photographers Lodge Newsletters Staff photographers work with the editors and staff writers to ensure photographs are taken at lodge events to go along with articles in the lodge newsletter.

13. Advisers Lodge Newsletters Advisers work with the youth team helping where needed and supporting the team. Advisers play an important role in helping to approve/edit content. The adviser is appointed by the lodge key 3.

14. Lodge officers / LEC MEmbers Lodge Newsletters Lodge officers and member of the LEC also can serve on the team helping to provide content and support where needed.

15. Contributing writer Lodge Newsletters Contributing writers help support the newsletter team by writing articles when needed. The writer may have a special expertise in a topic or is covering a special topic on behalf of the newsletter.

16. Layout and key parts • Key parts of the newsletter layout: • Articles • Leadership message • Calendar • Officer contact information • Social media/website links • Awards/recognitions • Council news • Lodge program updates • Chapter news • Event reviews • Adviser’s minute • Burning issues • Section/regional/national news • Arrowman highlight • Service project information. Lodge Newsletters

17. Newsletter layout Masthead Headline Byline and text Lodge Newsletters

18. Newsletter layout Quote Staff box Photo with caption Lodge Newsletters

19. Storyboard and yearlong plans Lodge Newsletters • Storyboard: • Helps a newsletter team establish newsletter priorities • Organize content • Assign article responsibilities • Allows editors to set deadlines for content. • What to include: • Article topic • Which content editor is responsible • Staff writer who is responsible • Deadline • Purpose of the content

20. Tie into the yearlong plan Lodge Newsletters The storyboard you develop for each edition also needs to tie into your lodge’s yearlong plan and goals. Your lodge is going to have events throughout the year, meetings, programs, summer camp opportunities and annual dues payments. The best way to do this is to take the storyboard and the lodge calendar and go event by event to determine what and when you will communicate to the lodge membership in each edition.

21. Story ideas Lodge Newsletters • Where can you get story ideas? • Lodge leadership • Order of the Arrow websites • Scouting websites • Social media • Council website • Council staff • Lodge executive committee members • Lodge officers

22. Special inserts Lodge Newsletters • Another way to distribute information to your lodge members: • This can include: • Special flyers • Registration forms • Annual dues membership forms

23. The storyboard: timeline Lodge Newsletters • Example based on 4 quarter editions per year: • Day 1: Organizing conference call • Day 28: Articles due to content editors • Day 35: Articles due to copy editor/editor in chief for review • Day 50: Articles/photos sent to layout editor • Day 75: Layout complete and sent for final approval • Day 89: Edition approved and prepared for distribution • Day 90: Printed and distributed to lodge members

24. distribution Lodge Newsletters • Mailing hard copies through the United States Postal Service • Posting to the lodge website • Emailing the link to the lodge membership • Post a link to Facebook when ready • Send a tweet for each article in your newsletter edition over a 7 day period: • Include the title of the article and the link to your online edition • Share copies with your council staff and volunteers