2010 Newsletter Competition
The Newsletter Judging Criteria does more than establish standards for judging, it makes an outline of what an editor should look for in developing a newsletter that is both interesting and informative.
Why do we do newsletters? It is vital to the life of the detachment. It is the most common way of keeping in touch with members, Marines and other Detachments. Information about meetings, events, members and other news is disseminated on a monthly basis. This may be the only means that some members have in staying in touch. It should give members a reason to attend meetings and events, or even a reason for staying with the Detachment.
Finally, it is a means for the officers of the Detachment to make the members aware of goals and achievements of the Detachment and encourage participation.
The newsletter Judging Criteria can be broken down into several segments.
The first five criteria comprise the Who: Is the name of the Detachment, its number and the name of the Newsletter clearly and pleasingly displayed? Are the Commandant and the Editor’s names plainly and clearly displayed, along with their contact information, be it by phone or email or both? You don’t want to make it difficult for a member to contact the persons responsible so that they can pass on corrections, questions and information. It should be easy for a newsletter to garner 20 quick and easy points.
Now, we’re looking at the What - the guts of the newsletter. What do we need to pass on to the readers? There should stories about National, Division and Department issues. If the editor is not receiving information from these important divisions, get on the phone and ask them.
We should be passing on articles about History, General Information and Community activities.
Detachment membership is very important to every unit and we should be publishing membership renewal activities, who has lapsed or is in danger of lapsing, current numbers and roster information. Are there rewards for recruiting? There should be incentives.
Public Service has been combined so that just about any activity, such as Toys For Tots, Young Marines, VAVS, Youth Physical fitness and community service is given credit in this segment.
Awards to members and awards to community figures should get a big splash.
Calendar of Events: It used to be that a page, looking like an actual calendar, was the recognized way of keeping members informed of coming events. But, if the calendar shows nothing more than the upcoming meeting next month, it has taken up valuable space. By the same token, if the editor has chosen to include historical data on each day, then the meeting and other important events get lost in the clutter. So, a simple agenda, probably in the same place each month and even set off in a frame or a box, will be the most useful.
What is missing from most Calendars and Agendas? Whom do you contact to get more information, sign up, buy tickets, and make reservations? The Contact Person’s, name, phone number and/or email address is very critical and one of the most ignored items.
Graphics and Photos: Oh, good taste, where art thou? Good, clear photos are highly prized. Even in black and white. Identify who is in the pictures and what they are doing. What is the event? Graphics run the gamut from a few and not bearing a relation to the article to being a garish cartoon. Good taste should always be the consideration.
Finally, Overall Appearance. This is where the Judge can sit back and look at the overall appearance and have some points to play with. There are newsletters that may not have all the neat stories you would like to see, but are still so well done that you believe they deserve a better score. Wide latitude here. Let’s face it, not all the stories you would like to do are available month after month!
John Woods, Past Chairmain
National Newsletter Committee
