Dom raised an interesting question about the future of club newsletters:
From: dom addonizio [mailto:addon25@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 3:50 PM Dennis, I’ve been thinking about the future of our newsletter in particular and club newsletters in general in this age of web sites, Facebook, Blogs , etc. A lot of the information in the newsletter can be found on other existing sites. Maybe this is a topic you could present at the District Conference. "Is there a future in club newsletters?” I am not trying to talk myself out of this lucrative position, but I am getting the feeling that newsletters are becoming obsolete. Would like you opinion. Thanks, Dom A
What do all y'all think? Does a separate newsletter delivered to your home have any advantages over the information available on FB, our blog, and other Internet sources?
Your response (or lack thereof) will be very telling.
One of the advantages of a separate newsletter or bulletin is home delivery. Not everyone, in fact most don't) go on line to check FB, the websites, or other Internet locations. The NL is the best way to get the news into the hands of club members, guests, and prospective members.
Thanks for your question Dom. I do believe there is a need for a consistent source that delivers key information (meeting roles, upcoming events, etc.) but think we could better utilize some of the electronic media resources, like this blog, to deliver it. The blog format is easy enough to work in, and offers more ability to include photos, links to websites etc. The challenge might be getting members to read it, but sending out the link in an email, as Dennis has done to invite these comments, is the way to go. I'm all for streamlining and making things simpler. Maybe we could conduct a simple survey of the club members to get their thoughts on it.
Dom et al, I agree that the newsletter is very important and needs to be sent multiple ways. Even though I work with technology every day, I am resistant to using blogs and tweets. That said, the new District Database has a newsletter component and I believe with the interlinking of member information and the District as a whole would make it worth our while to check it out. I agree that a survey of members is a good idea.
I agree with Betty, that we need to take a survey of the members for their input. I would say that the newsletter is soon becoming obsolete...however I am still new at this blog.
Dom, first thank you for all your hard work. As someone that writes newsletters for 2 organizations already, I can tell you they are EXTREMELY important. It is the best way to keep our current, past, and prospective members and well as those peers and contacts in the community up to date as to what is happening in our group. The one ongoing issue concerning all organizations newsletters is HOW to get them to people. The best answer when funds are not an issue is to use all sources of media - electronic, paper, and video (think YouTube news). When funds ARE an issue and resources are limited, electronic is best but it has to be done in the most reader friendly format. The frequency should be a concern too. Maybe we don't need a weekly newsletter if it is too time consuming. You have to consider the potential readers. I use Constant Contact for both of my e-newsletters. The newsletter is emailed to everyone in a safe format, it can then be forwarded by our readers to other interested parties, and can be attached to all social media and website pages. You are doing a wonderful job. You may think that the information is not needed, but I read all your newsletters even though I am at the meetings in case I missed something. If people decide not to read them, that is their choice. We are constantly concerned with maintaining our members as well as bringing in new ones. Newsletters are just another (very important)avenue to do this.
I agree with virtually all of the comments above. As a senior member not relying on tweets or FB for information, I find Dom's Weekly very comprehensive, especially keeping us current with what lies ahead and recognition of members.
Thank you for the work you do on it. I am one of the ones that Dennis says does not check the sites often. I look forward to the newsletter, especially if I miss a meeting. I always appreciate too knowing if I have a job to put on the calendar for the following week. And Dennis, thanks for sending out these emails to connect to blogs.
I sugest our club members vote on whether the news letter is a valid use Dom's time given advancements in how we are communicating. I can imagine how much time is spent in typing etc. Personally, I feel it is becoming a redundant action. Dom is doing a stellar job yet often times its a thankless task. I will say that its very convenient to click onto Dom's e-mail and have at it. Would other options be as conservative of time?
Dom raised an interesting question about the future of club newsletters:
ReplyDeleteFrom: dom addonizio [mailto:addon25@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 3:50 PM
Dennis, I’ve been thinking about the future of our newsletter in particular and club newsletters in general in this age of web sites, Facebook, Blogs , etc. A lot of the information in the newsletter can be found on other existing sites. Maybe this is a topic you could present at the District Conference. "Is there a future in club newsletters?” I am not trying to talk myself out of this lucrative position, but I am getting the feeling that newsletters are becoming obsolete. Would like you opinion. Thanks, Dom A
What do all y'all think?
Does a separate newsletter delivered to your home have any advantages over the information available on FB, our blog, and other Internet sources?
Your response (or lack thereof) will be very telling.
One of the advantages of a separate newsletter or bulletin is home delivery. Not everyone, in fact most don't) go on line to check FB, the websites, or other Internet locations. The NL is the best way to get the news into the hands of club members, guests, and prospective members.
DeleteThanks for your question Dom. I do believe there is a need for a consistent source that delivers key information (meeting roles, upcoming events, etc.) but think we could better utilize some of the electronic media resources, like this blog, to deliver it. The blog format is easy enough to work in, and offers more ability to include photos, links to websites etc. The challenge might be getting members to read it, but sending out the link in an email, as Dennis has done to invite these comments, is the way to go. I'm all for streamlining and making things simpler. Maybe we could conduct a simple survey of the club members to get their thoughts on it.
DeleteDom et al,
DeleteI agree that the newsletter is very important and needs to be sent multiple ways. Even though I work with technology every day, I am resistant to using blogs and tweets. That said, the new District Database has a newsletter component and I believe with the interlinking of member information and the District as a whole would make it worth our while to check it out.
I agree that a survey of members is a good idea.
I agree with Betty, that we need to take a survey of the members for their input. I would say that the newsletter is soon becoming obsolete...however I am still new at this blog.
ReplyDeletedlcimpressions@aol.com
Dom, first thank you for all your hard work. As someone that writes newsletters for 2 organizations already, I can tell you they are EXTREMELY important. It is the best way to keep our current, past, and prospective members and well as those peers and contacts in the community up to date as to what is happening in our group. The one ongoing issue concerning all organizations newsletters is HOW to get them to people. The best answer when funds are not an issue is to use all sources of media - electronic, paper, and video (think YouTube news). When funds ARE an issue and resources are limited, electronic is best but it has to be done in the most reader friendly format. The frequency should be a concern too. Maybe we don't need a weekly newsletter if it is too time consuming. You have to consider the potential readers. I use Constant Contact for both of my e-newsletters. The newsletter is emailed to everyone in a safe format, it can then be forwarded by our readers to other interested parties, and can be attached to all social media and website pages. You are doing a wonderful job. You may think that the information is not needed, but I read all your newsletters even though I am at the meetings in case I missed something. If people decide not to read them, that is their choice. We are constantly concerned with maintaining our members as well as bringing in new ones. Newsletters are just another (very important)avenue to do this.
ReplyDeleteDennis1
ReplyDeleteI agree with virtually all of the comments above. As a senior member not relying on tweets or FB for information, I find Dom's Weekly very comprehensive, especially keeping us current with what lies ahead and recognition of members.
Dom,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the work you do on it. I am one of the ones that Dennis says does not check the sites often. I look forward to the newsletter, especially if I miss a meeting. I always appreciate too knowing if I have a job to put on the calendar for the following week. And Dennis, thanks for sending out these emails to connect to blogs.
I sugest our club members vote on whether the news letter is a valid use Dom's time given advancements in how we are communicating. I can imagine how much time is spent in typing etc. Personally, I feel it is becoming a redundant action. Dom is doing a stellar job yet often times its a thankless task. I will say that its very convenient to click onto Dom's e-mail and have at it. Would other options be as conservative of time?
ReplyDelete