Bulletins and Newsletters
Why should our chapter publish a newsletter?
Newsletters can serve many purposes, but perhaps the most popular or most useful purpose is that of increased communication to the members. Newsletters help keep the whole chorus informed of what's going on and what they need to be doing as part of the chorus. It can also serve to provide recognition for individual members, provide detailed information of upcoming events, and help promote closeness and friendship within the chorus.How often should we publish our newsletter?
The frequency of publication will depend on the needs of each chorus, the bulletin/newsletter editor, and the length of the publication. Every one or two months is preferable so that members are kept current on the goings on of the chorus--but if you are part of a particularly busy or active chapter, you may want to publish your newsletter even more frequently. It's probably best to start out at every one or two months, and then decide after a few issues if the bulletin needs to be published more or less often.What should we include in a newsletter?
A calendar is probably the number one priority in a chorus newsletter so members can refer to it for dates and times of upcoming performances or other events. You'll also want to include news about performances or events the chorus has just completed or is about to embark upon. An article from the director and/or President/Team Manager can also be a great recurring feature. I've also found that including a list of your chorus leaders or chairpersons can be helpful so that members know who to go to ask their specific questions. (This is especially important for new members who don't yet know the "ins and outs" of the chapter.) Other good ideas include: editorials; news from the Board or Music Committee or Show Committee; and fun or motivational articles.Our newsletter seems so dry and boring. Is there anything we can do to spice it up?
The more you make your newsletter about your members, the more interesting it will be. Try starting a discussion column where the editor poses a question to the chorus members, and members can submit their answers to be published in the next issue. "Getting to know…" articles can also work well where you profile an individual member and tell the chorus about what she does in her "real" life. Gossip columns can also be fun where news is relayed about what accolades or milestones individual members have achieved recently. You may also want to reproduce funny or touching stories or articles from members which may be of interest to other members. If you are able to use clip art or graphics, that will also help your newsletter come to life (but be careful to overdo it and clutter up the bulletin). And perhaps most important, try to keep a positive tone at all times in what you present in your newsletter. Your newsletter/bulletin is not the place to admonish your members or "air your dirty laundry."We tried a newsletter years ago, but no one ever read it or submitted anything.
Most likely, you didn't have the right editor or the right content in the newsletter. Try using the content tips I have included above, and/or appoint a new editor--but not just any editor. Of course, an editor needs to be a good writer, but she also needs to be organized and able to relate well with her fellow members. You want someone who will make sure the bulletin is published when it should be and who will track down her fellow members if needed for pertinent information or articles. You will also want someone who is in tune to the needs of the chorus as a whole and has good typing and/or computer skills. With the right editor and the right content, your newsletter can become a very effective, crucial communication tool within your chorus.
