Help, content of first Newsletter

Hello,

I have volunteered to do the Newsletter for a newly formed local
astronomy club (started in April 2003).
I will be using MS Word Newletter templet.

I need advice on what to include. I want to produce one for nov/dec. if
not then in new year.

Here are my ideas for content:

-- Word from the president introducing newsletter
-- article on Mars opposition
-- Lunar eclispe on Nov 8th
-- and miscellenous info of the club

How does the above sound, especially the first point. Should i put in
something as the Editor.

What should go on the first page?

if anyone has an example of a clubs first newsletter please let me know.

I have looked through many clubs newletter.

Any help would be appreciated.
VL

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AstroClubNewsletters/

vL wrote:

Hello,

I have volunteered to do the Newsletter for a newly formed local
astronomy club (started in April 2003).
--
Tom Rankin - Programmer by day, amateur astronomer by night!
Mid-Hudson Astronomy Association - http://jump.to/mhaa

When replying, remove the capital letters from my email address.

"vL" wrote in message ...
Hello,

I have volunteered to do the Newsletter for a newly formed local
astronomy club (started in April 2003).
I will be using MS Word Newletter templet.

I need advice on what to include. I want to produce one for nov/dec. if
not then in new year.

Here are my ideas for content:

-- Word from the president introducing newsletter
-- article on Mars opposition
-- Lunar eclispe on Nov 8th
-- and miscellenous info of the club

How does the above sound, especially the first point. Should i put in
something as the Editor.

What should go on the first page?

if anyone has an example of a clubs first newsletter please let me know.

I have looked through many clubs newletter.

Any help would be appreciated.
VL

The "words" from the President or Editor are very likely to go
largely unread, being akin to the ingredients label on a box of
cereal, and just about as dry. To cover the points which might
be otherwise missed, run the start-up of the newsletter as a
feature article. As always, cover "who, what, when, where,
why", and through in an anecdote and a few quotes. Use
the headline to lead into the article, and you might get some
legitimate interest.

For what its worth, you might consider exporting the Word document
to HTML so that you can put your newsletter on the web, if you are
so inclined.

Cheers,
Larry G.

vL wrote in message ...
Hello,

I have volunteered to do the Newsletter for a newly formed local
astronomy club (started in April 2003).
I will be using MS Word Newletter templet.

I need advice on what to include. I want to produce one for nov/dec. if
not then in new year.

Here are my ideas for content:

-- Word from the president introducing newsletter
-- article on Mars opposition
-- Lunar eclispe on Nov 8th
-- and miscellenous info of the club

How does the above sound, especially the first point. Should i put in
something as the Editor.

What should go on the first page?

if anyone has an example of a clubs first newsletter please let me know.

I have looked through many clubs newletter.

Any help would be appreciated.
VL

If your club is normal you will find yourself writing most of the
content. Getting articles out of anybody is like getting blood out of
a stone!

Try and include pictures. They save thousands of words that you will
(otherwise) have to write yourself. I hope your spelling, punctuation
and grammar are reasonable. Not providing content does not preclude
criticism from every other member of the club. (including the
8-year-old precocious 'swat'!)

Who knows, you might actually enjoy it and go on to be a great writer
or just a journalist. It is a great instiller of discipline in your
chosen language. A dictionary is absolutely vital. Never use words you
don't understand. The only person who is impressed will be you. (or a
while anyway) Never use a word you only think you can spell. Saturn's
"Ansae" for example.

Get somebody else to proof-read before you start printing! Don't
get upset if they lie rolling on the floor with laughter. Laugh with
them! Or you might lose a very valuable (free) proof-reader.

Crib a calendar of important upcoming astronomical events from a
magazine. This month's positions of the planets, eclipses etc. That's
worth a page in itself with a bit of padding and a topical picture.
Never assume that everybody reads "S&T" or "Astronomy". Disguise the
contect as yours if you will or (even better) mention your source.
That way you can try to blame them for failure of the Sun to appear on
Wednesday morning as promised.

"Interview" club members about their (astronomical) activities. They
don't have to write anything then. But you do. Praise, be kind & be
gentle. Otherwise your first "interview" may be your last!

Is there a club observatory or club telescope? Write about that and
what people are doing with the equipment. Generously praise those who
manage even the fuzziest picture or crudest of telescope making
achievements.

Never ever criticise anybody about anything. Not ever. Not even
humorously.
Remember: Written humour is an artform sadly lacking in most people.
There are even fewer who are any good at reading it!

Have a swap, buy & sell section. Give it a funny name: "The Scrap
Yard" ?

Never (ever) reveal anything said to you in confidence. If they say
no that means no! Not even if they laugh when doing it.

Rede and re-reed evry wrd for spelingt, ppuctutashion and grammer
biffor commmiting to papre. Then let your proof-reader do it properly.
:-)

Aren't questions supposed to have a question mark at the end?
Exclamaton marks are easily over-done!!

Above all enjoy it. Or stop doing it! (You're not being paid).

Good luck

Chris.B

"Chris.B" wrote in message
om...

If your club is normal you will find yourself writing most of the
content. Getting articles out of anybody is like getting blood out of
a stone!

If several editors will contribute, we can have a very good article swap
service at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AstroClubNewsletters/


Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/