Among your chapter’s most valuable services to members is the information you provide them concerning professional and advocacy issues, chapter activities and the work of the College. One way to keep members informed is a Chapter Newsletter. Benefits of a Chapter Newsletter include:
Newsletter production may be the responsibility of the chapter administrator, communications committee, chapter president or chapter secretary, depending on the job responsibilities set forth in the chapter bylaws.
Typically, a chapter officer or the communications committee chair will serve as the newsletter editor with responsibility for ensuring that all tasks involved in producing the newsletter are completed. The actual writing of newsletter articles may be shared by the chapter administrator, editor, members of the communications committee, officers and guest contributors.
The editor is responsible for establishing a content outline for each newsletter. The following are examples of content that chapters commonly include in their newsletters:
A production schedule with specific deadlines for each step of the process will ensure that those participating in the newsletter production process complete their to-dos in a timely manner so that the newsletter is published on a predictable schedule. The chapter newsletter will gain more recognition among members if it published on a consistent schedule (i.e. monthly, quarterly).
Chapters most commonly distribute their newsletters via email to the chapter membership. The newsletter may then be posted on the chapter website for future reference. The chapter may also consider notifying non-members about the newsletter as a way to promote the benefits of chapter membership.