Emphasize alumni-relocations, job changes, promotions, children, wedding, travels, awards, achievements, other personal and professional news. A good ratio for an alumni newsletter is 70% alumni news, 20% chapter news and 10% university or college news.
Contain one report from the chaper president and one from the alumni/housing corporation president.
Contain good quality photographs, depicting a variety of activities, including philanthropic projects, guest nights, homecoming, and other special events.
Utilize articles by alumni, especially by members of the alumni/house corporation and foundation board.
Give an honest assessment of the chapter. The assessment should include strengths and achievements, as wells as the weaknesses and challenges/changes in the chapter. A balanced perspective increases credibility of the chapter.
Provide information on all chapter activities. Rather than emphasizing the cosmetic aspects of fraternity life, the newsletter provides information on philanthropic projects, changes in operations, scholarship programs and involvement in campus organizations by members. Outline any needs for improvements or items outlining long range projects. Provide financial data and 5, 10 year goals.
If a spouse or other family member or friend of the alumnus picks up the newsletter and reads it, he or she should be impressed with the quality of the newsletter.
When writing items for a chapter newsletter, whether they are announcements of projects or events to come or follow-ups to those which have already taken place, keep in mind that your active chapter members are not the only ones who will read them. Newsletters are sent to members who can not always make it to every meeting. Therefore, articles should contain complete information about an event or project, so that even those not closely associated with your chapter will understand what the project or event is all about.
Write as though you are writing for a city newspaper which will be read by strangers, keeping in mind the 5 w's of journalism: who, what, where, when, why. Regular chapter members might understand vague allusions to a project or event, but the same might not be true for members who can't get to meetings regularly.
Contain humor, used tastefully and in a manner that everyone can understand and appreciate. Although "nick names" are typically how brothers remember past brothers, nick names in publications are not appropriate for the readers.
The newsletter is edited, checked, and screened for spelling errors, grammar, punctuation, syntax, context. In particular, names of alumni are double-checked for spelling, title and class year.
They should be sent out at least twice a year. Once prior to the fall semester and once in the spring semester. Newsletters should be carefully timed so that alumni have plenty of advance notice for special events; so alumnus brothers have ample of time for travel arrangements and planning. Contain a calendar of events for chapter events, national events, and campus events. Also include the contact information for the alumnus in charge of the event.
Include in your masthead not only your newsletters name, but the chapter name, the school and/or city and the date of the newsletter (month, season, semester, etc...).
Include plenty of names, telephone numbers, addresses, and email addresses for questions and information. Leave the alumnus with the sense that the chapter is in good hands and that his career and personal information are of interest to the undergraduates.
Contain a complete listing of all alumni who made a financial contribution or contribution of time to the undergraduate chapter.
Save paper and postage by using both sides of the paper. If the last sheet is blanck on one side, use it as amiler by folding the newsletter and addressing and stamping the blank side rather than using an envelope.
They should be printed on high quality paper from high quality originals. SAMPLE NEWSLETTERS
Submitted by Theta Chi Fraternity Chapters
OMEGAPHONE
Omega/The Pennsylvania State University
August 2005
TOMAHAWK
Alpha Mu/Iowa State University
Spring 2005
THE BLADE
Alpha Omicron/Washington State University
Fall 2004 |
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