#: 66

Title: “Are You Connected?

Exhibitor: Marilyn Beesley

Description: It can be easy to stay connected with family members both

near and far. A family newsletter is an important tool for preserving family history and keeping family members close.

How To’s: Creating a Successful Newsletter

Creating A Successful Newsletter:

Editor: Someone needs to volunteer to be in charge of the newsletter. Everyone

sends his or her newsletter to this person. Their job is to copy their letters and combine them into a newsletter. I make copies of letters as they come to me. I don’t retype them. Then mail it out to everyone.

Writers: Decide who is going to be included in the newsletter i.e. family members,

extended family members, etc. WARNING: Some members of the family need persuasion in writing on a regular basis. You will find you have people that always write and you have people who never write.

Name: Every newsletter has to have a name. Be clever. Examples are the

“Beesley Bee” and the “Hacking Tribe Newsletter”.

Format: Decide what kind of a format you want for your newsletter, full page, half

page etc.

Funds: How will the newsletter be funded? This will be determined by

availability of copiers, cost of postage, how often sent out, etc. We charge $20.00 for a 12-month subscription. If someone pays for a subscription they receive a newsletter even if they don’t write.

Due Date: A due date must be established so everyone knows when their letter needs

to be to the one in charge. We write once a month so due date is the 7th of each month.

Cover: The cover can include drawings, photos, pictures, etc. We designed a logo

that is always on the cover. The rest is assigned out to different members of the family. Remember to include dates on the cover.

Convince: Some people see this as just one more thing to do. Someone will need to

convince them what a great and easy opportunity this is to keep a history of themselves and/or their family. HINT: Have everyone write one month and show them what a neat idea this really is.

Enjoy: Newsletters keep families connected. Members of the family including

those living in the same city aren’t always aware of what is going on in your life. This is a great way to stay connected both near and far.