Connect members and showcase your program achievements

Newsletters are a great communication tool for offering information on personal development opportunities, important date reminders, grant opportunities, and community volunteer events. They give program directors a way to send messages from State and National offices, and invite members to share best practices from the field.

Minnesota's State-wide VISTA newsletter gives member updates from the state office, discusses ways to maximize stipends, and training information. It is a way for members and program directors to communicate and share their State and National effort to fight poverty.

Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction VISTA Newsletter provides their members with dates of upcoming events, meetings, and opportunities to learn about what other VISTAs within the program are doing. VISTAs contribute their own articles, money-saving tips, and recipes.

Even with great examples to energize your efforts, getting started with your newsletter can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips:

• Newsletters can simply be Word documents or formatted using templates in software such as InDesign.
• Paper or electronic? Although electronic newsletters, either a webpage, or emailing a PDF, can save money and paper, keep in mind the computer savvy of your audience, and member or client access to computers.
• Who is your audience? If you make your newsletter available community members, volunteers and potential funders, be sure to highlight pages that are meant for them. Recipes, housing announcements, and member development opportunities are great to include in program-focused newsletters.
• How much? A four-page, 8-1/2" x 11" format newsletter can hold approximately 2,400 words. This includes adding two or three photos or graphics into the project. The first and last pages typically have less copy and more photos and graphics.
• Use a variety of voices: call for submissions, conduct interviews and request ongoing columns from members, alumni, clients and community liaisons
• Use a variety of visuals: use real photos instead of just clip art, insert a calendar of events, remember the AmeriCorps and your program logos