SO YOU WANT TO WIN AN AWARD!

It's easy; here is how to do it.

1. The title of your newsletter should be large and clear. You are free to make it as artfully and tastefully as you know how. The name of the squadron and/or district should be shown as well as the legends "A Unit of the United States Power Squadrons" and "Sail and Power Boating". Indicate the periodicity of your newsletter (i.e. monthly, bimonthly, etc.) and print the date of the issue. It is a good idea to list the volume and issue number for future reference.

2. Include stimulating articles on boating education (the boating classes and advanced/elective courses being offered), safety, boat shows, raft-ups, cruises, co-op charting, other civic services and every activity in which your squadron or district participates. There should be an article to promote the activity and, following the activity, an article to tell what happened and who was there. Always include pictures if possible. Put the most interesting articles on the first page. Remember your newsletter is your squadron's primary marketing tool and you are writing it for members who haven't attended an event for some time to try to make them active (or at the very least, to retain them as members) as well as for those who participate regularly. Rank and grade should accompany each name. Members are proud of the grades they have earned and are proud of responsible positions in the squadron or district. See Chapter 2 in the Handbook. Add congratulations for course completions and welcome new members.

3.Include a message from the commander or an assigned bridge officer. These messages should be inspirational, motivational and demonstrate leadership. These qualities are expected of all bridge messages. Avoid, "Thank you for...... Thank you messages belong in articles following an activity or event. See pages 32 and 33 in the Handbook.

4.Squadron newsletters should have articles about district activities and conferences as well as information regarding Governing Board meetings, USPS annual meetings and whatever may be going on in the many national committees. This kind of information about USPS is being posted on the USPS bulletin board and can be downloaded and included in articles. Don't just copy these messages. Rewrite them and give them meaning for your members. See pages 37 - 39 and exhibits E and F for information on downloading graphics and text from national headquarters.

5. The overall appearance of your Newsletter should not only be legible, it should be readable, inviting your members to pick it up and start to read. See pages 27 -30 in the Handbook.

6.Avoid typographical errors, misspelling and poor grammar. One or more members of most squadrons have a computer with a spelling checker. Make use of these but continue to proof read all material.

7.Follow the USPS style sheet on pages 34 - 37 of the Handbook.

8.Include addresses and phone numbers of key people, including the editor.

9.Finally, look over your newsletter and ask yourself, "Is this newsletter interesting to read?"

10.If you can honestly answer yes to item 9, then send at least four issues if you are a squadron editor and two if you are a district editor, to the Evaluator assigned to your district by the National Publications Committee.

Weren't Selected? Appeal!

If you did not receive the Excellence in Journalism Award in previous years, your chance of having that decision reversed was non-existent. Not so, this year. You have the opportunity to appeal if you sincerely believe your newsletter should have received the award. Here?s the procedure.

1. Complete the Publications Committee's Evaluation Form. (Available as a download from the committee's web pages, or from your PubCom evaluator.)
2. Mail a copy to your District Publications Chairman and discuss with him/her.
3. If the two of you feel that your "claim" has merit, ask your D/C for an opinion.
4. When all are in agreement, ask the D/C to send your documented appeal to the chairman of the Publications Committee (listed on the inside back cover of The Ensign).
5. A three-person PubCom Appeals Committee will carefully review your arguments, make a determination, and then forward their decision to the Assistant National Secretary for his examination.
6. You will receive prompt notification of the final resolution.