From the editor's cauldron

What is the purpose of your bulletin?

One of our members asked me if I read every bulletin. My answer was yes. You send them to me with the expectation that your bulletin will be read, not just relegated to the recycle bin.

As PROBEmoter editor, I feel the time has come for me to share some observations with you.

One of the purposes of your chapter bulletin is internal and external public relations - at least it should be.

Internal public relations should include information for your members, their wives, guests and prospective members.

External public relations are directed to the music teachers of schools and colleges in your area, newspapers, radio and TV stations. You never know when someone will pick up on something that you published. Case in point: A year ago, the program director of our local public TV station read the article about Singing Valentines in the Des Moines, Iowa, Chapter's Harmony Overtones, which I also edit. He called me to get more information. I referred him to the SV chairman, which resulted in some sales at the TV station. There have been other instances, too, where a teacher or reporter picked up on articles - just wanted to make the point that our efforts do not go unnoticed.

You should want to put your best face forward when you send your bulletins to readers outside your chapter. Is your layout and reproduction clean and inviting to the reader? If you use photos, are they of a good quality? Is your clip art clean - meaning the lines aren't jagged from using an inkjet printer? Are your articles well written, informative and easily understood?

One area that I have found to be grossly overworked in bulletins is the use of jokes. Jokes that are found on the Internet, for the most part, are constantly being circulated among many bulletins. What a waste of space! C'mon, folks! Your chapter bulletin wasn't intended to be a joke book. If you need to fill space, go after your officers or members for some meaningful material. I know - it's worse than pulling teeth sometimes to get those articles. So, what's stopping you from going to the PROBE Website and downloading the good stuff that you'll find there?

I hope I've made my point. Take pride in your bulletin. Do the best job of which you are capable. Show others that your chapter is vibrant and inviting.