In the main this ebook is designed for voluntary associations. It will assist the committees of such bodies to come to grips with a number of vital issues. However, most of the principles in this work have equal application in the wider commercial world.

Non-profit bodies are an important feature of contemporary life. They cater for a wide range of different interests - including business, charitable, civic, migrant, political, professional, religious, rural, social and sporting activities. They all have one attribute in common: they have a need to communicate effectively with their existing membership and to attract new members, and also to have a good image in the community.

Persons who are appointed to the rather thankless but important position of editor of an association newsletter or journal often have no prior experience in this area. This ebook will greatly assist them.

From the Foreword by Graeme Samuel AO, Chairman, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission:

Having been much involved with business, sporting, charitable and cultural organisations over the years I was delighted to have the opportunity to read the manuscript of this useful guide. It deals in simple language with contemporary issues of great relevance not only to most voluntary associations but also to the wider business community.

In addition to being a remarkably versatile writer Mr Renton has been active in non-profit organisations for a long time, holding many honorary offices. In this highly original work he freely shares his wide experience with his readers.

Nick Renton first systematically examined the contents of organisation newsletters in the course of researching his Guide for Voluntary Associations. His analysis concluded that the quality of some publications was not as high as seemed desirable.

Being a positive thinker, he then set out to produce this manual in order to remedy the situation. The community will be indebted to him for raising standards by producing such a comprehensive multifaceted guide.

Contents:

• About the Author
• By the Same Author
• Foreword
• Preface
• Chapter 1 Key Issues
  - Objectives
  - Format
  - Free Copies
  - Name
  - Commercial Outlets
• Chapter 2 Planning the Contents
  - Education and Entertainment Pages
  - Functional Pages
  - Formal Pages
  - Other Pages
  - Enhancements
  - Information about the Newsletter Itself
  - Inserts
  - The Front Page
  - Light Relief
• Chapter 3 The Editor and Editorial Policy
  - Attributes of a Good Editor
  - Skills
  - Censorship Aspects
  - Editorial Policy
  - Invited Articles
  - Fees To Outside Contributors
  - Ethics
  - Learned Societies
• Chapter 4 Getting the Words Right
  - Style Aspects
  - Political Correctness
  - Morale
  - Signed Articles
  - Proofreading
  - The Nominal Publication Date
  - Unacceptable Editorial Lapses
• Chapter 5 Other Aspects
  - Copyright
  - Reproduction Rights
  - Complimentary Copies
  - Mailing Costs
  - Contracting Out
  - Member Surveys
  - Misleading Advertisements
  - Special Groups
  - Enrolment Forms for Functions
• Appendix A: Words Which Can Trouble Editors
• Appendix B: Filling Those Empty Corners
• Appendix C: Style Manuals - Masters or Servants?
• Appendix D: Internet Aspects
• Tailpiece