An open invitation

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 1, 3 June 1987, Page 15

An open invitation

This item, taken from the first edition of the Bulletin still holds true though we now have two people to report on the news in your region. With only one staff journalist to report on all the activities in the Waimarino we invite you, the reader, to share in our news service. A single reporter cannot be in two places at once nor can he possibly attend every function, meeting, event, game, accident, fire, exhibition, presentation etc. that is likely to occur in a 7-day week. The Bulletin will be happy to publish news supplied by readers. And you don't have to be a professionally trained writer or journalist to share in this team effort ... just give us the information in whatever form you prefer - a telephone call, a typed statement or a hand-written note - and we will do the rest. Don't worry about the grammar and the spelling ... if we can read it we will make the necessary corrections and print it. Just keep it short, keep it topical and try to answer the basic questions that may be asked.

All we need is a contact number and address just in case we have to check back with you. If you are going to contribute news items and articles regularly - perhaps as a club secretary or public relations officer - there is a standard procedure to follow that will save time, avoid check-back calls, make corrections easier and thus ensure that your story will meet the publishing deadline. If you follow these few general guidelines you will be helping to promote the activities of your club, team or organisation in the wider community. 1. Type or write your story out in a clear legible hand using double spacing or every second line on ruled notepaper. 2. Leave a wide margin around the outside edges of your story and use only one side of the notepaper. 3. Check the names of individuals and organisations carefully together with their official titles and PRINT these clearly. 4. Try to make sure that your story answers most, if

not all, of the following questions. What.. happened?.. is to happen?..did it cost?..is the name of the organisation? etc. When.. did it happen?.. will it happen? etc. Who.. is involved?..was involved?..should be contacted? etc. Where..did the event occur?.. is the event to occur?.. can tickets be obtained? etc. Why.. did it occur?.. is it about to happen? etc. How.. did it happen?.. was it caused?.. will it be achieved?.. many were involved? etc. These details don't have to be supplied in that or any other particular order but wherever possible they should all be included. And if they are included there is a very good chance that your story will be printed. No newspaper in the world can guarantee to print a report about every activity within its regional distribution area but here at the Bulletin we will try to cover as wide a range as possible ... but this depends on YOU! Don't forget the contact mber.