I Was Appointed HOG PS Chapter Editor, Need Suggestions, Please.... : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

HHP · 02-28-2007, 01:00 PM

Greetings all, for better or worse, I have accepted the Editor Officer position for our Palm Springs HOG Chapter. HOG requires that you produce at least six news letters a year.

I want to wow and awe. Any HOG newsletters that stand out? Any suggestions on how to make it informative, yet fun and different?

PM me if you like....

Thanks!

davidtn · 02-28-2007, 01:05 PM

HHP - Well we're in the same boat as I accepted the newsletter editor position with our chapter for this year. If you have MS Word, you can download several newsletter style formats in which to give you a start. You can also Google "Hog Newsletter" and you'll see several which are posted to the web. They can give you a good idea as to the direction you would like to see your chapter's newsletter take.

Best of luck!

HHP · 02-28-2007, 01:15 PM

Thanks davidtn:

Will you be adding any new features to the newsletter?

I am thinking of adding an "Ask an Officer" section to answer member related questions...

davidtn · 02-28-2007, 01:50 PM

I am planning on adding a "get to know your members" section in which I'll profile various folks. More than just the usual 'how long you been riding' etc. Just another way for people to get better acquainted.

toybox99615 · 02-28-2007, 03:30 PM

If you know how to use mail merge you can add a lot to your newsletters. Members really like it when a few articles can include their name. For exaple the presidents comments can start out Dear Charlie and Destiny rather than Dear member.

Recently I checked out the US postal service and discovered they have a neat way of allowing you to do a news letter through them. They will print and mail the newsletter for a real inexpensive price. There are a number of great features you can use: for example you can have the news letter ready to go weeks in advance and tell them the date you want it posted.

HHP · 02-28-2007, 03:39 PM

Thanks Toybox! Will look into this, sounds like a good idea.....

Batdog · 02-28-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHP

Greetings all, for better or worse, I have accepted the Editor Officer position for our Palm Springs HOG Chapter. HOG requires that you produce at least six news letters a year.

I want to wow and awe. Any HOG newsletters that stand out? Any suggestions on how to make it informative, yet fun and different?

PM me if you like....

Thanks!

Another idea is to have an "It Happened To Me' section, where readers and member can submit accidents, on the road breakdowns, etc, how they dealt with them, and how it could have been avoided (if at all).

HHP · 02-28-2007, 03:48 PM

Batdog: Wow, Another great idea....thanks

davidtn · 02-28-2007, 09:09 PM

Batdog - Agreed, that is a good idea. I think I may just borrow it for our newsletter iffin you don't mind

geezerglide · 02-28-2007, 10:43 PM

Try to go to POT. There are usually a large selection to take home with you.

Far 3ast · 03-01-2007, 04:50 AM

The H.O.G. website offers some newsletter articles that you are free to post in your chapter newsletter. It is in the Chapter Officer section of the website.

https://members.hog.com/website/chap...s_articles.jsp

IndianaSteve · 03-01-2007, 12:33 PM

Our Chapter started e-mailing the newsletter in Adobe PDF format last year to the members who provided their e-mail addresses. It has saved quite a bit in postage and printing costs. The Chapter publishes one newsletter per month right at the end of the month. It has a calendar for the following month and articles by officers and others. I can e-mail you a copy of the March edition if you want. If so, please PM me with your e-mail address.

RABNTN · 03-01-2007, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaSteve

Our Chapter started e-mailing the newsletter in Adobe PDF format last year to the members who provided their e-mail addresses. It has saved quite a bit in postage and printing costs. The Chapter publishes one newsletter per month right at the end of the month. It has a calendar for the following month and articles by officers and others. I can e-mail you a copy of the March edition if you want. If so, please PM me with your e-mail address.

A "resounding " echo to the above comments regarding using email to deliver the Newsletter!

We've been doing this for almost 3 years, and the costs saved Vs.printing, postage, plus the time & effort required to snail-mail are significant.

Just some FYI -
It may be a bit painful at first due to some folks' reluctance (or refusal) to use a computer...but in the end you gain not only the above-mentioned savings, but more members become comfortable using the the technology...which leads to more effective use of the Chapter website.

The website contains all the "normal" Chapter info, and a registration- required Message Board has become an often-used tool for Chapter rides (pick-up rides as well), events and announcements. In addition, we utilize sections for "Performance" (wrenching, accessories, etc) and "Off-Topic".

Just food for thought....and is anyone attending the H.O.G. POT in Birmingham on April 20-21?

Jeffytune · 03-01-2007, 02:46 PM

Hi.

Next time, duck!

Ok, here are a couple Idea's to fill some space...

Try to enlist the help of one rider of each type of bike, and Offer them a collum.(The Sportster corner, Tour bikes today, The V-rod fligher, The Dyna Diner & The Softail longe)
Let then write a paragraph or two about what is goning on with that model.

Get the Officers to pass a rule, you leed a ride, you write it up, with Pictures.

And always remember and never forget,

Is you best friend!

IndianaSteve · 03-01-2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RABNTN

Just food for thought....and is anyone attending the H.O.G. POT in Birmingham on April 20-21?

Our Chapter Director is and maybe a couple of others. I'm already committed for that date somewhere else so I can't go. I think it will be valuable training and a good time all rolled into one.