Posted by goatgrrl at June 28, 2002 09:32 AM

Posted to editors' elist by Meredy Amyx on 6/28/02:

"Thank you, Tyger. This is an extraordinary and unexpected opportunity. I will do my very best with it in the time I have.

"My overall concept is simple: editors teaching editors, editors learning from editors. In my opinion, we all can learn from one another: seniors can teach juniors one kind of thing, but juniors can teach seniors another. I want to see a flow in both directions, and that is what I will try to facilitate. My approach will combine presentations, focused discussions, open discussions, and Q&A. I'll need some help from editors, especially those attending.

"Editors, editors past, editors yet to be, and friends of editors, I need your help in two ways:

"1. Topics. Please send me (offlist, so you can't just hit reply--you have to put in meredy@amyx.org) up to three suggestions that you would be interested in hearing discussed among editors. Our orientation will be print, but editors of newsletter websites are welcome too. Here are examples of topics we might cover in a segment of a workshop: the care and feeding of contributors, how to work with the locsec and/or board, how to encourage member participation (and when to leave members alone), design and layout considerations, use of space for art vs. copy, pros and cons of delegating, walking the "no opinions" line. This list has already been a rich vein of material!--but I would still love to hear directly from people with suggestions intended explicitly for the workshop.

"2. Participation. Please come. And please feel free to speak up or to listen quietly, as you prefer. The first half hour (6:00 - 6:30) will be the originally scheduled social event; at 6:30 we'll begin the workshop. If you know now that you will plan to attend, please send me a line and let me know. I can use several attenders who don't mind taking the floor for a few minutes; if you're willing--and it will not mean making a speech, so don't worry!--please add a mention of that. What I have in mind is something anybody could do and won't require any significant preparation.

"Just to state it up front, we won't be talking about the PRP, and we won't be getting into anything political unless it can be discussed in general terms (e.g., "Does politics have a place in my newsletter?" or "What if I want to take a stand on political matters?"). This is a session with a focus and a purpose, and we'll concentrate on those. Fellowship and sharing of editors' views and experiences top the list.

"Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome--don't be shy, and please don't wait!

"See you in a week--

Meredy"