Newsletter Writing for Non-Profit Organizations

Course Name

Newsletter Writing for Non-Profit Organizations

Contact Hours: 24 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

Non-Profit Organizations have unique budgetary issues when it comes to collateral materials such as newsletters. Often an information source as inexpensive to produce and distribute as a newsletter is overlooked due to misunderstanding the amount of work and expense involved. In this course the Student will learn how to create a quality newsletter from concept through distribution, and publishing to the web given the desire and resources, on the normally limited budget of a Non-Profit Organization.

Outcome

Upon completion of this course the student will have a minimum of the master copy of their newsletter and mailing labels. Some students may conclude the course with an actual newsletter mailing.

Students will learn how to: 

  • Evaluate organizational need 
  • Organize content 
  • Create layout 
  • Edit drafts
  • Produce a master for a printer or copy shop
  • Create mailing labels 
  • Assemble and prepare for distribution
  • Handle postage
  • Publish their newsletter to the web (bonus)

Assessment


Upon completion of this course the student will have a minimum of the master copy of their newsletter and mailing labels. Some students may conclude the course with an actual newsletter mailing.

Outline


First Week: Students assess who their intended target is, what size the newsletter needs to be. Then they assigned designing and implementing Headers and Footers.

Second Week: Students work on layout and design. They decide on such issues as one-sided copy, two sides, using columns and what type of font.

Week Three-Five: Students are required to submit a rough draft of their newsletter, utilizing the skills and information they have learned. Applying such design tools as columns, headers and footers, font types.Mail merge and bulk mailings are discussed. Students then must decide whether to use labels for mailing or get a permit for bulk mailings.

Week Six-Seven: During this period students are assigned important details such as adding drop cap, graphics and pictures.

Week Eight: