Style and Standards: Creating the Key Club Newsletter Sharon Lin NYDKC Bulletin Editor sharonlin.editor@nydkc.org NYDKC Webinar #1 www.nydkc.org
Why Style? • Editors, Public Relations, Historian – Unfortunately, often last on club hierarchy – Job seemingly requires least “direct leadership” – Skill sets are more specific than other jobs
• Newsletters are engaging! – Encourage members to be more active – Project direct communication – Inspire members to join in service events and projects
Basics Club Newsletters • Cover Page • Table of Contents • Member of the Month • President’s Letter • Service Spotlights • Upcoming Events • Fundraising Updates • Club Contacts • Back Cover
LTG Newsletters
Cover Page Table of Contents Key Club 101 LTG’s Greeting Service Spotlights Upcoming Events District Projects International Projects Club Spotlight Divisional and District Contacts • Back Cover • • • • • • • • • •
Programs • Examples: – – – – – – –
MS Publisher MS Word MS Powerpoint Scribus Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop PagePlus
• General rule: You only need three functions! – Text boxes – Picture boxes – Layering capabilities – more stylistic features
Page Design • Margins – 0.5 to 1 inch all around
– Usually automatic for most publications – Pictures can bleed to the ends of pages
• Backgrounds – be simple!
– Use a picture and set transparency to about 20-40% – Use solid color and play around with color palette – Don’t have a stark white background!
• If you pair the elements on the page well, then white backgrounds can be okay • For the most part, use at least minimalist designs on pages
• Text/picture boxes
– Use different shapes! – Don’t go over the top with weird shapes, though!
Page Design
Courtesy of PNW Key Club
• Organize pages into boxes
Publication •
Titles
•
Number your pages!
• •
Save as a .pdf (PDF) file Upload to Issuu.com
– Club or Division, Month, Service Year, Volume # (if applicable), Issue # – Helpful for table of contents – Evens on left, odds on right!
– – – –
Easier to access for members Available on smartphones and mobile devices Easier to find URL than file Combines pages like a real magazine
•
Info/description
•
Send and Share!
– “The official publication of Division __ of NYDKC” – Possible add some featured articles in your newsletter – KCR, Club Advisors, Kiwanis Advisors, Club Presidents, Governor Jacob, Editor Sharon, Mr. Goldstein
Graphic Standards • Guidelines to follow for: – Flyers, newsletters, training
• Give a sense of professionalism and legitimacy – Allow easy identification of Key Club – For more information, visit: http://www.keyclub.org/fad/cm/brand.aspx
Fonts • Heading fonts
– Century Gothic: ~14pt and 44pt, sans-serif font – Myriad Pro: ~16pt and 48pt, sans-serif font
• Body fonts
– Goudy Old Style: 11-14pt, serif font – Myriad Pro: 10-13pt, san-serif font
• Arial for websites • Other choices: Verdana, Walk Around the Block, Garamond Premier Pro, Myriad Pro
Fonts
Colors • Pick 1 dark color, 1-2 main colors, and 1 accent color per page
Logos and Seals • Must be placed on a neutral background color. – 0.5 inch isolation all around. – On anything smaller than a banner, do not exceed 1.5in and 5in respectively
Logos and Seals
Pencil • Used on the front of all Key Club publications – <0.5 inches in height.
• Solid and scribble pencil – Can put words and descriptions within solid pencils
• Be creative!
Pictures • Vibrant, include people – Volunteering, cheering
• High-quality photos
– DSLR recommended – Encourage members to submit content!
• Club Presidents may award points • Assign photographers and reporters for events
• Fill your pages with pictures
– Most members read for Service Spotlights and Upcoming Events – Make sure newsletter is full of interesting photos!
Pictures • Photo cut-outs
– Photoshop magnetic lasso tool • Look up tutorials online
– www.pixlr.com/editor
• Free photo-editing software online
• Use graphics sparingly!
– Gluttony is a sin! – 1-2 stickers per page at most
• Keep it simple and professional!
– Make sure the most important items on the page are the first ones to catch the eye
Pictures
Cut-out done using Adobe Photoshop
Newsletter Tips • Upcoming Events
– Date, time, location, contact information, name of event – Let members know the 5Ws for these events
• Appoint editor or historian
– Easier to worry about job, let editor do designing and editing work
• LTGs and clubs have more lenient graphic standards • Set deadlines for article and photo submissions!
Questions?
NYDKC Contacts • Governor Jacob Spencer
– jacobspencer.gov@nydkc.org
• Secretary Heather Farley
– heatherfarley.sec@nydkc.org
• Treasurer Anusha Syed
– anushasyed.treas@nydkc.org
• Bulletin Editor Sharon Lin
– sharonlin.editor@nydkc.org
• Executive Assistants Theresa Lin and Kiera Solomon – theresalin.ea@nydkc.org – kierasolomon.ea@nydkc.org
• Webmaster Danny Qiu
– dannyqiu.tech@nydkc.org
• Administrator John Goldstein – nydkca@frontier.com