Best Council Newsletter

Illowa Council
Council Classification: 400-600
Contact: Jim Rogers

Objectives and Outcomes

We were pleased with the most recent format of the council newsletter, but felt that the tone was too dark. We wanted to retain the color palette but in lighter tones. We also wanted to ensure that it would:

  1. Be a platform for distributing news of both council and district interest to a wide percentage of our volunteer base.
  2. Improve an already exciting look compatible with the general upgrading of the council marketing and communications efforts.
  3. Provide a product suitable for carrying the council's Scouting message to the highest community and regional circles.

Planning Process

The planning and production of the revised version actually took very little time as we were retaining many of the earlier aspects—something under a month before the August 2004 issue. It included:

  1. Brainstorming to choosing the way to lighten the look without changing it completely.
  2. Working with the design and layout artist to accomplish our goals.

Impact

The modified newsletter has been very well received. Everyone liked the lowered color values and the continued use of pictures. We've also begun to consider how we can increase the frequency of the newsletter now that we are satisfied with its look and impact.

Learning Points

Even relatively simple changes can bring new freshness to a newsletter, and this new look in turn will encourage more people to read and use the newsletter as the information organ it is designed to be.

  1. We continue to struggle with maintaining the existing quality of the newsletter with the need for more rapid dissemination of council and district news and information.
  2. The search for fresh new pictures reinforces the need to take even more pictures to ensure we can not only show off our program but have the ability to do so with a certain style.

The Merits of Marketing (marketing.scouting.org) is a resource for local councils, developed by the Marketing & Communications Division of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America.