Using Chapter Newsletters to Invite, Involve, Inform and Inspire Supporters

Mar 01, 2001

Newsletters don't need to be fancy or even on paper. A simple one or two page newsletter published every other month can do the trick, as can a brief email newsletter published every week, every other week or once a month. Chapters should make sure they collect and have most of their members' email addresses before they start an email newsletter, however.

I. INVITE and INVOLVE: Every issue should invite people to be involved in your chapter and in the safe schools movement in general. One of the biggest complaints of grassroots organizations is that we don't have enough involved, but usually we don't ask people enough. Your newsletter can ask/invite people to be involved in a number of ways:

1. Have a section dedicated to volunteer opportunities. Describe what needs to get done, why it's high-priority work for the chapter, and who to contact (make sure that person does a good job following up and orienting them to the tasks).

2. Include an action alert - from the chapter or from GLSEN's Online Action Center. Choose your state under "what can I do in my state" for some actions or use the national actions. If you send regular e-newsletters include the link to your state's action page on GLSEN's Online Action Center (link on right).

3. Invite people to make a financial contribution in every issue. Also include a return envelope (no need to pre-pay postage) or a link to your Chapter's donation web page.

   Important Note: while it is important to invite people to get involved and contribute financially in every issue, your newsletter shouldn't be the only way you recruit volunteers or raise money. The newsletter should supplement your other volunteer recruitment and fundraising efforts.

II. INFORM: Every issue of the newsletter can include an article describing an issue in depth. Don't assume people know the details of a certain issue. For example, why are teacher trainings so important? What's the deal with the Boy Scouts in schools? Can a principle refuse to allow a GSA to form because she thinks it's too controversial? When your readers are informed about the problem and also the strategy behind GLSEN's solution they'll be more likely to get involved, donate, etc. You can re-print articles from the GLSEN web site or from GLSEN's news magazine, Respect.

III. INSPIRE: Every issue should have a headline about a victory - large or small. Don't just report on what happened or what will happen, also report on the progress/victories you've accomplished. When readers see month after month that we are making progress they'll be inspired. They'll see the progress we're making and want to join in on the success. You can also inspire with a setback (i.e., "Springfield school board rejects GSA") or crisis (i.e., "Smithtown school board proposes anti-LGBT curriculum policy"). You should use these sparingly, though, as a constant crisis can be exhausting. When you focus on a crisis or failure, be sure to give some hope and inspiration for action. For example, you could note that GLSEN Cleveland is training students in Springfield on their right to form a GSA or invite readers to join other chapter supporters to the Smithtown school board meeting.