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RSCA Newsletters - guide

Submissions may be emailed to newsletter@regentsquare-RSCA.org in Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format (RTF). Submissions may be sent via post to the following address:

    Regent Square Civic Association
    Attn: Newsletter
    7604 Charleston Avenue
    Pittsburgh, PA 15218-1265

You may mail questions to either electronic or postal addresses above, or telephone the Civic Association at 412/371-2010 for additional information.

Click here to print this page or click here to return to main Regent Square Civic Association page.

Submission Guidelines

All submissions become the property of the RSCA, and the RSCA reserves the right to edit any submission.

Event Notices

Deadline: The first of the month prior to the event

Format: Event notices should be emailed to newsletter@regentsquare-RSCA.org. Notices should either be pasted into the body of the email message or attached in rich text format (RTF).

Requirements for inclusion:

• Event name
• Event date(s) and time(s)
• Event location
• 30-50 word description of the event
• Admission charge or other costs to attendees
• Name and phone number of a contact person, and email address or web site if available (not necessarily for publication)

Content Guidelines

The RSCA newsletter publishes:

1. Reportage on the work of the RSCA and its board of directors. This is the RSCA newsletter's primary content area.
   
   
2. RSCA membership information and recruitment material.
   
   
3. Stories by and about Regent Square residents, with particular attention paid to items which emphasize a resident's connection to the Regent Square community.
   
   
4. Articles about businesses within Regent Square, intending to connect the community to the businesses and vice-versa.
   
   
5. Articles and event notices about Regent Square churches, civic groups, and volunteer organizations.
   
   
6. Articles from Regent Square residents or businesspeople with particular areas of expertise, intended to share that expertise with the community.
7. Updates and information related to government activities that impact Regent Square community life.
   
   
8. Information related to issues of personal safety, public safety, and quality of life in the Regent Square community.
   

Articles

The RSCA newsletter welcomes articles from and about the Regent Square community, as outlined in our Content Guidelines.

Deadline: The first of each month

Format: Articles should be mailed to newsletter@regentsquare-RSCA.org. Articles should either be pasted into the body of the email message or attached in rich text format (RTF). Alternatively articles may be sent by postal mail to Regent Square Newsletter, TBS

Requirements:

• Articles must include: author's name, address, phone number, and (if available) email address.
• Articles should be 250-500 words.
• Articles about events should include all required information listed under Event Notices.
• If an article directs the reader to contact an individual or organization, specific and complete contact information must be provided.

Style Guidelines

1. Style articles as clear, concise "news" items.
   
   
   1. Articles should be written in the third person.
      
      Incorrect: "We held an evening fundraising dinner at our church. Bill Blakley and I brought in decorations for tables."
      
      Correct: "An evening fundraising dinner was held at the Mifflin Methodist church. Bill Blakely and Betty Creighton brought in decorations for tables."
      
      
   2. Avoid using overly difficult or uncommon words.
      
      Incorrect: "Government publications seem to incessantly avail obfuscation."
      
      Correct: "Government publications seem to often be overly complex."
      
      
   3. Excessively long sentences should be avoided. Smaller, shorter, and descriptive sentences are clearer.
      
      Incorrect: "The event ended with a terrific finale, after which many lingered to talk with the speaker, who spent several more minutes speaking with many individuals who were very appreciative of her work, especially her latest exhibits in the Pittsburgh area.
      
      Correct: "The event ended with a terrific finale. Quite a few people lingered to talk with the speaker, who spent several more minutes conversing with them. Many visitors were very appreciative of her work, especially her latest exhibits in the Pittsburgh area.
      
      
   4. Specific information (dates, times, locations, phone numbers, email, etc.) should always be included for clarity.
      
      Incorrect: "The fundraiser will be held the first Saturday in May. Volunteers should sign up at the center or call/email the registrar for information."
      
      Correct: "The fundraiser will be held on 3-May-2007, the first Saturday of that month. Volunteers should sign up at the Wilkins School Community Center (at the corner of Sanders and Mifflin) between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily. Please call Fred Fulton at 412-731-0000 or email him at fred@ahost.net to register or for more information.
      
      
   5. List all important details near the beginning of the article and list incidental information near the end. By doing this, the end of an article may be "cut" to fit into the Newsletter without compromising the important information that needs to be communicated.
   
   
2. Exceptions to Style Guideline 1 - Other Styles
   
   
   1. While it is preferable that the style of the Newsletter remain consistent, there are times when communication in the first person is more effective. (i.e. a resident reflecting personal views of their life in Regent Square, a letter from the President or a Committee chair, etc.) This style is acceptable and will typically be offset by an editorial note or lead-in to indicate that it is a personal communication style and not typical reportage.
   
   
3. Communicate positively about difficult issues.
   
   Articles about issues or problems should always maintain a positive and constructive point of view.

   Incorrect: "Inconsiderate residents are letting their dogs tread and mess on lawns. Worse yet, they aren't cleaning it up!"

   Correct: "Some residents may not be aware that their dogs may be damaging lawns. Walking a dog on curb side of the sidewalk helps keep lawn damage to a minimum. Cleaning up after dogs is also important - both to be courteous and to avoid a potential fine of up to $250!"

4. Write for a family audience.
   
   The RSCA Newsletter reaches a wide range of people, including many children. Style articles addressing difficult subjects in ways appropriate for young readers.

   Incorrect: "A group of people who were enjoying themselves with drugs were stopped by the police as they loitered in front of several businesses."

   Correct: "A group of people were stopped by police for loitering in front of businesses and using illegal substances."

   Incorrect: "A young woman was reported raped recently in the area. It is suspected that the East End Rapist was to blame.

   Correct: "A young woman was reported assaulted in the area. Police suspect the perpetrator is responsible for a series of attacks."

5. Be factual, stress solutions, and avoid an alarmist tone.

   Incorrect: "The third robbery in as many days happened on Milton Street. Residents should be careful venturing out because of the crime on the street."

   Correct: "Several robberies have been reported on Milton Street. While Regent Square is a very safe neighborhood, residents can take a few extra security precautions to assure that it remains so. In particular, be on the lookout for any strange cars or persons in the neighborhood. Don't hesitate to call 911 and have the police come to check things out.

6. Consider articles that show unique and diverse makeup of Regent Square. Topics to consider include:
   
   
   • Awards that a resident or their family member has received (i.e. volunteer excellence award, student first-in-class, professional of the month, etc.)
     
     
   • Hobbies or special interests (woodwind group, lawn bowling, architectural research, etc.)
     
     
   • Professional advice (i.e. tax, real estate, fitness, or childcare advice)
     
     
   • Neighborhood interest (i.e. children playing at Richmond/Sanders, business district interest, etc.)