PUBLICATIONS (PB)

District Staff Officer: Steve Evenstad DSO-PB (9WR)

Link to Auxiliary National Department: Publications (A)

NOTE: These pages are intended to communicate with and disseminate information to Auxiliary members and are for informational purposes only. Do not contact the webmaster regarding these pages. Contact the DSO-PB at the email link above for information and questions regarding this program.

CURRENTS NEWSLETTER

Currents, the official print newsletter of 9th Western, is published as needed, with Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions posted on this site as they become available.

Currents - SPRING 2008 Edition (PDF: 1 Meg )

To view Currents, you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

Due to space limitations, past issues of Currents are not archived on this site. For back issues, please contact the DSO-PB at the email address above.

INFORMATION FOR THE SO-PB & FSO-PB REGARDING DIVISION & FLOTILLA NEWSLETTERS

Division and flotilla newsletters play a significant role in conveying information to members. Informed members are more apt to enjoy their Auxiliary experience and participate more fully in its activities.

As the Internet becomes more widely used, leaders in elected and appointed offices may tend to rely on the web as a fast, efficient means of communications. This is good – but not to the exclusion of newsletters which serve as a medium to reach all members.

Unit newsletters should serve as a vehicle for officers to communicate with their members, to inform them of upcoming events, commemorate significant achievements of members, introduce new members, and many other functions that are not well served by the Internet. Also, a hard copy calendar of events can be posted for daily review.

The Coast Guard recognizes the usefulness of unit publications by making the Publications Officer one of the recommended offices at both division and flotilla level, and by authorizing the use of Official Mail postage for their distribution as long as the publications do not contain any commercial advertising.

All divisions and flotillas are strongly encouraged to publish a newsletter.

REQUIREMENTS

The Auxiliary Manual, COMDTINST M16790 (series) prescribes requirements for unit newsletters in Chapter 5 which should be consulted and followed. These requirements are not difficult. Approval of newsletters in 9WR has been delegated by the Director to the DSO-PB and a copy of each publication should be sent to that officer.

RECOMMENDATIONS

There is a 30 page Publication Guide available from the DSO-PB containing a great many recommendations for newsletters. Some of these are:

• Newsletters are more useful when positive. Avoid negative comments that may cause problems.
• Be sensitive to the diversity of the Auxiliary and avoid religious, racist or sexist expressions or symbols.
• Ensure that each publication includes: Publication name, date, volume & issue number, unit identification, editor’s name and address, proper return address per Auxiliary mail requirements.
• If photos are published take care to use those showing Auxiliarists in proper uniform or civilian clothing.
• Newsletters published electronically should be printed and mailed to members without Internet capability or those requesting hard copy.
  

PUBLICATIONS AWARDS PROGRAM

To promote effective member communications, 9WR has authorized the awarding of a Division and a Flotilla Publication Award to recognize the outstanding unit newsletter in each category. The awards are presented at the District Awards Banquet shortly after the end of each year and the winning entries will be sent on to compete in the national competition.

ELIGIBILITY

Only newsletters sent by hard copy to the DSO-PB prior to 31 December will be included in the competition for that year. If the newsletter is published electronically a hard copy printout should be mailed along with a note attesting to electronic publication. Manuals and directories are not considered as publications for this competition.

Winning publications will be selected by a member of the national staff with an expertise in publications, residing outside 9WR. For 9WR to consider the awards program in a given year:

• At least 3 division newsletters must be received
• At least 6 flotilla newsletters must be received

Other award criteria include:

• Content: Announcement of future events, recognition of member achievements & awards, member training items, relevance of overall content.
• Appearance
• Editorial quality
• Information quality
• Correct use of abbreviations
• Correct titles of Auxiliarists and Active Duty placed in proper locations
• Attention given to flotilla, division, district and national functions
• Photos (proper uniforms, PFDs when required, absence of drinks in hands, other similar considerations)

Good luck and good publishing! Questions or comments should be addressed to the DSO-PB.