Our district operates with an annual budget of more than 20 million dollars, employs a staff of 1,000 during the peak season, maintains 2,000 acres of open space and 10 major facilities, and provides services to 150,000 community members of all ages. But even smaller park districts can, and should be, recognized as members of the business community. A well-targeted newsletter can help do just that. The cooperation between our district and the local school districts, city and village governments, and other community organizations is a great source for newsletter story ideas. Finally, a newsletter is not only an avenue to tell the public what we are doing, it is a way to show them.
Photos are as important as the written word.
And their use is not restricted to merely illustrating an accompanying article. This group includes members of our community network, park advisory groups, city and other local government officials, the local chambers of commerce, local school board members, and both sponsors and participants in our district's annual golf outing. This mailing list receives the newsletter, along with a cover letter, about a week before the information hits the street through our activity guide. By incorporating the newsletter into the activity guide, every household served by our district has the opportunity to read the newsletter. As the newsletter editor, my most important job is to put myself in the shoes of our readers.