Editor's Corner Editor's Corner
No Photo Available.
That's exactly my dilemma.
No, the cover is not a mistake, a computer glitch, or an oversight. But, hopefully, it got your attention. Because I need YOUR help in keeping this newsletter filled with the articles, photos, and activity items you come to expect when you break the mailing seal each month.
I am the Editor of this publication and a volunteer for COP. This means that, on my own time, I compile the articles, photos, activity schedule items, and advertisements sent to me from contributors, edit content as appropriate, layout items in a consistent format, and forward completed newsletter files down the publication chain until it reaches your hands by the beginning of each month.
I am NOT, however, COP's staff journalist or photographer. Nor do we currently have volunteers for such positions. If you would like to fill one of these positions, please let the COP office or me know. Until then, I rely on our newsletter readers - that's you - for articles and photos about the activities you love and participate in.
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As long as the content is appropriate, I will gladly publish any item sent to me. And so far as Editor, I have. But what is "appropriate" content? Submissions must be related to COP's mission (see bottom line of the front cover) and must generally be non-offensive to our members. The latter criterion is up to the discretion of COP and me. However, regardless of the content, I will always acknowledge all electronic submissions and let you know if your item will be published, postponed, or rejected and why.
If you feel that a particular activity is under-represented in this newsletter, then it is because that activity is under-represented in my newsletter "IN" mailbox. The articles and photos you see in the newsletter are the result of participants taking the time to create and send the content for me to publish. I can only publish what I receive.
If you wish to see more articles and photos about the activities you enjoy, then YOU must send these articles and photos to me. We've tried to make the submissions process as simple as possible. The easiest method is to email content to editor (AT) outdoor-pursuits.org. I can accept all sorts of files - direct text in the email document, text files, Microsoft documents (Word, Excel, etc.), image files (JPEGs, GIFs, TIFFs, etc.), PDFs, etc. Or, if you're in the area, you can simply drop off printed documents and photos to our COP office. Lastly, if snail-mail is more your style, you can mail me your submission. Addresses for mailing or delivery are listed on page 3 of this and every newsletter. Additional guidelines are summarized on page 3 and online: www.outdoor-pursuits.org/main/news/misc/NewsletterSubmissions.pdf
I understand that writing articles and submitting photos take time and effort. And I want to say "Thank You" to those who have contributed articles, photos, and activity items. Please continue to do so. The bottom line is that this newsletter cannot continue to exist without content to publish.
I hope I've encouraged you to submit items that both reflect your passion for outdoor pursuits and that you want to share with others. And hopefully, I won't have to run another photo-less cover again.
Questions, comments, suggestions, and newsletter submissions are always welcome.
Sharon Seslar
Editor, Columbus Outdoors