IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Presented by: Hatem M.R. Abou-zeid Arab Academy for Science and Technology Alexandria, Egypt CREATING EFFECTIVE

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Outline  Introduction  What is a Branch Newsletter ?  Before you start,..  The AAST IEEE SB Newsletter  How are Branch Newsletters Useful ?  Mapping branch goals into your newsletter content  Other benefits of Newsletters  Newsletter Preparation  Choosing the layout, style etc,..  Arranging content and editing  After you finish,…  Your comments, questions and suggestions

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ What is a Branch Newsletter ? A newsletter is basically a public relations tool that serves to:  Maintain contact with members  Remind members of the benefits and services of the IEEE  Help build a sense of community and loyalty  Offer an opportunity to reach out to the local media

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Newsletter Content IEEE & Branch Publicity Announcements Activities Reports IEEE Aliases & Web Accounts Advertisements Contact Info Tips & Fun Quizzes Comics & Jokes Web Links Did you know ? Technology News Summaries of Spectrum articles Tech. Exhibition reviews Hot gadgets & products

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Before you start,..  How often will we issue the newsletter ?  Quarterly, monthly,... OR on an as-needed basis  Paper/electronic or both ?  As a start, paper may be a better approach  You can later switch to a combination  What will be the method of distribution ?  Do I have a suitable ing list ?  How will I distribute the hard copies ?  Who is my target audience ?  IEEE members and non-members, Professors, TA’s, companies,.. etc ?  English only, or bi-lingual ?

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ The AAST IEEE SB Newsletter  Currently Published on an as-needed basis  Planning to issue it monthly  Paper version  A trial electronic version is in development  Benefits of the electronic version include hyperlinks to our website and IEEE sites  Free copies placed in a folder next to the IEEE notice board  Also an ing list of approx s has been made  Audience includes students, Professors and TA’s  English only

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ The AAST IEEE SB Newsletter

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ The AAST IEEE SB Newsletter

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ How are branch newsletters useful ?  Basically a branch newsletter is a constant means of communication between you and the students at your university  Therefore, you can make use of your newsletter according to your branch’s needs and goals  Gradually your newsletter content should adapt according to your needs

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Mapping your goals to your newsletter’s content (About the IEEE) So what is the IEEE all about ? IEEE Student Branches made for You !!! Why should You join the IEEE ? Ok. so what does it cost to JOIN ?

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Mapping your goals to your newsletter’s content (Spectrum) Summarizing some extremely interesting Spectrum articles in a few simple words

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Mapping your goals to your newsletter’s content (Announcements) Announcements and advertisements for your branch

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Mapping your goals to your newsletter’s content (Feedback) Feedback can be obtained by getting the members to send replies to quizzes via You can give prizes to the first to send correct answers

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Mapping your goals to your newsletter’s content (Contact Info) Don’t forget to include all the contact details

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Other Benefits of Newsletters Besides the obvious benefits, a branch newsletter also:  Attracts training centers and firms when approached for sponsorship of your events  Helps build a sense of community and loyalty  Keeps faculty and university staff aware of your activities

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Newsletter Preparation Design and Layout Name Plate & Design Footer Styles for Newsletter Sections

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Newsletter Preparation Column arrangement Prominent sections and sub-headings Easy to scan Colourful

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Arranging Content Introduction Announcements IEEE Information Tech news Page 1

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Arranging Content & Editing Spectrum article Brain Teaser Did you know Web links Contact Info Page 2

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Arranging Content & Editing Don’t forget to put a Smile

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Arranging Content & Editing Don’t forget to put a Smile A physical Low Pass Filter

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ After you finish,… Ask yourself  Is the newsletter informative? Interesting? Well- written? Accurate?  How does it look? How compelling are the headlines?  What impression would it make on someone who is not familiar with the IEEE, e.g., a prospective member or industry executive ?  Proofread: Read the entire issue before it goes to the printer. Make someone else proofread it too.

IEEE SBC & GOLD 2004, Passau, Germany Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt _____________________ Your comments & questions please !! Thank you very much for your kind attention !!!