1. Seeing Your Newspaper As Your Friend
Minnesota School Boards Association
August 16, 2008

2. Before you write your letter
Know the letter policy
Focus on your message
Choose your battles
Get the facts; don’t guess
Let the board know what’s coming
Know how to best send it
Type it; don’t write it by hand

3. The basics Put on a title Include name, address and phone number
Start strong; end strong
Keep it short
Tell a short story
Never attack; never repeat misinformation
Call to make sure the letter arrived

4. The Op-ed piece Have an opinion; be firm
How does this affect the reader
Use humor
Tackle an issue from an unorthodox view
Don’t guess on facts
Let the board know what’s coming

5. Op-ed basics Put on the title
Include name, address and phone number, along with photo
Start strong, end strong
Keep it short
Tell a story
A sixth-grade reading level

6. The Editorial Board Request a meeting
Gather facts; let board know in advance of issue
How long do you have
Who is speaking; what is their message
What equipment do you need
Never assume this is off the record
Review strengths and weaknesses

7. During the meeting Stick to the topic
Bring visuals if you talk about numbers; charts; handouts
Leave at least a third of your time for questions and answers
It’s OK to say “I don’t know.”
Don’t attack; don’t complain

8. After the meeting Send a thank-you
Follow up with any additional information you may have promised
Keep the relationship going
Ask if you can do anything to help their education reporter