Coming Clean
Let me preface this by saying that I’ve been told that I’m too hard on myself (and, unfortunately, on everyone around me — but that’s another story). I hope you’ll agree (with the first part, anyway) when I fess up to the misgivings I’ve been having about some of our editorial content. I’m mainly talking about our weekly e-letter, the FS Advisor, and our newest e-letter, Giving 2.0.
We’ve been rather short-staffed for what seems like forever, and I’ve been losing sleep (yes, literally — how sad is that?) over the fact that a lot of our e-letter content has been picked up from other sources (fully attributed, of course). And if it’s bothering me that much, many of you probably have noticed, as well.
Not that the content isn’t good. On the contrary … it’s some of the best stuff I’ve seen published on blogs, in whitepapers, etc., from around the sector. Still, it’s not the original content that I had intended when we launched the newsletters.
But — oh, happy news! — we recently filled the “second in command” spot on the FS staff and are working our way back to the standards we’ve set for ourselves. And while confession truly is good for the soul, all of this is really just a long way to go to introduce the magazine’s new associate senior editor, Melissa Busch. (Sorry about the buildup, Melissa. No pressure, though.)
Melissa comes to FS with a 12-year background in journalism, having worked at newspapers including The Intelligencer in Horsham, Pa., The Gloucester County Times in Woodbury, N.J., and The Philadelphia Inquirer. She’ll be doing much of the writing for the e-letters and also for the print publication. Melissa also is heading up our two newly formed Reader Panels and will be representing the magazine alongside me at sector events. As her position grows, she’ll take on more responsibility for the Web site, as well, which we’re hoping to revamp and revitalize (not to mention speed up) in the coming months. So, please, join me in welcoming Melissa to the FS family.
Going for the gold
Hard to believe, but the deadline for FundRaising Success’ fourth annual Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence already is fast approaching! All entries must be in our office by July 11. (Note: That’s actual delivery, not postmark.) The categories are pretty much the same as last year, with some minor changes. You can find category and entry fee details, and an entry form, here.
THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
Heather Burton and Dan Gonzalez are senior marketing manager and Web manager, respectively, for Austin, Texas-based Sage Software Nonprofit Solutions.
George Krautzel is president and co-founder of ITtoolbox, an online community of professionals who share practical information on technology topics.
Bryan Terpstra is vice president, client services, at Holliston, Mass.-based fundraising consultancy LW Robbins Associates.
Katya Andresen is vice president of marketing at Network for Good , a nonprofit that helps other nonprofit organizations raise money online.
Jeff Brooks is creative director at Lanham, Md.-based database marketing agency Merkle.
Kimberly Seville is a creative strategist and freelance copywriter. Reach her at kimberlyseville@yahoo.com
Britt Brouse is the associate editor at FundRaising Success sister publication Inside Direct Mail.
Melissa Busch is the associate senior editor at FundRaising Success. Reach her at mbusch@napco.com
