"Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people"
William Butler Yates
Message from the Chair
Hello fellow Juniors. My name is Arlene Minkiewicz and I am pleased to continue to support the NJSFWC-JM as Communications Chair on State Board.My home club is the Merchantville Area Junior Woman’s Club in the Garden District.I have been in this club for more than 10 years and throughout this time I have served the club as president, corresponding secretary, communications chair, and newsletter editor.In my other life I live in Merchantville with my husband, my two sons and our two crazy dogs and work as the Chief Scientist for a privately owned software company, building cost models. My primary role as Communications Chair is to maintain the Jersey Juniors website www.jerseyjuniors.com (if you’re reading this message you clearly have found the website and have visited it at least once!).This website is intended to be THE go to resource for Juniors.Clubs should be using this website for general information – Convention details, reports, Membership ideas, Spring and Fall Conference details, forms and documents.There is also a page for each Community Service Program with bulletins from the state chairs and other useful information and links.My other role as Communications Chair is to provide all the Communication chairs in the state with the resources they need to be successful. My goal for the last year has been to evolve the website into an easy to navigate, intuitive tool that provides clubs across the state with resources important for success, and this year I intend to continue that evolution.My goal for this year is to significantly increase the number of club members that use the website regularly.To make this easier, we have created a Facebook fan page associated with the Jersey Juniors website.If you become a fan (by pressing the Like button on the Home page) – then you’ll be notified in your Facebook stream whenever there are updates to the website.If you haven’t already Liked us, go to the home page right now and press the Like button. Please feel free to contact me at communications@jerseyjuniors.com if you have questions, ideas, suggestions about Communications in general or about the website.
We have all heard the expression that a picture is worth 1000 words.Nowhere is that more true than on our website.The more pictures we have of Juniors and their supporters having fun while doing good, the better the story we have to tell.Our website is increasingly becoming our first impression for young women looking for a place in their community. All Clubs are encouraged to use pictures to tell their stories on their websites and to send them to communications@jerseyjuniors.com for publication on the Jersey Juniors website.Unfortunately, at the same time we need to protect ourselves, the NJSFWC and the GFWC from the legal consequences and/or bad publicity associated with publishing a picture of a person who, for whatever reason, does not want their image in the public domain.For this reason it is important to get a release from all persons (or the legal guardian for minors) whose pictures we hope to publish.
The attached release form should be signed by all persons who are identifiable in a photo you plan to use for your website or other promotional material.This includes members and non members.Please download this form and print out a supply so you have them handy for any photographic opportunities.A completed form should be kept in the clubs’ archives and should be submitted with any photos sent for publication on the Jersey Juniors website.
Click here to get some helpful websites for Communications and Public Relations
General Internet Guidelines 1. The number one rule of the Internet is… virus protection! Always have an up-to-date virus program installed on your computer. Computer viruses are, at the very least, an irritation and can also cause serious damage to your computer, your files or your reputation. The best defense against viruses is to install anti-virus software on your computer and keep it up to date (regular updates are usually available online). Some web services do run anti-virus software that checks attachments in emails.
2. Always remember that just because you saw something on the Internet, doesn't mean it's true. Information on the Internet can be incorrect, misleading, or inappropriate. Check more than one source and verify that your source is reliable.
3. To protect the personal information of club officers and members, when possible create club websites. This will allow information to be distributed to the public without listing personal phone numbers, addresses, etc. Also, it may be best to use a PO Box instead of someone’s home address for mailings and solicitations.
4. Always invite guests and presenters to attend general meetings. Don't meet anyone alone, for your safety and theirs.
5. Refer everyone to the State website and email addresses, not personal ones. Do not give out anyone’s personal information unless you have express permission. In addition, be cautious about giving your own email address and other personal information to registration forms on websites, and putting your email address into public areas such as website "visitor books", as these may contribute to you getting more junk mail. Use your judgment about telephone numbers.
Email Guidelines 1. Club members sending email to State Board members must identify themselves and their club in the subject line of their email or it will not be opened.
2. Do not use your Junior Membership account or club list for personal use (i.e. to solicit sales for your business, your child’s school fundraiser, etc.) Keep chain letters, "friendship chains", jokes and other non-Junior related correspondence to your personal account.
3. When you reply to an email, check to see if you are “replying to all” or just the sender. If it is not something that everyone needs to know (such as replying yes or no to a survey or sending a quick note), do not reply to everyone. This will cut down on the amount of emails everyone receives.
4. Be careful about what you say in email. Messages are easily copied by the recipient and sent on to others, reaching a much bigger audience than the writer intended. False, inaccurate and abusive comments in email about people or companies, that damage their reputation or interests, can lead to embarrassment or even legal action in the courts. Email is not anonymous and can usually be tracked back to individuals. It is best not to say something in email that you would not be happy to make public.
5. Be aware that it is possible to fake the address an email has come from, so the real sender may be hiding his identity behind someone else's name. However, all emails are eventually traceable.
6. The body of incoming messages must have full contact information including the club member’s name, telephone number and their preferred way and time of being reached (i.e. by phone in the afternoon).
7. Always identify yourself in the subject line when sending email to clubs or the general membership.
8. All requests and comments, incoming and outgoing, should be clearly stated.
9. When you are in doubt of the tone of a message or what the writer is asking, pick up the phone and give him or her a call. Many email messages have been misinterpreted and a seemingly innocent comment in email can be misread.
10. If you are giving out your telephone number in an email, put the times for when it is acceptable to call you (i.e. 9am-9pm).
11. Try to respond to all email requests within 48 hours even it is only to say that you received the email and are working on it.
12. Do not use all capital letters when sending an email, it is considered “yelling”.
13. If you receive unsolicited email do not open it. If it is SPAM or junk mail you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at www.spam@uce.gov. If it is “bullying” or abusive, you should contact the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) at www.naag.org. You will be directed to a local law enforcement agency that handles abusive email.
Passwords 1. Always password-protect your email account.
2. Passwords should be at least six characters long and should include both letters and numbers.
3. Do not use the obvious for your password, such as your name, birthday, etc.
4. Be sure to change your password regularly.
5. Do NOT share your password with anyone.
