Great Lakes Watercross Newsletter

[fox river pwc]

I'm looking for any/all input/help here.

You may recall last season the GLW Newsletter got started, one issue was posted, and then it kinda just went away after that. So, anyhow, I volunteered my time to get the newsletter going again, and to post one after each round of racing - and probably one to start the season as well - and Scott graciously accepted my volunteer offer. I just hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew[:p].

Anyhow, I have a few ideas already, but I can certainly use a few more. I'm looking for any input any of you have about what you'd like to see in the newsletter, and I'm even open to getting some help with the wrtitng itself. Whatever ideas you want to present will be greatly appreciated. Post them here, or e-mail me - whatever you wanna do is fine. If you'd rather call me, just e-mail me and I'll send you my cell number (don't wanna post that on the internet). The more ideas the merrier. Hopefully, with a consistent and solid newsletter, we'll have something substantial to attract and maintain tour sponsors, as well as something to post links to on the many internet pwc sites - to attract new/more racers as well.

Thanks in advance.

[GB-GMAN]

Would you like pics of my condo I had pitched for rounds 7 and 8. When I woke up on Sun morning my air mattress was floating between the 3 indoor pools I didn't realize I had. I feel fortunate though because the tso-no-me took JB and his condo away to meet Dorothy in Kansas. We didn't hear back from JB until he gave up looking for Toto.

[fox river pwc]

Sure, pics of stuff like that would be great.

I have some ideas for things I'd like to do with a newsletter, and I'd certainly like some of it to be lighthearted and humorous.

To get the discussion going here, let me share some of the ideas I've got for "sections" I'd include in the newsletter, and everyone can let me know what they think - good or bad, I can take it :).

Keep in mind, my thought on this is to make something for all GLW racers to enjoy and be proud of, as well as let fans, sponsors, and potential new racers know what our tour is all about.

1) Race Results. It would seem obvious to include them.

2) Racer Spotlight. I could pick one racer per issue, interview them, and post the results. Nothing heavy. I'd gladly take suggestions about who would be interviewed, or I may just draw names out of a hat.

3) One-line Comments About the Weekend. I'd gather brief quotes from whoever wants to open their yap and post the funny/interesting/embarrassing comments.

4) Social News. A section where things like new babies, engagements, divorces :), and things of that nature would be announced. I'd only post the stuff that the subject racer WANTS posted, so feeding me BS about somebody else would have to be approved by them.

5) New Racer Intros. It would be a way for us to welcome new racers, and show other potential new racers that they should sign up and race as well.

6) Greatest Distance Traveled. I'd highlight whoever traveled the greatest distance each weekend and maybe even keep track of the most miles traveled throughtout the season - and then get Scott to hand out some kind of an award for most miles. No big deal, but something to recognize the effort/distance.

7) Unexpected Outcomes. Anything odd, unusual, or unexpected that occurred over the weekend would be
highlighted. Preferably, this would be limited to events that occurred on the race course, but COULD also include what all you drunk-asses do on Saturday night, so watch yourselves!!

8) Sponsor Thank-you's. Gotta make sure we give some props to the folks that support us. Remember, this newsletter will be something we could forward to them and point potential sponsors towards as well.

9) Trash Talk. Lighthearted section where Joe can talk smack, and those who he smacks can talk back :).


Anyhow, that's what I've got in mind so far. I'd also include pics. I don't think coming up with content that's worth reading will be a problem, but I'm sure I'll have to play with the format a bit. Please give me your comments asap. I'd like to have this rolling before the season starts, and I'd like everyone to have a chance to put their 2 cents in, instead of just saying it sucks after the fact. C'mon people, it's for the good of the tour...

[JB]

quote:Originally posted by GB-GMAN

Would you like pics of my condo I had pitched for rounds 7 and 8. When I woke up on Sun morning my air mattress was floating between the 3 indoor pools I didn't realize I had. I feel fortunate though because the tso-no-me took JB and his condo away to meet Dorothy in Kansas. We didn't hear back from JB until he gave up looking for Toto.


I just hope this year we don't have the same issue in Choo Choo's back yard. I didn't end up in Kansas but I sure as hell didn't feel like racing after freezing all night.

[JB]

hey what happen to the news letter?

[fox river pwc]

I tried, and I started trying well before the start of the season. I sure believe that I was clear in my intent to volunteer my efforts to make it happen, but I don't personally hold the keys to the website, ya know? Still waiting on a return phone call from June...

Maybe I'm just missing something, or my brand of volunteering is wrong, or I don't communicate effectively enough??? I dunno.

At this point I guess I first have to decide whether or not to come out of retirement before anything else can happen.[:p]

[Linda]

Sorry to hear that you were waiting on a response from "someone" on this. I asked around for help and, although a lot of people really liked the idea, I never got any other feedback ie: articles, ideas, etc. When I wrote the first newsletter, I was hopeful that I'd be able to pull others in to help on this. I was told last summer that you were interested and I sent you an email however, you never responded back - I could only assume you weren't all that interested. Perhaps it ended up in your junkmail and you had no idea who I was??? That's unfortunate since I really would have liked someone to take this on.

[fox river pwc]

Thanks for the communication, Linda. I don't recall your specific e-mail, although Scott and I exchanged several e-mails and calls on this topic, and I've always been diligent about returning all e-mails and phone calls (both personally and professionally).

Anyhow, like I'd been telling Scott from the beginning, just tell me what you want me to do and it will get done. Or, if you need/want me to take the bull by the horns here, I'm fine with that too - but I'd need some direction/permission regarding the newsletter site.

I'm guessing most of that communication never fully got to you. That's a shame, as a nice newsletter would have benefitted the tour for sure. Had I known that contacting you directly was the right thing to do, I'd have done it. Instead, I went directly to Scott, and I posted this thread back in March...

Oh well, 2009 is still ahead of us. I'm not bitter, I'm still willing and eager to help, and you can reach me directly on my bb at poolside1@sprint.blackberry.net. No junk e-mail files there. All messages go straight to my hip and get answered promptly between 6am and 10pm.

[fox river pwc]

Oh, and anyone who wants my cell number can have it. Just send me an e-mail to the address in the above post. I'd just rather not post it in an open forum like this. Technically, posting my e-mail is something I normally avoid as well, but what the hell...

[fox river pwc]

Bump...for any interest in a newsletter.........................

[Burtka]

We will post all news letters on Twangled too. Bring the news!!

[JB]

yes bring it. I would also be willing to help with it.