🚀 go-pugleaf

>I'm pretty new to the ACM, but nevertheless, I've been elected the
>chair of the student chapter here at New Mexico State. One of the
>projects that I want to try and accomplish is the establishment of a
>student chapter newsletter or paper. I've been fighting the dead and
>dying chapter syndrome, and I think one of the problems is that many
>students just don't know what the ACM is.

I faced that exact problem just a year ago, and I am happy to report
that this problem can be resolved.  In fact, I have been in contact
with some other student chapters who were also successful
in "re-building" their chapter.  Has your chapter sent in an
annual chapter report to HQ and your regional representative?
I found it very useful to remain in contact with ACM.
There is a LISTSERV list exclusively for ACM student chapters which
allows student chapter to share ideas etc.  If anyone would like
more information on this list, please contact me.
Another problem that you probably have is a lack of help.  This will
be one of your biggest problems.  It is very difficult
to find people who are as committed to reviving the chapter as yourself.
How are your officers?

>I think that a
>newsletter/paper may be one of the best ways to get a little more
>involvement.....
>Anyway, these are some of my ideas for articles, however, it looks
>like I'm going to be the principle author/editor/publisher 'till the
>group gets rolling...

A newsletter/paper is a good idea.  Due to my recent experiences,
I have to advise you not to expect a lot of help
(at least not for a while).   I see two approaches:
    1) Make a fantastic newsletter which will make everyone want to
       get involved with it.

    2) Start out slowly and gradually make the newsletter better and
       better as you receive more help.

I personally recommend approach number 2.  Unless, you're not taking
any classes.  It's easier to get people to help if you start them
out on something easy and gradually give them more and more responsibility.
In general, it will be difficult to find someone to volunteer to work
on a big project.  Also, I'm not convinced that approach number 1 could
work, and you will be VERY busy.  I've experimented with approaches
similar to number 1; I just ended up doing most of the
work despite my constant recruiting attempts.

>I've been toying with some column subjects that include
>humorous light reading, and serious ACM-type informational articles...
>
>Subjects: ...
> frumpy in depth research reports
> research reports of other (not CS) departments applications of
>   computers
> new hardware, software etc.
> a short story series (like a soap opera -continued next issue-)
> Computer joke of the month
> UNIX/DOS/VMS/whatever tip of the month, tricks, shortcuts etc.
> Personals??????
> notes from the presidents desk (come on, it's got to have this!)
>     which would be local ACM news.
    (from the chair's desk) Of course!

> tales of a co-op hell - experiences from students just returning

How about:
  A) Interviews:
     i) Faculty: Most students have no idea what what the faculty are
                 researching/teaching (at least at a large University).
     ii) Local companies.
     iii) Students

  B) Editorials

Make sure the first thing one sees when the newsletter is opened
is a calendar of events.

Most of the newsletters I wrote were just about
upcoming chapter activities and some general ACM information.
For instance, a biography of each lecturer and a description of
the lecture would be included in the newsletter, and officers
would report about what they're working on.  I tried to make the newsletter
fairly formal.  Maybe a newsletter that is more fun will
attract readers, but I was afraid that some really stupid articles
would end up in the newsletter, and students would think
that the student chapter is full of a bunch of idiots and hence
not join.

Our newsletters were often around five pages long
(three sheets of paper).  So, I imagine what you have in mind
will be pretty long.  Make sure you can afford to produce it.
You might want to consider sending the newsletter electronically.

I tried to establish a newsletter exchange for student chapters
(I was sort of successful).  What I discovered was that very
few chapter are actually producing a newsletter.  Out of my list,
only two of us were actually making a newsletter.  Hopefully
next year we can really get a newsletter exchange working.
If anyone is interested in helping, please send me a message.

>
>
>see 'ya
>              Woody
>


Michael Allen Clore    "It is unworthy of excellent (persons) to lose
                        hours like slaves in the labour of calculation"
                        Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716)
 <CLORE@OHSTPHRM.PHARMACY.OHIO-STATE.EDU>  or  <CLORE@OHSTPHRM.BITNET>