Category: BSFG Newsletter

Do you have an article for our newsletter? The deadline for our next (usually) quarterly Newsletter is Tuesday 9 February...

7/2/2021

BSFG's quarterly newsletter is emailed to the BSFG mailing list and published on this website shortly afterwards.

Members are invited to contribute articles of about 200 words about an environmentally themed topic.
Perhaps you are involved in one of our action groups and would like to submit an article about this? Perhaps something you are personally interested in including actions you are taking to live more sustainably. Your thoughts about major environmental issues which are important to you. Are we dealing with these issues adequately? Politics gives plenty of scope to comment on environmental issues! Check out https://www.bsfg.org.au/newsletter.html for an idea of possible content.

The deadline for our next Newsletter - Tuesday 9 February 2021 - contributions to be submitted to Peter Holmes by email to chrispeth@bigpond.com.

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BSFG Newsletter Survey - Christine Holmes

2/3/2019

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(From the March Newsletter)

Last October, at a BSFG Committee Meeting, we decided to review the publication of the BSFG Newsletter. As you would be aware, considerable time is required to collect articles, format and publish the newsletter. There are currently four publications per year. At this point I would like to say thankyou to Ian Herbert for his tremendous commitment in putting the newsletter together, and to the members who contribute articles.

In order to ascertain what members would like and expect in the newsletter, we conducted a survey. The following information and percentages relate to the paid financial members of whom 30% responded.

The compiled results are as follows:
• 100% of respondents wanted to receive a newsletter
• 50% read every newsletter
• Of those who read the newsletter, 58% read all articles.

Main reasons given for not reading the newsletter were time constraints and that some members only read the articles that interest them.

The preferred number of pages was four to six. Some thought it should depended entirely on number of articles submitted.

58% wanted to receive the newsletter quarterly. Again some thought that should depend on amount of content.

Another suggestion was that perhaps only two or three special editions throughout the year be emailed out, and other articles of relevance as they appear.

Topics of interest
• Climate change and related topics such as sustainable housing and renewable energy etc.
• Limits to growth
• Population
• Air water and soil pollution
• Waste management
• Natural environment /biodiversity
• Permaculture
• Local activities and initiatives -practical ways to contribute, updates
• Stories of what others are doing and achieving
• Links to other resources, new stuff

Most members wanted to see articles on action group reports, editorial comment, local issues and relevant links to topical articles. Many also thought a cartoon would be a good addition.

Improvements
• Fewer newsletters eg. two per year with short sharp key messages with photos
• More contributions from members
• As there are many opportunities to keep abreast with what you are interested in through media , it is of more interest to see what is happening locally
• More photos
• Make it the pick of the website discussions and content
Member's contribution to the newsletter
• 63% of respondents indicated they would contribute to the newsletter occasionally
• 25% said they contribute regularly

Other comments
The newsletter could be left at other venues around Benalla e.g. TAFE and Library. 'Preaching to the converted' comes to mind - how can we reach the unconverted?

Thankyou to the members who submitted their thoughts and completed the questionnaire. Although we would have liked to have heard from more of our members, the information was thoughtful and relevant.

My thoughts
Overall members were very happy with the content and delivery of the newsletter. Members cited climate change and related issues as very important for inclusion in the newsletter. There was a strong emphasis for wanting articles on local action, initiatives, outcomes and photos. In response to many of the questions, this topic found its way into the member's responses.

Christine Holmes
on behalf of the BSFG Committee

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March Newsletter and a reminder about 2018 Membership fees

1/3/2019

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Our March Newsletter is now available. Thank you to members who contributed articles. We had a number of articles which, due to space limitations we may carry over to the next Newsletter. Thank you Ian Herbert for editing the Newsletter. The deadline for submission of articles for our June Newsletter is Sunday 19th May.

Membership fees help to provide the necessary finance to run Benalla Sustainable Future Group so that BSFG can continue to provide a valuable role in the community.

However we still have a few members who have not yet paid their 2018 Membership. Our policy has been that after a period of time unpaid members would be moved to our Contact list and no longer receive the Newsletter or General Meeting Minutes. The Committee may need to formalise this policy and include a definite time period on our Membership Form. However if the 2018 membership is not renewed by March 13, unpaid members will be moved to our Contact list.

The Membership Renewal Notice is available on this website if you have not yet renewed your 2018 membership. The Renewal Notice has details about renewing your membership. We apologize if you have recently paid your 2018 membership. We do look forward to and appreciate your continued support.

Peter Maddock
Secretary

BSFG March Newsletter - 2019

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Committee Update - Meeting dates for 2019; BSFG Newsletter

21/1/2019

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The BSFG Committee had its first meeting for the year last Wednesday and there are a couple of resolutions to advise you about.

Leading up to Christmas, December is a difficult time for people to attend General Meetings. January is also a time when people are often away. The Committee therefore resolved to have only five General Meetings per year. General Meetings will now be on the 4th Thursday of March, May, July, September and November.

The Committee will continue to meet six times a year on the second Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December.

The Committee has been discussing the replies we had to the Newsletter Survey and felt it was time to indicate a deadline for submission of articles for the next newsletter. Articles of about 200 words about an environmentally themed topic would be suitable for the Newsletter. Perhaps something you are personally interested in including actions you are taking to live more sustainably. Your thoughts about major environmental issues which are important to you. Are we dealing with these issues adequately? Politics gives plenty of scope for commentary on environmental issues.

The deadline for the next Newsletter is Sunday February 17th. You can submit articles to Peter Maddock via email peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au Thank you to members who completed the Newsletter Survey. There is certainly interest from members in continuing with the Newsletter.

Peter Maddock
Secretary
peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au

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Would you like to submit an article for our quarterly Newsletter?

15/5/2018

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Do you have an interest you could write about and submit for publication in our Newsletter? Perhaps you are involved in one of our action groups and could write an article about this. Articles only need to be 200 to 300 words. We aim to produce the Newsletter four times a year.

We now upload the Newsletter to our website a few weeks after distribution to members. There is an archive of Newsletters on our website at https://www.bsfg.org.au/newsletter.html. We also publish some newsletter articles on our website News page, https://www.bsfg.org.au/news. This News page is a great collection of articles reflecting BSFG activities.

So please consider writing a short article for our newsletter. The deadline for our next Newsletter is June 1st. You can submit your article to John Lloyd, andrewslloyd@iinet.net.au. The editor will include most articles if they relate to BSFG activities, purpose and general environmental issues and solutions.

Peter Maddock
0418 135 330

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