25 July 2013

Help wanted: Calling all Owens students who want to jump on board


A want ad designed by managing editor Cathy Zeltner, which is also the Outlook's Facebook cover photo.
   I haven’t posted on the progress of the Owens Outlook lately, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t made progress!
   Over the past few weeks the Outlook editors visited the Bowling Green State University student media office, began their staff recruitment effort, and attended to about a dozen little other details that kept them quite busy.
  • The BGSU visit was a definite highlight. When we walked into the bustling student newspaper office last week, it was a thrill to see nearly a dozen youthful faces look up from their MAC computers. They were busy putting the paper to bed, and the student journalists/photographers/graphic designers were laying out their pages for the next day’s edition of the BGNews, which publishes a broadsheet newspaper three days a week and also has an online edition. Josh and Cathy brought back lots of ideas that will help The Outlook with organization and training.- Thanks to student media adviser Bob Bortel for letting Josh and Cathy listen and learn!
  • Josh and Cathy are frantically recruiting student staff for the Fall. They are hanging flyers throughout campus and posting online announcements everywhere, including in the My Announcements section on Ozone, and on their Facebook pages. There is also a new 'employment' form to fill out if you’re interested in contributing.
  • Because editors Josh and Cathy will be the only paid student staff members, we brainstormed at the meeting yesterday to come up with other incentives for student workers. These are still being discussed and will be announced at the Outlook’s first meeting (TBA).
  • Josh is working on providing a media company to install convenient outdoor newspaper kiosk boxes throughout campus so the paper can be picked up anytime. It’s a great idea that I hope gets implemented.
  • The editors are still working on completing the new Owens Outlook staff policy/style manual. This will help keep all student staff members on the same page regarding everything from press law/ethics to font styles.
   To keep us moving at such a brisk pace we have meetings every two weeks. It includes Josh, Cathy, Mike the IT guy, our administrative boss Chris G. and myself. This helps keep us motivated and on track. So far it's working!
   I must say that this couldn't happen without the hard work and high enthusiasm from Josh and Cathy. These two editors never cease to amaze me with their ability to get things done. We are also lucky to have administrative support from Chris G. and IT help from Mike. What makes them care so much? I will try to answer that question in the next blog post.
   In the meantime, go to the online edition of the Owens Outlook and READ ALL ABOUT IT!