Chapter editors learn about digital camera selection, digital image storage and use; Blogs as another way to communicate with members
Twenty-eight chapter newsletter editors participated in the Chapter Editors Session at the 2008 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Fla.
Luke Cella, CGCS, executive director of the MidWest Association of Golf Course Superintendents (MAGCS) and Chicagoland Association of Golf Course Superintendents (CAGCS) shared ideas and tips on digital camera selection, taking digital images and storing the images. Cella shared the following tips and pointers:
Camera selection
- Pick up potential cameras to make sure it feels comfortable in your hand.
- Make sure the menu of options is easy to figure out and logical.
- Is it easy to download the photos from your camera to your computer?
- What type of batteries does it take? Are they easy to find in local stores? Are they rechargeable?
Storing images
- Capture and store images in the largest format your camera can record.
- Memory is relatively cheap and there are numerous devices on the market to download and store images.
Printing
- The greater the megapixel the greater the detail.
- There are various software that can help organize and edit photos.
- Play, play and play. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
View the entire presentation:
http://www.gcsaa.org/chapters/executive_session/GCSAA_feb08_cella.pdf
Scott Hollister, GCSAA Editor/Assistant Director of Publications presented information on the rise of blogs, how GCSAA uses its blog and how chapters can use this communication vehicle to reach out to their members. Hollister shared the following:
- The definition of blog is a web log. It’s most commonly used to provide commentary and information on a particular subject to a targeted audience.
- There are 112 million blogs on the web.
- You can find blogs using the search engine Technorati.com.
How do you make a blog?
There are several types of third party software that you can use including:
- Moveable Type
- Word Press
- Text Pattern
- Typepad.com
The GCM Blog was started in 2005 to cover the US Open at Pinehurst and then the PGA Masters at Baltusrol. These blogs were extremely successful so the GCM staff decided to continue blogging full-time. They decided to do this because:
- Staff wanted GCM to be more than just the printed magazine.
- To get ahead of competitors when it came to “breaking news”.
- It’s another way to communicate with members.
Scott Hollister suggested that chapters could use blogs in the same way - to reach out to members in between the time when the newsletter/magazine is published. Blogs are a great way to create a sense of community with members that might not always come to the chapter meetings.
View the entire presentation:
Questions/Comments from the editors
Can you edit blog comments?
Yes, you absolutely have the ability to edit any comments made on your blog.
How much does a third-party software cost?
GCM pays $15/month for its blog service.
I could see multiple chapters sharing a blog. It would be a great way to keep the communication lines open between chapters and keep everyone’s members informed.
I’m not sure our members are ready to “blog”, yet.
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