Strokenet Newsletter FAQ
When and how is the newsletter issued?
The newsletter, StrokeNet, is sent by email on the first of each month. It is mailed through the company Constant Contact.
What is the deadline for articles?
Deadline is the 25th of the previous month. Articles can be submitted at any time, but the 25th is the cut off date.
How often do I need to submit an article?
Most contributors write an article each month. Some contribute every other month. If you are not sure, contact the Editor.
If you are not able to make a deadline, please let the Editor know as soon as possible so she can reallocate the space.
How long should articles be?
It is recommended that articles be under 1000 words. This is because many of our readers are survivors and often find longer articles overwhelming.
Can I submit photos with my article?
Yes
What formatting should I use?
The simpler the better. No special formatting is required. The Editor formats the articles into an html template. This means all articles look similar. Articles may be sent as an attachment or as an email message. Please do not use pdf format.
Does the newsletter accept unsolicited articles?
Yes, unsolicited articles may be chosen for publication. They can be sent to the editor at any time.
Who owns newsletter articles?
Articles are owned by The Stroke Network, Inc. This protects writers. Because all articles are copyrighted they cannot be reprinted without permission. The Editor gives permission, but the writer is asked.
If you see a newsletter article reprinted somewhere else without a statement that it is reprinted with permission please inform the editor.
Must articles be original?
Yes. Please do not summit articles which are not original. We occasionally reprint articles, but always ask for permission and print a permission statement. It is ok to summit something which has been printed elsewhere, but we must ask for permission to reprint. Do not submit someone else’s writing.
Can I see issues online?
Yes.. All issues, since the newsletter began in 2001, are available. This page is accessible through the Bookshop and through the Message Board (click Members Only at top).
What and where are Classic Articles?
Classic Articles is a listing of articles, which have been published over the years, that members may want to reference. This is also a great place to look for ideas. The rule of thumb is to not repeat a topic for two years. Of course, many topics may have other angles which can be covered. The document is linked below.
http://www.strokenet.info/newsletter/ClassicIndex.htm
Who receives and reads the newsletter?
The newsletter is received by members of The Stroke Network and by others who have subscribed. The newsletter database is not the membership database.
Why am I not receiving the newsletter?
First, check with the Editor. She can confirm whether your email is in the newsletter database.
Second, because we live in a world with lots of spam, your newsletter may be filtered out. To insure that the newsletter does not get filtered by your system include lwisman@strokenetwork.org as a trusted address.
Third, check your junk mail. Adding the Editor's email may solve this problem.
It is also possible that your ISP is filtering. It may be necessary to send to a different address, for example, the newsletter is not filtered by strokenetwork.org. Most major ISP’s accept Constant Contact emails.
If nothing works, the member must read online.
Why can’t I access
articles?
Most ISP’s receive html messages fine. Some however, do not. If you cannot access articles this probably means your ISP is receiving as text. At the top of the newsletter there is a place to click if you cannot read the newsletter. This opens the newsletter into your internet browser. At this point you will see the icons with each article and will be able to access.
How can members add their birthdays and/or stroke anniversary to the newsletter?
Birthdays and Stroke Anniversaries listed in the newsletter are found on in the Individual's profile on the Message Board. Both can be updated by the Member at any time. They must update the data themselves, staff cannot update for them.
How can members have their story featured in the newsletter
Member Stories are published in the newsletter. The Member Stories Coordinator receives all inquiries and writes the story.
Link to Member Story Guidelines:
http://www.strokenetwork.org/newsletter/stories/ms%20guidelines.htm
After publication, a copy of the story is placed, with the member's permission, in the permanent collection in the Gallery on the Message Board.
What is the Newsfeed?
The newsfeed is a service which sends notice of articles about stroke which appear in various media. This is a way to keep abreast of stroke news. Each month the Newsfeed Reviewer picks several articles, which she thinks will interest our readers, reviews and provides a link to the article.
How can I subscribe to the newsfeed?
Any member may subscribe and have the article notices sent to their mailbox. Below is a link where you can sign up.
http://www.tracerlock.com/sign-up-for-news-feed-form.cgi?id=54239
What is Virtual Office (VO)?
VO is a program Stroke Network staff members use to access shared information. If you cannot access VO and are a newsletter staff member, contact Ann Rogers or the editor. All of the shared newsletter info is in databases. To access when in Virtual Office, click database on the left hand side of the screen. You will see an alpha list. Look for the word Newsletter.
Newsletter Issue Planning:
This is a listing of articles planned for future newsletters. This is where you can go to see the status of articles for future issues This is a helpful tool to see how your article fits within an issue. Also there is a checkmark beside the articles which have been submitted. Only the editor can make changes to this database.
Newsletter Potential Articles
This is a list of potential topics for future articles. Any newsletter staff member can sign up for arenas and add topics. Please do not sign up for more than three at any time. Use this database to share article ideas. Be sure to check with the editor if you are actively working on an arena.
Who is Constant Contact? What are the advantages of using them?
Constant Contact is the company we use to create and distribute the newsletter. It allows us to have a pleasant looking newsletter. Each article resides on The Stroke Network website.
Constant Contact also provides feedback as to which articles read most and how many subscribers are actually opening the newsletter. This information aids planning.
The Stroke Network
Question may be sent to the editor at lwisman@strokenetwork.org.
Updated
May 1, 2012