This blog is a platform for a learning community, thank you for your interest in adding more to that community!
New writers have a bunch of questions, here are some of them, with answers:
Who can be a blog writer?
This blog is by activities and student affairs professionals for their peers. There are also a few experienced APCA associates adding blogs as well.
The key question is this: do you have something useful and interesting to add to this learning community? Do you have something to say around the 14 main categories listed in the blog cloud?
If your answer is yes, you can be a blog writer. In a phase 2 of this blog, we will add a rating system so that the top posts, and the top writers, are given special treatment. For now, in launch phase, it's the early stages of American Idol - just a little talent and gumption is all you need.
Do I have to be technical?
It is not necessary, but it doesn't hurt. Adding images and formatting your blogs to look pretty takes just a little know how, and that little know how goes a long ways towards making a much more interesting and interactive blog.
Who owns what I write?
This is a free for all of ideas. It is polite and ethical to attribute when you can and others will give you the same respect for your work on this blog.
As far as ownership goes, you "own" what you write in that you can use your ideas for anything else you like with no encumbrances what so ever.
How often do I have to write?
The basic key to success for this blog is to have a lot of writers, that way, if someone gets busy someone else can pick up the slack and keep the conversations going.
Some writers will get into it and write a lot, some will post every once in a while, either are fine. A good average would be 3 posts a month, though more is great.
Can I post anonymously?
No. While it might be less intimidating, it's just no fun. Get credit. Take the blame. It's all about learning together.
What should I write about?
This blog is arranged around 14 main topics:
- Assessment
- Club / Org Recruitment
- Contracts and Riders
- Creativity
- Diversity
- Fund raising
- Leadership training
- Low Cost programming
- Marketing
- Member retention
- Myspace / Facebook best practices
- Risk Management
- Series programming
- Technology and programming
These are the preliminary categories defined for the professional curriculum at the 2007 APCA national conference.
These 14 categories are not final, they will be revised with input from this community on an ongoing basis. They are merely a place to start. It's a great place to start your thinking about what you might like to blog about.
What are you good at? What do you have an interesting story about? An interesting take on?
After you get signed up, pick a category for your first post, check the "Blogging Best Practices" page here, and you're off!
How do I start?
1) Send an e-mail with your name, title, school, link to your Facebook account (if you have one) and a brief introduction of yourself to us here.
2) Once approved, we will set you up with a Typepad login (the blog platform) and you will receive an e-mail from Typepad. Just follow the steps in the e-mail and you are ready to create your first post!
Have other questions we didn't cover? Just e-mail us.
