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STARTING UP A LOCAL TN

MEET YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER EDITOR

The first step must always be to approach the Editor of your local paper. You need his permission to record material from his paper (see
» Link to APPENDIX 1 - Copyright and TNs).

Most editors welcome the idea enthusiastically and will offer full support. Apart from granting permission to use copy, the editor will often agree to supply two copies of each edition free of charge and provide generous publicity in your efforts to raise more money and attract volunteers.

If you ask to nominate one of the reporters to liaise with you then you do not have to bother the editor every time, but can keep the paper supplied with a regular flow of news about the progress of the project.

Obtain contacts in the local service clubs, such as Lion, Rotary and Round Table, if you do not already know them. Sound each of them out in turn and decide which shows the most enthusiasm. This depends largely on the strength of the organisation in your area and the extent of their present commitments. Try and recruit your principal officers from among your own friends and club members or from one of these clubs. Avoid a committee of all three initially; this often leads to protracted decision making.

You will need a Chairman, someone with initiative and drive and the time to devote to the project, probably you, if you have got this far with the planning. If not, make sure you choose someone of equal enthusiasm, capable of keeping discussions to the point, and politely, but firmly, controlling ramblers and red herring raisers.

You need a Secretary who can type and has access to a computer and means of copying documents. You will need to send out a great many letters initially both during the setting up stage and for fund-raising.

You will need a Treasurer to look after your accounts. Your local bank manager may be willing to help or nominate one of his staff or a member of one of the service clubs with experience of fund-raising could be invaluable.

You need a Registrar or Membership Secretary to keep records of the listeners' names and addresses and loan agreements. Someone who knows the local blind and partially sighted residents, such as a Social Services Department Welfare Worker or someone from the local Association for the Blind would be ideal.

You need an Editor in Chief and/or Magazine Editor if you plan to include a magazine with your Talking Newspaper. He or she can double with one of the other officers if so inclined.

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