Who's in charge here? (and other reader questions)
Who’s making this paper?
You are. You and your neighbors. Anyone who steps forward to speak and write their thoughts down. We will publish everything you send us, either online or in print. We ask that it be truthful and not malicious. Think a writer’s missed the mark? Write down your perspective, send it in, we’ll print it.
Does Councilman Polensek control this paper?
No. He is providing $15,000 in ward allocation funds—your tax dollars—to build a grassroots project that allows Greater Collinwood to speak. To have a community newspaper that we write ourselves, and an affordable place for our businesses to take out ads so we all know who is here, and who’s doing what... Councilman Polensek can voice his thoughts in the paper if he chooses to do so—like anyone else in this neighborhood. What’s different about this paper is that if someone who isn’t a public figure of any kind—you, possibly—disagree with what he has to say… write it up and submit it. One of the goals of this project is to create a true dialogue in the paper.
What is your editorial policy?
Own your ideas. Write them in your own name and share them. Volunteers (Want to be one?) proofread and correct spelling and grammar, in case you’re worried about that.
If you are going to come out strongly against something, you are encouraged to research the issue before you criticize it, and lay out what you think a possible solution could be. This invites others to respond, which is what it’s all about. In the end, we publish what you submit. Give it a try!
How do you decide what gets printed?
We’ll print as much as we can, starting with timely stuff, then stuff from community groups, then opinion pieces, and so on. When sticky issues arise, we’ll rely on an advisory board, now forming, of people with deep interest in the well-being of this community. If that sounds like something you’d be good at, get in touch with us.
Do I have to have a computer?
No, you don’t. We know not everyone has regular computer access. That’s why we print thousands of copies of the paper—on paper--every two weeks, that’s the fairest and most effective means of getting the word out. That said, managing the paper through the website is what makes the Observer model affordable, so it’s important that people who want to write get used to submitting stories through the website. Write what you want on paper, then head to school or the library.
We’re working with the Collinwood and Memorial-Nottingham branch libraries to make sure there are people there who can help you submit your stories through the Collinwood Observer website using one of the many public computers available.
We also have a P.O. box at the Beachland Station, PO box 19154 Cleveland, 44119.
What’s distribution like?
We’ve printed 10,000 copies for issues 1 and 2 that we’ve dropped at every (we think!) public place in Collinwood for people to pick up. We’re also providing copies to the 15 or so schools in the community. The schools are partnering with us to provide stories on the progress and well-being of more than five thousand young souls in every corner of Wards 10 & 11. Our three tremendous high schools—Collinwood High School, Ginn Academy, and Villa Angela-St. Joseph School—are empowering their students to write on school and community issues, submit art and poetry; if you are a student, this means you! Check out the stories written by students from VASJ and Collinwood High in the paper you’re reading right now.
When’s the next writer’s meeting?
Easy one. Monday, October 12 from 6-8. We’ll be at the Memorial-Nottingham branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 17109 Lake Shore Blvd. We need people to write about everything going on in the neighborhood: sports, art, music, politics, business, the future and the past of this great neighborhood. If you’re wondering if this really means you, come to the meeting. There will be cookies.
I have a short attention span. When’s the next writer’s meeting again? Monday, October 12 from 6-8. We’ll be at the Memorial-Nottingham branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 17109 Lake Shore Blvd.
You are. You and your neighbors. Anyone who steps forward to speak and write their thoughts down. We will publish everything you send us, either online or in print. We ask that it be truthful and not malicious. Think a writer’s missed the mark? Write down your perspective, send it in, we’ll print it.
Does Councilman Polensek control this paper?
No. He is providing $15,000 in ward allocation funds—your tax dollars—to build a grassroots project that allows Greater Collinwood to speak. To have a community newspaper that we write ourselves, and an affordable place for our businesses to take out ads so we all know who is here, and who’s doing what... Councilman Polensek can voice his thoughts in the paper if he chooses to do so—like anyone else in this neighborhood. What’s different about this paper is that if someone who isn’t a public figure of any kind—you, possibly—disagree with what he has to say… write it up and submit it. One of the goals of this project is to create a true dialogue in the paper.
What is your editorial policy?
Own your ideas. Write them in your own name and share them. Volunteers (Want to be one?) proofread and correct spelling and grammar, in case you’re worried about that.
If you are going to come out strongly against something, you are encouraged to research the issue before you criticize it, and lay out what you think a possible solution could be. This invites others to respond, which is what it’s all about. In the end, we publish what you submit. Give it a try!
How do you decide what gets printed?
We’ll print as much as we can, starting with timely stuff, then stuff from community groups, then opinion pieces, and so on. When sticky issues arise, we’ll rely on an advisory board, now forming, of people with deep interest in the well-being of this community. If that sounds like something you’d be good at, get in touch with us.
Do I have to have a computer?
No, you don’t. We know not everyone has regular computer access. That’s why we print thousands of copies of the paper—on paper--every two weeks, that’s the fairest and most effective means of getting the word out. That said, managing the paper through the website is what makes the Observer model affordable, so it’s important that people who want to write get used to submitting stories through the website. Write what you want on paper, then head to school or the library.
We’re working with the Collinwood and Memorial-Nottingham branch libraries to make sure there are people there who can help you submit your stories through the Collinwood Observer website using one of the many public computers available.
We also have a P.O. box at the Beachland Station, PO box 19154 Cleveland, 44119.
What’s distribution like?
We’ve printed 10,000 copies for issues 1 and 2 that we’ve dropped at every (we think!) public place in Collinwood for people to pick up. We’re also providing copies to the 15 or so schools in the community. The schools are partnering with us to provide stories on the progress and well-being of more than five thousand young souls in every corner of Wards 10 & 11. Our three tremendous high schools—Collinwood High School, Ginn Academy, and Villa Angela-St. Joseph School—are empowering their students to write on school and community issues, submit art and poetry; if you are a student, this means you! Check out the stories written by students from VASJ and Collinwood High in the paper you’re reading right now.
When’s the next writer’s meeting?
Easy one. Monday, October 12 from 6-8. We’ll be at the Memorial-Nottingham branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 17109 Lake Shore Blvd. We need people to write about everything going on in the neighborhood: sports, art, music, politics, business, the future and the past of this great neighborhood. If you’re wondering if this really means you, come to the meeting. There will be cookies.
I have a short attention span. When’s the next writer’s meeting again? Monday, October 12 from 6-8. We’ll be at the Memorial-Nottingham branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 17109 Lake Shore Blvd.
Volume 1, Issue 2, Posted 9:58 AM, 10.06.2009