MISSOULA, Mont. – Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) awarded 12 Norm Strung Youth Writing Scholarships totaling $1,700, sponsored by Safari Club International and the Safari Club International Foundation.
The annual contest has categories for poetry and prose in two divisions: junior (grades 6-8) and senior (grades 9-12), and entries must be outdoors oriented and previously published in a newsletter, newspaper, magazine, literary collection, etc. Junior and senior poetry and prose first-place winners received $200; second-place winners received $125; and third-place winners received $100. This year’s winners are:
Senior Poetry
Senior Prose
Junior Poetry
Junior Prose
The deadline for next year’s entries is March 15, 2011. For complete contest rules and more information, visit www.owaa.org/contests/youth-writing.
The Norm Strung Youth Writing Contest was named after Norm Strung, who served as OWAA president in 1984-1985. Now deceased, Strung received OWAA’s Excellence in Craft award in 1989. He was the Outstanding Board member in 1975. In 1988, Strung was the Ham Brown recipient for service to OWAA. That same year, he organized and edited a book for OWAA titled “Selling the Outdoor Story.”
Since its inception in 1927, OWAA has become the largest and oldest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. OWAA’s mission is to improve the professional skills of its members, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources and mentor the next generation of professional outdoor communicators. The national headquarters is located in Missoula, Mont. For more information, visit www.owaa.org.
CONTACT:
Robin Giner, rginer@owaa.org
406-728-7434
Photos Available
At its recent annual conference in Rochester, Minn., the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), The Voice of the Outdoors, honored five with its most distinguished awards.
Michael Levy, of Williamsville, N.Y., received the 2010 J. Hammond Brown Memorial Award. The award is OWAA’s most prestigious recognition of a member “for devoted past service to the organization over a period of continuous years.” Freelance writer, editor and book author, Levy served as OWAA president in 1993-94 and is a Life Member, with his membership originating in 1982.
Glen Lau, of Ocala, Fla., received OWAA’s Excellence in Craft Award. The award honors an OWAA member “for outstanding effort in upholding the OWAA Creed and continued excellence in craft.” An OWAA member since 1969, Lau is a film maker and producer of several national TV series and documentaries. He is producer and host of “Quest For Adventure” TV series on TNN and also produces commercials and infomercials. Lau also has a still photography library specializing in underwater photos.
Terry Brady of Zieglerville, Penn., deputy press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Cnservation and Natural Resources, received OWAA’s top conservation award. The Jade of Chiefs award represents an affirmation of OWAA adherence to and support of the principles of conservation. An Active Member of OWAA since 1986, Brady is also a freelance saltwater fishing columnist. Prior to his current position with the Pennsylvania DCNR, Brady spent 28 years working for daily newspapers, writing outdoors columns.
The recipient of the 2009 Jackie Pfeiffer Memorial Award is Joan Turner of Columbia, Mo. “Joan Turner represents these qualities as a recipient of the Jackie Pfeiffer Memorial Award – genuine warmth, radiance, good will, helpfulness, generosity and kindness to others. She also has the rare quality of grace,” said last year’s recipient, Kay Richey, when presenting Turner with the award.
Mary Nickum of Fountain Hills, Ariz., received the Outstanding Board Member Award. A member since 2000, Nickum is a retired librarian who is now an editor and freelance writer. Her primary focus is on science for the public. Nickum is editor-in-chief of the Intermountain Journal of Science and currently edits World Aquaculture magazine.
Since its inception in 1927, OWAA has become the largest and oldest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. OWAA’s mission is to improve the professional skills of its members, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources and mentor the next generation of professional outdoor communicators. The national headquarters is located in Missoula, Mont.
For more information on the OWAA conference, these awards and award winners, visit the organization’s website at www.owaa.org.
Further information about the award recipients and conference will appear in the August issue of Outdoors Unlimited.
For a list of the 2010 Excellence in Craft contest winners, click here.
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CONTACT: OWAA Headquarters, 406-728-7434, www.owaa.org.
MISSOULA, Mont. (May 1, 2010) — Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) today announced that Robin Giner has been promoted to interim Executive Director. She will manage and direct the day-to-day affairs of a professional organization of approximately 1,200 outdoor communicators and implement the policies established by its board of directors.
“I'm really excited to have Robin Giner as our interim Executive Director. Robin has been an excellent and valuable employee for OWAA and will now have the opportunity to grow her professional career with OWAA,” said OWAA President John Beath.
“As an added bonus, Robin has grant writing experience and some great ideas to promote the growth of the organization,” he said.
Most recently, Giner has served for the past three years as OWAA’s Director of Membership and Conference Services. After working as OWAA’s executive assistant in 2000-01, Robin Giner re-joined OWAA’s staff in May 2007, after returning to Missoula from Chicago, where she worked for the Urban Libraries Council, a nonprofit membership-driven organization similar to OWAA. There she honed her skills in membership, programming, development, board governance and conference planning.
“I'm excited about the transition into my new role with OWAA, and the opportunity to better serve our membership,” Giner said.
“I'm developing a list of goals I'd like to accomplish in the coming months, including working on ways to increase our membership numbers, implementing outreach to journalism schools to entice more students to join OWAA and foster the next generation of outdoor communicators, seeking partnerships with writing and literary arts groups to better spread the mission of OWAA, and enhance our budget by seeking grants to help fund outreach and education projects,” she said.
In her new role as executive director, Giner will work toward achieving the OWAA strategic plan and mission by developing strong, positive working relationships with members, volunteers, the board, other association leaders and professionals and vendors. She will support and assist members, and serve as a liaison among elected leaders, committees, and others.
Giner will replace Kevin Rhoades, who served OWAA for 11 years, first as Editor and subsequently as Executive Director. Congratulations to Robin, and a great big Thank You to Kevin, whom we’ll miss.
The 1,200-member Outdoor Writers Association of America is the oldest and largest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. It was organized in 1927 by members of the Izaak Walton League of America and includes professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. OWAA's professionals include writers, photographers, outdoors radio- and television show hosts, book authors, videographers, lecturers and artists. The association is headquartered in Missoula, Mont.
Dear Members,
I’d like to thank you for the last eleven years, for allowing me to serve OWAA first as your newsletter editor, and subsequently as your executive director.
With no regrets I submit my resignation as executive director of OWAA.
I’ve informed OWAA’s Executive Committee that I’d like to wrap things up in sixty days. Should the board of directors want me to continue on a little longer, to ensure a smooth transition, I’d be happy to do so.
I have not applied for another position, nor been offered one. In fact, I don’t have much of my future figured out just yet, but my aspiration is to remain in the outdoor-communications field, at least in part, as many of our members’ work and lifestyles are an inspiration for me.
I can’t begin to express how meaningful it’s been to work alongside a variety of OWAA staff over the years – how rewarding it’s been to work with so many officers, directors, counsels and committee volunteers for such a long time.
I now count many of you as the very best of friends.
The last eleven years have been among the finest, most rewarding and memorable of my life. Andrea and I can’t thank you enough.
Warmest Regards,
Kevin Rhoades
OWAA Executive Director
At its recent winter board meeting, Outdoor Writers Association of America's board of directors unanimously voted to eliminate membership initiation fees.
"This will no doubt make it more affordable for new members to join and make it easier to market OWAA to prospective members," OWAA President John Beath said.
OWAA offers three classifications of membership: Active, Associate and Student.
Comprising the vast majority of OWAA membership, Active members generally make their livings by communicating the outdoor experience, either by freelancing or by full-time employment.
Associate members are outdoor communicators who wish to associate with OWAA and are paid for any work in any category listed in OWAA's Criteria for Membership.
Student members are currently enrolled in institutions of higher learning and pursuing a course of study related to the outdoors and communications.
Active and Associate annual membership fees are $150. Student memberships are $30 per year. Initiation fees are no longer required for any classification of membership in Outdoor Writers Association of America.
Learn more about membership in OWAA
Attend OWAA's June 10-13 annual conference
The 1,300-member Outdoor Writers Association of America is the oldest and largest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. It was organized in 1927 by members of the Izaak Walton League of America and includes professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. OWAA's professionals include writers, photographers, outdoors radio- and television show hosts, book authors, videographers, lecturers and artists. The association is headquartered in Missoula, Mont.
MISSOULA, Mont. - Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), The Voice of the Outdoors, will award scholarships in 2010 to budding outdoor communicators.
Bodie McDowell scholarship awards are usually given annually. Scholarships can range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Applicants must be students of outdoor communications fields including print, photography, film, art or broadcasting.
The Bodie McDowell scholarship program is open to all college students, undergraduate and graduate, from all disciplines and all schools. Undergraduate applicants must be entering junior or senior years of study; graduate student applicants must have at least one remaining year of study.
Applicants should have career goals in outdoor communications, provide samples of work, and letters of recommendation. Academic achievement is considered but is not among the top three selection criteria.
OWAA's Education Committee judges and ranks applicants and typically announces winners by June 1. Checks will be issued to successful recipients by August 10, 2010, before commencement of fall semester.
If you know a student with an outdoor emphasis who might benefit from a Bodie McDowell Scholarship, ask him or her to apply.
The deadline to apply is March 1, 2010. Get the complete details and the application form.
The Bodie McDowell Scholarship is named after longtime OWAA member Bodie McDowell, an OWAA past president and recipient of OWAA's prestigious Ham Brown Award, an award recognizing members for devoted past service to the organization. McDowell is a longtime advocate and fundraiser for the scholarship program.
Since its inception in 1927, OWAA has become the largest and oldest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. OWAA's mission is to improve the professional skills of its members, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources and mentor the next generation of professional outdoor communicators. The national headquarters is located in Missoula, Mont.
MISSOULA, Mont. - Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) will host its first annual Goldenrod Writing Workshop at the University of Montana in Missoula August 1-7, 2010. Open to both novice communicators and published professionals, the week-long workshop is designed to improve skills in outdoor, nature and environmental writing.
The workshop is in a casual setting with hands-on learning from peer groups and veteran instructors. The curriculum includes assignments, discussions, readings and shared critiques along with time for writing and socializing with others who share a passion for outdoor writing.
Enrollment is limited to 30 students, and it's on a first come, first served basis. The $995 fee includes tuition and room and board at The University of Montana campus residence. The deadline for applications is May 1, and a $250 non-refundable deposit is due the same time.
Four instructors teach the workshop. They include Lisa Densmore from New Hampshire, a book author, photographer, TV producer and Emmy-award winner; freelance writer Holly Endersby from Idaho, whose magazine articles have appeared in many markets; book author and humor writer Alan Liere from Spokane, Washington; and investigative reporter Ted Gup, who also heads the journalism department at Boston's Emerson College and whose book about the CIA was a NY Times Bestseller.
Visiting faculty include best-selling author Patrick McManus from Spokane and Bill Schneider, founder of Falcon Press, from Helena, Montana.
Complete Workshop details.
The 1,200-member OWAA is the nation's oldest and largest association of professional outdoor communicators. Organized in 1927 by members of the Izaak Walton League of America, it is headquartered in Missoula, Mont.
MISSOULA, Mont. – Whether you’re an outdoors writer, a public relations representative who works with the outdoors media, or a government official who publishes outdoors reports and magazines, you’ll benefit by owning Outdoor Writers Association of America’s (OWAA) newest publications.
The hot-off-the-press Legal Handbook for Freelancers, authored by OWAA Legal Counsel Bill Powell, covers copyright basics, how to structure your business as a freelancer, defamation, privacy rights, protections for electronic communications, contracts and how to use litigation to resolve freelancer-publisher business disputes. This is must-have publication!
OWAA’s revised Freelancers Guide to Business Practices incorporates business tips and advice from more than 50 OWAA members. The Freelancers Guide is the outdoor communicator’s handbook covering general business practices such as setting income goals, how to get paid, legalities and rights purchased. The guidebook also covers specialized business practices for magazine writers, newspaper columnists, photographers, artists and broadcasters.
The Legal Handbook for Freelancers is also included in the Freelancers Guide. Order the Legal Handbook if you would like a stand-alone copy.
Both publications are available for OWAA members and nonmembers.
OWAA members can buy copies of the Legal Handbook for Freelancers for $15; for nonmembers, the Legal Handbook is $18.
Members can purchase copies of the Freelancers Guide to Business Practices for $19; for nonmembers, the Freelancers Guide is $24.
Prices include shipping and handling. Both publications can be purchased via OWAA’s online store at http://shop.owaa.org/main.sc.
More about OWAA’s line of publications at http://owaa.org/publications.
Since its inception in 1927, Outdoor Writers Association of America, the Voice of the Outdoors, has become the largest and oldest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States.
OWAA’s mission is to improve the professional skills of its members, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources and mentor the next generation of professional outdoor communicators. The national headquarters is located in Missoula, Mont.
To learn more about OWAA, e-mail krhoades@owaa.org or phone 406-728-7434 or visit www.owaa.org.
Check out OWAA's new Web site complete with most frequently used links with handy drop-down menus. OWAA News is posted to the Web site frequently as well as Excellence in Craft Contest rules, information on OWAA's 2010 conference, member discounts, committee members, information about Fellowships, and a storefront where members can obtain copies of OWAA's newest publications including the new Freelancers Guide to Business Practices and the Legal Handbook for Freelancers. Check out our brand-new Web site and post your comments on OU Online.
October 19, 2009
A select group of OWAA Past Presidents judged first-place winners of each Excellence in Craft Contest category, of which there are five. This year's Presidents' Choice Awards winners are:
Magazine Category: Edward Nickens, Raleigh, N.C., "Cry from the North," Field & Stream magazine. Backcountry Sportsman Contest sponsored by Sierra Club.
TV/Video Category: Ron Schara, Minneapolis, Minn., "Black Canyon," Minnesota Bound on KARE-TV. Camping/Backpacking/Outdoor Recreation Travel/Biking/Climbing Contest sponsored by The Coleman Company.
Newspaper Category: Steve Pollick, Fremont, Ohio, "The flying dragon," The Blade (Toledo). Natural History contest sponsored by Outdoor Writers Association of America.
Art/Photo Category: Tim Christie, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, "A cold pack out," Sightron 2008 catalog. Backcountry Sportsman Contest sponsored by Sierra Club.
Radio Category: Dan Small, Belgium, WI, "Kim's First Deer," Dan Small's Outdoor Radio Network. Big Game Hunting sponsored by the Outdoor Channel.
Tim Christie, Edward Nickens, Steve Pollick, Ron Schara and Dan Small will receive Presidents' Choice Award plaques. All award recipients along with publication names for the 2009 OWAA Excellence in Craft Awards are published on OU Online.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the following OWAA Past Presidents who judged this year's Best of the Best: Thanks to Bill Hilts Sr., Jim Low, Marty Malin, Rich Patterson and Spencer Turner.
With much appreciation - OWAA's board of directors, members and staff thank our Excellent in Crafts Contest sponsors: Ducks Unlimited, National Wildlife Federation, Outdoor Channel, Realtree, Sierra Club, The Coleman Company, The Wilderness Society and Trout Unlimited.
October 16, 2009
OWAA is planning an annual conference with a multitude of outdoor experiences in 2012.
The last "Far North" OWAA conference was held in Canada, and that was back in 1967. The furthest south Outdoor Writers Association of America ever held an annual get-together was in Mexico, and that was five years later.
After OWAA headquarters carefully scrutinized a short list of four locations for our 2012 annual conference, including Bend, Ore.; Fairbanks, Alaska; Fayetteville, N.C.; and Lincoln, Neb. - Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs Resort, about an hour's drive northeast of Fairbanks, emerged as the best choice for OWAA's 2012 conference.
Conference dates: Sept. 4-6, 2012
Read all about it!
Questions about the 2012 Alaska conference? Read the FAQs!
The Norm Strung Youth Writing contest deadline is March 15, 2010.
Dear OWAA Members:
We are planning a session for the 2010 Rochester, Minn., conference dealing with publishing and/or self-publishing books. If you have written a book and worked with a publisher or self-published, would you drop me an e-mail? I am looking for input on how to best go about getting a book produced. I need to hear from you as soon as possible. I am not asking you to be on a panel, just to give me some information that I can do some research on, or rather some lucky person on the conference committee will get to do research on! Also, if there are any lousy publishers out there, let me know them as well so I do not waste my time on them.
Our goal is to make this year's conference exceptionally meaningful for all members, and in particular, the freelancer who is being hit hardest or those who have lost their jobs due to cut backs and want to become independent in their business model.
Also, if there is a Web site or book you have found to be of great benefit on this topic, please share it as well.
My email is mike@walkeragency.com. If you want to call, my phone is 602-569-0340.
Thanks very much.
Mike Walker
The buck-stops-here conference program chair
OWAA Past President Bill Monroe is the recipient of the Northwest Outdoor Writer's Association's highest honor, the Enos Bradner Award, named in honor of one of the NOWA's founding fathers.
Monroe finished his degree in journalism after a Vietnam-era tour of duty in the U.S. Navy. He began his career at a newspaper in 1973 and earned a reputation as an aggressive, take-no-prisoners reporter. Monroe spent the better part of his outdoor writing career as the outdoors editor of Oregon's largest newspaper, The Oregonian, where he kept his readers up-to-date on the state's hunting, fishing and natural resource stories and events. In 1984, Monroe joined the OWAA and served as its president in 2001-2002. He is a life member.
In December 2007, Monroe retired from his job as The Oregonian's outdoor editor, but continues his work as a prolific freelance writer, conservation advocate and master story teller.
The Nature Conservancy is seeking donations to help protect grasslands worldwide, ranging from the western U.S. to the savannahs of eastern and southern Africa. Donations help the conservancy establish new preserves, maintain existing preserves and educate affected parties in responsible grassland practices. http://www.nature.org/earth/grasslands.
Feb. 13, 2009
Missoula, Mont. - The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) is transforming its 82-year-old flagship monthly newsletter - Outdoors Unlimited - into an interactive online publication.
OWAA’s board of directors made the decision at its recent winter board meeting in Indianapolis.
OWAA President Phil Bloom said it shouldn’t come as a surprise “for anyone who has been reading the tea leaves of the modern communications marketplace.”
Print publications including the Christian Science Monitor, the Detroit Free Press, PC magazine, The Capital Times in Madison, Wis., and others are rapidly switching to online subscriptions. As technology and demographics drive change, more and more publications, including OU, will follow.
Another reason for the transition is financial. The cost for printing and delivery exceeds $25,000 annually.
“But it’s not just about dollars,” Bloom said. “Instead, it makes sense to embrace the ability to tell stories in three dimensions rather than one.”
The new digital format of Outdoors Unlimited will allow greatly enhanced interaction among members while taking advantage of the unique capabilities multimedia technology offers.
The estimated timetable for launching the online publication is:
March 1 - Launch Outdoors Unlimited Online. Expect featured Craft Improvement pieces and all the usual departments including Bookshelf, Portfolio, Association Update, Feedback and more - and in color. Member News, job listing and editors’ needs will be posted weekly rather than monthly, and members may respond to articles immediately.
By July 1, OWAA headquarters plans to implement audio, video and databases for members to sell their work, “Find a Photographer” and “Find an Outdoor Writer,” for example. OU Online will also feature member blogs and Web sites, and slide shows.
By Oct. 1, additional features are expected to be incorporated, including new columns focusing on technology, financial planning and business. Online mini-conferences and virtual auctions will be considered as well.
To learn more about the transformation of Outdoors Unlimited and the timetable for implementation, see the Frequently Asked Questions.
The 1,500-member Outdoor Writers Association of America is the oldest and largest association of professional outdoor communicators in the United States. It was organized in 1927 by members of the Izaak Walton League of America and includes professional communicators dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience. OWAA’s professionals include writers, photographers, outdoors radio- and television show hosts, book authors, videographers, lecturers and artists. The association is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For more information, go to www.owaa.org.
What changes are being made to Outdoors Unlimited?
The new Outdoors Unlimited (OU) will soon be available only online. The new digital OU will be built from the ground up with a content-management system that will allow members to interact. The online publication will greatly accelerate posting of Member News, Jobs, Outdoor Market, Media News and more. All your favorite features will still be available.
Why changes are being made?
OWAA believes it can provide an improved, multidimensional publication that better represents OWAA’s Sections (Radio, TV/Video, Newspaper and Photography). Printing and delivery of a hard-copy newsletter is costly, and the 30-45-day publication cycle is much too delayed during a time when media professionals expect information quickly.
When will the change take place?
The new digital OU will be published on March 2, 2009, at www.owaa.org/ou. Expect featured Craft Improvement pieces and all the usual departments including Bookshelf, Portfolio, Association Update, Feedback and more - in color! Member News, job listings and editors’ needs will be posted weekly rather than monthly, and members may respond to articles immediately.
On or around July 1, OWAA headquarters plans to expand content to include audio, video and databases for members to sell their work. “Find a Photographer” and “Find an Outdoor Writer” are examples of added features. OU Online will also feature member blogs and Web sites and slide shows.
By Oct. 1, expect to see even more features, including new columns focusing on technology, financial planning and business. Online mini-conferences and virtual auctions will be considered as well. OU will also include a one-stop portal for many of the online databases outdoor communicators use every day, such as dictionaries, phone searches, government and journalism sites.
How and when will members be notified when Outdoors Unlimited is published each month?
Members will be notified via e-mail, approximately the first business day of each month. RSS feeds will also be available for any new content added throughout the month.
Will Outdoors Unlimited exist in another format other than an online version?
Ultimately, the new OU will exist as a part of www.owaa.org. In addition to the new OU, headquarters plans to temporarily publish a PDF-file version of Outdoors Unlimited. Publication of the PDF-file OU will cease some time after the April issue so resources can be redirected to the new publication.
Will I be able to print pages?
Yes. Features, departments and most information on OU Online will be available in a print-friendly format.
Will passwords be required to read the new OU?
Yes. Individual registration will allow members to create their own accounts and comment immediately after viewing new postings on the site. With each month’s e-mail notification, members will receive information on how to register. Passwords are expected to be unique to each member.
What about members who do not have access to the Internet?
Members without access to the Internet should contact OWAA headquarters at 406-728-7434.
What will the newly designed OU look like?
The new OU Online will function much like a blog with the newest content available at the top of the page. Archives and search options will be available to seek out past articles, which will be tagged and categorized by subject matter. Easy-to-navigate tabs along the top and sidebar will quickly guide you to the different departments you’ve come to expect in the print version of Outdoors Unlimited.
Who decided to transform OU?
OWAA’s board of directors made the decision at its January 2009 winter board in Indianapolis.
Is this a temporary change?
No. The change is expected to be permanent. OWAA’s board and staff believe the new online publication will ultimately better serve the OWAA membership and improve prospects for enticing the next generation of outdoor communicators to affiliate with OWAA via a multidimensional publication.
Will this affect printing of the hard-copy member directory?
No. The hard-copy 2009-10 OWAA Directory will be printed and mailed to members and supporting groups in June as always.
How may members promote themselves in the new Outdoors Unlimited?
Member news, press releases, color mug shots and hyperlinks should be e-mailed to OU Editor Sarah Prodell at sprodell@owaa.org.
How will Supporting Groups promote themselves in the new Outdoors Unlimited?
Supporting group news tips, features, press releases, hyperlinks and color photos should be e-mailed to OU Editor Sarah Prodell at sprodell@owaa.org.
What OU columns, departments or “regulars” will disappear with the new OU?
Everything will stay! OWAA staff will publish all the usual craft improvement, departments and features prevalent in the hard-copy OU - and more. Members are invited to submit audio, video, blogs and color photos with submissions.
What will be added to the new OU?
The new OU Online will feature members with a cutting-edge online presence. Members may submit their blogs, Web sites, videos, podcasts and other digital media for feature each month on OU’s homepage. Web-conferences (webinars) and an online member directory are also features OWAA will be experimenting with over the next year.
Do members get a say in what’s added to the new OU Online?
Absolutely! Your comments and suggestions are encouraged and appreciated, especially now as OU Online takes shape. Outdoors Unlimited is all about members helping members for a common purpose, and the new OU Online will make that easier than ever. Tell us what you’d like to see in the new OU by contacting Executive Director Kevin Rhoades at krhoades@owaa.org or OU Editor Ashley Schroeder at aschroeder@owaa.org.
How can members contribute to the new OU?
OWAA headquarters always needs craft improvement submissions, especially pieces centered on the four OWAA Sections: Photo, Newspaper, Radio, TV/Video. Contributors should think in terms of multimedia - text, photos, audio and video. Headquarters also seeks submissions on business tips, marketing and negotiating - the common thread is how your tip or piece applies to the outdoor-communications business.
What are digital OU submission guidelines?
Photos and video: Color, color color! Unless your photography is intentionally black and white, that is. Please continue to provide images at 300 dpi for the next few months, so they may be used in the temporary PDF version of OU as well as online. After the PDF version ceases, 72 dpi is all we need, with each image around 1MB. Right now, the best way to get your video online is to publish it on a free hosting site such as YouTube, provide us with the URL, and we’ll take it from there!
Text: Send craft improvement articles, news tips, member news, etc., via e-mail to aschroeder@owaa.org. Word document attachments are best. Craft improvement articles may range anywhere from 200 to 1,000 words, and photos, video or illustrations are welcome!
What are the benefits of membership in OWAA?
Membership in OWAA boasts many benefits. Among them, exclusive member discounts from Supporting Groups; health insurance discounts; jobs and editorial-needs listings; access to Outdoors Unlimited Online and the OWAA Web site; invitation to attend OWAA’s annual conference; listing in the membership directory; use of the membership list to promote your work; the opportunity to enter OWAA’s Excellence in Craft Contests; national headquarters assistance and mediation; scholarships and fellowships to advance your education; and links to both Individual Member and Supporting Groups, Agencies and Business Web sites. For more information on member benefits and how to join OWAA, please visit: http://owaa.org/join.