September 2011 Archives - Outdoor Writers Association of America

OWAA Board of Directors Meeting

OWAA staff — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:47:26 +0000

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President Tony Dolle called the meeting to order at 2:18 p.m.
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Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, Utah
July 11, 2011
President Tony Dolle called the meeting to order at 2:18 p.m.
Secretary Katie McKalip called the roll. Present were Dolle, Mike Walker, Mark Taylor, Bill Graham, McKalip, Paul Hansen, Jason Jenkins, Matt Miller, Ty Stockton, Mark Freeman, Brett Prettyman, Paul Queneau, Bruce Cochran, Mary Nickum, Randy Zellers, Bill Powell and Robin Giner. Chris Hunt, Glenn Sapir, Bill Brassard, Jim Low, Peter Schroeder, Howard Meyerson and Tim Zink attended as observers.
Dolle welcomed the new board members and treasurer.
Moved (Taylor/Jenkins) to nominate Walker as president, to cease nominations and to elect Walker by acclamation; motion carried.
Moved (Graham/Jenkins) to nominate Taylor as first vice president, to cease nominations and to elect Taylor by acclamation; motion carried.
Moved (Hansen/Jenkins) to nominate Graham as second vice president, to cease nominations and to elect Graham by acclamation; motion carried.
Moved (Walker/Jenkins) to offer Dolle life membership; motion carried.
Dolle expressed his appreciation to the board and officers for their support. The board applauded Dolle’s commitment to the organization.
OLD BUSINESS
Legal Counsel Powell submitted language he prepared regarding a proposed amendment to the bylaws requirement for a quorum at the annual membership meeting; the board reviewed this notice. The board may vote to approve or reject it after Aug. 8, 2011. Before becoming effective, it must be approved by the membership.
Paragraph 5.1 shall be amended by replacing the word “fifty” with the word “twenty-five.”
Treasurer Hansen asked the board to provide him with a brief history of OWAA’s financial situation. McKalip summarized the board’s financial discussion from the July 8 meeting.
Graham asked about the possibility of increasing ad space in the Directory as a means of raising funds. Walker inquired about materials available for use in promoting ad sales in the Directory; Giner replied that sell sheets are available for this purpose and invited the board to offer suggestions on how to sell additional ads. Freeman suggested involving OU Publications Editor Ashley Schroeder in ad sales; Giner responded that Jessica Pollett and herself pursued these opportunities in the past.
Taylor stated that the pricing structure and other materials should be reexamined to ensure that ads are fairly and attractively priced. He also suggested that commission be offered for anyone (staff or members) who sells ads. Stockton seconded Taylor’s idea of offering commissions and suggested that an ad hoc committee be convened to examine how revenues can be expanded; Walker advised that a 20-percent commission represents the “going rate.” Taylor, Stockton and McKalip volunteered to serve on the ad hoc committee.
Hansen asked about measures being taken to reinstate lapsed members and supporters. Stockton replied that board members are reaching out to former members and supporters and that efforts are being redoubled on this front.
Graham mentioned the draft OWAA strategic plan submitted by the Strategic Planning Committee and said that further efforts to refine and finalize this plan will address ways to increase member/supporter numbers. Giner added that members who live in the Intermountain West are planning to meet in person later this year to undertake revision of the draft plan.
Zellers inquired about the procedure by which a potential member or supporter submits member applications and is considered for membership. Giner responded that Pollett works with potential members and supporters to guide them through the application process. Zeller highlighted the requirement in the application for a sponsor and wondered if lack of a sponsor might deter potential members/supporters from joining. Giner replied that headquarters works to match sponsors with new members/supporters and application materials note that help in this area is available.
Taylor said that increasing member/supporter numbers is currently OWAA’s greatest challenge and that personal contact is a proven means of reinstating lapsed members/supporters and recruiting new members/supporters. In the past, a contest for members to encourage member/supporter recruitment attracted little interest.
Hansen asked about merger opportunities with other writers’ groups. McKalip summarized discussion on this topic that occurred at the recent executive committee and board meetings.
Miller volunteered to chair an ad hoc committee exploring recruitment of online/blogger/vlogger communicators and monitoring new members in this category to ensure the member criteria is met. Prettyman offered to co-chair this committee. Walker approved the formation of this committee.
Queneau recommended that members be encouraged to participate in member/supporter recruitment efforts. Giner said that she informed Schroeder and Pollett of the group’s difficult financial situation and the need to institute temporary staff salary cuts.
Hansen asked whether OWAA had approached charitable foundations for grant monies. Giner responded that special projects have a greater likelihood of attracting funding than do requests for general operation funds.
EIC Contest Rules Revision
Giner distributed materials outlining the latest revision to the EIC contests and rules, reflecting the addition of contest criteria for the online communicator membership category.
Suggestions were made concerning ways to increase participation in the EIC contests. Graham reminded the board that one of the goals of the EIC contest revision was to streamline the contest’s categories and breadth. He is not in favor of allowing non-members to enter the contests.
Zellers asked if non-members paid extra to enter the EIC contests in 2010; they did. He asked if the increased revenue resulting from non-members entering contests might offset members’ displeasure in having non-members participate.
Moved (Taylor/seconded Freeman) to amend EIC contest rules to remove the word “series” in the “column/series” contest. Motion carried.
Moved (Taylor/seconded Zellers) to amend the EIC contest rules to remove the requirement in the column contest that the samples be consecutive. Motion carries; three oppose.
Discussion continued regarding revisions to the EIC contest rules. The necessity of requiring that submissions be formatted as PDFs was covered briefly, as was whether blog entries should include reader comments. The consensus was that comments should not be included and the entry should consist only of the initial blog entry.
Moved (Graham/seconded Jenkins) to amend the EIC contest rules to remove any references to newspaper, magazine, timeframes and frequency in the blog category. Motion carried.
Moved (Jenkins/seconded Miller) to approve the EIC contest rules as amended in the previous motions. Motion carried.
Digital Media/Journalist Membership Category
Miller reported that the committee prepared criteria for the new proposed membership category.
Peter Schroeder addressed the board regarding the impetus for development of the new membership category. He submitted language outlining the new criteria, as follows:
“Digital Media Journalist: To qualify under this category, applicants must meet four of the following:
“1. Maintained a digital media site on outdoor-related activities in any format that allows response feedback for a minimum of one year;
“2. Proof of income from communicating about outdoor-related subjects;
“3. Average at least two editorial postings per month over a 12-month period; redistribution of press releases does not qualify;
“4. Proof of at least 500 average unique views per month over a 12-month period;
“5. Must reveal source for all outside support contributing to content of postings.”
Miller clarified that this language would replace the “blogger/vlogger/online communicator” language already approved by the board. Powell stated that the above language would constitute a new paragraph in the membership requirements criteria list, as published in the Directory.
Freeman expressed concern that criteria No. 4 is not required. He feels strongly that a minimum number of page views be required. Other questions regarding the advertising criteria were raised.
Taylor asked Sapir and Brassard to relate their experiences in defining criteria for online communicators interested in attending the SHOT Show as media attendees. Brassard replied that the NSSF has a generally inclusive attitude toward allowing bloggers and other online communicators to attend SHOT.
Moved (Miller/seconded Freeman) to change the criteria for the blogger/vlogger/online journalist category to the citizen journalist category and amend the language as follows:
“Digital Media Journalist: To qualify under this category, applicants must show proof of at least 500 average unique views per month over a 12-month period and meet three of the following:
“1. Maintained a digital media site on outdoor-related activities in any format that allows for feedback for a minimum of one year;
“2. Proof of income from communicating about outdoor-related subjects;
“3. Average at least two editorial postings per month over a 12-month period; redistribution of press releases does not qualify;
“4. Must reveal source for all outside support contributing to content of postings.”
Motion carried; one opposed. Walker called a brief recess at 3:50 p.m. Meeting reconvened at 4:09 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Committee Members
Walker nominated McKalip to chair the Board Nominating Committee and Low, Miller, Queneau, Pat Stockdill and Tracy Watt to serve as committee members.
Moved (Taylor/seconded Stockton) to approve the nomination. Motion carried.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Queneau inquired about the establishment of committee chairs; Walker responded that he would be designating chairs and following up with these individuals shortly.
Jenkins expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended to the student members at conference.
Queneau reiterated the need for board members to consider member benefits and how to expand and improve these benefits. Stockton mentioned that the needs of supporters — particularly at conference — should be considered, as well.
Miller thanked Taylor and Prettyman for their hard work in planning and executing a successful conference. Other board members loudly seconded.
Adjournment: Moved (Taylor/seconded Prettyman) to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:18 p.m.
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OWAA Board of Directors Meeting

OWAA staff — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:51:21 +0000

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President Tony Dolle called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
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Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, Utah
July 8, 2011
President Tony Dolle called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
Secretary Katie McKalip called the roll. Present were Dolle, Mike Walker, Mark Taylor, Bill Graham, McKalip, Lisa Densmore, Bill Hilts Jr., Mary Nickum, Jason Jenkins, Matt Miller, Ty Stockton, Mark Freeman, Brett Prettyman, Paul Queneau, Bruce Cochran, Randy Zellers, Bill Powell and Robin Giner. Kris Thoemke joined the meeting via conference call. Also in attendance were Ashley Schroeder, Paul Hansen and Peter Schroeder.
Moved (Stockton/seconded Hilts) to approve the January board meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Dolle referred to his president’s report and thanked the board members for their service to the organization. He expressed concern at membership numbers and stressed the necessity of continuing to address this issue.
Giner presented her executive director’s report. She briefly reviewed the financial particulars relating to the sale of the headquarters condo and the move to the new office in May. Member numbers continue to pose a challenge, with recruitment mailings planned for the near-term future.
Giner mentioned that sponsorship prospects are good. Safari Club International increased its support of the Norm Strung Youth Writing Contest to $3,000.
Brief discussion of other sponsor/support opportunities occurred.
Freeman asked about interest by advertisers. Giner referred to a list of supporters who have advertised to OWAA members included in the board packet. She solicited board input regarding where she might circulate the advertising opportunities packet.
Giner stated that headquarters’ PR efforts have been increased, with an average of four press releases being sent per month.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance — Thoemke initiated the discussion. Despite the headquarters condo sale and Giner’s cutting expenses whenever possible, finances remain problematic. Further cuts must be made in the short term to address these deficiencies (approximately $30,000). No cash reserve is currently available to bridge the forthcoming shortages.
Thoemke stressed the need for board members to step up and help address and resolve some of these problems. He underscored the need for both short- and long-term solutions.
Dolle referenced the ongoing discussions he’s had with Giner and Thoemke — and acknowledged the need to increase revenue through increased member numbers. Member services cannot be cut further, and additional budget cuts could necessitate staff reductions.
Giner said a 2012 EIC coordinator will not be hired, resulting in a savings of approximately $6,000. The elimination of a winter board meeting would save approximately $7,000.
Densmore asked for a summary of ideas made during the executive committee meeting so that the same ground is not covered twice. McKalip reviewed her meeting notes from the previous evening.
Dolle suggested setting some priorities for Giner to implement and giving her a deadline.
Nickum suggested bimonthly publishing of OU. McKalip seconded the notion, suggesting that a larger, feature-driven edition be published only every other month and a stripped down version be published in the off months. Discussion continued about eliminating the print edition of OU (member criticism is anticipated if this occurs) and posting more content online. Freeman emphasized that two connections members have with OWAA consist of the EIC contests and OU.
Powell referred to comments made at the last membership meeting regarding the print OU. He cited feedback bemoaning the loss of this forum for debate among members and for sharing ideas. He feels that the current content of OU is lacking this element.
Taylor does not favor decreasing the frequency or amount of content in the print OU. He wondered how many members read the electronic OU and whether staff resources spent producing it could be better allocated elsewhere. He mentioned reducing staff salaries or introducing furlough days as a viable means of cutting costs. He is wary of cutting member benefits and feels that would result in further member losses.
Prettyman returned to the issue of the print vs. electronic OU. He stressed the need to pay attention to digital offerings, acknowledging that while many older members prefer the print versions, younger and incoming communicators favor electronic materials. Discussion continued about ways to reduce costs associated with production of OU.
Miller said cuts to programs should not be made without consulting the membership, to avoid deepening this divide. Taylor agreed that the membership should be involved in the financial discussions post haste. General agreement on this point was expressed.
Densmore asserted that member-driven services are the most important thing that OWAA does. She listed the following proposed cuts:
Contests coordinator, $5,800; winter board meeting, $7,000; reduction in legal expenses, $2,500; OU publication costs, $2,800.
Implementing these cuts, she said, would result in a more manageable deficit (approximately $12,000) to address. She advised following up with supporters who have not yet reinstated. Prettyman seconded this approach and volunteered to help. So did McKalip.
Queneau suggested elimination of intern stipends and pursuing work-study options. Hilts suggested transitioning the Directory into an online resource to save approximately $8,000. (Giner replied that elimination of the print directory could not occur until 2012, as the 2011 directory already has been printed, but that low cost options are available to pursue this course in the future.) Giner stated that instituting a cut in staff salaries would save
approximately $6,000.
Densmore and McKalip stressed that cost-cutting measures — particularly salary cuts — should be prioritized in order of importance and that, if salary reductions take place, staff should be informed that these cuts are temporary in nature and will be restored as soon as possible.
Dolle called a brief recess at 10:35 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:53 a.m.
Board Nominating
Walker summarized the committee’s work. Giner said about 15 percent of members voted, which is typical. The possibility of transitioning to electronic voting was discussed; doing so would not necessarily entail a bylaws change.
Conference Program
Taylor said everything is in place for the 2011 conference program. The planning process had been revamped to involve section chairs and others and he concluded that this approach was successful to a degree. Taylor cited the efforts and support of Prettyman and Jessica Pollett in executing a strong program. Powell asked about the room-night guarantee; Giner said OWAA will be not liable for attrition costs.
Contests
Freeman suggested that the process of appointing the Contests Committee chair and chief judges be initiated at conference. He stressed the need for improved communications between judges, headquarters staff and the committee chair. Miller suggested designating co-chairs for this committee in the future. Freeman mentioned that some members complained about the PDF format required for entries. Taylor and McKalip commented favorably on the new electronic format for judges’ entries. The pros and cons of allowing the committee chair to enter contests were discussed (the chair is not currently barred from doing so).
Development
Dolle related Committee Chair Peter Schroeder’s activities and priorities in chairing this committee. His efforts should assist in Giner’s grant-writing efforts.
Strategic Planning
Jenkins thanked Miller for his active involvement. Miller, who drafted a strategic plan for consideration by the committee, cited the need for involvement in the process by the entire board and the necessity of having a consultant lead the process, a problematic issue given OWAA’s current financial situation. He proposed looking at the “real” future of OWAA, assessing what we can achieve, considering tangible efforts that OWAA can undertake that offer high probability of success to avoid treading the same ground repeatedly. He emphasized the need for a structured process that establishes the goals of OWAA and enables the board to reach agreement regarding what those goals are and how to achieve them.
Dolle asked for their input regarding next steps. Jenkins agreed with Miller’s comment that a consultant needs to lead this process. Discussion ensued regarding the function of a strategic plan and the need to establish priorities. Taylor and McKalip asked headquarters staff to research options for leadership and facilitation of this process. The possibility of adopting the existing draft plan was discussed but rejected. McKalip suggested holding a committee meeting at headquarters and drawing on members living locally and regionally to reduce costs.
Dolle adjourned the meeting at noon for lunch. The meeting reconvened at 1:11 p.m.
AD HOC COMMITTEES
Blogger/Internet Category Working Group
OWAA Criteria Review: Miller specified two issues for discussion: (1) the revision of some of the categories for membership, including adding a category for bloggers and online journalists who are paid for their work, and (2) the revision of standards for the “lecturer” and “book” membership categories. Powell clarified that the process for amending the criteria for membership has been modified a few times during the past several years. The board currently has the ability to make changes in membership criteria and, if approved by a two-thirds board majority, such changes are effective immediately, unless overruled by a membership vote.
Moved (Thoemke/seconded Taylor) to approve and accept the changes proposed by the committee regarding the website content director, lecturer, book author and blogger/vlogger/online journalists membership criteria. Motion carried unanimously.
Miller acknowledged the existence of strong feelings regarding payment for work and raised the question of whether current standards are appropriate. Peter Schroeder commented that this issue has been rearing its head in many journalist organizations with which he’s involved.
Discussion continued. Schroeder offered the following criteria, which were discussed at length by the board, for consideration:
1. One-year minimum of creating content, which must allow individual response.
2. Periodic updates throughout the year (one per month) and/or the season (one per month).
3. Minimum 500 unique views per month.
4. Content must be “editorial” not “advertorial.”
Taylor proposed that a set of criteria based on this discussion be developed during conference and presented at both the general membership meeting and the July 11 board meeting for consideration and a board vote.
EIC Rules Revision
Committee Chair Graham summarized member complaints about the initial revision of the EIC contest rules and the factors that led the committee to recommend changes to the 2011 contests’ structure and rules. He presented three options: (1) to accept the new changes from the committee; (2) to institute further changes to the contest; or (3) to reject the changes.
Taylor and Freeman advocated in favor of retaining the newspaper page and section contest. Ashley Schroeder responded that insufficient entries have resulted in this contest being cancelled in the past and that, if the contest is retained, effort must be made to ensure adequate submissions.
Graham reminded the board that the initial goal of the revision was to streamline, not expand, the categories and contests.
Giner suggested that the proposed revision be presented to the membership at the general membership meeting, solicit comments and then revise accordingly at the July 11 board meeting, at which time the board would vote to approve, alter or reject. The board agreed to this course of action.
Member Reinstatement
Dolle urged board members who have not contacted lapsed members/supporters to make the necessary calls to remind these individuals and entities to reengage in OWAA.
Goldenrod Writing Workshop
Giner said the 2011 Goldenrod workshop was cancelled due to inadequate participants. Suggestions were made regarding ways to increase interest and attendance, including changing the name of the event to the “Goldenrod Media Workshop” to broaden its appeal.
OWAA Student Chapters
Jenkins reported that the University of Missouri chapter has been officially established and that representatives from the new group are attending conference this year. McKalip suggested that a short list of schools be developed where student chapters could potentially be established and that the Missouri chapter be charged with formulating a set of guidelines for formation and governance of these chapters.
NEW BUSINESS OU
Print vs. Online:Giner stated that earlier consensus by the board indicated interest in proceeding with a 32-page black-and-white format for the quarterly version.
Quorum Requirements for Membership Meetings
Currently a quorum of 50 members must be achieved for a legal membership meeting to occur. Given lower-than average conference attendance and limited space at the 2012 conference, Dolle proposed asking the membership to vote on bylaws changes that would lower the quorum requirement to 25. The board agreed on this course of action.
Approve New Endowment Trustees
Lonnie Williamson’s term is expiring, and he will not be reappointed. Dolle presented background and biographical information about Bill Vanderford. Dolle nominated Vanderford as endowment trustee. Board voted in favor of the nomination.
Endowment Trust Report
Thoemke presented his report and summarized its highlights.
Digital Tearsheets
Taylor addressed the need to compile conference-related articles to share with sponsors, thereby demonstrating the value of their continued support of the event. Taylor had talked with Ron Bice, communications director for Wildlife Research Center Inc., about creation of a “digital clearinghouse” where writers can deposit their articles for compilation and presentation to conference supporters. The value of these materials was discussed.
Officers Election
Nickum and Hansen offered information on their backgrounds and qualifications. The candidates left the meeting room, and board members briefly discussed the candidates.
Dolle called a brief recess at 3:15 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 3:28 p.m.
Hansen was elected treasurer by the board.
Powell outlined certain resolutions requiring the treasurer’s involvement and signed approval.
Moved (Graham/seconded Nickum) to approve the two resolutions.
Proposed Bylaws Amendment – Endowment Trustees
Glenn Sapir proposed a change to the bylaws that would make current directors and officers (with the exception of the treasurer) ineligible to serve as trustees.
Powell offered some background on the establishment of the trustees and their purpose. Sapir’s proposal, in Powell’s view, is designed to preserve the level of independence originally envisioned when the trustees were established.
Discussion ensued.
Moved (McKalip/seconded Freeman) to amend the bylaws as proposed by Sapir. Motion failed.
Copyright/Trademark Usage of Outdoors Unlimited
Powell related that headquarters received a request by a member to use the name “Outdoors Unlimited” as the title of a radio show. Powell offered an analysis of the ramifications of allowing this usage. Discussion followed.
Moved (Freeman/seconded Densmore) to deny the member’s request to use the “Outdoors Unlimited” trademark. Motion passed.
OWAA’s Stance on Fee for Use
Powell presented an analysis done by his associate, Mandy Miller, regarding commercial filming on federal lands. He stressed the importance of understanding what the law requires and the impetus behind the law’s passage. Concerns raised by Dave Carlson were discussed. Lengthy discussion followed; many board members offered their experiences and views.
The board encourages Carlson to pursue this issue with the OWAA membership through OU and other avenues but declined to take a formal stance on this issue at the present time.
Comped Registration for Members Speaking at Conference
Densmore and Taylor opened discussion. Freeman suggested offering comped registration but asking them to pay for their meals to avoid OWAA losing money.
Taylor suggested revisiting the topic with a goal of having a set policy in place before next summer’s conference, to be implemented at the discretion of the current conference chair.
Minority Member Recruitment
Graham has noticed over the years that OWAA’s membership lacks diversity. His current job with the Missouri Department of Conservation involves outreach to minorities and encouraging their involvement in the outdoors. He proposed convening an ad hoc committee to examine the issue and determine whether any action should be taken. He reported that Nickum and Densmore have agreed to serve on this committee and invited additional committee members to participate.
Letter of Support – National Museum for the History of the Forest Service
Graham offered background on the issue and how it came to his attention. He related how at the previous night’s executive committee meeting, concerns were raised about offering OWAA’s support for various undertakings and the possible conflicts that could result. Consequently, Graham withdrew his request and instead will submit a letter to the editor for publication in OU regarding the issue.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Giner expressed her thanks to the board for the morning’s productive finance discussion. Taylor expressed his appreciation for Dolle’s service to the board as president. Board members loudly seconded. Stockton mentioned the difficulty of selecting a candidate as Outstanding Board Member and that this reflects positively on the caliber of the current board.
Adjournment: Moved (Jenkins/second Hilts) to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m.
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Excel on assignment

OWAA staff — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:51:57 +0000

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BY PAUL QUENEAU
Getting an assignment from an editor is exhilarating. Do well by them, and years of work may follow. Get cross-wise and you may burn a valuable bridge. Here are some simple guidelines to assignment success:
GET ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW
When an editor comes to you with an assignment, ask lots of questions to make sure you fully understand exactly what they are looking for, even if a question seems obvious. Editors might be in a hurry, but they’ll be glad they took the time when you deliver just what they wanted.
REITERATE THE FINE DETAILS
Toward the end of the conversation, tactfully establish what an editor plans to pay, a story’s word length, a hard deadline, travel expenses and any other important details. Then type it all up in an email to them afterwards to make sure you’ve got it right. This will not only put things like pay in writing, but often catch points of confusion before they cause trouble.
COMMUNICATE
Editors worry. Keep them apprised on how a story is developing with occasional short update emails, and it will put them at ease that things are progressing and further put your name on the good list.
DELIVER A SVELTE KNOCKOUT
Deliver a story on or before deadline with an engaging lead that will hold a reader’s interest right to the end. Be sure it’s edited down to meet length requirements. I can’t tell you how often I’ve dealt with stories that were half again or twice as long as what I asked for. That means more time on the editor’s end trying to cut it down and less likely that they will turn to you for future assignments. Notice if they typically include writer bios, and if so beat them to the punch by including one at the end of your manuscript.
LET IT GO
Editors often have to mold stories to match the style of their magazine. It can be difficult seeing your work transformed when it reaches print, but as long as the facts are still correct, be patient with the changes.
Paul Queneau grew up in Colorado hunting, fishing and backpacking. He started with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Bugle magazine as an intern and is currently the conservation editor. Contact him at pqueneau@RMEF.org.
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Using drawings to enhance your articles

OWAA staff — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:44:56 +0000

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BY TOM WATSON
A fundamental skill most of us mastered in first grade can be a handy tool to enhance your articles when photo support is not readily available.
Coloring!
Creating a drawing or illustration using various color rendering mediums (water color, chalk, colored pencils) can often give you the visual information you need to support your copy. These don’t have to be elaborately detailed works of art to convey information to the reader. The most important prerequisite for using illustrations is, of course, your knack for sketching, creating clean, defined lines and staying inside those lines when you “color.”
I find the most practical opportunity for using hand-rendered art is in online how-to articles when I am unable to find or create the photo I need. A piece I did on river hazards cautioned the reader about the hydraulics at the base of a dam or other big water drop. Showing the circulation of the water, the path of objects (and paddlers) caught in that turbulence and escape routes via the bottom or side current outflow were all possible by creating a colored graphic with all those components composed into one illustration.
Another article on natural remedies for poison ivy meant finding a good picture of Jewelweed. Stock photos were too expensive while public domain pix were not adequately composed to suit my needs. I decided to create a simple but true-to-life colored drawing of the leaves and blossom of the plant that anyone could use to identify it.
Granted, not everyone is an artist. Some can only sketch stick figures that look like they were drawn by Salvador Dali after way too much wine. However, if you have even a marginal knack for drawing you might be able to create publishable illustrations. I once considered becoming a commercial artist and have enjoyed drawing all my life. I’ve used illustrations to complement many articles — artwork depicting everything from kayak repair to bird watching. Some were done with colored pencils while others, especially those requiring a broad wash of color (blue skies, water, expanses of greenery, etc.), were rendered with watercolors or artist’s chalk.
Once an illustration is complete, it can be scanned or copied (using a tripod and digital camera) and saved as an image file. If you use your digital camera, use natural lighting. Interior lights tend to give the paper a yellow cast while flash almost always caused a glare to appear on the image. I know there are probably ways to mitigate these problems, but using sunlight (even coming through a window on overcast days) will keep your background white.
I enjoy being able to produce a drawing to help illustrate key points in my writing. It offers a creative break from the keyboard and gives me a chance to describe an aspect of my text visually. An illustration can provide the reader with instant instruction. It can save a writer literally dozens of words by showing information instead of telling it.
If you keep a field journal, you probably already fill the pages with sketches. Honing your drawing skills and using them to create instructive and informative illustrations can be another way to enhance your articles.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Stay tuned for next month’s “Illustrate this” by Bruce Cochran, who provides advice on how to deal with editors and art directors when submitting illustrations for publication.
A member since 1988, Tom Watson is a freelance writer and photographer specializing in Alaska, tourism, outdoor destinations and product reviews. He is also a guidebook author. Contact him at tom@tomwatsonwrites.com.
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It's all about the fold

OWAA staff — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:34:08 +0000

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BY WILL ELLIOTT
Organizing and writing multiple items for an outdoor page, or any outdoors publication format, can be a tactical task.
Modern computer programs allow for all kinds of layout arrangements. But the “simple” task of sorting out the lead, middle, and end items can be daunting.
Think of outdoor news items as sorting and folding clothes fresh out of the dryer — or from the clothes line, if you’re the outdoorsy type.
Each person’s clothes represent departments or areas (fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, etc.) and each item gets folded and stacked in some kind of order.
Every outdoor writer and editor knows that incoming items can be a tangled mess, like laundry churning inside the clothes dryer. Our task is to organize clothes (or news) as soon as they come out of the machine (or off the news wire).
Think of the planning stages that go into sorting items. For example, you try to get each pair of socks lined up to match and hope to avoid multiple moves of that one odd sock. Same goes for items that might be important lead columns rather than notebook or calendar items.
Maintaining this “thread” metaphor, when thinking through page layouts as clothes sorting, you often come up with connections among items. For example, you picked up three shirts that Johnny gets dirty before he’s left the house. But his dress shirts might hit hangers before they get folded with the rough stuff.
Same goes for news items. In the old days, front page news items were sorted as priority pieces for placement above the fold. That fold came at the middle of the page laterally. But newspapers long ago were also folded vertically with the right side showing on the news stand. Most editors gave the very top item that right side of the fold.
You can do the same thing with your selection of items for publication in your paper’s outdoor section or page. lace your best material at the top, drawing and holding readers’ attention and continued interest in remaining outdoor content.
With appealing teases, you can draw commentary on recent articles to publish, making a page more interesting.
It’s a matter of sorting. You may have to do research for specific details, but when sorting clothes you know what items belong to whom. Likewise, be aware of ongoing issues related to the outdoors, good news sources, reliable fact-checking resources and sources for commentary.
When sorting clothes, we try not to pick up, drop, and then pick up that item again. It’s a waste of time. Everything eventually goes some place — whether clothes or outdoor news items. Even “on hold” news items have been sorted ahead of time and will go into the basket in a more organized way later in an upcoming edition.
Most daily newspapers publish lead news stories immediately. Outdoors items often end up as short pieces. With an outdoor page, one has the luxury of sorting through the news stories and following up with a detailed outdoors perspective on that event, etc.
In the old days, stacks of papers often were piled around the desks of full-time writers and editors. Now, computer files that should be regularly sorted, used, or (in this era of no rag bag), deleted to give thought and room to production-worthy material.
The clothes-sorting organizational approach offers a healthy approach to topic selection for individual column writing and prioritizing of a mixed-up basket full of content for a page or magazine layout.
It’s in the folds and folding. Give it some thought when organizing your writing.
A member since 1988, Will Elliott is a columnist for The Buffalo News and New York Outdoor News. He is also a freelancer. Elliott is a member of AGLOW, POMA, POWA, and past president of NYOWA. Contact him at odrswill@gmail.com.
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Getting geared up

OWAA staff — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:22:20 +0000

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BY TY STOCKTON
I received a Facebook message from a fellow OWAA member when I got home from this year’s conference that really made me do some deep thinking. Tony Dolle asked me if I were starting a radio show today, what equipment would I need?
The reason it made me stop and scratch my head was because I got into radio completely by accident. I had a computer at home with a pretty good sound card and I had just gotten a Turtle Beach headset with a boom microphone. When I started doing my radio show, I just made it work with that and a copy of Cool Edit software.
But as the radio gig has progressed, I’ve been thinking off and on about upgrading my equipment. Dolle’s question made me kick that research into a higher gear.
There is a lot of radio production equipment you can spend your hard-earned money on, but is it all really necessary? Should I even mess with my setup, which so far has produced satisfactory results?
Unfortunately, I have to upgrade my software. I bought the Adobe CS4 Master Collection a few years ago with the intent to switch to that package’s audio program. I have been too timid to delve into it, though, and now CS5 has already been replaced by CS5.5. And since Cool Edit was bought a number of years ago by Adobe, the CS5.5 version of Audition seems to be the way to go for software. I hope to be able to give you a brief tutorial on Audition in a coming issue.
For now, I’ll focus on the hardware.
MIXER BOARD
As I mentioned, I simply use the mini jack on my sound card for my microphone, but there are now a number of companies that make mixer boards that connect to your computer through the USB jacks. The benefit of these mixers is that they can use XLR connections, which allow you to use better quality microphones to get better quality sound. I haven’t used one yet, but I’ve been looking at the AKAI EIE I/O interface. It’s roughly $200.
MICROPHONE
For a home studio, a good microphone is crucial. If you don’t use a mixer board, you’ll need a microphone that can plug directly into your sound card, usually through a mini jack. A better microphone with an XLR connection would be a good investment, though. The Rode M2 handheld is a good bet, and it’s not terribly expensive at around $180. Keep in mind you’ll need a mic stand, too. The less you have to mess with it, the less extraneous noise you’ll get.
If you’re doing interviews, Keith Patankar from Hunt’s Photo and Video suggests using a wireless lapel lavalier microphone, like the Sennheiser EK 100 G3 system. The kit includes the transmitter and receiver, and it runs about $600.
HEADSET
You don’t have to have a headset, but if you use one, you can better monitor outside noise that might creep into your recordings. I wouldn’t spend a whole lot of money on a headset, but you can expect to pay $100 to $300 for a good pair.
PORTABLE RECORDER
Patankar says a really good portable sound recorder is the Zoom H4N, which costs about $300. It has stereo sound, records to memory cards and can be connected directly to your computer through a USB cable, if needed. The H4N has great sound quality and is simple to use anytime you want to get some sound bites while you’re away from your home studio.
SOUNDPROOFING
If you find your recordings picking up extra noise in your home studio, a cheap fix is to tack eggshell foam on your walls. This doesn’t look very classy, but it dampens the noise extremely well.
For a more rustic look, consider using burlap coffee bags, which you can probably get from your local coffee shop. They’re cheap, they knock down the noise very well, and they look pretty cool — especially if you get bags that have neat designs on them.
For a little more sound-dampening capability, cut some of that eggshell foam to size and slide it into the coffee bags before you hang them on your wall.
GET STARTED
You can do like I did and jump into radio recording on the cheap — I think I spent a grand total of about $300 to get my home studio up and running. But if you’re looking for a little better sound quality, you might have to spend $1,000 to $3,000 for equipment and software. It’s a good investment, though, so do your research and buy gear that’ll last for several years.
Good luck!
Ty Stockton hails from Cheyenne, Wyo., and has been a member since 2001. Stockton is a freelance writer, photographer and radio host. Contact him at stockyty@gmail.com.
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Staying afloat in your new freelancing career

OWAA staff — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:07:37 +0000

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BY COLLEEN MINIUK-SPERRY
This article is the final installment of a three-part series about leaving an office job for a freelance career. In case you missed the first two articles, refer to the June and July issues of Outdoors Unlimited.
Dozens of well-wishing emails clutter your inbox.
You have recovered from the going-away parties.
Your old company badge rests in a cardboard box full of memories.
Congratulations! Your glorious Independence Day has finally arrived. And now you sit at your kitchen table stroking your coffee cup, glowing as brightly as the sunlight trickling in through the blinds. Before you start to think, “Oh no, what have I done?!” consider these points to ensure you enjoy much success in your new life as a freelancing outdoor communicator:
Sell your work without selling your soul. As a new entrepreneur, you are now responsible for gaining income for your business. After all, mortgages, car payments and utility bills do not disappear when you become a freelancer. As you find yourself taking on new jobs and assignments, make sure making money isn’t the sole reason for pursuing the work. Look for work that gets you out of bed in the morning. Your passion will show not only in your products and services, but also in the relationships you build with clients. If your new career ever feels too much like work, keep your love of informing, educating, and inspiring alive by working on personally-defined side projects.
“Just say ‘No.’” It may sound illogical to turn down business opportunities as you kick off your new career, but heed these wise words from Nancy Reagan. Once you’ve defined a niche for yourself, be comfortable turning down endeavors potentially profitable in the short-term to instead build your brand and skills within your area of expertise.
By investing your limited time to find money-making outlets within your domain, your sales will be greater in the long run. For example, if your focus is wildlife photography, build your body of work by photographing elk or eagles on the weekend, not the wild life of weddings.
Freshen up your portfolio. No one likes visiting a website that appears as if someone has not updated it since 2007. As your work improves, so should your portfolio, which is only as good as your worst piece shown. Showcase your newest and best photography, writing samples, and audio-video clips on your website to attract new clients and keep your existing customers coming back for more.
Shut up and listen. Gaining business as an outdoor communicator is not like the movie “Field of Dreams” where, “If you build it, they will come.” Whether you talk with an editor, a producer, or a local fan, listen carefully to their comments, complaints and questions related to the communications industry, to gain ideas for content in your next assignment or upcoming show. Proactively create your own sales opportunities by delivering solutions to them based on their input.
Keep the “unity” in your community. Friends, supporters, experts, and other connections can turn into paying clients, so it’s important to keep building your relationships and awareness within your circles. Consistently deliver educational presentations throughout your local community, stay active in professional organizations such as OWAA, and engage with others in social media conversations. Because of the snowball effect exposure can have in increasing your sales, even the smallest opportunity could transform into your future signature work. Never underestimate the value of exposure.
Dare to fail. If you are blazing your own path and testing new ideas through a wide variety of experiences, inevitably you will have moments when things don’t go the way you hoped. No matter how much mud you feel is covering your face, hose yourself off and ask yourself, “What can I learn from this experience?”
As Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Keep your eyes on the prize. Round up a trusted friend or two and schedule frequent “bored meetings” (also referred to as “board meetings” in the corporate circles).
Though it may sound like something dreadful you used to do at the company you left behind, regularly reviewing your business plan with outside advisors can help you gain a renewed perspective on your direction, celebrate your successes, and gauge your progress against the “S. M. A. R. T.” — specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and tangible — goals you defined to stay on track to meet short- and long-term goals.
Working 24/7 does not equal success. Though tempting, resist the urge to work day and night to keep your business moving forward. Take time to step away from the juggling act to avoid burn out and refresh your creative soul. As you would schedule vacation time in Corporate America, set aside time to relax and enjoy activities unrelated to your profession, leaving the camera, laptop and story ideas behind.
Residing in Chandler, Ariz., Colleen Miniuk-Sperry is an award-winning and internationally published outdoor photographer and writer. She hosts bi-annual Bored Meetings attended by her husband, her cat, and two glasses of wine. Contact her at cms@cms-photo.com.
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Pew Environment Group, members, connect during post-conference hike

OWAA staff — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:57:07 +0000

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BY BRIAN GEIGER
The 2011 conference at Snowbird provided the Pew Environment Group with a welcome opportunity to introduce OWAA members to the proposed White Pine Wilderness and to talk about how and why Pew goes about the work of giving some shared public lands the “gold standard” of protection.
Snowbird is in the middle of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and is adjacent to areas proposed for wilderness designation by Save Our Canyons, a local conservation group, and a host of area stakeholders. Legislation to safeguard the area — the Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act — was introduced in the last Congress by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah.
Pew began their post-conference hike at the trail head about a mile from the Cliff Lodge. A group of OWAA members joined Save Our Canyons Executive Director Carl Fisher, Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities watershed specialist Laura Briefer and Pew staffers Dave Bard, Brian Geiger and Lindsay Woods. They took a morning walk up the White Pine trail, still wet from the record snowpack, and hiked along swiftly flowing creeks, across patchy snow and past several talus fields blanketing the mountainsides.
The popular Wasatch-Cache National Forest attracts more visitors each year than does Yellowstone National Park. Its high alpine landscape provides spectacular views, clean water and phenomenal recreation opportunities. The area is a critical habitat for a number of animal and plant species, including moose, black bear and golden eagles. Ecological continuity is the key to sustaining these species. Unfortunately, the current landscape and boundaries are fragmented, which can interfere with species migration.
Legislation to protect this part of the forest, which serves as the watershed for more than 60 percent of area residents, is the result of locally-driven efforts by officials, ski resort owners, the mountain biking community, small-business owners, conservationists, heli-skiing operators and residents.
Working with stakeholders to develop a legislative proposal from the ground up is a hallmark of the Pew Environment Group’s wilderness work. If local interests are satisfied that their issues are being heard and addressed, the likelihood that their members of Congress will champion a proposal and that Congress will adopt it is greatly enhanced.
The legislation that emerged is a balanced measure that preserves recreation opportunities, provides certainty for businesses, sustains the Salt Lake regional watershed and permanently protects incredible swaths of the Wasatch range for future generations to enjoy. At this year’s conference, a handful of OWAA members and Pew staff saw firsthand why preserving this area is vital for the region’s residents and visitors alike. For more information,
visit www.LeaveItWild.org.
Brian Geiger is manager of Pew Environment Group’s Campaign for America’s Wilderness. Contact him at bgeiger@pewtrust.org.
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TRCP tackles conservation challenges facing American hunters and anglers

OWAA staff — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:46:15 +0000

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BY KATIE MCKALIP
Snow and sun, professional networking and friendly competition. The 2011 conference represented the best of what OWAA gatherings offer members, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is proud to support the nation’s oldest and largest group of outdoor communicators.
OWAA members who traveled to Utah had the chance to learn more about the TRCP’s work on behalf of hunters and anglers, discuss conservation issues with TRCP staff and socialize at a memorable TRCP hospitality suite.
Unprecedented challenges face the sportsmen’s community as our outdoor traditions confront attacks — budgetary and otherwise — that could undermine prime fish and game habitat, public access to lands and waters, and inadequately fund critical conservation programs. Following are TRCP focal issues that could hold the key to America’s outdoor heritage:
• The controversial Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act would open to development tens of millions of acres of vital habitat. Most sportsmen understand that roadless areas provide unparalleled habitat and hunting and angling. While roads are important for enabling access, they increase big-game vulnerability and can result in shorter seasons and fewer tags — and can harm spawning habitat for fish.
Roadless lands also provide a wealth of economic benefits. Signed by 270 hunting- and fishing-focused businesses and organizations from across the country, the TRCP-led “Banking on the Backcountry” emphasizes the economic value of backcountry lands. Signatories believe that the federal government should maintain maximum roadless acreages, thereby supporting sustainable, backcountry-dependent economies.
• The Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development coalition, whose members include the TRCP, the National Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited, has worked for years to revise the approach to leasing federal lands for oil and gas projects. New reforms the BLM implemented, in part due to SFRED efforts, help ensure that public lands are conserved while also utilized to contribute to the nation’s energy needs. Consequently, an Interior Department report documenting a decrease in formal lease protests in 2011 came as no surprise to the sportsmen.
“Fish, wildlife and citizens deserve a federal lands management system that assures a balanced, multiple-use approach to the leasing and development of public mineral interests,” said the TRCP’s Steve Belinda in response. “The old system was a source of conflict and litigation and failed to facilitate public involvement except via protests.”
• Recently, hundreds of sportsman-conservation groups from 28 states advocated safeguarding the health of America’s water resources. In a letter to the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers, the hunters and anglers supported the agencies’ efforts to clarify which “waters of the United States” are protected by the Clean Water Act.
Simultaneously, Congress is attempting to block restoration of lost CWA protections to waters and wetlands that provide flood protection and critical habitat. Appropriations bills funding the Corps and EPA bar action in 2012 and beyond. These and other harmful measures attack America’s most important water law. With budgetary debates escalating, this troubling situation could intensify.
• Senate legislation facilitating cleanup of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was lauded by a recreational-angling alliance. The RESTORE the Gulf Coast Act would dedicate 80 percent of penalties charged to BP to Gulf recovery. Members of the Gulf Spill Recreational Fishing Response Group, convened by the TRCP to guide rehabilitation of fisheries, habitat and sport-fishing economies devastated by the spill, commended the bill.
The TRCP welcomes the opportunity to inform OWAA members about threats facing our natural resources, fish and wildlife populations, and hunting and angling traditions. Your active involvement — and your ability to communicate these threats to your readers, listeners and viewers — can ensure our continued ability to enjoy, as T.R. described it, a “life in the open.”
TRCP Director of Media Relations Katie McKalip serves on OWAA’s executive committee. Contact her at kmckalip@trcp.org.
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A first time for everything

OWAA staff — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:31:44 +0000

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BY MIKE MCKENNA
For the most part, there are two things that just about all writers can agree on: You never turn down a free drink, and the first lines are usually the hardest to write.
In fact, firsts in general can be the toughest part about being an outdoor writer. There’s nothing quite like the first time you see your work in a new publication, or the first time someone besides your mom tells you you’re good, or the first time an editor rips you one from Albuquerque to Bangor.
The first time at a writer’s conference can be quite a memorable experience, and quite nerve wracking, as well — especially the first time at a national event like the 84th Annual OWAA Conference, held July 9-11, in Utah’s spectacular Little Cottonwood Canyon.
So naturally, I was a bit nervous as I made my first trip to participate in OWAA’s annual affair. Sure, I’ve been involved with other professional writers’ clubs for years and have even spent my fair share of time in newspaper and magazine offices and staff-frequented bars (which are technically more like cults than writers’ clubs). I’m even on the board of the Outdoor Writers Association of California.
But as impressive as the other groups are, they’re regional. OWAA is made up of some of the best writers, editors and photographers from every nook and cranny of the country. So I was as apprehensive as an adolescent on prom night as I entered the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird on a bluebird Saturday morning, as the sun brilliantly sparkled on the remnants of Utah’s trademark “Greatest Snow on Earth” still clinging to the slopes. (Last season, Snowbird received an insane 783 inches of the Beehive State’s famous “champagne powder” and was open to skiing and boarding until July 4!)
But as soon as I put my nametag on, which in bold bright green declared that I was a “First Timer,” those nerves vanished faster than cupcakes at a four year-old’s birthday party — or better yet, like free drink coupons at a writers’ conference.
That’s because most OWAA members are about as unabashedly friendly and welcoming as little kids. I was instantly welcomed to the group and chatted up by folks from Maryland and Missouri, New Hampshire and New Mexico, Colorado and California, Virginia and Washington (state, as east coasters often like to clarify).
Besides being welcoming, the conference was extremely valuable as both an outdoor writer and editor — and I’m not just reporting this because my publisher paid for the trip.
The conference seminars, the roundtable small discussion groups at lunch and the hospitality suites (what I can remember of them) all fulfilled the goals I had when signing up. The OWAA conference not only supplied material I could use for stories and allowed me to meet writers and photographers who cover my region, it also allowed me to meet the editors of publications I’d like to write for, and taught me a few things about banding and the Web world. It also gave me a new goal for next year’s conference in Fairbanks, Alaska: have a far better showing at the annual push-up contest!
From the friendliness and accommodations to the food and the breathtaking views of Utah’s Wasatch Range, the first-timer experience at the OWAA conference couldn’t have been better. Heck, one of the local vendors even told me where I could sneak off to catch some cutthroats. It was, after all, an outdoor writers’ conference.
It seems like, overall, OWAA is comprised of people pretty much like me. Folks from all across the land who love to write, have a passion for the great outdoors and who would never turn down a free drink.
Mike McKenna is the managing editor of Sun Valley Magazine. When he isn’t wrestling with his two young boys, acting amorously towards his wife or chasing after trout like they owe him money, Mike is usually drinking beer and slaving away on his award-winning newspaper, magazine and humor writing. Contact him at michael@sunvalleymag.com.
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