Posted May 30: Putting McMaster into perspective
Stop the presses! Today marks the official launch of Perspectives – a new electronic newsletter written by and for McMaster employees!
The objective of Perspectives is to provide a bridge between employees at all McMaster locations, to encourage opportunities for employees to learn more about one another, to recognize individual achievement, and to act as a forum for constructive discussion.
It is an electronic publication with limited print copies that are available to employees who do not normally have access to computers.
Perspectives is managed by an editorial board consisting of 10 members from various locations, departments, bargaining units and employee groups. Board chair Joanne Kehoe states that “Perspectives provides all employees in the diverse and far-flung McMaster community with the ability to communicate about and with one another. It is very much grassroots in nature, and to that extent, it offers a fresh approach to communication and collegiality at McMaster.”
The newsletter was created based on a recommendation from the staff involvement work group as part of the staff survey follow-up process. An employee newsletter task team was then formed to assess need and niche, and then work out various details of the new newsletter involving content, authorship, readership, format, production, cost, and frequency.
Jason Cole, project facilitator in human resources services, has supported both the task team and the editorial board. Cole says, “Over 30 employees have devoted their time and effort to the creation of Perspectives. It is exciting to see such a fun and creative product emerge out of their work. The editorial board can't wait for employees to start using the newsletter.”
In addition to the Perspectives website, employees can sign-up for either an html or text version of the newsletter that will be delivered to their inbox when a new issue is published. Since the newsletter is electronically based, the editorial board spent time ironing out the navigation features to ensure Perspectives is as user-friendly and interactive as possible.
The content of Perspectives will depend largely on the submissions and ideas forwarded to the Editorial Board. “There are endless stories about the people that work at McMaster. We want to hear about them – from fascinating hobbies, volunteer work, milestones and achievements to just plain interesting characters who add zest to working life at McMaster,” says Kehoe.
Submissions can be made electronically by completing the subject fields on the 'Making a Submission' page of the Perspectives web site. Employees without access to a personal computer can send hard copy submissions via snail mail to Gilmour Hall, Room 304/E, c/o Perspectives Submission.
The board is responsible for the maintenance of the newsletter and aims to produce five issues per year in January, March, June/July, September, and November. Members of the editorial board are: Joanne Kehoe (chair), Rickie Pattenden (co-guest editor), Marilyn McIntyre (co-guest editor), Victoria Miecznikowski, Ibrahim Inayatali, Donna M. Millard, Kenneth Moyle, Frank Millette, David Lemmond, and Elizabeth Templeton.
