ASTA eNEWS Policies

Overview and Purpose

ASTA eNEWS is a free service and an official monthly publication of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). It is designed to give members quick updates on what's happening within ASTA and in string music today.

Circulation

Since January 2004, eNEWS has been distributed via email to active ASTA members each month, usually in the first week, but always before mid-month. eNEWS is produced and distributed by the ASTA director of communications and development, who is also responsible for selecting content material and is the editor of the publication.

Advertising

eNEWS does not include paid advertisements, nor does it promote products, services, or events unless they are of interest to the majority of readers and are not of an overtly commercial nature.

Distribution

To ensure that all recipients can view eNEWS regardless of which hardware and software they use, each issue is sent in a text-only format. This format also ensures that the document dropped into recipients' email inboxes is small in size (for those with limited email storage space) and takes little or no time to open (due to lack of images, special formatting, etc.). eNEWS is created in Microsoft Word and sent via Group Mail Pro software for mass email to the current email addresses of active members in the ASTA database.

Content

Because eNEWS is designed to be a "quick read," its contents are limited to brief articles, usually one to three short paragraphs, often including a hyperlink to more detailed information. eNEWS is generally divided into three sections:

1. Association and Chapter News

Contains news and information about ASTA-specific programs, events, publications, grants and awards, and competitions. Occasionally, ASTA chapters will submit announcements of events or accomplishments for inclusion in this section.

2. Strings in the News

Provides a sampling of current news articles pertaining to string education and performance by linking the reader to national or regional online periodicals. The editor strives to locate articles of interest to the majority of ASTA members and to represent more than one stringed instrument per issue. In this section, full credit is given to the original publisher of each article that appears.

3. Events and Competitions

Informs readers of upcoming competitions, major performances, and other string-related events and opportunities. Priority is given to ASTA institutional members, String Industry Council members, and collegial organizations. eNEWS does not publish announcements about events or contests whose dates or purpose conflict with ASTA programs or are deemed to be in competition with ASTA programs.

Submissions

ASTA members may submit content for inclusion in eNEWS, but the decision to publish such content is solely at the discretion of the editor, the ASTA executive board, and the ASTA executive director. All copy slated for publication will be edited for content, grammar and punctuation, and adherence to the ASTA style. If the article does not include all information within three brief paragraphs, a functioning link to an Internet site providing complete details must be submitted along with the article. All content must be submitted by the first of the month to be included in that month's issue of eNEWS (e.g., content for November issue must be received by November 1). Content should be emailed to Mary Jane Dye, director of communications and development, at maryjane@astaweb.com.