CU DIGEST PUBLICATION GUIDELINES
In its continuing effort to help various organizations and groups reach their particular constituencies, the League has prepared the following guidelines for those who wish to place announcements and organizational news in the League's publications.

Clarifying Editorial Policy
The following points are intended to clarify editorial policy and state basic requirements of editorial and writing mechanics for those who submit material for League publications:
Information should be submitted in a format that includes the notation or title "News Release," a suggested headline and sub-headline, a targeted release date, and the name and phone number of a person whom staff may contact for follow-up information.

The League wants to ensure everyone has equal access to the valuable limited space available in League publications. It should also be understood that the League reserves the right in all instances to edit submitted material as it sees fit and appropriate for its audience.

The League Communications and Marketing Department receives daily news from member credit unions about new hires, promotions, grand openings, fundraisers, and other events. Therefore, it is often necessary to edit down to the essentials of a story. Conjecture, opinion, and philosophy can be included in quotes from organization leaders or other officials as well, but please be advised that such comments and information beyond the basic elements of a story may not be included in the publication due to lack of space.

In addition, those who submit material should understand that only staff actually involved in the production of League publications can promise space in a publication [i.e., the Editor (Director of Communications and Marketing); the Managing Editor (Communications and Marketing Manager); and the Associate Editor (Publications Specialist/Writer)]. Despite the best of intentions, numerous changes can and do occur during the production of League publications.

Those with questions may contact Director of Communications and Marketing Carol Payne at 800.472.1702, ext. 3237.

Editorial Policy

• Credit Union Digest and CU Weekly are the membership publications of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. As such, both publications focus on news and information about and pertinent to members. Members should be prominent in submissions to the publication, even if it is only a quote from the president of a chapter or affiliate group about the value of a given program.
• Non-members and non-member credit unions do not appear in League publications.
• Announcements of programs or meetings should contain a brief synopsis or discussion of the benefits to be realized or the outcome achieved from the program.
• Extensive background information on a given program, seminar, or meeting which is more appropriate to a program brochure, face-to-face meeting, or one-on-one telephone exchange should be excluded from submissions. League publications do not have space to simply reprint brochures. While top priority is given to the League's own programs and meetings, space allocation must still be controlled for these in-house announcements as well.
• The League’s publications seek to be interactive. Announcements of meetings, programs, or campaigns should include a reference point, a number to call for more information, or a place or mechanism in which readers can answer a call to action.
• Those who submit materials are advised to review the article before submission to ensure that:
  • It is about a member or members making news;
  • The benefits for readers are clearly outlined in the story;
  • The story includes a referral number for anyone seeking additional information or wishing to participate in a program.

Editorial Mechanics:

• Someone with basic writing ability, a background in news writing or publicity, or someone who understands the fundamentals of news structure should prepare material submitted for League publications.
• Submissions should answer the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
• Submissions should place higher priority information at the beginning of the story and lower priority information at the end of the story. If cutting becomes necessary, the editors will usually cut from the bottom.
• Timing and deadlines should be respected and planned for. A program in October, for example, should be submitted to the editors no later than deadline for the September issue. Deadlines for all issues are during the first week of the previous month.
• For reference, the League Communications and Marketing Department uses the Associated Press Stylebook.
• Photos should be submitted in color, preferably in digital format at no less than 300 dpi and 600 pixels wide. Printed 35mm images are acceptable. No Polaroids, please.