The Internal
The Internal
The Internal is a monthly email sent around to all current staff and interns, and is intended to boost morale, camaraderie, and collaboration, as well as produce additional content for external communications.History
The Internal has been an on-and-off email publication of Vote Smart, alternating between just being sent out internally and being sent both internally and to other key groups (like newsletter subscribers, ambassadors, and members). When sent externally, it was at times felt to be "too dull," "too poorly formatted" or with too many "inside jokes" for the audience. Thus we split these communications, allowing for the Internal to be more casual and fun for the "insiders," while still serving as a source for external communications. If at some point we decide to send it out to the public again, it would be appropriate to reconsider the content before distributing it.Procedure
- Come up with a theme for the Internal (ie. Most Embarrassing Moment, Dream Vacation, Share Your Baby Photos).
Google Form example
- Use Canva to create a "newsletter" type document
- You can copy an already published Internal
- Use a document that is suppose to be a 8.5 x 11 if printed.
- In the future if other graphic design apps are used by the organization, those can be used to create the document.
- Format and edit out inappropriate or redundant content. Edit for grammar, spelling, formatting, etc.
- Save as pdf
- Send out to the pre-created list- should be iastaff@, iainterns@, richard@votesmart.org, adelaide.kimball@gmail.com
- Save pdf to Internal Google Drive Folder.
Sample Prompts
Department Updates- big accomplishments made in a department each week
- special projects that are being worked on
- Upcoming Elections that the office should be aware of. To be submitted by Elections Director
- Person-to-person recognition for work-related or other accomplishments with the option to be anonymous
- Research+PCT fun bio, candidate name, candidate picture or candidate website of the week
- (Key Votes+Research) best piece of legislation or ballot measure
- (Hotliners) best hotline call/email from a user
- (PCT+Speeches) candidate comment or pct quote of the week
- (DevComm) Accolade of the week from member, media, award, etc.
- Other funny/ interesting news articles, memes, videos, etc.
- Arrivals and departures
- Upcoming outside of work events that interns and staff may be interested in
- Upcoming work related events
Hot Seats (profiles of Staff, Interns)- Make sure to do a good mix of both
Sample Hot Seat:
Position at PVS:
Hometown:
College and Major:
Favorite Movie:
Favorite Hobby:
Personal Hero(s):
Most Embarrassing Moment:
Favorite Local Food or Drink:
Fun Fact About Yourself:
Favorite Quote:
Person You'd Like to Meet (Dead or Alive):
Place You'd Most Like to Visit:
What's one of your pet peeves?
If you could learn anything, what would it be?
What would you name the autobiography of your life?
What are you most proud of?
Hometown:
College and Major:
Favorite Movie:
Favorite Hobby:
Personal Hero(s):
Most Embarrassing Moment:
Favorite Local Food or Drink:
Fun Fact About Yourself:
Favorite Quote:
Person You'd Like to Meet (Dead or Alive):
Place You'd Most Like to Visit:
What's one of your pet peeves?
If you could learn anything, what would it be?
What would you name the autobiography of your life?
What are you most proud of?
Photos
- any good pictures taken recently in the office
- No alcohol or drugs can be visible in the picture.
Format
The colors, intricacy, and theme are up to the discretion of the staff/intern in charge of The Internal. There are some formatting rules set up to maintain uniformity and to reduce time spent on putting the internal newsletter together.- include a brief description with each photo
- Feature one or two people in the hot seat (only do more than one if we are in peak staffing times), if you’d like
Appropriateness
- Make sure that all inside jokes and photos are work appropriate and don’t allude to nefarious or otherwise unprofessional activities that take place outside of work.
- Make no mention of activities that take place at social gatherings involving alcohol.
- Submissions must not be wicked or insulting to any one individual or groups of individuals in order to be accepted into the Internal.
- Submissions must all be non-partisan!
