Like many concerned members of the NSNA I have monitored this site quietly for some time and now have been provoked again into active participation. I am surprised that some short-timers on the board continue to profess to know so much of the actions that occured prior to their involvement on the current board, so I will attempt to educate them regarding my ''ungracious'' departure from volunteer servitude.

To begin, I successfully edited ten monthly editions of a 10-12 page newsletter, not six. During my tenure I received no participation from a majority of the board. The fact is, in many cases I met with negative reactions to any request for informational submittals outlining each board members activites and/or lack ofdeliverables to the membership.

Also, during my tenure as editor I became aware of routine critiques and personal attacks by several members of the board both directly and through rumor and innuendo. This negative behavior continues today!

Another expectation surfaced by several very vocal board members that my voluntary position as editor existed to serve the board.

In spite of this negative atmosphere,and in a way because of it, I submitted the newsletter for award consideration by the City of St. Pete. To the obvious chagrin of several board members - it WON neighborhood newsletter of the year!

One self-appointed board spokespersons statement that I was ''ungracious'' in reference to prior notice and a lack of a transition period regarding my departure is completely accurate, and at the same time very incomplete. I resigned formally, in writing to the board with a FULL explaination of the attitudes and actions of the BOD that provoked my departure. This notification was several weeks prior to the next meeting and focused on the ''newest'' prevaling attitude that my personal opinions regarding CVS, voiced completely outside of the newletter should be censored. These were demands I would not except, and thus resigned.

In closing, regardless of all alleged effort and time that might have gone into it, the quality of the July edition of the newsletter further validates my belief that the newsletter was an easily readable,informative,timely,accurate, and award-winning publication that IN THE PAST represented North Shore very well!

Announcement of fall courses

Original posting date: Aug 5, 2000
TYRONE MALL SCHOOL OF NEWSLETTER JOURNALISM ANNOUNCES ITS FALL SEMESTER

Now your neighborhood association can publish a top quality newsletter without the expense of hiring outside editors. Your own volunteers can learn from the best in a dog-eat-dog business. Graduate, Tim Baker says, ''Yesterday I couldn't spell editer, now I is one.''

Our top notch faculty includes John Mitrovka, Dean of the School of Editorship and winner of the St Petersburg Newsletter of the Year. His award-winning know-how has helped millions of neighborhoods move from letters with one or two articles and page after page of ads, to hard-hitting newsletters filled with informative, up to the minute stories. One reader has commented,

''Last month I was so confused. I thought they had changed the day of our association meeting from Monday to Wednesday. Well, if it wasn't for that nice Louise, I would have shown up on the wrong night and my daughter would have been so upset because I usually watch my grandchild
that night so she can play bridge with her friends at work. She's a lap dancer at a family resturant on Central Avenue. Land sakes alive, how I go on, but with the new newsletter, I get all the news I need, when I need it.''

Courses offered this term include:
What to do when your board members want free ads
How to quote shrieking women accurately
How to avoid writing articles that may embarrass your friends on the board and still have stories
An article on boardsmanship: Honesty is not for everyone
Layout tips for the grand opening of a CVS store
How to describe run down shacks so they sound like historic landmarks
What to do and not to do when no one writes articles
Secrets of layout so that 15 ads alone can make a newsletter
What to do if your board throws off the only person who ever contributes articles

You can learn these things and more. Visit our website at e-neighborhoodewsletters.com to learn even more about our school and educational opportunities.

Disclaimer: Writing of a newsletter should only be done by trained professionals, do not attempt it in your home.

(ps - glad to see you moved to piece to a more prominent location.)



-By Tyrone School Of Journalism

By Tyrone School of Jounalism

open letter to Carl

Carl sweetie,

These old birds have been too tough on my lambie-pie and dear old Stella is coming to yousies rescue. That's right, STELLA - the highly sought-after, star of screen and chat rooms across the St Petersburg neighborhood scene is coming to your aide by offering her services to the NSNA newsletter. BIGGER THAN LIFE STELLA, is ready to volunteer her time and many talents to doing a column for your little newsletter. At first it will be free, but we can discuss terms of my contract off line. I am now preparing a hard hitting, public interest piece on law enforcement (and let old, wicked Stella just remind you all of how hard hitting some of St Pete's finest can be, whoo - if you get my drift). Later, Stella will do advice to the love-lorn, offer sexual advice, and - best of all - tattle on some well known NSNA figures (you know who you are).

So, Carl baby, if you'd like old Stella to save your precious little behind from further chewing out by the northshore baddies, just write me here (or in the CHNA site) and I'll sweep in to save your hide.

Love ya,
Stella

By Stella

TO CARL: STELLA AWAITS

Dearest Carl,

Haven't heard from you about my offer to write for your newsletter. Perhaps you question whether old Stella's style is up to the standards that your loyal readership has come to expect. Fear not, Carl old buddy-boy. Here's a sample of Stella's hard-hitting crime reporting style.

STABBING REPORTED AT WESTMINSTER PRESBY CHURCH

On the evening of July 7th, former NSNA president Steve Lange was stabbed in the back repeatedly by a band of holligans. The perpitrators have been identified as Will Goetz, Carl Luvgren, Jim O'Donnell , Cynthia Serra, Arlene Bartley and Greg Burton but, as of this reporting have not been captured nor imprisioned. In an on-the-spot interview by the lovely Stella, Chief of Police Golieth Davis said,

''My oh my Stella, you look even more fabulous that I remember. How long has it been? But, I'm sure your readers are more interested in the apprehension of this ugly band of terrorists. We have issued an all points bulletin and expect to have them in custody within the week. They can run, but they cannot hide. And, Stella, you too may be able to run but not hide. Why not give me your phone number?''

As you can see Carl, old Stella has contacts in the highest places. This would certainly meet and exceed your readership's expectations. Give me a note.

XOXOXO,
Your gal-pal,
Stella


By STELLA