Good morning all,
Here are some "nuts-and-bolts" newsletter issues that might help on our pathway forward. Please read through these and offer whatever thoughts/comments/suggestions that come to mind (hey, and while you're at it, send an actual article for the newsletter if you find yourself writing something that might be of general interest to our domain; I can tell by the discussion that we have good energy in the community).
I was the MSR editor for the first two years and as I related to Mario just two years ago, it was and apparently will forever be "like herding cats" to get submissions. And, indeed, when Mario called for submissions the response was virtual nil from the membership at large (some MSR officers provided updates/info). Recall some of you, that I made personal phone calls - yes, harangued you, ha!! Then to "fill" as well as to explore a possible format for the newsletter, I put some of my own stuff in that first issue as I vaguely recall. It was tough and always uphill trying to get material for the newsletter; we all have a part to play in making the MSR Newsletter a success.
These are some components of the MSR Newsletter that I would like to see carried forth regularly:
(1) A lead-featured article (ie.1000 - 1500 words perhaps) staring on the front-page
(2) Comments from the Program Chair
(3) Comments from the PDW Coordinator
(4) "A Message from the MSR Chair"
(4) MSR Officer List
......and what I would like to see most of all.........
(5) A 2-page, section that focuses on classroom scholarship (preferably laid-out front/back for easy pullout)which would include (a) "Syllabus Column" (this is modeled after those which appear in every issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education) from an instructor who offers a course related to the MSR domain, (b)something from a student in that same course, (c) something from the instructor and/or guest speaker in the course, (c) a full one-page "Instructor Handout" with two-columns, a notetaking column on the left-hand side - and - highlights of the selected content from a book, article etc on the right-hand side (ie. Mitroff's "Best-Practices Model", or Manz's "Self-Leadership Theory", or the many, many other possibilities)......
(6) Bibliography of recently published articles and books
(7) Research in the field
(8) Announcements (the Fall MSR Issue would include Call for Program Submissions, Seminars, and PDWs - and - a Spring/Summer Issue would include short abstracts of the PDW's, Seminars, Programs, Sessions at the upcoming AOM August Meeting)
(9) Other submissions from members, etc.
Recent suggestions from the MSR Executive Leadership also include:
(10) A synopsis of ongoing research by doctoral students (typically dissertations but sometimes they have other or earlier research projects as well) which could raise questions and ask for suggestions/feedback from other readers as well as present issues around developing methodology and results. This would be motivating and helpful to the doctoral students as well as raise interest among readers who might contribute to the ongoing dialogue and perhaps inspire research by others.
(11) The Newsletter Editor (aka Communications Coordinator) has been a two-year appointed position. Perhaps, we should dovetail one of the At-Large Representatives with role/responsibilities of the Newsletter Editor. On another note, I similarly think we could ask one of the At-Large Reps to assume the role/responsibilites of the Doctoral Consortium.
(12) The current MSR Executive Leadership should help the Newsletter Editor by serving as a review board.
Any way, just some thoughts.....please add/comment as you feel moved....and don't forget that article.
Ciao for now.
David
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David C. Trott Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Human Resource Development
St. Edward's University
Austin, TX 78749
Tel. (512) 448-8736
Fax (512) 448-8767