Last updated:  Feb 5, 2012  

The Point Community News

Publishing History                                 

The Point newsletter was founded in March 2003, under the sponsorship of the Point Douglas Residents Committee Inc. (PDRC). For a year and a half, a team of volunteers produced 12-page issues each month. The target audience was residents of North Point Douglas, and a distribution crew coordinated by the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre dropped copies at more than 800 residences. Facing burnout, the production team opted for publishing six times a year, and that scheduled continued for four years.

In the spring of 2008, following consultation with the PDRC, the newsletter incorporated as The Point Community News. With independent incorporation, the newsletter team was able to secure funding to expand The Point in two ways: distribution now includes residents and selected businesses in South Point Douglas and four page mini-issues are produced alternately with major issues, thus restoring a monthly publication schedule.

In January of 2010, The Point launched its online presence by forming a partnership with the community website you are now visiting. The purposes of this partnership are several:

• to make The Point available to a larger readership beyond community boundaries, particularly to former residents who no longer live in the community but want to keep up with developments there;

• to increase awareness of the community and its strengths,  its beauty, and its opportunities;

• to provide important information and updates to the community between published print editions.

The online presence of The Point is in no way intended to replace the print edition. Many people in the community do not have internet access, and having the print edition of their community newspaper is vitally important to them, keeping them informed of community news, and helping them to feel connected to the community.

At present 1250 copies are distributed in North and South Point Douglas, as well as to many businesses and agencies on Main Street and Selkirk Avenue. There is also a small mailing list of officials, politicians, and interested individuals.
 

Board and Production Team

The Board of Directors includes four community residents with long-term involvement in the newsletter. These four also have major roles on the production team: Valerie Himkowski and Mary Mathias are co-editors while Alex and Cliff Stornel share the layout position. Heather Geddie takes care of the website. The Production Team meets regularly to plan each issue and discuss other newsletter business. Currently the Production Team has reps from the Point Douglas Residents Committee and the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre, and other interested community writers are involved.

 
Funders and Partners

Production costs are mainly funded by the Neighbourhoods Alive Small Grants Fund, administered by North End Revitalization Inc. Since 2004 the newsletter has been a partner of Local Investment Toward Employment (LITE), and these grants fund honorariums for the production team, the distribution crew, and community members who write articles. Grants from the Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative (CDPI) have also helped with production and distribution costs and honorariums. Advertising income and donations, while modest, are an important additional source of funds.
 

Mandate for The Point Community News Inc.

Mission Statement:

                The Point Community News exists to promote the formation of a strong and cohesive community by providing information and communication among all who live and work in the geographical Point, inclusive of North Point Douglas and South Point Douglas. 

Goals:

1. To be a voice for everyone who lives and works in North and South Point Douglas. 

2. To build connections and awareness among people and groups in these two neighbourhoods and adjacent areas. 

3. To share points of view on issues affecting the community. 

4. To recognize and acknowledge the contributions of individuals and groups to the community. 

5. To provide residents with information on resources that may improve their quality of life. 

6. To encourage involvement in and engender a sense of optimism and pride for the community. 

7. To develop and promote employment opportunities for local residents, where possible, in the production and distribution of the paper. 

Principles:

1. The overall tone of The Point will be care and respect for all individuals and an emphasis on positive and constructive approaches, while acknowledging the challenges facing inner city neighbourhoods in the process of renewal. 

2. The primary emphasis of The Point is for the audience of local residents and businesses, and the secondary emphasis is to provide a rich and balanced portrait of North and South Point Douglas for those outside the community. 

3. In content, format, and style The Point will be accessible and appropriate for its audience. 

4. Local stories, articles, community information, and photographs will have priority and will always take up more space than advertisements. 

5. Support of agencies, businesses, industry, and political representatives may be through advertising, donations, grants, and sponsorship. This support will facilitate resident participation in the newsletter and provide financial stability. 

6. Consistency, quality, and dependability of the publishing of The Point, and evidence of a substantial readership, will determine growth of the newsletter, its funding, and the hiring of paid staff. 

7. The Point will endeavour to work cooperatively with the other community groups and agencies active in Point Douglas, favouring no organization over another, and will encourage without bias contribution from all groups and individuals.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions from community members are welcome. All submissions may be edited for length and style. The Point reserves the right not to publish submissions. The deadline for submissions is the 15^th of the month prior to the appearance of an issue. Submissions can be made by e-mail or to the address below. Writers are encouraged to discuss anticipated submissions with an editor (see contact information below).

Advertising

Ad income is an important supplement to funding from grants. Ads are offered in various sizes and mainly appear in the 12-16 page issues. Flyer inserts from community businesses and agencies can be included with any issue. Advertising rates are very reasonable. For more information please contact Heather Geddie at 801-3086 or by email, info@pointdouglas.net

Contacting The Point

By phone: 771-6066

By email: thepoint.editor@pointdouglas.ca 

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