VOICE AND e-VOICE - LTB No. 636/2010

[Geezer]

Letter to Branches


No. 636/2010 Ref Date: 21 July 2010


TO ALL BRANCHES


Dear Colleague,

VOICE AND e-VOICE

Voice, the union’s flagship member’s magazine is in the process of being distributed to members. For the first time the magazine is now available in digital electronic format in addition to the usual printed version.

The e-Voice will be email broadcast direct to members where we have existing email addresses. In addition the magazine will be available in digital format on the union’s website, cwu.org

It would be extremely useful if branches could email the magazine to additional members where you have your own email address database. Branches can also assist by encouraging members to send their email address to us direct. There is a direct link in the e-Voice for members to do so and an address in the printed Voice for the same purpose.

It is our intention to make every edition of Voice available in both formats and in the longer term to provide choice for CWU members to determine in which format they want their magazine delivered. Obviously, the introduction of the digital version is a further modernisation of the union’s communications and a further extension of our portfolio of communication tools aimed at maximising our messages to the widest possible audience. Given the union’s financial position and drive to reduce costs, it is also worth noting that the digital format is around 70% cheaper than the printed version to produce and distribute.

Attached are live links to the two editions of e-Voice.

Telecoms:
Live Book -
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/century ... _20100607/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Postal:
Live Book -
http://europe.nxtbook.com/nxteu/century ... _20100607/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is not how the email broadcast will work in practice but is submitted in advance to ensure branches have direct copies. The live emails to members will show the front cover of Voice. The records department has submitted email addresses and these should be industry based. The emails are not sent direct from CWUHQ because of difficulties that may cause with our server.


This first version is obviously the first full live testing and I suspect there will inevitably be some teething problems. The digital format used is at the front end of available technology and this edition should be seen as a live test run. On that basis, I would hugely welcome comments from Branches with regard to usability, look and any technical difficulties. Of course, we have asked individual members for the same feedback in the magazines content.

Many of our members will be familiar with digital magazines/book read technology but for the sake of clarity, the magazine will load and then you will see the full magazine from the front page. Page turning is carried out by clicking or dragging the corners of pages, a zoom and read facility is highlighted on page but can be shortcut by simply clicking on the page. This works for zoom in and out. Videos clearly have a start button and pictures include some slideshows that are generated automatically. Familiarity will make reading and understanding easier and there are a number of shortcuts to pages included. Effectively, however, these skills are fairly well known by anybody who accesses online publications.

It is our intention to continue to improve our communications, modernise our portfolio and engage with an increasing number of members through widening access points to our communications. e-Voice is a key step in achieving those goals.

Any enquiries relating to this LTB should be sent to e-voice@cwu.org or alternatively mmurray@cwu.org



Yours sincerely,



KEVIN SLOCOMBE
Head of Communications

[DirtyHarry]

Can I wipe my arse with the digital version?
If not, I'll stick with the paper version.

[fishtank]

Can I wipe my arse with the digital version?
If not, I'll stick with the paper version.

Just block it as spam and use the Courier to wipe your arse.
Same sh*t,different front cover.

[tomangoe]

And how exactly will this protect Full Time jobs if even the CWU doesn't use the Postal Service it wants to protect !

[fishtank]

And how exactly will this protect Full Time jobs if even the CWU doesn't use the Postal Service it wants to protect !

You missed the point...

in the longer term to provide choice for CWU members to determine in which format they want their magazine delivered

So it will be the fault of the members......again.

[dvbuk55]

Aw shucks - I was thinking they'd go 21st Century and plump for the CWU TV in HD, 24/7 on Sky. The leaders could be seen in all their gory - and no it isn't a typo!

Or maybe that would mean an even faster demise of the CWU when people would be thinking JC! am I really paying these buffoons for this?

[DirtyHarry]

Can I wipe my arse with the digital version?
If not, I'll stick with the paper version.

Just block it as spam and use the Courier to wipe your arse.
Same sh*t,different front cover.

Good idea, fishtank.

[Glenno]

Got me copy sent by e-mail at 1702

[andy2007]

Same here. It looks like we won't be getting a choice, after all. Unless of course, they continue to send the paper version, even though we get it by Email.

[guvenor]

maybe they could send ballot papers to genuine members then and not lose replies in the post
naaaa only kidding they would still get the count wrong