Branch Local Magazine Editor Role Description

- This role description is only a guideline and each branch may require something slightly different

Purpose of the Role

- To manage the publication of a free Branch Magazine, which should aim to be produced on a break-even basis or better, and promote both local and national campaigning issues within the branch boundaries.

- Many Branches have taken the decision to outsource the production of their magazine to a third party who takes responsibility for all the technical aspects of layout, design, printing and production including sales of advertising. The CAMRA Branch then becomes responsible for the provision of editorial content usually once a framework for advertising has been agreed. If the Branch has taken this approach then some of the Key Activities listed below are not relevant. A lot more detail on this can be found in the members' area of CAMRA's website at http://members.camra.org.uk/group/branch-magazine-editor indicating those Branches who outsource and therefore from whom advice can be sought. The podcast is especially informative.

Key Activities

- To negotiate and liaise with printers to agree budget production costs and timetables for printing. 

- To agree a production timetable within the Branch, including agreed pagination, and source articles from both Branch members and further afield.

- To oversee the sale of advertising, preferably through a separately appointed Advertising Manager, who might be a non-CAMRA third party. 

- To edit copy received including advertising to fit the content into the agreed pagination.

- To oversee distribution of the newsletter to pubs, preferably through the appointment of a separate Distribution Manager.  

- To send copies of the magazine to the Regional Director (4 copies), CAMRA Head Office and one copy to the Legal Deposit Office (Serials), The British Library, Boston Spa, Wetherby, LS23 7BY, please note that PDFs are not acceptable and only hard copies should be posted. If, in the future, your Branch decides not to continue publishing magazines, then again, The Legal Deposit Office (Serials) should be written to confirming that the publication has ceased to be published and the last publication date. 

- If required, provide a copy of each edition to the branch webmaster for the website in an agreed format.

Code of Conduct

- To ensure printed copy maintains the integrity of CAMRA and refrain from putting forward any personal points of view contrary to CAMRA's policy or which might bring the Campaign into disrepute. 

- To be careful in the use of language (words such as "boozing" or "sloshed" are inappropriate) and never use obscenities.

- To ensure the guide follows CAMRA Policy as set out in Paragraph 5 of the Internal Policy Document. 

- Do not "wash CAMRA internal dirty linen" in public. 

- Never be libellous; if in doubt leave it out. 

Time Commitment

- This role can take up as much time as you are prepared to give. Much depends on how many issues the Branch has decided to print annually; the size of the magazine and how helpful Branch members are in supplying copy etc. If taking over from an existing incumbent, then ask them. If this is to be a totally new publication, seek advice from the Regional Director and/or a neighbouring branch. It is also affected by whether a decision has been made to outsource production. The latter option will reduce the time commitment. 

- Attendance at local branch meetings is required. 

Skills

- Good writing skills

- Good interpersonal skills

- Access to a computer and the internet

- Ability to manage deadlines and budgets and the various parties involved in the project.

- Depending on how production is managed, knowledge of publishing packages which turn copy into professional-looking content. 

Support

- Support is available from the Branch Chairman and ideas for articles can be obtained from other branch magazines, What's Brewing and The Campaigner. Staff and National Officers also regularly supply material on topics such as the Good Beer Guide and Great British Beer Festival.  

- Advice and guidance on CAMRA policy is available from branch committee members, the Regional Director and, where appropriate, people who have previously held the post.

- Talk to neighbouring branches that produce a magazine, they will be happy to help. 

- The CAMRA members' website is also a very useful source of information, with information on topics such as copyright, libel and benchmarking information together with images, membership forms and so forth. Support for Magazine Editors can be found at http://members.camra.org.uk/group/branch-magazine-editor in the members' website.