Nearly 70 editors attended "The New AGE of Copy Editing" workshop Sept. 13-15, 2002, in St. Louis, Mo. The workshop was sponsored by the Mid-America Press Institute. Joe Hight, managing editor of The Oklahoman and one of the coordinaters of the workshop, offers advice on taking ideas home to your newsroom after a workshop.

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Take it home

Don't be frustrated again after returning from a regional or national workshop. Here are some ways to "TAKE IT HOME" to your newsroom:

  • Discuss speakers' pertinent ideas with your supervisor. Some ideas may be more appropriate for your newsroom than others. Determine with your supervisor whether any can be used.

  • Collect handouts and distribute them to your department or make them available in your newsroom.

  • Points of distribution:
    1. A handout table at a central place.
    2. Bulletin boards.
    3. Mailboxes of staff members.

  • Ask your department supervisor or editor in charge of training to let you present a discussion session on the workshop's topics. (If two attended, do a panel discussion.)
    1. It can be for your department or the newsroom.
    2. Distribute handouts at that time.
    3. Summarize key points.
    4. Use anecdotes from speakers.
    5. Make sure assignment editors and reporters are invited to attend.

  • Write an item about the workshop for your newsroom newsletter or online page (if your newsroom has either). Or, write an item and put it up on the bulletin board or send it in an e-mail.

  • Ask your local college journalism program if it has classes that could use the tips. And then teach a workshop there.

  • If all else fails, share the handouts or the ideas with a friend or peer. You've at least helped one person.