and some thoughts on last minute announcements

The layout of the paper, size of articles, and other things are very much determined by the size of minutes, which we have traditionally used as the centerpiece, and as a guide to a deadline. The prior editors found the Monday after Meeting For Business (usually 2nd Sundays) to be convenient, the current editors do not. So while nothing is significantly changing, there is something important to note. The Provident Friend will be published about a week or so after the Meeting For Business, as has happened for the last 2 or three letters:

THIS MEANS THAT ANY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR AN EVENT THAT HAPPENS MID MONTH NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN THE LETTER BEFORE THAT MONTH (5 or 6 weeks lead time).

For example, November 14 is the probable deadline for next month. If you send something in on time that relates to an event that happens between the 14th and the 21st or a little after, IT MAY NOT GET INTO THE LETTER IN TIME - you need to have sent it in the previous month (October 11) for that. We do (and will) make repeat announcements for events that have not yet happened by the publication date (often just a short mention that more info is in the previous newsletter), and will endeavor to get any newsletter out within a week of the Meeting For Business, but other obligations sometimes intervene, so this is our best description.

This month, this notice is going out a little late, and has the above new info, so we will honor anything submitted by Wed. Oct 12 at 6pm, IF we receive notice by the regular deadline that a late submission will be coming. This is sort of true in general, if you let us know in advance, we will still TRY to get a late submission in, but we can't promise (this one time, though, we promise).

If you need to get news out at the last minute, use either our e-mail list or sent the announcement to webclerk@providencefriends.org for posting on the website. (or both!)