Everyone has their own idea of how a Relief Society Newsletter should look. Actually, most of them look a lot alike with a list of birthdays, calendar events, and maybe the visiting teaching message for the month. Pretty simple and basic.

Some wards have gotten into the Information Age and created blogs where they can put much more information out to their members. These can be really fun to look at and read through, but require maintenance, and we can’t forget those who don’t have computers. Newsletters are still important to offer, and simply require a reservoir of ideas to keep the waters of inspiration flowing. Whichever way you do your newsletters, here are few things to consider:

1. Call a news staff. If you really got into this, you might need more than one person to help gather info, write articles, design, deliver, etc. Besides, working in groups is always much more fun.
2. Your attitude should be that the newsletter is another avenue to teach, inspire, challenge, connect, and encourage others. With those ideas in place, inspiration will flow and you will have more than enough stimulus to keep you going for years.
3. Make sure everyone has access to your newsletter. Create an online presence. A modified paper copy should be offered. Don’t forget those sisters serving in Primary, Young Woman’s, and the Stake.
4. If you start gung-ho on this newsletter project—Do Not Burn Yourself Out! So many times people will get bored and just do the same thing over and over again; it ends up being boring and uninspiring for everyone. So get help, gather your ideas and resources, and start slow to maintain true inspirational flow every month for at least three years.
5. Make gathering information fun. Most people actually like being asked their opinion. Do your gathering 2-3 months in advance though. Fun is being ahead of the game and pro-active; not desperate.

Here are some ideas to give your newsletter something to talk about:

1. Use a calendar to combine loads of information: birthdays, ward events, SS & PH/RS lessons, mini classes, deadlines, school events, etc.
2. Some people have a knack for tying a simple moment in their life to a spiritual lesson or thought. Teach your sisters how to discover those special moments and collect them from those willing to share.
3. Take notes during lessons, Sacrament Meeting talks, ward and RS events, etc. and share some inspiring things that were said. I don’t mean a play by play; I mean something truly inspiring, uplifting, helpful, and encouraging.
4. I read a spotlight once where both the questions and answers were written out on the page. Many of the questions asked about husband and children to this person who happened to be single. Really? Be sensitive. If you’re going to spotlight someone, don’t have one standard questionnaire, and don’t do one person at a time. Instead, ask several people how they feel about one or two things and offer up everyone’s answers. This allows more people to connect. Sample questions might be–What books do you like to read? Where have you lived? What’s your favorite housekeeping tip? Who’s your favorite apostle, and why? Share an embarrassing, funny, or spiritual experience.–Just don’t do the same thing month after month.
5. Use quotes from the Brethren and Sisters. So much of what they tell us gets forgotten. Dig out those inspiring words. (You’re welcome to use any of the quotes I’ve collected on this website!)
6. Look through old church magazines (they’re all on-line!) and pull out articles with ideas to help marriages, FHE, preparedness, every possible situation people deal with.
7. Teach sisters about the history of the Relief Society. (Use anything on this site!)
8. Announce challenges! Maybe your RS Presidency wants to challenge the sisters to accomplish things on a monthly, quarterly, yearly basis. Help them motivate the sisters with encouragement, ideas, steps, inspiration, etc.
9. If you do regular Humanitarian projects, be the go-to place for patterns, supplies, needs, sales, etc.
10. Announce sale items for people stocking up on home storage needs and bulk purchases. It is really helpful when a ward works together on this. They get better deals and people begin helping one another.
11. Consult with the appropriate ward experts and offer tips on family history, preparedness, marriage, financial planning, gardening, education, updating skills, organizing, cooking and recipes, etc.
12. With a Facebook page, you can sign-up for classes, continue conversations, share ideas, etc.
13. Maintain a nice balance between the spiritual and uplifting, as well as the practical and fun.
14. Videotape events, record interviews, create videos for laughs, FHE aids, how-tos, etc. Here’s a great example.
15. Invite YM, YW, and Primary children, and even the men, to comment, answer questions, or respond in some creative way occasionally.

As Mormons, we know there is much work to do; so much that we often feel too overwhelmed to even start. A newsletter can be that encouraging voice to help people take bite size pieces and move forward in learning and growing. It’s a great connector for those who don’t come out to church for whatever reason, or work in other auxiliaries. It’s another way to bring the gospel into our homes and into our lives, giving us direction and a focus to bless the members of our families.