P.E.O. Record
Getting on the Same Page
Think of the magazines you really enjoy–the ones you read and maybe even keep – and you’ll probably find they have some things in common. Most important, of course, is their content. We choose to read publications that engage our interest, are timely and are well written. Equally significant is the visual aspect of the magazine: it should be legible, easy to navigate and have graphics and photos that complement the editorial material.
This is the second issue of the newly designed P.E.O. Record. The editorial team is working hard to bring you the right mix of interesting stories and P.E.O. news. Our designers are tweaking the layout so articles are easy to follow. The printer helps us keep our quality high. As a potential contributor to the magazine, you play a part in the success of this publication as well.
The P.E.O. Record receives a large amount of material from our readers. Sharing the experiences and endeavors of members is what makes The P.E.O. Record unique; however, it makes choosing which sisters to highlight a daily challenge. We strive to publish a variety of submissions and thus look for unique stories to blend with our regular features.
Space is the biggest reason for not publishing all of the accomplishments of P.E.O.s. There are only 48 pages in each issue and six issues per year to include member submissions along with standard features and project news. In addition, certain issues contain special sections, such as New and Centennial Chapters, Gallery of Presidents, convention details and project recipient listings.
We have established a few guidelines to help ensure a consistently high quality for our 120-year-old magazine. Following are suggestions for those submitting materials to The P.E.O. Record. Complete information is located on the website, peointernational.org.
Say Cheese!
The biggest challenge the editorial team faces in putting together each issue is the inconsistent quality of images provided by chapters and members. Just because a photo is taken with a digital camera doesn’t ensure it’s going to work in the magazine. The images shown here will help you understand what will reproduce well – and what will not.
When submitting a portrait, shoot against an uncluttered background and choose clothing that is solid when possible. You might also consider hiring a professional photographer.
Aim to submit photos that help to “tell a story.” Props and creative settings can go a long way toward making a photo interesting.
When photographing a group you might need to vary the camera angle. The photo on the right was shot “from above,” which allowed for a better view of all individuals. Watch your focus, be sure everyone is ready for the shot, and look to be sure things like a large centerpiece don’t detract from your image!
Is my photo in the correct format?
Acceptable:
- Photographic prints produced from a film camera, color preferred
- Digital photos taken by a professional photographer or submitted in the following format: 300 DPI, TIFF or JPG file
- All photos – and portraits in particular – should have a sufficient amount of “air” around the subject to allow the designers to crop as needed. In other words, please be careful not to “zoom” too closely when taking your pictures. Similarly, if a photo is taken from too far away, it will appear blurry when it is printed. Aim for a nice, medium range shot!
Not Acceptable:
- Photos printed from a home printer, scanned photos, or copies of photos made with a Kodak Picture Maker or at Kinko’s, Copyworks, etc.
- Photos clipped from newspapers and brochures
- Photos that have been cut or cropped, penned or colored in
* Please do not attach photos with paper clips, staples or tape. Be careful when writing on the back of photos. Heavy handwriting or dark ink may show through when a photo is scanned for reproduction. Photos will be returned upon request.
For the most complete and up-to-date guidelines for submissions to the magazine, please visit the Record Guidelines on the members website.