OLAF | The Australian Friend

John Michaelis, Ian Hughes, Wies Schuiringa; New South Wales Regional Meeting.

Quaker Voice is part of the Online Australian Friend project. The vision of Quaker Voice is to provide the opportunity for Quakers and like-minded writers around the world – many of whom are located in trouble spots, to publish news and commentary. Quaker Voice will provide an alternative to the tabloid press; offer an in-depth perspective and a means to publicise news and events that various authorities may prefer to keep from public view.

All too frequently professional journalism is compromised by editorial policies that are based on the business or political interests of those who own or control the media outlets. Powerful vested interests around the globe such as governments, political and corporate interests, and even organised crime censor, control or put their own spin on news and events. There is a deep need for an on-line publication committed to ethical principles.

Discovering truth, understanding it, and speaking it to those in power and to the world is a longstanding Quaker concern. This is the vision of Quaker Voice.

You can listen to an interview with the editor here: Quaker Voice Editor Interview

Auspices

Quaker Voice is a global publication published under the care of Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia through the on-line Australian Friend.

Progress to date

technical work WAS complete December 2011. Quaker Voice is operational as a developmental site and we are now ready to go live. We have an editor and management team in place, and are ready now to receive and publish articles. We now need volunteers to manage the influx of articles.

Volunteer roles

We are building a team with sufficient numbers that no volunteer needs to commit more than a few of hours per month. Detailed task descriptions and a “how to” are available to volunteers.

Writers: Author and submit articles for publication. Time commitment: Occasional, Time frame – a.s.a.p. Email your article to Editor@QuakerVoice.org.

Sub editors Review and edit copy and in some cases solicit articles. Submit copy to the editorial panel for final approval and publication. Number of volunteers: 10 Time commitment: 2 – 6 hrs/month, Time frame – a.s.a.p.

Web-monkeys: A few web or WordPress savvy enthusiasts to join the technical team. Number of volunteers: 4 Time commitment: 2 – 6 hrs/month, Time frame – a.s.a.p.

Incoming email handlers:A couple of volunteers to forward and track incoming email. Number of volunteers: 3 Time commitment: 2 – 6 hrs/month, Time frame – a.s.a.p.

Moderators: Moderate readers’ on-line comments and discussion

Number of volunteers: 4 Time commitment: 2 – 6 hrs/month, Time frame – late Dec. 2011

Proof readers: Proof and correct copy.

Number of volunteers: 10 Time commitment: 2 – 6 hrs/month, Time frame – a.s.a.p.

Advertising managers: Assist in setting policy. Promote Quaker Voice. Solicit and manage paid advertising in Quaker Voice

Number of volunteers: 2 Time commitment: 2 – 6 hrs/month, Time frame – Feb. 2013

How to volunteer or express your support or interest: Email Manager@QuakerVoice.org.

Subscription

Subscription is free. To view the website or register for an email copy of articles, go to www.quakervoice.org. Add it now to your bookmarks.

Ian Hughes, John Michaelis, Wies Schuiringa, New South Wales Regional Meeting

The development group has worked steadily to lay the groundwork for our Australian Friend to become an online journal. The full proposal for the online journal will be presented at Yearly Meeting in Perth, and there will be a preparatory session.

The content of the September issue of The Australian Friend has been placed in the website australianfriend.org and can be accessed by anyone to get a feel for the new look and readability. The manual is available at australianfriend.org/support with the guidelines for contributors, moderation of online comments and instructions for those Friends who would like to make their contributions directly into the website. Please have a look and provide us with feedback so we can explain things further or adjust what we have developed.

Several Friends have assisted with developing the printed version of the online journal. We have developed a system so that Friends who want a printed copy will continue to receive this. It will be an ‘opt-in’ system and we will be working with the Regional Meetings to ensure that nobody misses out. Stephen Hodgkin will continue to manage the mailing list for the printed copy as well as the email list for the online reminder that the new issue is available.

Stephen is also preparing the updated list for the book of Australian Quaker meetings, Office-holders, Members, Attenders and Children. Let your Ministry and Care/Oversight Committee or Clerk know if there are any changes in your details, so you will be included.

A number of Friends have agreed to fulfil special roles in the production of the online AF, e.g. as subject editor in a area of interest or knowledge, proof reader, lay-out for the printed version, member of the editorial panel. We are still looking for Friends with IT skills to assist with the details of managing WordPress. We hope to have two Friends sharing all roles so that these tasks do not weigh too heavily on a few Friends. You don’t need to be a professional in any of these fields, as together we develop the knowledge and skills.

We are also looking for children and JYFs who would like to contribute a story or drawing about what is happening at their Meeting or what they have been doing.

Quaker Voice is also in development as an ongoing online international forum of articles and comments of current affairs around the world that the popular press may not give prominence to or not be interested in. Click here to see Quaker Voice is developing.

Hope to see you at Yearly Meeting in Perth,

Ian Hughes, John Michaelis, Wies Schuiringa, New South Wales Regional Meeting

email: manager@australianfriend.org