Celebrating Community Milestones in Your Newsletter

At LPi, we work with thousands of nonprofits nation-wide to publish amazing custom newsletters for their organizations. During our tenure, we’ve learned that a nonprofit’s newsletter can be so much more than simply a generic monthly update. With a little extra thought, it becomes a resource that celebrates life’s successes, promotes interpersonal connections, and creates an overall sense of community. One way to do this is by including staff, member, and organizational milestones whenever they happen.

From birthdays and anniversaries to personal achievements and community events, these milestones help personalize your newsletter in a way that strengthens bonds among supporters. If you need ideas for creating a newsletter that’s more personal and appealing by using milestones like this, we have some suggestions.

Creating Community Through Your Newsletter

• Celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries

Recognizing members’ birthdays and wedding anniversaries is a simple yet meaningful way to show appreciation. A dedicated section titled “Celebrations Corner” or “Milestone Moments” would be a fantastic addition to your newsletter. Inside it you could list the names and dates of members celebrating each month. 

To keep things engaging, consider further spotlighting one or two individuals each month with a short biography, photo, and quote about what they’ve learned over the years or for what they’re most grateful for. Just make sure you obtain permission from everyone you are featuring first!

• Highlight Personal Achievements

Older adults often achieve remarkable personal goals! Your members might win an art competition, walk or run a 5K, publish a story, or be excited about mastering a new skill or hobby. Dedicate space in your senior center newsletter to showcase these accomplishments. A “Member Spotlight” column could feature one person’s story each month, making it easy for others to feel connected and inspired.

• Feature Volunteer and Staff Contributions

Everyone associated with a nonprofit organization knows the vital role volunteers play in both special events and the day-to-day work of a nonprofit. Acknowledge the efforts of those who make your organization a vibrant place by highlighting them in your newsletter. 

Feature a “Volunteer of the Month” chosen by popular vote, or a “Staff Shoutout” to better introduce different staff members throughout the year. This type of recognition not only honors their contributions but also encourages more engagement from the community.

• Share Community Milestones

Include important happenings in the wider local community in a “Community Bulletin” section. Things like senior-related events, health fairs, town meetings, or changes happening in the community would all be great additions to that section. You can also report on past events the senior center participated in, adding photos and quotes from attendees to make the coverage lively and personable.

• Encourage Member Submissions

Invite members to submit news, photos, poems, or even family updates. This gives members a sense of ownership and investment in the newsletter and in your community. Consider adding a “From Our Members” column dedicated to submitted content. Not only does this diversify the voices in the newsletter, but it also uncovers hidden talents and stories!

• Use Visual Elements

Photos of milestone celebrations, member activities, and other events will make the newsletter feel more dynamic and real. Always obtain permission to publish photos, and try to include captions to enhance context and connection.

If you don’t have a photo of an event or happening, don’t just skip it and publish with no imagery! Dive into a content library like LPi’s WeCreate where you can find an applicable image to use for whatever section you are working on. WeCreate is searchable and has thousands of graphics and stock photos available to brighten up your newsletter for every type of occasion. It’s better to have a beautiful image than to not have one at all! 

• Maintain a Positive, Respectful Tone

Keeping the tone uplifting and inclusive and celebrating everyone equally will help make your newsletter successful. But a word of caution: When sharing personal stories or milestones, be sensitive and respect people’s privacy. Always confirm details with the individuals involved.

Continue Exploring Ways to Improve Your Newsletter

Finally, we encourage you to keep learning more about how to craft successful newsletters and the role your newsletter can play in creating community. If you head over to the Newsletter Tools section of our blog, you’ll find a plethora of resources! We update it throughout the month with articles that explore topics ranging from color choices and fonts to logos and branding.