Publication Calendar
2026-27 Change: We're producing three issues this year (down from four) to focus on quality over quantity.
| Issue |
Publish Date |
Format |
Coverage |
| Annual Report |
September 1 |
Digital only |
Prior League year |
| Fall Issue |
December |
Print + mail |
Sep / Oct / Nov / Dec |
| Spring Issue |
March |
Print + mail |
Jan / Feb / Mar |
| Annual Issue |
May GMM |
Print + mail |
Full year celebration |
Six-Week Production Rhythm
Each issue follows a six-week cycle:
| Week |
Activity |
| Week 1 |
Send out assignments; request submissions via eNews Communications form |
| Week 3 |
Content due; Editor reviews all submissions and makes changes |
| Week 4 |
Layout (Kris) |
| Week 5 |
Review (Communications VP, President) |
| Week 6 |
Publish in eNews and mail |
Budget
Total annual budget: $5,400
- $1,500 print + $300 mail per printed issue
- Three printed issues per year (Fall, Spring, Annual)
- Annual Report is digital only — no production cost
Specifications
Page Count
12 pages excluding advertising. Additional pages can be added in 4-page increments.
Word Counts
- President's Letter / Editor's Letter: 300-400 words
- Articles: 400-500 words (600 works with no photos/graphics)
Distribution
- 380 printed copies total
- Mailed to members, AJLI, other League chapters, select past presidents and donors
- 25-50 copies reserved for archive and prospective member/donor distribution
- Printed by Prodigy Press
- Sent via bulk mail permit (delivery 1-3 weeks, ~$0.52/copy vs ~$2 first class)
- Digital distribution via eNews
Content Sources
- Weekly eNews and eNews archive
- Photo upload folder/form
- Piper/Yearbook archive in Kris's office
- League cookbooks (for In the Kitchen)
- Kris has access to the member database for In Memoriam and milestone information
Content Structure (Current)
These sections represent current practice and may evolve:
Annual Report (Digital)
- Cover
- Letter from the President
- About Us
- Leadership
- Community Impact: Projects
- Community Impact: SPAC
- Community Impact: Grants
- Financial Resources
- Back Cover
Printed Issues (Fall, Spring, Annual)
- Cover (Kris)
- Letter from the President
- Letter from the Editor
- Around the League — photos from past 3 months with captions (2 pages)
- Training Corner / Lead Article
- Member Spotlight (Sustainer, Active, New Member)
- In the Kitchen — member-contributed recipe
- Back Cover: Calendar
Fall issue only: In Memoriam — members who passed away over the prior year. Kris pulls from database; basic info from obituaries and photo.
Annual issue: Year in review, recognition, celebration. May include Event Spotlight.
Advertising
Rate Card
| Placement |
Standard |
Member |
Nonprofit |
| Back Cover |
$850 |
$720 |
$680 |
| Inside Cover (front or back) |
$700 |
$595 |
$560 |
| Full Page (interior) |
$550 |
$465 |
$440 |
| Half Page |
$300 |
$255 |
$240 |
| Quarter Page |
$200 |
$170 |
$160 |
Constraints
Revenue Cap
Advertising revenue cannot exceed 50% of production cost per issue. Printed issue = $1,800 production cost → max ad revenue = $900 per issue. Exceeding this triggers tax and accounting consequences. Check with bookkeepers for details.
Bulk Mail Eligibility
If advertising exceeds 80% of content in an issue, the issue is not eligible for bulk mail (~$0.52/copy) and must be sent first class (~$2/copy).
Gala Sponsorships
Annual Gala sponsorships generally include Piper advertising as a benefit (one ad, size based on level). Check with Fundraising VP for details on current commitments.
Prospect Categories
- Member-owned businesses (lawyers, advisors, therapists, coaches, real estate, photographers, caterers, interior designers)
- Past event partners (venues, caterers, speakers)
- Local Mid Peninsula businesses: real estate, wealth management, specialty retail, women's health, education/tutoring, home services
- Community partners and nonprofits (at nonprofit rate or value exchange)
Opportunities
- Ads or endorsements can be offered to vendors, guest speakers, and partners as part of value exchange
- After publication, expand content reach through Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
- Link to archive of past issues
People Supporting the Piper
| Role |
Responsibility |
| Piper Editor |
Plans content and coordinates content production |
| Kris Spencer-Jones |
Layout, calendar content, production, database access |
| Communications VP |
Review and approve before publication |
| President |
President's Letter; review and approve before publication |
Strategic Alignment
The Piper supports:
- Strategic Plan: Expand Brand Awareness and External Marketing
- Annual Plan: Goals as defined each League year
Reference Materials
- Past Annual Reports: 2023-2024 approved; 2024-2025 draft with Kris
- 2016 Piper Ad Rates (basis for current rate card)
- Piper/Yearbook archive in Kris's office
- eNews archive
- Photo upload folder