My name is James Montgomery and I am the editor of the CMSI newsletter, The Gardien. I hope to keep our newsletter warm, friendly and fun. The Gardien isn't my newsletter, it is ours. I receive and coordinate the material submitted by our members and assemble the material into a file for the printer. The Gardien and I need your input. Please send stories, photographs, poetry, essays, and songs pertaining to Clan Montgomery and the people who make up our extended family. Marriages, Flowers of the Forest, babies, promotions, armed service news, highland games news - in other words, "all the news that's fit to print". I want this newsletter to inform, teach and entertain. I will discard any off-color jokes or stories. I will also discard any letters-to-the-editor that touch on political or religious issues. However, I do want letters from members who have suggestions on how to improve on Clan activities, publications, elections, etc. I especially want news about our young people. They are the Miracle Gro of our organization.

As to the technical requirements for putting out the newsletter, there are just a few suggestions I want to make.

1. Deadlines for articles and pictures are as follows:
   
   • Spring       - March 20
   • Summer   - June 20
   • Fall            - September 20
   • Winter       - December 20
   
   
2. If you wish to e-mail a story, please use the Microsoft Word format, or cut and paste the text into the body of the e-mail.


3. If you want to send a story but are not into computers, send the paper copy to me at least ten days ahead of the above deadline so I can prepare it for the newsletter.


4. You may attach a photograph(s) to an e-mail, or you may send a paper copy of a photograph(s) to me. If possible only send a copy of a photograph or any other material. Please do not send anything that will be a devastating loss should something happen to it. I will make an effort to return the material, if you request; however, I cannot be responsible for any lost material.


5. The Gardien is printed in black and white. Your photographs can be in color, I will make the adjustments to black and white. Please take photographs in good light! A picture shot into the interior of a tent is really troublesome. I request Games hosts to take pictures of your new members whenever possible, and be sure to label the photograph on the back or attach a separate piece of paper with the information identifying the photograph and the people in the photograph.


6. Please don't send changes of address to me. They should always go to addresschanges@clanmontgomery.org.


7. Please don't send inquiries about whether your dues have been paid, etc. to me. They should always go to treasurer@clanmontgomery.org.


8. The newsletter goes to the printer on or about the first of the month due; January, April, July and October. The printing and mailing process takes about a week. The actual delivery of the newsletter is dependent on the U. S. Postal Service, and 3rd class mail doesn't have a high priority. Please be patient!


9. My e-mail address pertaining to the newsletter is editor@clanmontgomery.org. If you e-mail material and your e-mail address changes, or if you now have e-mail, but did not when you submitted material or photographs, please let me know. I try to send out reminders about deadlines, etc., but the reminders are not possible when the addresses in my records are incorrect.


10. If you have something specific you would like to see in the newsletter, please let me know.


11. If you are sending an article to me by regular mail, the address is:
    
    James Montgomery
    4011 Highland Terrace
    Okemos, MI 48864-4595
    
    

I'm looking forward to working with all of you, and together we'll put out the kind of newsletter we want.