Plimoth Today — Volunteer Handbook & Operations Guide
Welcome to the Plimoth Today volunteer team. As part of our hyper-local digital newsroom covering Plymouth County, you play a vital role in keeping our community informed, safe, and connected. This handbook outlines our organizational structure, operational rules, workflow protocols, and publishing standards.
1. Organizational Structure & Reporting Lines
Plimoth Today operates with a clear chain of command to ensure accountability, editorial integrity, and swift communication across our digital publishing platform.
├── [ THE EDITOR ] ──> [ DIGITAL REPORTERS ]
└── [ TECH VOLUNTEERS ] (Off-to-the-side / Direct to Publisher)
- Publisher: Overall vision, site infrastructure, server administration, domain management, policy enforcement, and final operational oversight.
- The Editor: Day-to-day editorial direction, story vetting, content scheduling, headline quality control, and direct supervision of digital reporters.
- Digital Reporters: Field reporting, investigating local Plymouth County announcements, public safety updates, regional archives, weather/tide tracking, and drafting community news articles.
- Tech Volunteers: System diagnostics, RSS feed monitoring, weather telemetry support, performance tracking, and assisting the Publisher with site maintenance (operates off-to-the-side and reports directly to the Publisher).
2. Platform Navigation & Tools
Account & Administrative Tools Location:
All user account settings, administrative utilities, and quick links are housed neatly under the Off-Canvas Menu Slider. Use this menu to access your profile, internal communication feeds, submission guidelines, and assigned tools depending on your clearance level.
3. Assignment & Workflow Protocols
- The Assignment System: Assignments are dispatched through the editorial system based on breaking news, community requests, and beat coverage.
- Accepting or Declining: When an assignment is offered, you have the option to Accept or Decline. If you lack time, resources, or proximity, decline promptly so the Editor can reassign it (there is no penalty for declining due to availability). Once accepted, you commit to meeting deadlines.
- Drafting & Submissions: Write clearly, objectively, and accurately. Double-check facts, local street names, public safety announcements, and official municipal sources before submitting drafts through the CMS portal for Editor review.
4. Newsroom Rules & Code of Conduct
- Accuracy First: Verify your facts. For public safety, weather, or municipal alerts, rely on official telemetry, direct observation, or verified agency releases.
- Community Respect: Treat all community members, sources, and subjects with professional courtesy and fairness.
- Transparency of Role: Clearly identify yourself as a Plimoth Today digital reporter when conducting interviews or gathering information in the field.
- Security & System Integrity: Do not share administrative credentials. Respect system boundaries and report any unusual traffic, security warnings, or weather/grid anomalies immediately to the Publisher.
- Constructive Collaboration: Maintain open, respectful communication with the Editor and fellow team members.