More about Voices, stories from our member community

What is Voices?

People who support The Bay Citizen are part of our special community of members. Our members are people who are passionate about civic issues, value independent journalism, and care about the Bay Area. Voices is a way to bring our community of members together by showcasing personal stories from fellow Bay Citizen members.

Each month, we will publish one or more Voices from our members.  Stories will be published on our member page, and one story every month will be featured in our member newsletter. 

Voices Topics

The focus of your Voices story should be you. We encourage stories told in the first person. The best stories are on topics about which you’re both passionate and knowledgeable.  While your story should be personal, it also should illustrate larger issues that affect the Bay Area community.  Example topics might include the environment, education, green living, real estate, etc. 

A good example is our inaugural Voices story, Breaking the Silence by Bay Citizen member Mizgon Zahir Darby, about being an Afghan woman in the Bay Area.

Length and Editing

Voices stories can be text, audio, video, or photos. They should be approximately 300-500 words in length (or 2-3 minutes for audio or video). The Voices editor will work with you to help you make your story ready for publishing on the member's section of www.baycitizen.org and potentially in our monthly member newsletter.

How can I volunteer to write a Voices story?

If you are a member of The Bay Citizen, you’re eligible to submit a story. Please email our Director of Membership to share your story idea and learn more about the submission process.  Members will be featured in Voices randomly, but with a mind to encouraging diversity of opinion and backgrounds.

Not a member yet? Learn more about the benefits of membership and become a member here.

Questions? Contact our Director of Membership at Rose_Roll@baycitizen.org.