Update on the Future of SALT

I’m aware that there are some misconceptions around what is happening with SALT.

I want to provide a brief update to SALT readers about where things are up to since we ran the survey in May looking at digitalising SALT.

Data collected

After receiving anecdotal feedback that SALT wasn’t being read, we ran a survey. It generated 548 responses (hard copy and digital) and 14 emails. The survey showed a love for SALT by readers ages 50+ and a desire from them for the content to be more Army focused.

In contrast, some of our frontline services reported little to no pick-up of SALT, while some centres expressed concern about a loss of a hardcopy SALT as they include it in their food parcels.

Focus group and request to IHQ

Armed with this information, a focus group of officers and employees was held, and they made recommendations focused on repurposing SALT into a new format and making it a more internally focused publication.

The focus group also recommended that we produce an externally focused, hard-copy publication containing uplifting content and information about Army services and our faith. These recommendations were refined, accounting for publishing best practice, and have been approved by our Territorial Management Board. They have now gone to International Headquarters (IHQ) with a request that they be approved.

Until we hear from IHQ we will continue to print SALT in its current format. We will let you know if, and when, any changes are approved.

Trina Saffioti

Territorial Director, Strategic Communications and Engagement, The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory