Bulletin Editor - a concept.

[Terry Aitken <terry@flowerfantasy.net>]

Hi All
Every time an editor retires, it becomes a crisis for AIS. I believe 
"the crisis" is one problem that needs to be resolved. The editor's job 
is too big and too much hangs on the balance of his/her performance, 
year in and year out. Cant anyone get sick? - take a vacation? - have a 
time out? - have a car accident? - deal with family problems? -enjoy 
their own garden? Actually, AIS has been just plain lucky that none of 
these issues have come up over the last 20 years and maybe a lot more. 
After seeing 3 editors resign after 5 years, I am firmly of a mind that 
says there should be term limits on these jobs and my recommendation is 
5 years for the managing editor. This proposal may change the stress 
level but I still think term limits need to be there.
Whenever any task gets too big, too inhuman, it needs to be examined for 
ways to break it down into more manageable parts.
A theory that I am proposing is to set up QUARTERLY EDITORS who's role 
it is to be the "hunter/gatherers" for bulletin material, both written 
and photographed, to be published annually. There would be a "seasonal 
theme" but plenty of leeway for diversity of material. They also need to 
be opportunists to grab something of interest that just happens by. 
These editors can be located anywhere on the planet where computers are 
found and using programs that our layout people can read. (Perhaps 
translating into English might be a remote issue?) There would need to 
be teamwork between editors for shuffling material around to the 
appropriate season. (example - culture stuff). There may be material 
that flows from one bulletin to the next? Enter the MANAGING EDITOR.
This theory only works if there is a MANAGING EDITOR. There are actually 
many "editors" already in place who submit a great deal of annual 
material to the bulletin. Advertising, Awards, Affiliates, Judges, 
Symposium, donations etc. All are unsung heroes who do huge tasks for 
the Bulletin. There needs to be a coordinator who is responsible for 
oversight (Budgets, publishers, mailing service, memsec coordination,  
whatever) who will interface (love that word) with the board  on policy, 
evolution of the bulletin, personnel. At this stage, Bulletin material 
needs to be submitted to the managing editor for content,  theme, 
illustration, continuity, production schedules, whatever. It is then 
sent to our layout person who has a template of other material (unsung 
heroes) which is required to be in each bulletin. Final proofing, 
filling white spaces (with little zebras :-) ) and color correcting 
would have to be done by the managing editor  with the publisher.
There are still "flies in this ointment".
-What happens if we lose Erica, our layout person? Perhaps we can find 
individuals within the society who would have the skills to do one or 
two issues? (Again, watch out for burnout!)     
- What happens if we lose our publisher? We know there are more and we 
need to know where they are. Portland may not always be the answer.
While I have volunteered to be managing editor, this should be looked at 
as a short term solution with the idea that another managing editor may 
be promoted from within the ranks of quarterly editors or other AIS 
members familiar with the logistics of publication.
I will be watching carefully for ideas coming out of  further discussion.
Please speak up. This is a problem solving phase. Your comments may 
trigger other thoughts as well.
Terry
We have snow and sunshine in the NW! How novel!

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