Re: Bulletin Editor - a concept.

[Robt R Pries <rpries@sbcglobal.net>]

Terry I like your thoughts. I could suggest another
way of doing the same thing. How about editors for
topics. We already have an International news editor,
Anna Cadd, and an obituaries editor and section Liason
Jim Morris. How above some other interest areas that
could be additional hunter/gathers. I mention that a
beginners corner might be appropriate, how about a
book reviewer? I would like to here others suggestions
for areas of interest. These bulletin staff could
comprise a bulletin committee that might be
productive. Structure can be important. I reject the
benevelent, wise, dictator approach that others have
suggested. They are only benevelent and wise if you
agree with them.


--- Terry Aitken <terry@flowerfantasy.net> wrote:

> 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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