Run for a position on the AAJA Board
September 24, 2011
Our chapter elections are coming up, and we're in need of awesome journalists and energetic volunteers who want to be a part of the Texas chapter's activities and outreach to other reporters in the Lone Star state.
Whether you take on a formal leadership role or simply offer to volunteer when needed, getting more active with AAJA is a great leadership and networking experience -- you'll come away with friends, interaction with smart, passionate journalisrts at every tier and type of news organization and plenty of opportunities to take initiative and hone your leadership skills.
What if I haven't been involved in AAJA in the past? This is a great way to get started, then. Your fellow board members and, in some cases, a predecessor will be on hand to help and support your transition onto the board. We welcome newcomers. If you're interested in a non-elected position, drop me an email at iris@iriskuo.com to let me know about your interest, relevant qualifications and any questions you might have.
Below is the rundown on key dates and details on positions up for election/appointment. You must be a current member to serve on the board. Contact Aman Batheja at abatheja@star-telegram.com if you want to submit your name for consideration, and feel free to email me -- chapter president Iris Kuo -- if you have any questions or, if we haven't met before, just to say hi and introduce yourself if I haven't met you before.
Key deadlines:
Sept 30 - Deadline to register as an AAJA member for this year (and thus be eligible to run)
Oct 5- Deadline to submit your name for position
Nov 1- Deadline for the chapter to conclude elections and submit results to national. The non-elected positions of web editor, scholarship chair and student representatives are open until filled.
AAJA Texas chapter positions available:
Vice president: Two-year term beginning January 2012, though you would be asked to step in an serve the remainder of the 2011 year if possible. Our previous vice president, Ted Kim, has stepped down to serve as AAJA's national secretary-elect. The job entails supporting and assisting the president in carrying out his/her duties, being an active part of chapter board meetings and also taking your own initiative to serve the chapter and its members.
Treasurer: Filling in the remainder of a two-year term that began this year -- so the position would begin Nov. 1, 2011 and end Dec. 31, 2012. The job entails carefully tracking and attending to the chapter's finances, maintaining our bank account, advising the board on how best to manage and budget (includes drawing up budgets, planning for future years, advising the board on fundraising needs), cutting checks for chapter expenses/awards, keeping detailed records of transactions and copies of receipts, as well as compiling semiannual reports in Quicken for national (this will be explained to you by the outgoing treasurer, and AAJA national staffers are on hand to help with any questions. A copy of Quicken will be provided.)
Secretary: Two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2012 and ending Dec. 31, 2013. The secretary schedules regular board meetings, keeps minutes of those meetings and places them online in a timely manner. He/she compiles and sends out communications to the chapter listserv as well as regular newsletters. The secretary is in charge of maintaining chapter communications via email, and coordinating with the web editor to cull content on members for the newsletter and the web.
Web editor (Non elected position): The web editor is tasked with adding and growing the content on our website and Facebook page and making sure it is up-to-date, working with the secretary and other board members to cull content such as membership profiles and updates for the newsletter and web. The web editor will also work with the membership chair to make sure the chapter is reaching and including all chapter members and Texas-area AAPI journalists.
Student representative(s), (Non elected): The Texas chapter is looking for high school and college students to serve as a student voice on the chapter board. Student representatives are expected to offer their views on what programming or initiatives are useful to student journalists, and how the chapter can better reach them and promote opportunities like J Camp, national and chapter scholarships, and programs such as the AAJA Voices student news project.
Want to get more involved but don't know if you're suited to any of these positions? Email our chapter president at iris@iriskuo.com to talk further, or to discuss other ways to get involved.
Expectations for all board and appointed positions:
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Attend all board meetings (all conducted via conference call)
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Be engaged in board discussions and the chapter
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Carry out job duties and any assigned tasks in timely, responsible fashion
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Communicate well with other board members
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Be informed about AAJA's mission, policies and programs
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Remain a member in good standing