As you have probably already heard, Malcolm has decided to end his editorship with the NARGS Quarterly after the winter 2017 issue.
I think we can all agree that he has raised the bar in regards to quality, imagery and content with what is perhaps our greatest asset and benefit.
Now begins the difficult task to find a new, capable editor, and to perhaps re-evaluate the Quarterly structure We may wish to revisit compensation given our financial state, and even perhaps even the roles involved. For example Joyce Fingerhut continued to edit along with Malcolm but received no compensation, but we need to remain mindful of the inconsistency between seed-Ex comp and editor. Both are massive jobs, but how can we make this more fair and democratic?
We currently have one candidate under consideration (Joseph Tychonievitch, which Elizabeth Zander had suggested and whom I vetted initially) as a possible option. He is willing, but there are concerns about his ability.
A second candidate from Vancouver Island – Valerie Melanson was also under consideration. I approached her and although she was flattered, has declined the position consideration as of today due to both her inability to meet some of the basic requirements of some familiarity with the necessary software (Adobe Suite, InDesign and Photoshop) but more-so because of her personal situation taking care of her elderly mother who is ill.
I am leaning on the board to suggest alternate names, now that I have received Malcolm’s formal resignation. Time is of the essence, as the winter issue should be his last one.
Under consideration:
- Compensation – travel reimbursement costs might be worth revisiting here
- Revising the job description – not requiring the editor to attend AGM’s maybe
- Split the role? Given the realities of finding someone who can ‘do it all’. Source articles, design and layout a book doc and do pre-press – I know I could do it (I won’t! Since I am unreliable) but if split between 2 people, this is an optio.
- Quarterly or bi-annual journal - This is the time to consider and change if if move from 4 issues down to 2. Seriously, let’s think about it. Two, thicker, nicer issues on better paper perhaps?
- Finding Candidates – this is your mission – to sleuth and uncover a new editor ASAP!
SEARCH COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS - I would like volunteers from the Board who would like to sit on the SEARCH COMMITTEE for our new editor.
Maybe 2 or 3 people who could assemble a list of candidates, re-craft the job description (I can help there) and then present their suggestions to the board.
I’d like to schedule an on-line conference call board meeting in mid December (and I am going to ask PETER and Elizabeth to set this up if we can find a service to use)
By then, we Ideally, will need more than one vetted candidate to consider and a suggested cycle for printing (4 or 2 issues, pros and cons) or at least that mission defined for the new editor to lead, as they could meet with the printer.
TIMING: I would like to get this resolved by January 15, so that the new editor can begin working on the Spring issue in February.
FINALLY - Elizabeth will be setting up a thread on the NARGS forum for discussion regarding this matter, she’ll be letting us all know what it is titled, but feel free to contact me personally as well with any concerns or thoughts. Let’s try to keep emails succinct (not long, like this one!) and useful.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Yay!
Matt
Comments
Hello,
Hello,
I am willing to serve on the Editor Search Committee.
Julie
I too am willing to be part
I too am willing to be part of the Search Committee. Part of finding an editor may be enhanced by being flexible about what the candidate is willing to do in terms of size and frequency. However, the Board should try to come to a provisional decision before hand.
Dave
From Betty Ann Spar:
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