Dear JEA Colleague,

One of the most important tasks I have as JEA president is to appoint committee chairs, liaisons and the Communication: Journalism Education Today editor. Current terms are set to end April 30, 2014. Like the recently elected board of directors, the new presidential appointments begin a new three-year term May 1, 2014.

The new board structure, outlined in the JEA bylaws at http://jea.org/wp/home/about-jea/bylaws/, calls for the president to appoint leaders for:

  • Editor* — C:JET
  • Digital Media*
  • Publications/Public Relations*
    • Scholastic Journalism Week coordinator
    • One Book coordinator (to be appointed by PPR chair)
    • Day of Doing co-coordinators* — Sarah Verpooten and Carrie Wadycki (because they were recently appointed for this summer’s inaugural event, I am immediately re-appointing them).
  • Certification*
  • Professional Outreach*
    • Mentoring* (chair to be appointed by P.O. chair)
    • Scholastic Press Association (liaison to be appointed by P.O. chair)
    • NCTE* (liaison to be appointed by P.O. chair)
    • Student Press Law Center liaison — Frank LoMonte, director
    • National Scholastic Press Association liaison — Diana Mitsu Klos, director
  • Awards* (chair may choose to appoint award-specific chairs)
    • Medal of Merit
    • Lifetime Achievement
    • Carl Towley
    • Friend of Scholastic Journalism
    • Administrator of the Year
    • Linda S. Puntney Teacher Inspiration
    • Rising Star
    • H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year*
    • Broadcast Adviser of the Year
    • Future Journalism Teacher Scholarships
    • Student Impact
    • Cornerstone
    • Diversity
    • Aspiring Young Journalist
    • First Amendment Press Freedom
  • Nominations (I will appoint the past president)
  • Contests*
    • Write-offs*
      • Broadcast* (to be appointed by Write-offs chair)
      • Photo* (to be appointed by Write-offs chair)
      • Print* (to be appointed by Write-offs chair)
    • Student Journalist of the Year*
    • National Journalism Quiz Bowl
    • Junior High/Middle School National Media Contest
  • Endorsements (I will appoint an elected board member)
  • Junior High/Middle School (I will sunset this special committee)

(Also, for clarification purposes, the new board will appoint a secretary after May 1, from internal or external candidates.)

In some cases, a standing committee chair may also serve as a special committee chair. Also, in some cases, an elected member of the board of directors may serve as a standing committee chair, a special committee chair, liaison and/or editor. For example (and for illustration purposes only), the Publications/Public Relations chairperson may also assume the duties of Scholastic Journalism Week coordinator and/or coordinate the One Book. And, that chair may (or may not) be, the newly elected East Regional Director.

Some leaders will receive travel stipends to attend JEA meetings (often held at a national convention). Some leaders may receive small stipends for administering programs. I have marked those positions with an asterisk.

Please review the job descriptions (for all positions and specific duties) on the JEA website at http://jea.org/wp/home/about-jea/job-descriptions/. If you have questions about your eligibility or requirements, please contact me.

After you have reviewed the bylaws and job descriptions and if you are interested in any position, please directly send me a letter of interest. In the letter, please briefly address the following:

  • position interested (if more than one, please submit each separately);
  • your qualifications for the position and/or most significant accomplishments to date in the position;
  • your three-year goals for the position; and
  • how you see your role as a member of JEA leadership.

The deadline is 6 p.m. (MDT) Saturday, March 15. I will seek input from JEA executive director Kelly Furnas and new and current board members before making my selections. I will notify all candidates of my decision by April 1.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

I hope you will consider joining the JEA leadership team. Many of you have served in the past. Many of you are currently serving. And, many of you have been waiting for the right time to serve. No matter your circumstances, JEA needs you, your talents and your time.

Respectfully,

Mark
marknewt@comcast.net
970.261.4298

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