Records and elections

• Actively seek to drive change within the association and scholastic journalism community by demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Create opportunities for inclusive and diverse spaces and experiences within JEA. Work to fight racism, intolerance and inequality.
• Attend fall and spring national conventions, unless excused by the president (State directors are encouraged to attend at least one national convention each year.);
• Submit reports to the vice president on time and in the format specified for the JEA Semiannual Report, which will be published each March and October. The vice president will send a reminder, along with all requirements, through JEATALK and by email approximately 30 days prior to the deadline;
• Achieve CJE certification within the first three years on the board, and achieve MJE status in any consecutive term of office. If a board member has already achieved CJE certification at the time of taking office, they must achieve MJE certification within the first three years on the board. Testing fees will be waived for all elected and appointed board members and state directors;
• Participate in online dialogue with members. Notify appropriate JEA leaders when questions or concerns arise;
• Represent JEA in state and regional spaces, social media, email distribution lists and workshops;
• Submit committee member names (if applicable) to the president and the executive director not later than 30 days after each national convention, if there are any changes to the committee;
• Monitor censorship cases and adviser removal cases and report to the scholastic press rights director as needed;
• Compile minutes of all formal meetings they convene and submit them to JEA headquarters for posting to the website within 30 days of each such meeting;
• Convention obligations: Attend board meeting (if required by the president – state directors normally do not attend), Thursday night reception, general membership meeting, committee meetings (if applicable). Teach one session, judge a category for the National Student Media Contests or Journalist of the Year, or substitute an activity pre-approved by the president;
• Let the Nominations Committee chair know by Sept. 1 of the second year of their term if elected officers intend to run again. They also should provide the chair with names of suggested candidates for all available positions;
• Respond to JEA email messages with questions, discussion items or assignments by the deadline provided by the sender. Leaders will meet deadlines and be transparent;
• Review/create/update job descriptions yearly, as directed by the president.

Duties for all

Bylaw Article IV, Section 2. It is the duty of the elected board members to carry out the programs and projects of the organization under the direction of the president.

• Serve as a JEA spokesperson;
• Introduce matters of significance at each board meeting and as they occur between conventions;
• Seek new outlets for promoting JEA and its programs, write articles and/or make public appearances to help those who request/need assistance;
• Participate in sessions at conventions, seminars and workshops locally and nationally, keeping students and advisers up to date on current curriculum and instructional methods;
• Bring issues of curricular, financial and/or pedagogical concern to the attention of the board of directors and the executive director;
• Participate in and complete such projects and activities as needed and as directed by the president to ensure the smooth functioning of JEA.

President

Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Subsection a. The president shall preside at all board meetings and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are put into effect. The president shall supervise headquarters staff and the board of directors in operating the association.

On a more pragmatic level this means:

• Appoint, guide and review standing committee chairs, editors and liaisons, and appoint and guide special committee leaders;
• Appoint a secretary as directed in the bylaws;
• Communicate with all elected and appointed board members on a regular basis; suggest new committee members and develop ways to eliminate problems while working to meet JEA goals;
• Coordinate with executive director, staff and board members to communicate reminders of upcoming deadlines with members and share news about organization business;
• Oversee JEA finances with input from board members and the executive director;
• Sign necessary documents;
• Consult with the executive director on the agenda before each board meeting and general membership meeting, after asking for input from all leaders and members;
• Attend meetings of partner or potential partner organizations;
• Act as a liaison to sister, partner or potential partner organizations, as directed;
• Attend committee meetings at conventions;
• Coordinate regular work sessions or check-ins with board members separate from semiannual business meetings to facilitate collaboration and progress on individual projects and board initiatives;
• Conduct an annual performance review of the executive director;
• Conduct an annual review of the organization bylaws, proposing changes/updates when appropriate;
• Lead negotiations with sponsoring institutions and partners;
• Publish, speak, explore and raise questions about issues affecting scholastic media education.

Vice President

Bylaws Article IV, Section 1, Subsection b. The vice president shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned by the president and serve as the board’s parliamentarian. In the absence or disability of the president, the vice president shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the president.

Additionally, the vice president shall:

• Appoint state directors;
• Work with state directors to promote JEA and its programs;
• Finalize and format information received from board members, committee chairs, liaisons and state directors for the
• semiannual reports;
• Meet with state directors at each convention to discuss ways to better serve JEA;
• Welcome and train new state directors;
• Serve as liaison to scholastic press association (SPA) leaders by administering the SPA Listserv, promoting communication among association directors and maintaining an electronic file of scholastic media association directors;
• Send the president and executive director copies of all newsletters or memos sent to SPA directors;
• Perform all other duties the president requests.

Directors-at-large

The three directors-at-large will serve all members and will work individually and collectively to carry out the programs and projects of the organization under the direction of the president. In particular, directors shall:

• Communicate with new members and review membership benefits and events;
• Identify projects and initiatives that align with own their individual strengths and skills, and serve as a board-level advocate to bring those projects and initiatives to fruition;
• As needed, act as a layer of support for state directors in fulfilling their duties to reach underserved membership groups;
• Facilitate a session at each JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention that serves to orient, encourage, support and connect new attendees to the convention experience.

Educational Initiatives Director

The educational initiatives director shall:

• Oversee curriculum initiatives, including working with staff members and volunteer leaders to implement revisions and additions to JEA’s curriculum repository;
• Work with teachers, organizations, corporations and governmental agencies regarding media literacy, Career and Technical Education, Common Core and other state and national standards as they relate to journalism education;
• Build relationships with institutions of higher education and other organizations with shared interests to explore potential partnerships;
• Work with the board to monitor and address changes in education policy and funding across the country;
• Advocate through publishing on the organization's website and in other media for JEA's role as a leader in pedagogy and authentic 21st-century learning;
• Offer advice and input to school authorities at district/state/national levels on maintaining and promoting successful student media.

Scholastic Press Rights Director

The scholastic press rights director shall:

• Publicly maintain a strong and vocal position opposing censorship and prior review of scholastic media;
• Actively create press freedom resources, such as lessons, blog posts or podcast episodes
• Assist advisers, students, administrators and communities with First Amendment issues as needed or requested;
• Keep in close contact with the Student Press Law Center and other organizations concerned with student and adviser freedom of expression;
• Keep the JEA board and membership up to date on legal and ethical issues needing their attention and propose positions on these issues;
• Submit articles to professional journals and other appropriate media on JEA’s position on the rights and responsibilities of scholastic media;
• Recommend policies, positions and actions on scholastic media law and ethics to JEA and its members;
• Assume responsibility for maintaining a regular scholastic press rights presence online, including up-to-date and archived resources;
• Serve as chair of the First Amendment Press Freedom Award recognition committee and coordinate (or delegate) its awards selection process;
• Participate in Panic Button requests and respond as needed;
• Participate in sessions at conventions, seminars and workshops locally and nationally, keeping students and advisers up-to-date on current legal situations, opinions and trends;
• Support, through actions and words, the free expression rights and responsibilities of all groups;
• Work with committee members to carry out their obligations and ensure collaboration.

In addition, the scholastic press rights director will recruit interested and informed individuals to serve on the committee. These committee members will support scholastic press freedom by activities such as:

• Contributing to press freedom resources, such as the creating lessons or writing blogs for the SPRC website or creating podcast episodes ;
• Monitoring scholastic media legal and ethical issues, cases and incidents across the country and in their regions;
• Offering advice and support to advisers, administrators and students through regular submissions to a committee blog, website or other media;
• Submitting articles to professional journals and other appropriate media on JEA’s position on the rights and responsibilities of scholastic media;
• Leading SPRC initiatives as designated by the director.

Executive Director

Bylaw Article IV, Section 1, Subsection e. The executive director shall be the association’s chief administrative officer. The executive director shall have powers and perform duties assigned by the president and/or the board of directors.

Office management

• Oversee JEA employees and student help;
• Maintain archives and legal documents;
• Coordinate preparation/printing/mailings of publications and other materials;
• Maintain inventory of membership materials, including directories and databases;

Fiscal responsibilities

• Coordinate the preparation of income tax and insurance coverage reports;
• Review and analyze financial reports and send to appropriate JEA personnel;
• Aid board in preparing budget;
• Oversee organization’s funds and pay bills.

Convention organization

• Slot convention speakers and schedules, convention activities;
• Oversee production of program;
• Participate with NSPA director in site selection;
• Appoint local chair with NSPA director;
• Assist National Student Media Contests committee with production of contest materials;
• Organize housing arrangements for board members and others whose attendance is mandated by the board.
• Work with committee chairs to oversee all JEA-sanctioned awards programs.

Other duties

• Serve as spokesperson for the organization when needed;
• Provide assistance to members as needed;
• Handle media requests;
• Prepare responses to issues related to scholastic journalism;
• Organize and carry out elections electronically;
• Work with Nominations Committee to provide candidate statements for website;
• Arrange for tabulation of results and notify all candidates
• Organize summer Advisers Institute;
• Maintain organization's website;

Secretary

Bylaw Article V, Section 1, Subsection c. The secretary shall keep an accurate record of all regular general membership and board meetings and shall perform such additional duties as are incident to the office and any other duties which the board of directors may assign.

To do this, the secretary must:

• Take minutes during the board, general membership and special meetings;
• Send copies of the minutes of each meeting to all board members, committee chairs and headquarters within seven days following the meeting;
• Provide copies of the minutes of each meeting for posting to JEA's website within seven days following the meeting;
• Update the document entitled “Motions by Category” and provide this document to board members via email when directed to do so.

Editors

Bylaw Article VII, Section 4. Editors of the JEA editorial publications are appointed by the executive director with approval by the president. Editors serve without term limits. They may be removed from the publication by the executive director. Duties include:

• The editor of Communication: Journalism Education Today is responsible for the publishing of four magazines each school year. The editor will encourage board members to coordinate various issues, taking responsibility for securing articles for that particular issue;
• Receive content submissions for publication to edit, plan article “lineup” in the magazine and design the publication;
• Send material to JEA headquarters for proofing prior to publication;
• Send copies of the publication and notes of appreciation to authors after each issue. Maintain Communication: Journalism Education Today issues. Exchange copies with other editors of professional journalism and communication publications;
• Provide copies of all digital files of all issues to JEA headquarters for our electronic archives, possible online publication, bookstore, etc.

State Directors

Bylaw Article VIII.

State directors are appointed by the vice president and assist state scholastic media association directors and other conference organizers in state workshops, conventions, meetings, conferences and activities by:

• Providing members with access to JEA membership and information materials;
• Endorsing JEA’s First Amendment and educational philosophy and policy;
• Promoting the efforts of JEA’s various committees;
• Promoting the JEA High School Journalist of the Year contest in their state;
• Seeking concerns, needs and desires of journalism teachers and advisers in the state with a goal of increasing the outreach of JEA committees and programs;
• Promoting JEA certification;
• Communicating with each JEA member in the state at least once per year, welcoming new members and encouraging retention of current members;
• Offering a “What JEA Can Do for You” session at state or area workshops so advisers not already involved in JEA can become knowledgeable about the organization;
• Submitting updated email addresses of members to JEA headquarters.

In order to receive a national convention stipend, the state director must:

• Attend the general membership and state directors meetings at each convention;
• Teach at least one session, and moderate or judge National Student Media Contests each convention or judge Journalist of the Year selection at the spring conventions.

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Bylaw Article VII, Section 1. This section specifies five standing committees.

Digital Media Chair

• Develop programs supporting the membership in all forms of digital media, including coordination of convention sessions on digital media techniques and issues;
• Coordinate maintenance of www.jeadigitalmedia.org as a digital media resource for JEA.

Certification Committee Chair

The Certification committee chair must promote and oversee JEA’s Certification Program with two levels of certification available — Certified Journalism Educator and Master Journalism Educator — in the following ways:

• Seek new outlets for promoting the program and write articles or make public appearances to help those inside and outside the JEA membership learn about the program;
• Work with the Communication: Journalism Education Today editor as needed to promote the program and showcase MJE projects to members;
• Review promotional and study guide materials with committee members and JEA staff at least annually and arrange for modifications if necessary;
• Receive from headquarters and review all CJE and MJE applications;
• Contact individuals who have a deficiency in qualifying for CJE under Option A and offer solutions to earn certification;
• Inform headquarters of the status of each application. The chair should keep his/her own detailed records as a double check;
• Process all waivers from certificate requirements, and present to the committee as necessary;
• Review all MJE project abstracts and projects, supporting candidates until completion. Inform headquarters of the status of each;
• Administer the CJE and MJE exams at each national convention;
• Arrange for two committee members to review each exam. Reviewers are chosen from current (and sometimes former) committee members. Keep a list of who reviews so that responsibility can be rotated. Reviewers will return tests to headquarters for processing. Headquarters will notify the Certification chair of the outcome of the tests;
• Notify anyone who failed the test and indicate areas of weakness and invite them to retest;
• With the approval of the executive director, travel to administer the exam in a location other than a national convention if there are five or more candidates, or arrange for other designees, provided these individuals are MJEs, to do so;
• Attend the Saturday luncheon of each JEA/NSPA national convention to recognize new and renewal CJEs and MJEs;
• Conduct a Certification committee meeting at each JEA/NSPA national convention;
• Oversee the question bank for both CJE and MJE tests. When necessary, call special meetings of the committee to write new questions;
• When necessary, seek and appoint new members of the Certification committee through an application process. The committee consists of eight members, plus the appointed chair. All must be MJEs. Committee members are appointed initially for a four-year term and may serve a second consecutive four-year term. The exception to this is when an appointee fills out a term of a member who resigns before his/her term is over. The new appointee first serves the remainder of the original term and then may serve an additional four years;
• Work with fellow committee chairs to explore areas for collaboration;
• Maintain detailed records of committee meetings, candidate applications and work produced;
• Communicate with committee members and executive director on issues of importance related to the committee.

Awards Committee Chair

The Awards chair oversees the recognition program for teachers, advisers, administrators and supporters. Most awards are divided into spring and fall designations to coordinate with the National High School Journalism Convention. The chair works with a committee — and several subcommittees — for judging, updating award criteria, revising rubrics and sharing ideas but also works closely with the headquarters staff for the administrative aspects such as press releases, certificates, plaques and distribution. Responsibilities include the following:

• Provide president and executive director with a list of committee members and addresses. This should be done immediately following the spring convention. Committee members include current JEA members expressing an interest in serving on the committee. The committee’s term coincides with the organization’s fiscal year: July 1-June 30. The committee does not have a fixed number of members, but the chair shall attempt to include committee members from all parts of the country, representing the range of student media. In the summer, the committee selects recipients of JEA’s Rising Star, Medal of Merit, Carl Towley, Friend of Scholastic Journalism and Administrator of the Year awards. These recipients are honored in November. In the winter, the committee selects the Teacher Inspiration and Lifetime Achievement award recipients, who are honored in April;
• Coordinate or appoint subcommittee chairs to coordinate the receipt of nominations and selection for other JEA awards programs including Future Journalism Teacher Scholarships, Student Journalist Impact Award (with Quill and Scroll), Yearbook Adviser of the Year, Broadcast Adviser of the Year and Diversity Award;
• Communicate with award recipients as soon as possible after selections have been made. This is the responsibility of a subcommittee chair when one exists;
• Write and distribute press releases for award winners, including sending copies of releases to the Communication: Journalism Education Today editor, as well as to headquarters (to post on the website and through social media). This is the responsibility of a subcommittee chair when one exists;
• Prepare written comments about each award winner to be read at the awards presentation. This is the responsibility of a subcommittee chair when one exists;
• Assist in the presentation of awards at the awards luncheon at both the spring and fall national conventions;
• Conduct an Awards committee meeting at each spring and fall convention;
• Work with JEA headquarters to keep awards information up to date on JEA's website;

Nominations Committee Chair

Nominations are announced at the general membership meeting at the fall convention and in compliance with the bylaws.

Elected board members are required to let the Nominations chair know by Oct. 1 at the latest if they intend to run again. An early indication of their intent would help the committee;

• Candidates must be regular members in good standing. The committee is charged with evaluating interest and willingness on the part of candidates to serve the organization as an elected officer;
• All nomination materials from candidates will be sent directly to the committee chair. The chair will assemble the nomination materials, contact the final candidates for their willingness to serve, and make the presentation at the fall board and general membership meetings. The Nominations committee chair has the final responsibility for the content of the report. The chair shall communicate requirements for each office to committee members and potential candidates. The most recent JEA Job Descriptions document will function as the basis for these requirements;
• The committee should provide all candidates with the bylaws and a description of the responsibilities of the office. This information will be posted on the JEA website;
• The committee should seek nominees who represent gender, ethnic, racial and cultural diversity and prepare a slate to present to the membership that includes such diversity;
• The chair will be responsible for compiling the candidates’ biographies and goal statements to be included in an informational piece sent to all voting members before the election. It is strongly recommended that the nomination form states specifically the total number of words each candidate may include, and that all candidates present positions on issues provided by the committee;
• The chair will provide the biographies and goal statements with photos of the candidates for inclusion in the election materials for posting on the JEA website;
• The Nominations committee is not required to meet or be in attendance at either a board or membership meeting. Contacts can be made through the mail, email and/or by phone. The chair will keep track of any expenses incurred by the chair or committee members in preparation of the final slate of officers. These will be properly reimbursed;
• The chair will contact all candidates who lose elections and encourage them to continue to find ways to support JEA;
• The chair will take advantage of all opportunities to contact and encourage possible office holders throughout the three-year term, not just prior to the presentation of election slates, and should encourage candidates to get involved at all levels of JEA, but particularly as committee members;
• Provide president and executive director with names, addresses and email addresses of committee members soon after being appointed.

JEA National Contest Chair

The national chair oversees the National Student Media Contests (the contest materials, forms and all the computer-generated lists and labels and serves as liaison with all key local and national individuals), the National Journalism Quiz Bowl and the Junior High/Middle School National Media Contest. The chair is assisted by a Contest Office Manager, a national photography contest coordinator, a national broadcast contest coordinator, a quiz bowl coordinator, a junior high/middle school coordinator and a technology coordinator. Some of these positions may be shared. All committee members should be active JEA members.

The JEA National Contest chair must:

• Plan and coordinate all aspects of the national contests (Quiz Bowl, National Student Media Contests, Junior High/Middle School Contests);
• Revise/edit all contest materials adding new contests when needed, and update rules and regulations as necessary;
• Work with JEA/NSPA to be sure the registration booklet is accurate for the contests offered at each convention;
• Work with JEA staff to be sure website and social media are updated with contest materials and announcements;
• Approve all locally prepared contests and see that all material is sent to JEA Headquarters for reproduction for each convention;
• Approve the material for all contests and see that it is sent to JEA Headquarters for reproduction for each convention. Other reproduced material essential to the smooth running of the contest (i.e. critique forms, etc.) must be sent to JEA prior to each contest;
• Acquire lead judges to confirm availability for the convention (ensure broadcast lead judges are recruited by the broadcast coordinators);
• Recruit judges to complete critiques for online submissions ahead of the convention and judges to judge on-site contest;
• Pull online design submissions from the JEA database and provide them for judges in those categories and ensure broadcast coordinator pulls online submissions for those judges;
• Ensure an appropriate number of judges/moderators have been secured;
• From a computer-generated database provided by JEA Headquarters, produce the necessary entry IDs and contest lists for each contest;
• Update these lists as substitutions and corrections as brought to the JEA Contests desk;
• Plan room assignments for each contest in conjunction with the hotel and JEA Headquarters who supply the numbers entered in each contest. This may also be assigned to the executive director;
• Plan work schedule for JEA NSMC team;
• Work with the hotel and JEA to provide any special table setups, AV equipment, etc. needed for the contests. This also may be assigned to the executive director;
• Cover the JEA Contest desk for schools to pick up their materials and make substitutions and corrections to the contestant list during the published hours of registration;
• Prior to the contests, give instructions and material to lead judges/moderators for contests;
• Prior to the contests, ensure that all rooms are checked for seating numbers/AV/wi-fi if needed;
• During the contest, have team members circulate among contest rooms to make sure everything is running smoothly;
• Immediately following the contests, assist with checking in judges for the dinner prior to judging.
• Welcome the judges and give instructions;
• As judging is being done, be available for questions from the groups and approve all DQs;
• After the contests are judged, organize the entries, enter the winning numbers on the database;
• Generate certificates and winners’ lists. A digital copy of the database should then be provided to JEA Headquarters for the website manager;
• Prepare a binder with all the winners and judges’ comments for the speaker at the awards ceremony and provide a database for the presentation;
• Handle post-convention concerns/questions from entrants/advisers;
• Assist Junior High/Middle School Contest coordinators with obtaining judges;
• Assist the Quiz Bowl coordinator with communications, generating questions and obtaining volunteers.

Bylaw Article VII, Section 2. This section defines special committees appointed by the president.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Committee Chair

The CTE committee will play a critical role in helping members navigate Career and Technical Education guidelines, standards, funding and state/federal requirements as well as exploring opportunities for journalism program participation in Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). The committee chair will:

• Coordinate CTE committee projects and communication through online dialogue with committee members and by hosting a meeting at each spring and fall convention;
• Oversee development of materials to be housed at JEA.org regarding CTE pathways, grants, course outlines, industry partnerships and other related resources;
• Consult with state and national leaders on CTE issues in attempt to connect members to the best sources for current information;
• Represent JEA at CTE-related conferences and conventions, including Business Professionals of America;
• Coordinate with the executive director and the president to ensure JEA's voice is heard on CTE issues and CTSO partnership opportunities.

Global Engagement Chair

The global engagement director is selected by the president and helps promote JEA services and programming outside the United States by:

• Actively seeking out teachers and organizations abroad involved with scholastic journalism;
• Providing current and prospective members with access to JEA membership and information materials;
• Endorsing JEA’s educational philosophy and policy;
• Promoting the efforts of JEA’s various committees;
• Organizing the JEA High School Journalist of the Year contest for foreign entries;
• Seeking concerns, needs and desires of journalism teachers and advisers outside the United States with a goal of increasing the outreach of JEA committees and programs;
• Communicating with each international JEA member at least once per year, welcoming new members and encouraging retention of current members;
• Submitting updated email addresses of members to JEA headquarters;
• Encouraging affiliate memberships with international scholastic journalism organizations.

Journalist of the Year Coordinator

The Journalist of the Year coordinator shall:

• Oversee the National High School Journalist of the Year contest, including scheduling information to state directors;
• Organize the judging of the contest by contacting judges and reviewing standards with judges at the spring convention;
• Deliver a speech at the Saturday awards ceremony about the top winners;
• After the spring convention, notify and send certificates to all the participants in the contest and their journalism advisers;
• Notify top winners with a letter;
• Oversee the Aspiring Young Journalist contest, including promotion, judging and notification
• Coordinate with headquarters all press releases regarding JOY and AYJ contests;
• Present a workshop at national conventions on how to put together a portfolio;
• Talk with state directors and help to coordinate efforts regarding these two student contests.

Scholastic Journalism Week Coordinator

• Plan activities and develop materials for the annual Scholastic Journalism Week the last full week of February each year;
• Coordinate with scholastic press rights director to include press rights and First Amendment topics specifically in suggested SJW activities;
• Coordinate with headquarters staff regarding publicity, social media and marketing materials for SJW each year.

Mentoring Program Chair

Communication:

• Respond to questions in a timely fashion;
• Facilitate mentor-mentee match-ups twice annually;
• Maintain an up-to-date list of mentors and mentees with profiles and contact information;
• Conduct monthly committee meetings; create agendas, maintain minutes;
• Monitor and participate in online dialogue (such as JEAHELP and social media posts) regarding mentoring;
• Troubleshoot problems and provide advice when appropriate;
• Develop housing lists for mentors/mentees and communicate those with JEA staff.

Funding

• Serve with executive director as liaisons between Yellow Chair and the association;
• Develop grant proposals;
• Work with the executive director to prepare and submit documentation about how funds were used;
• Develop and monitor yearly program budget, including approval and reimbursement of expenses.

Reporting

• Develop semiannual report for the JEA board and members;
• Collect, file and analyze mentors’ biannual reports;
• Develop an annual survey for mentees to provide feedback;
• Facilitate completion of mentee exit reports.

Professional Development

• Update, review and accept applications to the program;
• Collect principal agreements, mentor bios and photos and mentee profiles;
• Facilitate the completion of JEA Mentor Training, including an exit video chat;
• Prepare two sessions for each national convention: one for all mentors attending and a session for individuals who want to become a mentor or need a mentor.

Marketing

• Actively recruit new mentors and mentees to the program;
• Update program description, policies and promotional materials for the Mentoring tab on JEA’s website;
• Provide information about the Mentor Program through the JEAHELP and JEATALK Listservs;
• Publicize the program at each convention at the state directors meeting and/or a scheduled session;
• Write articles about the program for C:JET or the JEA website;
• Plan and promote social media campaigns in collaboration with assistant director;
• Develop promotional materials with updated timelines;
• Facilitate chats with mentors on various social media platforms and promote those on the JEAHELP, in Facebook groups, etc.

Participating as a board member offers the opportunity to develop new leadership skills, expand your professional network, and learn the legal, financial and ethical responsibilities of nonprofit associations.

Elections take place annually, and two seats are open in the February 2024 election: the scholastic press rights director and one director-at-large. Both positions are two-year terms that begin May 1, 2024.

JEA’s seven-member board of directors should comprise a variety of skill sets, leadership styles and diversity of thought and background. Great candidates will possess:

• Passion for scholastic journalism education
• Eagerness to participate
• Preparedness for events
• Desire for stewardship and service
• Willingness to learn

Role of the Nominations Committee

The nominations committee serves as an independent party in helping to conduct the election. Committee members develop timelines and procedures in accordance with JEA bylaws. The chair of the committee is appointed by the JEA president, and members of the committee are appointed by the chair.

While the committee assists headquarters in conducting the election, perhaps its most important role is in helping recruit nominees to run for office. The committee is charged with “evaluating interest and willingness on the part of candidates to serve the organization as an elected officer” and to “seek nominees who represent gender, ethnic, racial and cultural diversity and prepare a slate to present to the membership that includes such diversity.”

Candidates not included in the slate presented by the nominations committee may still be placed in nomination by any voting member at the general membership meeting on Nov. 3, 2023.

Members of the nominations committee for the 2024 elections include:

• Kelly Furnas, MJE, teaches multimedia journalism at Elon (North Carolina) University and is faculty mentor for the converged student news operation, Elon News Network. He is a former executive director of JEA and serves as treasurer of the Student Press Law Center.
• Renette McCargo is the interim director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas. Since 2020, she has served as executive director of the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association.
• Stephanie Moreno is the director of the Georgia Scholastic Press Association, which is housed at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. She also serves as the college’s scholastic outreach coordinator, manages the Summer Media Academy, and is a member of Grady College’s diversity committee.