The Society for News Design seeks candidates interested in running for open roles on its board of directors.
In the Society for News Design’s 2022 election, members will vote to fill two scheduled board openings for the election cycle.
Following a 2021 motion and membership-wide vote, the Society shifted its leadership model to a new structure led by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors consists of five (5) board members at large serving 2-year terms each. The board elects a president and vice president of the board from their ranks internally after each election. Every year, at least two of the Board of Directors seats will be up for election, and potential new candidates will be welcomed to apply and run for the board. Board members whose terms are expiring are allowed to run for re-election.
Because the new structure was put in place in 2021, two (2) board members were appointed to 1-year terms (Björn Heselius and Douglas Okasaki); and 3 board members were appointed to 2-year terms (Ryan Hildebrandt, Rebecca R. Markovitz and Tara McCarty). The 1-year terms end in September 2022. The 2022 election cycle will establish all board seats into full 2-year terms going forward.
The Board structure introduced in 2021 seeks to be more nimble, focused, and member-forward as it serves SND’s key interests. It will be at the guidance and determination of the newly elected Board of Directors how they will approach management and jurisdiction of continuing and new business.
As you consider your interest and potential positive impact on the new board, there are many strategic initiatives in progress that new Board of Directors members will be involved in. Over the next term, the Board will continue building on a slate of topics and goals to strengthen and grow the Society, and improve visual storytelling across our industry. Key topics will include:
- Membership growth and outreach
- Events and training
- Recruitment and volunteers
- Evolving competitions
- New revenue opportunities
Other areas of opportunity for future board members: expanding our membership pool, plotting a course for reporting/celebrating/highlighting/archiving annual results, determining a strategy for annual awards books beyond the 43rd edition, exploring potential formats for long-term governance, growing our online community, and increasing our day-to-day engagement. And, of course, the Board also is excited to hear fresh ideas and perspectives from newly-elected members.
All members in good standing as of the date specified in the yearly election notice are eligible to apply for the Board of Directors.
All members in good standing as of the date specified in the yearly election notice are eligible to vote in the election.
Timing
- July 22 (Friday) – Board nominations are open to eligible SND members
- August 19 (Friday) – Candidate applications due
- August 26 (Friday) – Introductions to SND membership. Bios and position statements are published on snd.org in advance of the session.
- August 31 (Wednesday) – Scheduled full membership session with all candidates. Each will be invited to give a 5-minute presentation on their merits and vision for the Society, then join in a moderated panel discussion and Q-A with members.
- Sept 1: – Voting opens
- Sept 14: – Voting closes
- Sept. 16: – Results announced
- Sept. 21: – New board convenes
Apply
Note: Deadline to apply has passed
To apply for the SND Board of Directors, you can complete the embedded form below, or use the link to complete it in Google forms. Upon competition of this form, please submit a headshot, short bio, and a statement to the SND members about your vision for SND in the future to snd@snd.org by August 19th. Your headshot, bio, and statement will be posted on the SND website for our members in advance of the election.
Q&A
Q: What’s a board member do?
The appropriate role of the Board is to set policies that will ensure it fulfills its legal and professional responsibilities to the association. The Board should set the tone for dynamic and aggressive leadership within the association.
Specific responsibility areas of the Board are:
- Ensuring membership needs are met
- Approving and evaluating all the programs and activities of the association
- Planning the future direction of the association
- Establishing broad policies to guide the operation of the association
- Selecting and hiring the Executive Director and monitoring and evaluating the staff executive’s performance
- Setting financial objectives and monitoring their achievement.
Q: What’s the time commitment?
2-3 hours weekly (meeting 1 hour + some extra hours if required). Monthly: 8-9 hours approximately
Q: What is the length of term?
Board members are a two-year term. Those elected in 2022, the term is Sept 16, 2022 – Sept 15, 2024
Q: Are there any prerequisites?
SND Membership in good standing — Candidates need to be SND member
- Passion. A deep interest in the mission of SND.
- Vision and Leadership: The ability to see the big picture and the courage to set direction to achieve the organization’s mission.
- Commitment. Candidates will need to dedicate time to this position to help bring solutions and efforts to get the job done
- Knowledge. Knowledge of the news design industry. Good understanding of how the industry works in many levels and broad view of the possibilities in the actual industry scenario.
- Collegiality. Possessing a sincere and respectful attitude toward colleagues board and their views.
- Confidentiality. Maintains confidentiality of board discussions and speaks with one voice when representing the organization to the community.