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CONFERENCES

• 2010: Philadelphia
• 2009: Minneapolis
• 2008: Denver
• 2007: Miami
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SCHOLARSHIPS

• About scholarships
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MEMBERSHIP

• Categories, eligibility
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EDUCATION FUND

• About the fund
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2009 ELECTION

<< Missy Prebula | Christine Steele >>

CANDIDATE PROFILES

Teresa Schmedding

Daily Herald (suburban Chicago), running for Executive Committee

Current job: Senior news editor: Oversee copy desk and page 1 planning.

Contributions to ACES: During my tenure on the board, I've served on the conference committee -- helping plan sessions and overseeing merchandise purchases. I also developed the Robinson Prize and oversee contests. Most recently, I brought ideas to the board for an internship and mentor program. I recently took on the role of director of research and plan to oversee research projects to help our members' voices be heard.

Qualifications: I've served on the board for quite a while now, but don't feel I've become complacent. I'm always pushing new ideas and programs, seeking innovative ways to help our membership and further the cause of copy editing, despite the economic constraints our industry is under.

Vision for ACES: There's no doubt the economy is hitting our industry hard. Will copy editing survive? I believe it will, but the old rim-slot-page proof system might not. In order for us to fight for our slice of the shrinking pie, we need to relate our goals to the company's bottom line -- tie quality control, great headlines and compelling design to profits.

1. How should ACES respond to the changes sweeping the news industry? Specifically, how should

ACES help convince managers of the value of copy editing? We have to tie quality to profits. We have to demonstrate how errors erode credibility, low credibility means lower circ numbers and lower circ numbers mean lower profits. It's easy to see the loss of a reporter when there aren't any stories, but it's harder to gauge the impact of losing a copy editor. I see research as a way to put data in the hands of our members to fight for their jobs. The downside is, research can take a long time and our need is more urgent. We should also focus some of our training on helping managers and copy editors productively speak up for themselves.

2. What additional services or benefits should ACES offer its members while keeping dues affordable?

I proposed starting a mentorship program, which I'm happy is taking shape and costs virtually nothing. We also need to combine forces with other struggling journalism organizations in offering more one-day conferences around the country.

3. What would you do to get the word out about ACES to copy editors who aren't aware we are out there for them?

I place a lot of value on publicity and the press. We should get our name in more journalism trade magazines and on organizations Web sites as experts and leaders in the copy editing industry, but we need to make sure we're sending a positive, constructive message as opposed to just bemoaning the state of newspapers today. Also working with other organizations on training (see No. 2) is helpful. This year, I spoke at the American Press Institute to Voices of America, a group we've had no contact with before.

Vice President, Membership

• Sara Hendricks*

Treasurer

• Neil Holdway*

ACES CALENDAR

• 
• April 15-17, 2010: Philadelphia conference LINK
• 
• March 17-19, 2011: Phoenix conference LINK

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