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2007 EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
ELECTIONRETURN TO"MEET THE CANDIDATES"
2007 NOMINEES
(Note: Candidates were asked to respond to three questionsposed by a small group of noncandidates. Candidates were asked to limittheir responses to 50 words or fewer.)
QUESTIONS
FOR OFFICER CANDIDATESHow should ACES respondto issues poised to change the face of copy editing, such as the multimedia-driven24-hour copy desk and the potential of outsourcing? How can ACES becomea more valuable resource for copy editors at all types and sizes ofnews organizations? How can ACES followup on the positive vibes of each national conference to keep the fireburning for those who attended and spread some of the learning and enthusiasm to those who didn't attend? FOR PRESIDENT 
Chris WienandtBy being a clearinghouse for informationon the challenges facing our craft; by educating members through newsletterand Web site articles, and seminars at national, chapter, and regionalconferences; and by educating managers about the essential role copy editingplays in the quality and credibility of their publications. One of the most far-reaching things ACEScan do is to improve the usefulness of our Web site -- by offeringnew information more frequently, by encouraging more members to availthemselves of the discussion board, and possibly even by scheduling live chatswith prominent journalists and editing experts. ACES needs to contact everyone who volunteerson their evaluations and suggest (or assign) projects those peoplecan take part in. Keeping people involved after the conference willnot only maintain enthusiasm, it will also allow the organization toextend its reach and widen the scope of its projects. FOR VICE PRESIDENT/CONFERENCES 
Deirdre Goebel EdgarWe’re addressing the challenge of onlinewith a track of sessions at the upcoming conference. This is an avenueof training we’ll want to continue both at the national level and inchapter and regional daylong workshops. By preparing copy editors for thefuture, we aim to make ourselves essential in newsrooms and immune to outsourcing. First we need to reach them. Chaptershelp greatly, but we don’t have them in every region (yet!) Nationallysponsored regional workshops are another way we can bring trainingto those not able to attend national conferences. And our Web site could playa much larger role in attracting copy editors, providing training and being advocates for them. The training can live on so even thosewho couldn’t attend can benefit. We hope to offer a greater numberof speaker handouts this year on the Web and on CDs. And we’ve begunincluding a conference session on how to share what you’ve learned with your colleagues. We’re also planning more one-day regional workshops inareas that haven’t been host to a national conference. FOR VICE PRESIDENT/MEMBERSHIP 
Sara HendricksACES should encourage people who haveexperienced this movement or who are in the process to share by conductingsessions at the conferences, by getting involved with the copydesk.orgdiscussion board so others can pick their brains, by offering to writefor the newsletter. Copy editors need to be encouraged to embrace the changes or be left behind. This isn't something we can lobby to change. Thechange is now the standard. It should be easier for newspaper leadersto sign their copy editors up for membership. Just knowing it's outthere doesn't compel copy editors to make use of ACES' benefits. Theyneed to belong. As a newsroom leader, I don't feel it is my place to encourage copy editors to spend their own money. I can talk about ACES. I canlead them to the Web site, but they will choose sites where miseryloves company every time unless they belong to the organization thatcontinually strives to turn negatives to positives. Continue to encourage local chapters.Change the Web site often enough to make everyone want to sign on frequently.Recap some of the sessions: how about a "reporter" at selected sessions? FOR TREASURER 
Neil HoldwayACES will have to re-educate editors --newspaper, Web and otherwise -- on the importance of the objectiveediting copy editors provide, in any medium. It will have to do thatthrough its conferences, through articles in journalistic publications, through direct mail if necessary. ACES can improve its Web site so it isthe go-to source for copy editing training and advice. It can improveits presence around the country in journalism media to ensure copyeditors are heralded. And with this presence it can become an authority onnot just English but critical editing. ACES strives to provide material fromits conferences editors can take home with them. Then, ACES strivesto boost the number of regional workshops carrying on lessons fromthe conferences. ACES also must better publicize itself to reach all thecopy editors who don't attend, and their bosses. FOR SECRETARY 
Lisa McLendonCredibility is key to the news business,and copy editors are key to credibility. We should enable copy editorsto effectively document the desk's role in preserving credibility --particularly with regard to local news -- and we should advocate for copyeditors to be part of any news process. First, we should do more regional conferencesand support chapters in hosting their own conferences, to offer trainingand get more people connected. Also, we could organize a volunteer"ask-an-editor service " (phone or e-mail) for people at any news publicationwho need fast responses to pressing editing-related questions. All year long, we should not just postsummaries of conference sessions but also e-mail them to anyone whowants them. And we should try to get each attendee to contribute one"What I learned at ACES" item -- serious or lighthearted -- to the e-maillist or the newsletter. QUESTIONS FOR BOARD CANDIDATES
(same as above)How should ACES respondto issues poised to change the face of copy editing, such as the multimedia-driven24-hour copy desk and the potential of outsourcing? How can ACES becomea more valuable resource for copy editors at all types and sizes ofnews organizations? How can ACES follow up on thepositive vibes of each national conference to keep the fire burningfor those who attended and spread some of the learning and enthusiasm tothose who didn't attend? FOR THE EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE BOARD 
William G. "Bill" ConnollyBy finding ways to assure copy editorsthat theirs is an honorable and essential calling and that, whateverthe medium, their future is bright. By training, training, training.By reminding the industry that Mumbai doesn't know where Main Street is. Andby reminding editors again that the future is bright. By offering training tailored to everyexperience level, every function, every medium and every size organization.By enhancing the talent pool through the Education Fund and its scholarshipprogram. And by demanding that the industry, whether its focus is pixelsor print, recognize the value of our craft. By making the conference as rich and rewardingas possible, but also by teaching copy editors to be teachers, by helpingthem understand their obligation to spread the word and giving themtips on how to do so. Perhaps the last plenary session should be devotedin part to that. 
Daniel HuntThe digital world presents a bend in theroad for journalists -- especially copy editors. It would benefit ACESto embrace technology even more and pass on computer and content managementknowledge to its membership. In a changing world, we can adapt andbe assets for our papers. I believe that ACES can maximize its outreachthrough chapters. At that smaller level, editors can tailor their effortsto their colleagues. A greater push for a grass-roots movement maybe key to building membership and spreading knowledge. One of the greatest ways to keep the conversationsgoing would be to share what was learned. Using the Web, making handoutsand perhaps webcasts of presentations available would allow those whowere there to share. Spreading the word and providing material on demandis vital to keeping it relevant and exciting. 
Holly KerfootI think we need to move beyond talkingamongst ourselves and take the conversation to the decision-makers.ACES needs to have a representative at every meeting of publishers andeditors, and we need to promote our position in industry publications. Weneed to hire an executive director. I think there needs to be more emphasison meetings at the state level because copy editors need to be ableto share information and concerns face to face. I also believe a formalmentorship program focused on smaller and/or niche publications and offering more low- or no-cost training would be helpful. Strong chapters are a big part of keepingenergy levels high. Regional conferences help, and so would regularvisits by chapter members to small newspapers in their areas. Packetsof conference handouts could be distributed this way, and short, informal training sessions could also be set up. 
Missy PrebulaFirst, ACES should focus on skills thateditors will need to add as the business changes, perhaps through conferencesessions focusing on the Internet or featuring editors from alreadyintegrated newsrooms. Second, there needs to be a greater effort todemonstrate the importance of our work to managers and executives. Regional conferences help expose moreeditors to the national organization, and the Web site is a trove ofinformation; we need to continue to build and strengthen both of them.Some type of mentoring program for younger editors, whether structured or unofficial, should also be considered. This is always a tough one, as the firetends to die out. It could have a simple answer, perhaps a page linkedto conference coverage where people can leave broader reflections onwhat they took away. Also, encourage presenters to offer handouts, whichattendees can take home to co-workers. 
Teresa SchmeddingACES needs to provide members with theresources to equip them to be leaders of change, rather than followers.Training at conferences and online should not only address technicalissues, it should focus on trends in the industry and how to work with thenewsroom at large. ACES should continue to develop one-dayregional conferences that are more cost-effective and can reach morecopy editors. Cooperative arrangements with Poynter's News U. are alsoa step in the right direction. We need to offer more training at conferenceson how to do training so members can bring the information back totheir shops. Local chapters and mid-year conferences also are a wayto keep up enthusiasm. We also need to do a better job of publicizing contestresults throughout the year, which I have a plan for. 
Courtney SempleRelevance depends on communication. TheACES Web site must strive to become the predominant source for conversationon our industry. That should include blogging opportunities for moremembers; more consistent forum postings by board members; and a greater solicitationof ideas from those working through the changes. Aggressively maintaining communicationmust be our highest priority. I'd like ACES to develop a mentorshipprogram among editors, especially those with differing news roles.We also should capitalize more on Web communication, e-mail and even text messaging to strengthen our interactivity and alliance. Presenters should summarize their keypoints for the Web site. Those attending could commit to offering brown-bagsessions to their staffs, then blogging about the ideas generated therein.I'd like ACES to set up e-mail groups in varying interest areas topromote "living" conversations as often as possible. 
David SullivanDonald Graham of the Washington Post saidanyone who is asked where the newspaper business might be in five yearshas only one truthful answer: "I don't know." The major task of ACESmust be to advocate for the role of the trained copy editor regardlessof platform or medium. Regional conferences such as the one inOmaha are a great start. TheWeb page does its work. The chapters dotheir work. The major task facing ACES is to acquaint more copy editors,and the editors who oversee their work, with what it offers. Too many stillseem in the dark. I sometimes think ACES needs a "rallyingissue" -- to overcome the institutional and personality things thatlead copy editors to have a low profile. I would like to find a wayfor copy editors locally to be part of a targeted national effort to enhancecopy editing. 
Barbara TarshesCopy editors need versatility and knowledgeplus enthusiasm for Web challenges. As ACES expands its Web editingconference programs, as it is this year, it is doing its part to train.Yet, we must acknowledge coworkers' fear to help them as well as ourselvesmanage change and build skills. Our desks will continue to face staffcuts as long as the owners' perceptions are that we just put headlineson stories. Publishers must be reminded why a strong copy desk is needed.ACES could create its own multimedia presentation to be screened atlocal and regional publishing conferences. 1.) Identify programs that can be replicatedsimply at the local level.
2.) Urge speakers to do on-line forums or chats shortly after theconference. A suggestion is that they be done on multiple time zonesfor our nation-wide membership.
3.) Handouts, handouts, handouts. Attendees count on them.
Scott TooleOur business is changing rapidly. We'reasked to do more: editing online copy and blogs, uploading storiesto the Web on deadline, etc., while continuing to do our jobs for theprint edition, often with fewer resources. ACES must continue to be astrong voice for copy editors and prepare our members for the future withrelevant training opportunities. Budgets have been slashed industry-wide.With that in mind, we must continue to expand our reach with more regionalconferences and on-site training, offer resources through an improvedWeb site and provide other online benefits such as live Q&As on specific topics and other interactive features. Many of us attend the national conferencebecause we realize how beneficial the event is for recharging our batteriesand advancing our careers. It's up to us, as an organization and asindividuals, to bring the message, the training and the enthusiasm home.Organize a training session in your shop, copy the conference handoutsand make them available to your desk, take the lead in being the voiceof the society at your publication.