In 2008, ACES has made a change. A big one, if all of the thought and discussion, editing and negotiating, that went into the decision are any yardstick.
The executive board has broadened the society’s membership definitions in order to make full members — with voting rights — of copy editors working outside traditional journalism organizations.
It was a hard decision. Not because ACES hasn’t had for years many editors from outside the world of newspapers and magazines as members. Not because the board didn’t realize what copy editors in all fields have to offer the organization and all its members. Their help has been used over and over in conferences, in the newsletter, in being part of making ACES what it is.
It was difficult because ACES was formed by and for newspaper people, as a result of problems in the newspaper business in the 1990s — specifically, the American Society of Newspaper Editors report that led Merv Aubespin to initiate, and Pam Robinson, Hank Glamann and others to come together to found, an organization whose main goal was to strengthen the role of newsroom copy editors.
In 2008, the newspaper business faces an entirely different set of problems — more profound and disruptive than ever before, regardless of how things turn out. The way we deliver news is changing and will continue to do so. That has led to changes in the roles of copy editors in journalism, and to many copy editors (including ACES members) leaving newspapers and magazines if not journalism itself, and to many students interested in copy editing looking at careers outside traditional print journalism.
As individuals, we can sit around and moan or we can look outside of ourselves for opportunities. As an organization, facing the same set of challenges, we can do the same.
Book publishing, trade and government publications, corporate communications, and online communications need the kind of editing copy editors can provide. Copy editors in those fields need training and professional nourishment. And ACES needs the people in those fields to show us all the opportunities that await talented copy editors.
At the same time, ACES remains an organization rooted in journalism and with a particular mission for newspapers. We are not in any way backing away from our decade-long mission to improve the training, visibility and respect of copy editors in newspapers, news magazines and related journalistic organizations.
Full members (voting)
$75 for one year
Working copy editors; managers in the journalism industry with a copy editing background; teachers of journalism; and retirees from these categories.
Associate members (nonvoting)
$75 for one year
People interested in but who have no professional background in copy editing; people engaged in public relations.
Student members (nonvoting)
$40/year
Students at accredited colleges and universities pursuing a course of study in communications.
Membership categories
- Full (voting): Working copy editors; managers in the journalism industry with a copy editing background; teachers of journalism; and retirees from these categories.
- Associate (nonvoting): People interested in but who have no professional background in copy editing; people engaged in public relations.
- Student (voting): Students at accredited colleges and universities pursuing a course of study in communications.
