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Updated: Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Published: Monday, March 7, 2005 |
Calling Our Future Leaders
It's Time to Step Up
March 7, 2005
Dear NABJ members:
Its that time again, when every two years candidates for president and other positions on the Board of Directors emerge to present their platforms and lay out their vision for our associations future.
That's right, buckle up. Its NABJ election season.
For new members experiencing this for the first time, it means we could be introduced to newly inspired candidates who believe they are ready to help govern the association. Current or former chapter or committee or task force leaders could seek to step up to the next level. There will be candidates forums at regional conferences and the 30th annual NABJ Convention and Career Fair in Atlanta. And members of other journalism groups will marvel at how serious we take our elections.
Allow me to share steps being taken to ensure a smooth election. I also want to urge all members to at least consider seeking office, because regardless of whether you think NABJ needs new leadership, in August it will certainly need the next set of leaders.
My inspiration to run came during Sidmel Estes-Sumpters final remarks as president at our convention banquet in Houston in 1993. NABJ needed more young members to step up, seek to join the Board and even consider running for president someday, Sidmel said. I was 30 years old, attending my sixth convention and had begun to think about NABJ leadership. Sidmels words resonated with me.
I share this in hopes of inspiring a future president, whether its for this next term or five terms from now, just as Sidmel did for me.
Is it you? Is becoming a president or regional director in your future? Are you ready to help make NABJ better, to help it find new ways to advocate and provide career development for black journalists; further make it a year-round organization; enhance its relationships with chapters and other groups, and govern its finances and resources wisely?
Well, if so, the time to get started on that journey could be right now.
CRUCIAL DETAILS AND NEW IDEAS
The complete, official election rules and candidates so far are posted on this Web site. Here are the key details:
First, members seeking a Board seat for the 2005-2007 term, including incumbents, must submit a letter of intent by April 1. (Remember, well have six regional directors instead of 10 after last years constitutional amendment.) My hope is for no uncontested races, because while seeking a NABJ office can be strenuous and challenging, campaigning makes for better Board members.
Second, current or lapsed members must renew, and first-time members must join NABJ by June 3 to vote via electronic or mail-in balloting between June 10 and July 11.
Third, you must join NABJ or renew by July 1, the convention pre-registration deadline, to vote on Election Day, Aug. 5, in Atlanta.
Again, you must be a member by July 1 to vote on Aug. 5.
And if you wont make it to the convention, or don't want to wait in line there, then you must be a member by June 3 to vote online or by mail.
MAKING IT EASIER TO VOTE
Did we say waiting in line? In addition to letting members vote online via a secure Internet connection before the convention, we hope to keep on-site delays to a minimum this year by having two voting rooms. In one room, full members will vote for candidates for president, vice president-print, vice president-broadcast, secretary, treasurer, parliamentarian, their respective regional director and on any proposed amendments. In the other, associate and student members will elect their respective representatives.
This should make for shorter lines and reduce the number of members who show up to vote but don't because they must leave to attend or help put on an event elsewhere.
Another new plan calls for giving any member who has already cast a ballot an I Voted sticker for their convention badge, to better shield them from last-minute campaigning as the polls near closing. We also want to make it possible for all convention attendees to determine during registration if theyre eligible to vote on-site. This would hopefully keep people from learning at the polls they cant vote, often frustrating for all involved.
Also, our staff plans to use a new database system in Atlanta to allow it and the Election Committee to confirm quickly who is a member.
MAKE SURE TO VOTE
Im looking forward to this election more than any before and not just because for the first time since 1995 my name wont be on the ballot. NABJ's fiscal health is as strong as ever. Our membership is as large as ever. Our passion, pride, purpose and power are as great as ever. Its time to hear how this years candidates aim to take us to new heights.
As president, I certainly will cast my vote and urge you to do so, too.
In 2001, after a lackluster turnout in Orlando, DeWayne Wickham, a founding member and former NABJ president, chided us publicly, writing in his newspaper column that "when given the chance to vote in an election all aspects of which they controlled [too few] bothered to exercise the freedom that they claim to hold so dear."
Lets not let that happen ever again.
Thanks,
Herbert Lowe
NABJ President
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