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11 May Want to join our 2012-2013 SPJ board?

The Western Washington Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is accepting candidate applications to join its 11-member board of directors ballot for its 2012-13 year. The chapter has multiple two-year (board) and one-year (officer) terms available for candidates, who must be approved in a vote by the chapter’s members.

To submit your name to be approved by our nominating committee to be included on the ballot as a candidate, fill out this form by Wed., May 16.

The following board positions are open:

• President (one-year)
• President-Elect (two-year term, serving as a president during the 2013-14 year)
• Vice President (one-year)
• Secretary (one-year)
• Treasurer (one-year)
• In addition, the board is seeking candidates for a few board seats.*

Elected candidates will join returning board members for the next year that begins in August and runs through June, 2013.

Qualifications: All candidates must be current SPJ members at the time of the election (join SPJ here). Board members and officers must be able to regularly attend the chapter’s monthly board in Seattle. Candidates must be paid members of the editorial media industry as full-time of part-time employees, contributors, advisers, educators, consultants, free-lancers, business owners or in other roles.

Term: The 2012-13 board term begins in late August and will run through the board’s final monthly meeting in June. The board typically does not meet or conduct programming in December and July.

Election Process: Once the application process deadline passes, the current board of directors will assemble the ballot of candidates and distribute it electronically to all current chapter members. Returned ballots will be counted and verified by a non-board member/candidate. Results will be posted by August.

Successful candidates: Successful candidates will contribute to the board’s work by regularly attending programs and events; helping to develop initiatives that benefit members; recruiting volunteers and raising funds in support of a variety of chapter activities; provide financial oversight of the chapter’s budget; sit on chapter committees and provide quality governance of chapter resources and activities.

How to become a candidate: Click on this link to complete the election form and become a candidate. Candidates cannot be nominated; they must apply themselves.

If you have any questions about the election process or whether you qualify as a candidate, please contact Western Washington Pro Chapter President Clay Holtzman at Clay.Holtzman@gmail.com or by telephone at (206) 794-7441.

*The chapter’s bylaws call for 11 members — five officers, five professional members and one past-president.

About the Western Washington Pro Chapter: The local chapter is one of the largest and most well-respected chapters in the SPJ network and is a two-time recipient of the SPJ Chapter of the Year award. With about 175 members, the chapter is home to some of the most innovative journalism in the country. The chapter focuses on supporting its members with quality training and programming; recognizing the finest examples of published work; strengthening local journalism efforts and rights through collaboration and leadership; and supporting journalism education with scholarships.