Elections cheat sheet

FROM: Jessica Lowdon, public relations chair

As if you didn’t have enough politics to think about, it’s time to elect your 2013–2014 branch executive. Elections will take place at EAC-BC’s May 15, 2013, monthly meeting, the last before summer break. If you’ve ever considered volunteering for the organization, take a look at the opportunities below. And if you’ve never considered volunteering and never will, come anyway and have some wine!

To get involved, chat up someone on the current executive at the May 15, 2013, meeting or email the branch coordinator or chair of the committee that you’d like to join.

Elected positions

We will be electing the following executive positions:

Appointed positions

The following volunteer positions are also available. These are not executive positions and not subject to election. If you’re interested in getting involved—but not ready to commit to an executive position—volunteering for one of these positions or on one of these committees is a great way to gain experience.

Individual positions

Committee positions

  • Events Committee
  • Member Services Committee
  • Professional Development Committee
  • Programs Committee
  • Social Committee
  • Social Media Committee
  • West Coast Editor Committee

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DRIVE-BY EDITING: punctuation & capitalization

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Cheryl Hannah noticed this sign while waiting to be seated at a Vancouver Island restaurant. She was puzzled why the copywriter chose to insert a full stop after “We will be Pleased to seat you” but omitted one after “Welcome.” She was also puzzled why the copywriter chose to capitalize “Pleased.”

Family members, accustomed to her editorial obsessions, formed a ring around her so that she could take the photo without causing a scene.

Photo by Cheryl Hannah.

EVENT LISTINGS: August 2013

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Do you have an event planned (or know of one) that you’d like to appear in these listings? Send us the details.

August 17, 2013: Editing Workshop … For Writers Too

This workshop will also be held May 11, 2013, in Victoria; June 8, 2013, on Salt Spring Island; and July 13, 2013, in Nanaimo.

This summer, editor Cheryl Cohen will be offering four sessions of her hands-on editing workshop, which she describes as an “intensive, fun encounter.” Topics will include: substantive editing; copy editing; proofreading; the editor–writer relationship; and tips on how to become a professional editor. Each participant will receive an 18-page handout.

About the instructor: Cheryl Cohen is an experienced freelance editor who has worked on many high-profile books, including Miriam Toews’ widely read novel A Complicated Kindness, which won the 2004 Governor General’s Award for English Fiction. Cheryl spoke about the state of the publishing industry—and how writers should adapt—at the Professional Editors Association of Vancouver Island (PEAVI) May 13, 2013, meeting.

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EVENT LISTINGS: July 2013

Do you have an event planned (or know of one) that you’d like to appear in these listings? Send us the details.

July 13, 2013: Editing Workshop … For Writers Too

This workshop will also be held May 11, 2013, in Victoria; June 8, 2013, on Salt Spring Island; and August 17, 2013, on Salt Spring Island.

This summer, editor Cheryl Cohen will be offering four sessions of her hands-on editing workshop, which she describes as an “intensive, fun encounter.” Topics will include: substantive editing; copy editing; proofreading; the editor–writer relationship; and tips on how to become a professional editor. Each participant will receive an 18-page handout.

About the instructor: Cheryl Cohen is an experienced freelance editor who has worked on many high-profile books, including Miriam Toews’ widely read novel A Complicated Kindness, which won the 2004 Governor General’s Award for English Fiction. Cheryl spoke about the state of the publishing industry—and how writers should adapt—at the Professional Editors Association of Vancouver Island (PEAVI) May 13, 2013, meeting.

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EAC-BC elections

EAC-BC needs volunteers for five of its standing committees—member services, West Coast Editor, programs, social, and communications and social media—as well as a hotline coordinator. Interested? Attend the May 15, 2013, branch elections, or contact the chair of the committee that you’d like to join. See event listing.

Hotline coordinator

EAC-BC is looking for a hotline coordinator (non-executive position; appointed, not elected).

The hotline coordinator broadcasts job opportunities to EAC-BC members. Any member in good standing may hold this position.

  • Time commitment: 1–2 hours per month
  • Questions: contact Claire Preston

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Member Services Committee

The Member Services Committee is looking for 1 chair (executive position) and 2–3 committee members (non-executive positions; appointed, not elected).

The Member Services Committee encourages membership in EAC and strives to improve the membership experience of prospective members, new members, and current members. Committee members welcome people at EAC-BC monthly meetings, answer telephone and email inquiries, assist the Communications and Social Media Committee at Word on the Street and at other public events, and work with the Professional Development Committee on seminars held outside the Lower Mainland. Any member in good standing may join this committee.

  • Time commitment (chair): 4 hours per month
  • Time commitment (committee members): 1–2 hours per month
  • Questions: contact Dee Noble

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West Coast Editor Committee

The West Coast Editor Committee is looking for 5 committee members (non-executive positions; appointed, not elected).

The West Coast Editor Committee is responsible for producing EAC-BC’s online newsletter. Committee members are responsible for the entire editing and production process, from gathering and editing content to setting up production schedules, designing layouts, maintaining the style guide, and uploading content. Any member in good standing may join this committee.

  • Time commitment (co-chairs): 8+ hours per month
  • Time commitment (committee members): varies (committee members may choose to copy edit, proofread, or write articles)
  • Questions: contact Cheryl Hannah

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Programs Committee

The Programs Committee is looking for 1–2 committee members (non-executive positions; appointed, not elected).

The Programs Committee plans and coordinates the programs for EAC-BC’s monthly meetings. Committee members are responsible for ensuring that rooms are booked for the meetings, planning program topics, recruiting guest speakers, composing program blurbs and post-program write-ups for West Coast Editor, obtaining gift certificates for guest speakers, and introducing guest speakers at the meetings. Committee members are also responsible for recording speaker presentations and delivering the recordings to the webmaster for uploading to the EAC-BC web page. Any member in good standing may join this committee.

  • Time commitment: varies (committee members may volunteer on an event-by-event basis)
  • Questions: contact Frances Peck

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Social Committee

The Social Committee is looking for 1 additional committee member (non-executive position; appointed, not elected).

The Social Committee reports to the Programs Committee and is responsible for catering at EAC-BC’s monthly meetings and for maintaining the needed supplies. The committee is also responsible for organizing and hosting a dinner party each December and looking into the logistics of hosting outreach events in Victoria and the Okanagan. Any member in good standing may join this committee.

  • Time commitment: up to 3 hours per month
  • Questions: contact Frances Peck

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Communications and Social Media Committee

The Communications and Social Media Committee is looking for 1 chair (executive position) and 2 committee members (non-executive positions; appointed, not elected).

The Communications and Social Media Committee is responsible for EAC-BC’s communications via traditional and social media as well as organizing events for public and member attendance. Any member in good standing may join this committee.

  • Time commitment (chair): 4–5 hours per month
  • Time commitment (committee members): 2–4 hours per month (there are also many opportunities to volunteer on an event-by-event basis)
  • Questions: contact Jessica Lowdon

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