I've been a volunteer for SND since 2000, when I started writing and designing for the Update newsletter. That experience gave me a glimpse into how the Society works and many of the neat things it does. And the chance to meet and talk with designers from all over the world. I took over editing the newsletter in 2001 and started editing Design Journal in 2004. I've edited the quarterly magazine ever since. Recently, I've assumed the role of Publications Director.
In my professional life I've worked at the Chicago Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, Rocky Mountain News and The Times of Northwestern Indiana. I've been a design director and designer, a graphics editor and artist. I've worked days and nights, sports, features and news. I've rolled out Web sites and redesigns. Invented new publications and fixed old ones.
Right now I'm the graphics editor at the Chicago Tribune, where I live in the city with my wife, two boys and dog. I like running and try to do one marathon a year. I've done five so far in four different states.
Right now, SND needs a mixture of fresh ideas and experience. It needs both vision and common sense. My instincts are to find solutions and bring people together.
1. Start a new and meaningful conversation with members. Let's talk about what we need SND to be, what makes it worth $100. We have some great tools for having conversations at our disposal. Let's use them.
2. Be smarter and more specific about what we ask SND volunteers to do. These are the people who make SND go — the board and those who help out with the competitions, workshops, training and publications.
3. Put better stuff on the Web site, more often. Develop the site's functionality and technology. Use the Web to grow the organization and make it more relevant.
4. Don't recruit members — recruit people. We've got to match the products and services we produce with people who value them.
SND is a rewarding, creative community. You can get as much or as little out of it as you like, and there's a lot to get if you want it. Join for the book of the year's best designs and the magazine. Join for the workshop and other training opportunities. Join for the community of creative people trying to bring form and beauty to this information age. Join because you want to be part of the conversation about the future of news and information. SND is and will be a leader in that discussion.
Well, we have to get smaller in some ways and that's hard.
We need to relentlessly examine everything that doesn't add substance and content for members; this includes things we hold dear like the office, meals at workshops and the number of judges at the competition.
We have to get creative with sponsorships, partnerships and local solutions.
If we are smart, we can spend less and grow.
When you think critically about what you like and dislike about SND you have to take into account what SND is. It's got a fancy name and a fancy book and a fancy Workshop. But really all that fancy stuff is put together by people like you. People who care about what we do and who have joined together over the last 30 years to try and do something about it. People paying their own way around the country, taking time away from their jobs and families. It's a Society, but really it's a community, linked by common purpose and common experience. You join because you want to be part of the community, and it makes you better and the community better. The other folks who are on the ballot to lead the organization all believe deeply that through SND we can help each other, that we can rise above the challenges we face, and by facing them together, make SND something better than it was before. You can't lose with any of them: Kris, Jeff, Steve, Patty, Lilly and myself. We all have unique viewpoints, experiences and ideas. Give us a shot and get ready to help.