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ABA Job Description

BELL TOWER EDITOR

BASIC FUNCTION

Shall be responsible for writing and procuring basic and informational bell material to be included in The Bell Tower and for preparing The Bell Tower copy for the printer.

EDITORS QUALIFICATIONS

   1. Experience in journalism

   2. Proficient in operating computer and software to prepare The Bell Tower

   3. Background in typing and editorial and communications skills

   4. Be dependable, friendly, creative, and a good correspondent

CURRENT BYLAWS AFFECTING EDITORS ACTIONS

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE   

ARTICLE XII - DUTIES OF APPOINTEES

A. The Bell Tower Editor

            F.  Coordinator of Regional Groups, Chapters, and Study Clubs

K. Bell Tower Advertising Chairman

ARTICLE XIV – Rotating Committees

            B. Membership Expansion Committee

            C. Nominating Committee

            E.  Charter, Bylaws, and Standing Rules Committee

ARTICLE XVII – Regional Groups, Chapters, and Study Clubs

ARTICLE XVIII – Standing Committees

            A.  Bell Tower Standing Committee

ARTICLE XXI – The Collins Memorial Bell Tower Fund

Current Procedures

I. The Office: Equipment, Software, and Supplies

A. Equipment

Computer (2): desktop and portable.

Digital cameras (2) with extra chips and rechargeable batteries.

Fax/copier.

File cabinet and bookcases for reference books, past Bell Tower issues, and other material.

Phone.

Printers (2): inkjet color and double-sided laser.

Scanner.

B. Software

Microsoft Word for processing text.

Microsoft Excel for preparing financial data.

Quark XPress for magazine layout.

Adobe Photoshop for photographs and graphics.

Internet access for e-mail and Internet searches.

C. Supplies

Ink toner for the printers; paper and envelopes; paper clips and scotch tape; postage; stapler, and other supplies.

II. Scheduling Material: Communication and Planning

A. Communication via mail, e-mail, telephone, fax

Mail and e-mail, most of the time.

Discuss matters where mail or e-mail is not enough via telephone.

Fax is occasional.

Communicate to:

            Remind contributors of deadlines.

Request material and photos.

Request permission from newspapers and magazines to reprint.

B. Planning – Year Round

Announcements and Reports of annual ABA Convention and Regional Meetings are spread over several issues, per BTSC guidelines.

January-February: chapter anniversaries; Bell Tower index for previous year.

March-April: proposed bylaw amendments (if any); Nominating Committee report (slate of officers).

May-June: color insert.

July-August: outgoing/incoming Executive Board.

September-October: convention report; new Executive Board and Executive Committees.

November-December: holiday issue.

III. Preparing the Magazine

A. Gathering Material

• Front cover:  photo and titles of feature articles.
• Page 2: Executive Board/Committees, except Jul-Aug (incoming/outgoing Executive Boards).
• Table of Contents: change every issue.
• Columns: Editors, President, Corresponding Secretary, and Membership Chairman.
• Column: Regional Chapters Coordinator
  • Coordinator edits reports before submitting them to BT.
  • Chapters send updated information re President and changes in meeting dates.
  • Edit entire column.
• Column: In Memoriam
  • Coordinate with Chaplain and Membership Chairman.
  • Make certain the member was an ABA member.
  • Research online obituaries.
  • Seek next of kin name/address.
  • If ABA Past President, obtain background information/photo for full-page write-up.
  • Edit entire column.
• Announcements: ABA Annual Convention and Regional Meetings, per BTSC guidelines
• Announcements: Others as they occur.
• Annual Reports: Nominating Committee and Bylaw Committee.
• Report of annual ABA Convention: coordinate with Convention Committee (e.g., to obtain attendees list); obtain complete copy of all Executive Committee reports for BTE file.
• Reports of Regional Meetings: coordinate with Regional Chairmen.
• Bell and Tell when a chapter or member submits numerous photos with captions, and a lead-in.
• Members’ Bell Collection when a chapter or member submits photos with captions, and a lead-in.
• Bells in the News (sources are the Internet, members and BTE): do synopsis; find photos.
• Members in the News when news about a member is submitted: publish when at least two submissions.
• Articles
  • Requests of bell talks presented at conventions.
  • Editor’s Requests for type of bell.
  • Submitted for consideration.
  • Request for color insert.
  • Submitted as FYI or gift and converted into article.
  • Request of report for special event (e.g., Bell Symposium in NYC).
  • Written by Editor(s), on occasion.
  • Request permission to reprint articles/photos from newspapers, magazines, and journals.
    • Members submit articles.
    • Editors find articles.
• Important addresses: update regularly.
  • Collins Memorial Bell Tower Fund contributions almost every issue.
  • Educational Endowment Fund contributions almost every issue.
  • Back Issues Available:  updated every issue based on input from Wade Prentice.
  • Special Services: updated when items added or no longer available.
• Letters and E-mail to the Editors:  include when timely, relevant and interesting.
• Advertisements: include from list sent by Advertising Chairman.
• Fillers.
• Bells Up Close: seek high-quality photo for the 3^rd to last page. Variable (e.g., single, multiple, montage).
• Back cover: photo and Calendar of Events.

B. Editing material

Edit material in Microsoft Word, and also do the following:

• Fact check.
• Grammar check.
• Spell check.

Photographs: strive to have a photo or graphic on every page.

• Scan if necessary.
• Crop.
• Format using Adobe Photoshop.
• Convert all images to TIFF image.
• Convert color images to CMYK format.

C. Laying Out the Magazine

• Insert all prepared material into Quark XPress document.
• Determine what photos go on front/back covers.
• List articles on front cover.
• Create Table of Contents, including descriptions of photos on covers.
• Create ad index.
• Proofread.
• Produce a draft copy.
  • If too many pages, decide what to cut, where to fill in space.
  • If too few pages, decide whether to have a shorter issue (e.g., 40 pages).
• Proofread draft for typographic changes that may have occurred when moving material to the magazine copy.
• Make corrections; refine and produce a second draft; continue to refine until satisfied.
• Repeat proofreading, making additional corrections, and printing additional drafts until satisfied.

D. Submitting Magazine to Printing Company

Print one copy of final version of The Bell Tower.

Copy electronically to a CD.

Complete transmittal form.

Package material; deliver to drop-off location for overnight delivery to printing company.

Notify customer representative at the printing company.

Notify BTSC.

Notify the Membership Chairman so he can submit labels to the printing company.

E. Printing Company Proofs

Printing company ships proofs (looks much like the final magazine) in 3-7 days.

Review suggestions.

Sign off.

Send proofs back to printing company via overnight delivery.

Printing company prints the magazine, attaches labels, and mails the magazine.

Send notice to ABA web site.

Request complimentary issues for non-members who gave permission to reprint articles and/or photos.

IV. Other Activities

Attend ABA Convention

• Attend committee meetings of which Editors are Ex-Officio members.
• Attend Executive Committee meeting.
• Coordinate beforehand with Convention Photographer re preferred photos.
• Take photos and notes.
• Sign new contract.

Annually:         

• Submit Budget Report at end of ABA fiscal year to BTSC Chairman and Treasurer.
• Prepare Editor’s Report for Convention.
• Prepare Expense Report at end of ABA fiscal year.
• Take photos and notes.

Periodically:

• Conduct staff meetings.
• Research online and at the library.
• Shop for refills of office supplies and postage.
• Return material (package and mail) to contributors, per request.

Additional Assignments:

Rewrite the job description when needed.

If necessary, search for new printing company:  Research possibilities; narrow list of possibilities; submit list of questions; evaluate responses; gather information and submit as report to BTSC; meet with company representatives.

Respond to ABA requests, inquiries, whatever.