SADIE BABITS
Dear SEJ members,
I have served on SEJ’s board as an appointed member for the past year, and I knew this year I would need to run if I wanted an opportunity to remain on the board. This experience has confirmed how much I would like to continue to serve SEJ in this capacity, because, in so many ways, I feel like I’ve just started, and have more I’d like to contribute. That is why I am announcing my intent to run for the board this year.
During this past year, the work I’ve helped with on the SEJ board has been gratifying, challenging and rewarding. It’s work I hope I will continue to have the opportunity to do with your vote of support. In less than a year, I have served as SEJ’s Treasurer, taking on the task of updating our financial policies with our finance committee. We continue to work on this, and hope to have the new policies in place by the end of the year. I’ve worked with the board to establish a new strategic plan, and I organized a highly attended workshop on public lands and tribes for SEJ’s virtual conference. There’s more work to be done to help SEJ continue to grow into the next 30 years.
Let me tell you a little bit about my background. I am the sustainability director for Cronkite News/Arizona PBS, which is a professional program within Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I am an editor who mentors, guides, assigns and edits stories with a team of multimedia journalists who are just starting out on their journalistic path. During the past two years, I have had several students fall in love with environmental reporting and now that several have graduated, they are across the country weaving environmental reporting into their work. One student just got hired to report in Kodiak, Alaska and is now only covering environmental issues.
These young journalists give me hope for the future of our profession. They are passionate about covering climate change, environmental justice, water challenges and so much more. I continue to see an excellent opportunity for SEJ to play a vital role with early-career reporters whether that’s through mentorships, specific conference gatherings or organizing tweet ups on specific topics.
I also believe I am well poised here in the southwest to help facilitate a future SEJ conference in Phoenix. As you may know, Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the country, and it’s rapidly becoming a testing ground for how to adapt and innovate in a warming world. With an international airport, leading researchers and thinkers around Arizona and beyond, we can work together to create an incredible experience for our members.
As a board member, I will continue to work with you to help shape the future vision for SEJ in the coming years. My vision is that SEJ meets our members where they are. That could involve weekend meetups, fostering regional chapters and providing more online opportunities for expanding reporter skills. I would also like to help to grow the fiscal health of the organization so that SEJ continues to be here for future generations.
I promise to bring my optimism, teamwork and dedication to the board should I be elected. I understand the commitments associated with being a board member, and I hope that you’ll grant me the chance to serve again in the near future.
I am happy to provide additional information, and answer any questions you might have as you weigh your decision. Thank you so much for your consideration.
Best wishes,
Sadie Babits
sadiebabits@gmail.com
@sadiebabits
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