August 14, 2018 — As a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, you're committed to the hard work of reporting — of informing the public about the things that affect air we breathe, the water we drink, the public lands we enjoy and the ecosystems and climate in which we live. I hope that SEJ has helped to connect you with sources and provided some of the tools and inspiration you need to do your work.
I invite you to help SEJ with its mission to support environmental journalists like yourself and promote environmental journalism by running for the SEJ Board of Directors.
SEJ needs you. We need your passion. We need your dedication to great journalism. We need members who can bring their experience, enthusiasm and wisdom to the fore to help guide SEJ through a period of transition.
This is an important moment for SEJ. A new executive director is expected to begin work for SEJ later this year, and we're continuing SEJ's strategic planning process that involves a reexamination of SEJ's vision and strategy for the next five years.
If you are elected to the board, you would be deeply involved in this process, which will help SEJ grow and adapt to the ever-changing media landscape over the next few years.
Serving on the SEJ Board is a true commitment. It involves traveling to up to four annual board meetings and a great deal of time and attention spent on SEJ governance, finances and fundraising strategy. It means more email in your inbox, a few conference calls each month and other tasks.
SEJ encourages board members to cover travel and lodging costs or seek reimbursement from employers. We know that's not always possible, so SEJ will cover up to $2,400 in annual travel and lodging costs per board member for three of the four board meetings each year. SEJ will not cover costs to attend the board meeting at the annual conference, however.
One of the most important jobs of a board member is to help SEJ raise money. This could mean connecting SEJ to foundations or seeking out companies or nonprofits who may want to advertise in SEJournal or become a conference sponsor or exhibitor. You're expected to bring your connections and even some of your own money to the table when sitting on the board. It's a big responsibility.
Board service also provides deep satisfaction. You'll be helping to steer and direct America's largest professional organization dedicated solely to supporting environmental journalism -- critically important work at a time of rising hostility toward the press and upheaval in environmental protection and regulation.
I hope you'll run.
Sincerely,
Bobby Magill
SEJ President
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