Editor:
Monet Shum
[ editor@njcl.org ]
Most Important Duties:
The NJCL Editor is responsible for organizing and overseeing the publication of the Torch: U.S. four times a year, once every season. Throughout the creation process, you must communicate with your mentor and other editors from state and local chapters to gather material and keep in touch with the wider JCL. In addition, you must also publish a feature article in each publication about an aspect of Classical civilization of your choice; this must be written and reviewed well. The office of editor attracted me because it allows me to communicate with many people in the JCL and offers me a creative launching pad for design and construction in organizing each issue—I consider this position very balanced.
How to Prepare for Office:
JCLers are incredibly supportive during the campaigning process, so relax, have fun, and meet new people—most of all, be yourself and be confident and knowledgeable in your platform! In regards to experience as an editor, I would recommend experimenting with a few different editing programs to get a feel for what you find comfortable. The NJCL uses Joomag for all its publications, so I would suggest familiarizing yourself with it, if possible, as the turnaround to create your first publication is one month after elections and familiarity would aid in this transition. However, don’t be afraid to call on others for help. Prepare to join in meetings and emails for your new board and for planning the new edition of the Torch: U.S. after your election.
Campaign Analysis:
I think my campaign was successful because I knew it front and back and I made it easily accessible for everyone else to learn both my platform and qualifications. By far the most time I spent was on my website and large posters, which I considered a way to display more of my personality and editing style because I knew that most of my other appearances during convention would be through conversations and speeches. However, what saved me the most stress was that I was able to easily compartmentalize my platform through an acronym, E.D.I.T., which allowed me to easily discuss and repeat my platform to many different audiences. I created flyers that I handed out during Meet the Candidates with this acronym and the corresponding parts of my platform, making it more easily communicated and digested.