Giving and Receiving as an ACES Board Member
By Lauren Filippini
Read on for inspiration from Board Member At-Large Kristen Clark, who shares about her experience, what she’s learned, and why someone might consider running.
Learn more about the election process
When a then-ACES Board member reached out and suggested I run for the Board of Directors, I almost laughed.
I was young, with only a few ACES conferences and one committee volunteer term under my belt. Sure, I had led the ACES Style Guide Task Force, but I wasn’t a leader.
Now, I’m partway through my second term as an At-Large Board member and I’m so glad I said yes back then. I know I’m not alone when I recall feeling like I had finally found my people after my first conference, and it’s an honor to give back to my people in this way.
Accomplishments
As a Board member, I have:
- Chaired one committee (the Communications and Publications Committee) and one task force.
- Been a copresenter in two webcasts.
- Helped create the current strategic plan for ACES.
- Participated in challenging yet necessary conversations with my fellow Board members as we have worked to fulfill ACES’ mission.
Getting back so much more
I won’t lie; serving on the ACES Board is hard work. But what I get back is worth so much more than I put in. Just a few examples:
- I work for an organization with a similar structure to ACES. What I’ve learned as an ACES Board member helps me as a staff member working under a nonprofit board, and vice versa.
- My day job includes writing and editing PR and crisis communications. Being involved in those kinds of conversations with the ACES Board helps me better understand decision making and the need to balance complexity and expediency.
- Everything I do with ACES improves my editing skills, but Board service is more than editing. I’ve grown my abilities in writing, communication, budgeting, meeting management, and so much more.
- The ACES Board of Directors is made up of some of the smartest people I know and they care so deeply about this organization. Even though I only see them monthly on Zoom and in person twice a year, I’ve made friends who not only can help me with an editing question but also want to talk about all the big and small things of life. Recent conversations have included a check-in on how I’m feeling as a new mom, career advice, and a discussion on what to call people from Utah (it’s “Utahns,” if you were wondering).
- My confidence has grown drastically over my terms on the Board. I’ve been empowered to share my knowledge while listening closely to others’ expertise, and that self-assurance has extended into my workplace and my other volunteer commitments.
I am so grateful to Christine Ma, that past Board member who encouraged me to consider volunteering in this way. ACES Board service has changed my personal and professional life.
If you need encouragement like I did, let me be the first one to nudge, tap, and drag you over to the nomination page. ACES needs you.
Lauren Filippini is the marketing and communications manager for Alpha Chi Omega, where she manages the organization’s quarterly membership magazine, edits all external communications, maintains the house style guide, and implements brand messaging. For ACES, Lauren serves on the Board of Directors and as the chair of the Communications and Publications Committee.
ACES: The Society for Editing
ACES: The Society for Editing is the nation’s leading organization of editing professionals, educators, and students. Founded in 1997 by copy editors, ACES is dedicated to improving the quality of the written word and the working lives of editors. It sets standards of excellence and gives a voice to editors in journalism, government, business, publishing, and beyond through top-notch training, networking, and career opportunities. ACES hosts an annual in-person conference and, since 2022, an annual virtual conference. ACES Academy hosts monthly webinars. ACES also offers certificates in editing, which it co-hosts with The Poynter Institute, a global leader in journalism.
