Editing, leadership & teambuilding
1. The Pinion Editor-in-Chief Responsibilities/Leadership
As The Pinion's EIC, I have different responsibilities for myself, other staffers, and my advisor. Some of my duties include running the pitch sessions, helping out reporters with their articles, organizing documents, and assisting the editorial board with what ever they need. Being the EIC, I act as a point of wisdom and help for their articles or questions. The reporters often come up to me asking questions about when things should be done or whom they should talk to for their articles. I also hold meetings with the entire staff to talk about reminders or status updates on their articles. For example, I saw an issue when it came to covering school events. So I created a mini lesson and talked with the entire staff on how we could do better.
I often speak with the editorial board to ensure they are doing well with their tasks. From helping the social media editor with ideas to post, assisting the print editor in creating designs for the print and checking in with the copy editor to make sure each article has been copy edited so that are articles are the best they can be.
From being the EIC, I have learned to not only be a better leader, but a better peer to my fellow reporters.
2. Editing
Being a part of a newswriting class that produces a quarterly newspaper, countless edits and revisions are to be expected. The first draft we have, it is always expected to have some feedback on it. Starting content-wise, making sure our draft structure is proper, quotes and transitions flow nicely and overall language. After our first round of editing, we check for spelling and grammar errors. Then we get our articles fact checked, before the final round of editing.
Besides editing articles, I also help edit the print design. This includes making sure the articles are in order. From news, feature, sports, to opinion; each article has some kind of media; the text is readable, and making sure each layout and design looks nice.
3. Teambuilding
While it is good to be a strong leader and edit work, bonding and getting to know my staff is just as important. Over the years, I have participated in various activities with my staff, such as Man Bites Dog, UNO, Spy, and Kahoot games, when we celebrate a staff member's birthday. Sometimes when we do these activities. We forget we are in class, and it just feels like it's already recess time and we are just hanging out.
These moments helped us get to know each other better and bond anew with returning staff members.