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To our readers—
This is the third time I have addressed a letter to you. In the past, I have
done so periodically, as a simple way to update you on the progress of our
site. Today, I write to you to announce a few changes in the way we do
things here at TeenSpeak Online.
Our site was founded in 2005 on the basis of providing a reliable,
professional opinions home for teenagers from around the globe. Unlike blogs,
Facebook, or message boards, our content is designed to be thoroughly
researched, thought provoking, and carefully edited to uphold basic
journalistic standards. Why do we go to such lengths to ensure these things?
Because we believe that young people, too, deserve to have a voice in the
world today, and that that voice will be most significant if portrayed in a
professional manner.
With those goals in mind, and a not-for-profit mentality at heart, our site
has expanded tremendously to include regular contributors from all over the
world, led by a dedicated leadership team that volunteers endless hours to
further our mission.
Sure, we have hit roadblocks along the way. Homework, family, and friends
have all taken priority in our lives at one point or another. And we have
seen our staff change because of this. It is for this reason that I have, in
conjunction with dedicated site members and advisors, decided to modify the
way in which we conduct our day-to-day operations. This is not to say our
mission has changed; but our methods have, and we are excited at the
possibilities this will create for our readers and members.
First and foremost, I am pleased to announce the creation of two new
leadership positions at our site. These individuals will be responsible for
overseeing our daily operations, as well as fostering our long-term goals.
In this way, we have restructured our leadership under a new
Board of Directors and Editorial Committee. For
the moment, site leaders will serve in different positions on both boards,
with overlapping and complementary roles.
On our Editorial Committee will sit three members; myself as
Editor-in-Chief, Ariel Feldman as Managing Editor for Content, and Jonathon
Youshaei as Managing Editor for Business. As a committee, we will be
responsible for the daily operations of the site. Ariel and Jonathon
discussed their roles more specifically in their respective Editor's
Letters.
Our Board of Directors will consist of the same three people, but with a
different mission in mind. The Board will be tasked with guiding the
long-term goals of the site, as well as making ethical, business, and other
management-level decisions. I will serve as Executive Director, while Ariel
and Jonathon will serve as Senior Directors, respectively. Though Ariel, for
example, will oversee content on a daily basis, contentious issues that may
have a larger effect on our site will be brought to the Board of Directors.
Issues will be decided upon by majority vote, save for special
circumstances.
As we have for the past three years, our Advisory Board will continue to
offer their input on our long-term progress, directing their comments to the
Board of Directors who will then choose how to best implement them.
Specifically, an idea to draw more site traffic would be discussed by the
Board of Directors and then directed to Jonathon, who would hold
responsibility for its implementation.
Our current staff will be structured along the same lines. But we will now
accept "Contributors," or members who will have their work published on the
Opinions pages but will not necessarily be regular writers, much in the same
way professional publications use this title.
Once again, I thank you for your continued interest in our site. Your visit
is an important first step in furthering teen awareness and involvement. I
encourage you to take the next one; whether that means writing for our site,
making a small donation, or sending us your thoughts and comments so that we
may improve.
Lasting, global change comes one step at a time. We hope to take one of the
first right here at TeenSpeak Online, by changing the way we do things from
the bottom up. We hope you'll join us.
Sincerely yours,
Victor A. Rudo
Editor-in-Chief/Executive Director
TeenSpeak Online |
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