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SAJA Board Elections 2008-09

ELECTION WINNERS

SAJA is pleased to announce winners of the latest elections. The following candidates will serve two-year terms for 2008-09.

  • V.V. (Sugi) Ganeshananthan
  • Sandeep Junnarkar
  • John Laxmi
  • Gopal Ratnam
  • Anusha Shrivastava

Read more about each of the winners below.

ELECTION PROCEDURES


For the SAJA Board, 2008-2009

This election page includes:

From SAJA Elections Coordinator Monika Mathur
And SAJA Secretary Sudeep Reddy
November 15, 2007

TO ALL FULL MEMBERS OF SOUTH ASIAN JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Annual Meeting of the members of South Asian Journalists Association ("SAJA") will be held at 6:00 pm on December 4, 2007, at Leela Lounge, 1 West 3rd Street, in New York City for the purposes of electing members to the Board of Directors of SAJA and other matters of interest to members.

Five candidates are running for five seats that are up for election. You can find the candidates' statements on our online elections page at http://www.saja.org/about/elections.html

You have two ways to vote this year:

  1. In person this year at the annual meeting.
  2. By proxy by sending an e-mail to SAJA Secretary Sudeep Reddy at sajamember [at] gmail [dot] com with your selection of candidates. You must send the message from the primary e-mail account listed for your SAJA membership. You may log in to your account here.

    Include the following:
  • Your name
  • A list of up to five candidates listed below to receive your vote.

Only paid full members as of November 13 are eligible to vote. If you missed this year's deadline for voting eligibility, please use this opportunity to renew or sign up for membership. It takes less than five minutes to sign up at www.saja.org/members/membership.html

If you have any questions about the elections, e-mail us at sajamember [at] gmail [dot] com.

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

These are the candidates for the SAJA Board for the 2008-09 term. We have a capable slate of candidates whose names and statements are listed below in alphabetical order. Members will be voting on five board seats this year at the annual members meeting on Dec. 4.

Questions about the elections and your membership status can be sent to sajamember [at] gmail [dot] com.

V.V. (Sugi) Ganeshananthan
Freelance Writer

From the moment I joined SAJA, just over six years ago, it was one of few organizations in which I felt I truly belonged. As I've gone from college journalism to a full-time journalism career to more literary pursuits and freelance writing, SAJA friends have supported every twist and turn of my career. Now I'm eager to give back to SAJA as part of the Board.

As a first-generation Sri Lankan-American, I'm particularly invested in seeing SAJA increase the diversity of its programming. I was one of the SAJA convention's programming chairs this year and coordinated many of its panels and workshops. The convention can become an even more useful resource as we take full advantage of its potential to address media issues in a broader range of countries. Now I'd like to help our year-round programming reflect the richness of South Asia and the connections between its countries—as well as membership recruiting in this vein.

I have experience teaching and organizing; in addition to an earlier teaching stint at a university, last fall I taught a journalism workshop for high school girls through the Asian-American Writers' Workshop. I've previously used my experience to organize a SAJA-DC panel for aspiring freelancers.

Finally, my interest in teaching and writing extends beyond journalism. I have two novels about Sri Lanka forthcoming from Random House. (The first, Love Marriage, will be published in spring 2008.) I hope to use my knowledge of and connections with the literary world on behalf of the SAJA community, which has long been interested in literary figures and events.

www.vasugi.com
www.saja.org/members/profiles/vvganeshananthan.html

Sandeep Junnarkar
Associate Professor, The City University of New York, Graduate School of Journalism

SAJA played an instrumental role in my success as a journalist — the scholarship and awards I won helped to build my reputation and experience. In 2003, I joined the SAJA board determined to grow and strengthen the programs that helped me, knowing just how important they are in establishing journalists. In the past 4 years, I have worked to create an electronic entry system and payment system for the awards, making it easier for journalists from around the world to submit entries. I have also shepherded the SAJA Reporting Fellowships program since its inception in 2005. That program has grown to annually given out up to $20,000 from $10,000. To keep SAJA members up to speed with the changing journalism landscape, I have managed or taught the SAJA New Media Workshop during the annual convention since 2003. Most recently, I negotiated a $7,500 scholarship with CUNY Graduate School of Journalism that allows SAJA members to enroll in that program and earn a Masters degree. I am dedicated to continuing to grow these programs and to working for SAJA in any other capacity.

www.saja.org/members/profiles/junnarkar.html

John Laxmi
Partner, Alinda Capital LLC, and Adjunct Faculty in Finance at NYU School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies

Dear SAJA members:

I'm seeking your vote for the chance to serve on SAJA's Board.

Thanks to your voluntary efforts, SAJA has become a very active networking forum. We provide a range of services to the community and members. Our challenge today is to prioritize and focus on the our
core mission: (1) improve the quality and extent of coverage of South Asia(ns) and (2) be an effective network for people interested in journalism.

SAJA's central mission is to improve the quality and scope of coverage of South Asia(ns). SAJA must become better organized and more effective. My vision is to make SAJA a constructive force, a definitive authority and the leading source of sophisticated and nuanced journalism, dedicated to spotlighting, analyzing and clarifying the South Asian subcontinent and its peoples.

Thanks to your support, I've had the privilege of serving as a member on SAJA's board for seven years. Initially as SAJA's secretary and most recently as its treasurer, I've made contributions to the organization's management and finance, with a special emphasis on enhancing discipline, quality and focus in our activities. I have participated in improving SAJA's financial position, through a
combination of fundraising and cost constraints, improving our ability to finance scholarships and other programs. I have also contributed to streamlining and increased participation in the SAJA Discussion List, which currently serves 580+ participants (up from 380 two years ago) from a dozen countries.

With your continued support, I will champion quality and excellence, to be achieved by managed growth. If you have any questions, please contact me at johnlaxmisaja [at] gmail [dot] com. Thanks.

Gopal Ratnam
Reporter, Bloomberg News, Washington D.C.

I'd like to run for a second term for the SAJA board primarily to finish the important tasks I've taken on during my current term. I'm in the process of helping SAJA redesign its Web site, which I believe is the key to improving the organization's activities in its chapters. It's also necessary to draw and retain members. I'd like to finish this task in my second term. Also, earlier this year I helped SAJA hold a one-day conference in Washington in collaboration with the National Press Club, its first such event outside New York. If elected to a second term I'd like to continue exploring opportunities to organize SAJA activities outside New York.

Anusha Shrivastava
Reporter, Dow Jones Newswires

I signed up for lifetime membership of SAJA soon after I realized this is an organization I clearly want to be a part of. Its dedicated group of journalists and the opportunities it presents are its most attractive features for me. Having been a member since the late 90s, I appreciate and enjoy the programs it runs, especially the annual convention.

This year, I volunteered to set up and run the Buddy Program, hoping to connect young journalists with those who have worked in the industry for many years. Several members have already signed up and the program will be up and running before the end of this month. I'd like to be a part of the SAJA board to be able to work for the association through this and other programs and give a little back to it.

I believe that having worked in print and newswires in the U.S. for the past few years, I am now at a stage where I can share my own experiences with other journalists and hopefully provide some pointers to them as well. Being a board member would give me access to more of the association's membership.

www.saja.org/members/profiles/shrivastava.html

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Deadline Nov. 13, 2007 (11:59 pm EST)

Every year, SAJA looks for enthusiastic, energetic members to join us on the Board. And we hope it might just be you.

The first SAJA Board was organized in 1999 and since then we have served on a volunteer basis, setting the association’s direction and goals. On average, the Board meets in person four times a year and has phone calls every month, more often in the run-up to the convention. We spend a lot of time on ongoing SAJA events and activities, but also dedicate considerable thought and energy toward new programs, many of which are suggested by our members. The board also elects from among its members the association’s president, vice president, administrator, treasurer and secretary.

Serving as a Board member is an honor, but it’s also a great responsibility. Members must be committed to SAJA and willing to spend time throughout the year on its many public activities and administrative tasks. It’s important and fulfilling work that requires dedicated people with vision, energy and ideas.

SAJA members are sharp, motivated journalists and the association needs your wide and varied talents. If you are interested in sharing your time and energy as a board member and have questions, please free to contact me and other board members.

Below is a list of questions and answers that explains the election process. If you have a question that is not answered, please feel free to contact SAJA 2007 Elections Coordinator Monika Mathur at monikamathur [at] gmail [dot] com or SAJA's Secretary Sudeep Reddy at sudeepreddysaja [at] gmail [dot] com.

We need strong candidates to run - and you don't have to live in New York City!

REMEMBER: In order to be able to vote, your membership must be valid as of Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007 - you can sign up or renew today at http://www.saja.org/members/membership.html.

And don't forget, the deadline to submit your candidacy statement by Nov. 13, 2007 (11:59 pm EST). See below for details on nominating yourself.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: I want to run. What do I do?
A: If you are not already a member, sign up for membership (www.saja.org/members/membership.html). The deadline for membership, if you plan to run for the Board, is NOVEMBER 13, 2007 If you have questions about your membership status, e-mail sajamember [at] gmail [dot] com. Then, e-mail sajamember [at] gmail [dot] com with the following information, stating your intention to run for office:

  • NAME
  • E-MAIL ADDRESS
  • STREET ADDRESS
  • PHONE NUMBER
  • PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION
  • STATEMENT (No more than 300 words describing why you want to serve on the SAJA Board. If you submit more than 300 words, your statement will be edited down to 300 words.)
  • WEB SITE URL or SAJA PROFILE PAGE if you have one (Do not send any attachments. They will not be opened.)

ONLY your name, affiliation, statement and URL will be posted on the SAJA Web site during the election. We need the rest of the information to verify your candidacy.

This information MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 13, 11:59 pm EST. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Q: Now that I have submitted my statement, how do I campaign?
A: There is no formal campaigning for the Board seats. You are free to talk to SAJA members informally, but you may NOT use any of the SAJA e-mail lists or speak formally at SAJA events to promote your candidacy. All full, paid SAJA members will receive ONE official e-mail containing all of the candidates' statements no later than Nov. 15. At the same time, the statements will be posted on the SAJA Web site, where they will remain until the voting is closed.

Q. Who is eligible to run for the Board?
A: All FULL, PAID SAJA members are eligible to run for a seat as a director on the SAJA Board. You must be a paid SAJA member as of NOVEMBER 13, 2007, in order to run. Associate members and student members are not eligible to run for the Board. If you have questions about your membership status, you can e-mail sajamember [at] gmail [dot] com.

Q: Who is eligible to vote in the election?
A: All FULL, PAID SAJA members are eligible to vote in the election. You must be a paid SAJA member as of NOVEMBER 13, 2007, in order to vote. Associate members and student members are not eligible to vote.

Q: Who can be a full, paid member of SAJA?
A: Full SAJA membership is open to all working journalists residing in North America or working for a North American journalism organization. To sign up for membership or renew your membership, go to www.saja.org/members/membership.html. If you have questions about your membership status, e-mail sajamember [at] gmail [dot] com.

Q: How long is the term of office?
A: Board members serve two-year terms. If you run for the Board now, you must make a commitment to serve from January 2008 through December 2009.

Q: Do I have to live in New York to run for the Board?
A: No.

Q: How many seats are open?
A: Of the 11 seats on the Board, five are open. The Board is on a staggered election cycle, so half of the seats are contested each year. This ensures continuity from year to year.

Q: Who's on the Board now?
A: See www.saja.org/about/boardmembers.html.

Q: What are the responsibilities of serving on the Board?
A: Board members are responsible for carrying out the mission statement of SAJA and framing the organization's direction and policies. This involves a serious year-round commitment to implementing SAJA's policies as well as ongoing, active participation in the planning and execution of SAJA events and activities. You must also attend and be actively involved in the planning and execution of the annual SAJA convention, which is held in New York in the summer, and help with SAJA's ongoing fundraising activities. Please consider your other professional and personal obligations BEFORE you submit your candidacy statement. Once you take office, you must abide by the SAJA bylaws governing the duties and conduct of Board members. You must attend the four to six scheduled Board meetings each year (in person or by conference call), participate in SAJA's administrative and committee-level work, and be available for other meetings to discuss important matters pertaining to SAJA.

Q: Will SAJA fly me to New York for the Board meetings and the annual convention?
A: No. You are expected to attend the Board meetings, but you can do so by teleconference from wherever you are. You must attend the convention in person. Many news organizations support their employee’s commitment to SAJA by paying for all or part of your travel to the Board meetings and the annual convention. We encourage you to contact your employer about this.

Q: What are the benefits of serving on SAJA's Board of Directors?
A: Serving on the Board provides you with an opportunity to shape the future of a growing professional organization, to bring your vision of what SAJA should be to the table, and to work with fellow SAJA members who share your commitment to the organization's goals.

Q: How do I become SAJA President?
A: First, you must win a seat on the Board. The current president's term will end at the January 2008 Board meeting, when the Board will choose a new president and other officers from the sitting Board members. To run for president or vice president, you must have served on the Board for at least one year, unless the Board chooses to release you from that requirement.

Q: I want to nominate someone else to run for the Board. What do I do?
A: Send the potential candidate an e-mail encouraging him or her to run. Candidates must submit the necessary information themselves.

Q: How does the voting work?

A: On Nov. 15, SAJA will post a ballot form on its Web site. Members may vote for six candidates, or fewer if they wish. Of those candidates who receive at least 5 percent of the total votes cast, the top five vote getters will be named to the Board.

Q: When will the results of the election be announced?
A: The SAJA Annual members meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2007 (Location TBA) at which the voting will take place and election results will be announced.