My First "Board" Meeting
Posted: Monday, April 26, 2010
by Dianne Lehmann
Artisan Jewelry from SyZyGy
I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the other writers (cool hunh? other writers) for the Quad Cities Business News, the advertising manager plus another sales representative, a photographer and sundry others including the woman who recruited me; she lead the meeting. It was interesting, intimidating, daunting and a whole other list of adjectives.
The chairs were something else; huge and heavy and leather-upholstered. They were too deep in the seat for my short little legs and so I either had to sit way forward or slouch back with an uncomfortable curve in my back. Luckily, they "reclined" and that helped a bit. To add to the insult, the seats were low and the table must have been higher than most because the top of it came about to about the midway point between the bottom of my chin and my sternum. All together, an inconvenient arrangement. But once the meeting got underway, I forgot about all that.
We went around the table and introduced ourselves. There were women (Bernd was the only male in attendance) with writing credits from the Prescott Courier and the Arizona Republic . One woman was a former video editor for NBC and Days of Our Lives. Another had worked in radio and television. And our fearless leader had over 30 years experience in all the information and entertainment media. I was not overly impressed by all this. It takes a lot to impress me. I'd be happier knowing they were kind to dogs or horses. But it was a bit demoralizing. All I had to say for myself was that I started writing to promote our website almost three years ago, found I really enjoyed writing, saw the advertisement for the freelance position, answered it, our leader liked my work and there is was.
Don't get me wrong, I think writing for SearchWarp is a privilege and a good education. But these other women all had such strong credentials. What the heck did I think I was doing among them? Our leader took pains to point out that her ad had received over 30 applicants and that she had selected the best. She made a point to look directly at me as she said it with a really nice smile on her face. Obviously, she had already taken my measure and knew I had doubts about my abilities. Am I that transparent? Apparently.
The meeting went on and we discussed the importance of all the new social media, writing style and where to look for good examples of what is desired, how to identify stories and tie national issues to local concerns, and the vision for the future of the paper. All in all, it was a good meeting. I came away with some good suggestions and ideas. We all exchanged business cards and then we parted ways and went about our business.
My only assignment for the May issue was to do a write-up about K C HiLites (manufacturer of lighting solutions for off-road vehicles) and their new location in Prescott Valley, Arizona (one of the Quad Cities). I didn't get the assignment until just a couple of days before the meeting and I had been unable to get them on the phone and there had been no response to my fax, so Bernd and I decided to go there directly after the meeting. We found the building. It was empty, locked tight, and had a for sale sign on it (sign of the times). So most likely, I will have to go at the story from a different angle. But hey, I've always thought that was my forte looking at things from a slightly skewed perspective (mainly because I am slightly skewed myself). So we will see how it all turns out. Has to turn out quickly though, my deadline approaches and the clock is ticking.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)I love that Bernd is assisting and attending meetings with you. What a team you must be! I also liked, 'It takes a lot to impress me. I'd be happier knowing they were kind to dogs or horses.' I like people who keep it real, and you do Dianne, that's what's appealing about your writing. You go girl!Hi Brianna.I've always said that between Bernd and I, we put together one whole brain. :) I've always thought that we make an excellent team, as well. We didn't always work well together (as in when we were first doing mobile home resales in SoCal), but we got it worked out and it's been great ever since.Thank you so much for your kind comments!Hugs,Dianne
Goo for you. good luck. I would have been excited about the closed place. It gives you the opportunity to do several articles from different points of view. You can interject more of yourself since there won't be much about them.Hi Jack.Unfortunately for me, I'm not supposed to interject more of myself. They want impartial reporting ... just the facts. My challenge has been to make the facts interesting and entertaining to read. The paper focuses on local businesses and business related issues and shops closing is certainly that. Unfortunately, again, that has already been done to death. :( Oh well. And my assignment was to talk with them specifically. I've submitted my off-roading story but have yet to receive any feedback about it. We'll see.Thanks, Jack, for reading and commenting.My best to you,Dianne
As always, Dianne, your article has me laughing and thinking. I love your humor and your observations - and how you got to where you are now.I'd have been totally intimidated in that meeting, I bow to your superior capacity to hold yourself together in such an environment! You do make your comments interesting and entertaining, and I can't imagine that your off-roading story is run-of-the-mill.I don't think you know how to do run-of-the-mill, dear heart!Great that you and Bernd are working together. I'm sure you'll go far.lots of love,JenniferHi Jennifer.Don't for a moment think that I wasn't intimidated. But in between severe bouts of self doubt was the desire to make myself a better writer and to find a fit for me in all of it. To make some money doing what I love is a big incentive.Thank you so much for all your kind comments! I really appreciate them.Hugs,Dianne
hi di,this sounds good.great influences around you to keep you on top.i wish you luck.please keep me posted.oh, and i love dogs and cats and birds and one snake we had for years, and rabbits, and deer, and chipmunks and just about any animal.just thought i'd throw that in :)you go get 'em,my best,sueHi Sue.You've never failed to impress me! And I'm sure you are just the kind of person I'd love to live next door to.You're right about it keeping me on my toes. Problem is that I don't always do well on my toes. I prefer a more solid footing. Oh well, I'll just have to learn to deal with it. :)Thanks for reading and commenting.Hugs,Dianne
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