All the Society for News Design (SND) members got this nice and encouraging message from founder and past president (1982-1983) Richard Curtis (bolds are mine):
Matt Mansfield, the current SND president, has resigned, effective June 18. The reasons for his resignation are not altogether clear to those of us who do not sit on the board of directors, but I — and at least 13 other founders and past presidents of SND who participated Thursday in a lengthy teleconference that discussed the resignation and its ramifications — are convinced that Matt did resign in the interest of the Society.
In the phone conference, we fully acknowledged Matt’s worth to the Society and his many and valuable contributions over many years. We tried to dissuade him from resigning, but he was steadfast.
Where does that leave the Society, and more important, what does it mean to you, as a dues-paying member?
One, the Society is more than one person. Let’s remember that the Society is made up of true believers, or as Mario Garcia put it, “fools with enthusiasm.” That spirit cannot be dampened. This is just a temporary, albeit serious, setback to an organization that is essential to the future of journalism.
Two, know that the Society and its programs will continue. The Buenos Aires workshop will take place this September; the design contest in 2010 and its subsequent awards book will continue; Design magazine will be published as will SND Update; and regional workshops and Quick Courses will continue as scheduled.
Three, since this resignation caught everyone by surprise, in the coming weeks and months the remaining officers and board members will take whatever steps necessary and appropriate to address this challenge. You may be called on to volunteer; if so, we hope you’ll step up to the plate and take your strongest swing.
Current Vice-President Bonita Burton, now presumed president, has asked the past presidents to act as an advisory group to her and the board as she and others plot the Society’s immediate and long-term strategy; the past presidents have agreed. That’s a lot of firepower to bring to bear on whatever challenges she might face. Bonita and SND have our full support.
We hope you, too, will continue to support your Society through these rough times and to contribute in any way possible.
Thank you.
Matt and president pro-tem Bonita Burton are holding a live chat at 3:30 p.m. EDT today, June 16, to answer questions about the future of SND. (Check your local time here.)
Well, to start, what we need is to know the reasons, and then we can discuss the past, present and the future.
Unfortunately, SND is facing serious problems.
And one of them is transparency.
My feeling is that the Buenos Aires workshop could become a big issue, too, in these turbulent times.
(In the picture, Richard Curtis on the night USA Today launched)
UPDATE: You can read here the 40 minute chat that was of course ”moderated” and didn’t add any new facts.
A journalistic society that doesn’t (really) inform its members…
Must be a Guiness record!
The chat was just another kind of “damage control” that will not end the questions.