The final report of the Planning Committee, which prepared the Vision Statement, was accepted by the board at the June 28, 2001 board meeting.

Vision Statement #1: Standards for Membership

Vision Statement #2: Member Ethics

Vision Statement #3: Advocacy

Vision Statement #4: Professional Development and Services

Planning Committee

VISION STATEMENT # 1:

ASJA is the premier Society of professional freelance non-fiction writers.

A.  The membership committee will develop a historical record of the publications deemed acceptable as credits toward acceptance for membership. This list will be posted on the ASJA members-only web site. While this list may be altered from time to time as deemed necessary by the membership committee, it will serve as a guideline for members who are helping potential members craft their applications.

1.  The membership committee will develop guidelines on what constitutes an acceptable publication (newspaper, magazine, etc. ). That information will be available on the web site in order to facilitate members' ability to open a dialog with the committee regarding any particular publication.

2.  The list will include major on-line publications (perhaps Salon, Slate, etc. ) and some determination of how appropriate on-line markets are evaluated, again to facilitate dialog regarding particular markets.

3.  The ASJA web site for the membership committee will also include information about what constitutes an acceptable book, (i.e. kind of publisher, print run, availability to the public, etc. ).

4.  The membership committee will clearly state on the web site the expectations of what quantity of work is necessary to meet ASJA's basic level of "exacting standards of professional achievement. " (Taken from page 1 of the green directory).

5.  The application will have written instructions encouraging applicants who believe their work is substantial enough to merit membership but which might not exactly fit the requirements outlined above to write a letter which will accompany their application, explaining why that other work should be given favorable consideration.

C.  In all cases, the membership committee will strive to make all changes in the membership requirements consistent with ASJA's intent to be the premier society for professional freelance non-fiction writers.

D.  The membership application will be revised to include a question asking applicants to disclose if they had any help in the actual writing of any of their qualifying works.

E.  All decisions by the membership committee that might potentially require revision of ASJA by-laws will be submitted to the ASJA By-Law Committee for review and appropriate action.

DISCUSSION

ASJA has long suffered because of a perceived lack of coherent requirements to achieve membership. The process has often been seen as capricious and sometimes having geographical bias. To make the membership application process more transparent, it is necessary to clarify what constitutes acceptable credits. In no way does this Vision item suggest lowering the professional capabilities needed to join. The committee reflects the opinion stated by the membership to our questions that it is critical to keep the standards high. There are currently other organizations that novice writers can join to help them learn the skills necessary to become truly professional as writers.

VISION STATEMENT # 2:

ASJA has, and members adhere to, a strict Code of Ethics.

A.  ASJA members refrain from libel, slander, and plagiarism.

B.  ASJA members respect the copyrights of others.

C.  ASJA members have the obligation to disclose potential conflicts of interest, and refrain from acts that are clear conflicts.

D.  ASJA members respect confidentiality.

VISION STATEMENT # 3:

ASJA is a forceful advocate for members and all writers in governmental and industry arenas.

VISION STATEMENT # 4:

ASJA offers members continuing education, professional/social networking, and services to support and enhance their businesses.

A. In order to provide continuing education and networking opportunities, ASJA will continue to offer annual member meetings and will endeavor to hold similar conferences/meetings in geographic areas outside the NYC area where there are concentrations of members.

B. ASJA will enhance its online presence. The appropriate committees, as identified by the president, will set up special interest-oriented listserves in disciplines where members have requested one (for instance, narrative, biography, speaking, PR, ghosting, etc.). (Special Interest Groups now in operation.)

C. ASJA will have a process for interfacing with other writers' groups to support and enhance our mutual goals. Information shared this way will be reported to the general membership regularly (perhaps through the newsletter or e-list). (Liaisons with other writers' groups are being pursued at two levels within ASJA: at the executive level by President Sam Greengard, Executive Vice President Jim Morrison and Executive Director Brett Harvey; and by the Herded Cats who have set up a Creators Network.)

D. ASJA will devote significant resources to supporting the work of the Contracts Watch Committee.

E. ASJA will continue to explore ways to provide affordable insurance programs for health, life, and business.

Prepared by the 1999-2001 Planning Committee:

Donna G. Albrecht, chair
Anita Bartholomew
Patricia Schiff Estess
Kathryn Lance
Stephen Morrill
Jim Morrison
Sally Stich
Stephen Weinberg