Good morning fellow ABN members. As a new member as well as trustee and PR Manager for Pushing Out the Boat magazine (a registered charity) I thought I'd say hello to everyone and publicise an opportunity we have.
Pushing Out the Boat is the North-East's magazine of new writing and the visual arts. You can find our website here. We've just published our 15th issue and we're looking for a new coordinator/project manager.
I'll be upfront and stress that this is a voluntary role so won't be for many when business has to be a first priority. But it may suit you if you have an interest in the arts, or perhaps are newly retired or taking a career break. Anyhow, here is a flavour of what the role involves.
Our coordinator/project manager is central to the success of our magazine. You would compile a schedule of tasks critical to the agreed production timetable and ensure those tasks are completed timeously. We have a well-tested routine, with many automated tasks. You would work with our webmaster and new editor to ensure the smooth running of the project. Most of the work is home-based, working on computer and communicating by email. There are regular trustee/team meetings, usually in Aberdeen, often in members' homes. These are monthly during magazine production, less often the remainder of the year. Other occasional meetings are ad hoc, as required. The role requires project management skills ideally with an interest in literature and visual art. You would need to be able to both work alone and with the rest of our team, a confident self-starter able to make decisions but also knowing when consultation is necessary.
It's difficult to define how much work will be involved; a lot depends on how the tasks are tackled and your own time-management. During the magazine production phase, which has recently been biennial and lasts around 8-9 months, you would be busy from month 4, needing almost daily availability for the last 3-4 months up to the point at which we have a draft proof for our printer. But we have a working methodology, and key dates are well sign-posted onwards from the decision to make a call for submissions at the start of the process. Oh, and we're also a friendly and supportive group.
If you're interested in an additional,challenge, please e-mail us at info@pushingouttheboat.co.uk. As this is a voluntary role, there is no formal application process. Our current coordinator/project manager is retiring but will be available until end-March for a phased induction and handover. A first step would be a session with her and one of our trustees to talk through in more detail what is involved and whether this is for you. Once you were settled in we'd ask you to become one of our trustees but, as one, I can confirm that is not onerous.
I'm obviously happy to discuss any of this in the forum here if you prefer. Thanks for reading.
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