Are you looking for a way to get more involved with EAL/LA? You’re invited to run for a Co-Chair position on the EAL/LA Leadership Council!

Election timeline:

May 22, 2013 – Call for Co-Chairs
June 5, 2013 - Deadline for applicants
June 9, 2013 - Election opens
June 22, 2013 - Voting closes
Week of June 23, 2013 - Notify Elects
July 1, 2013 - Co-Chairs announced & Terms begin

Application Review Process

Applications will be reviewed for completeness by current LC members. Once applicants are approved, profiles will be posted on ealla.org.

Application Packet Checklist

EALLA-Leadership-Council-Application-2013 [click to download]
Curriculum Vitae and/or Resume
Personal Statement

Please e-mail all Application materials to info@ealla.org  by June 5, 2013 at 5 p.m.

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About the Leadership Council

EAL/LA creates an atmosphere that is conducive to information sharing and generational leadership succession. We’re emerging arts leaders so the idea is that we expect our own leaders to eventually “emerge”.

In order to do so, we’ve created a Leadership Council (LC) that is chaired by our more seasoned members. The Chairs will aid in orienting new leaders over the course of a one-year period. During this period, the Chairs preserve institutional knowledge and ensure the sustainability of EAL/LA by working closely with and developing the Co-Chairs. As the Chairs “emerge” or transition from the network, the Co-Chairs progress into the Chairs role and a new group of Co-Chairs is elected from the networks general membership.

Responsibilities:

The Co-Chairs are expected to meet monthly with the LC and with partnered Chair on an as needed basis. Each Chair/Co-Chair committee is expected to provide a short report quarterly to the LC to document and update on the committee’s progress.

Co-Chair Descriptions

Executive Co-Chair

This is a two-year term:  one year as Executive Co-Chair (2013-2014), followed by one year as Executive Chair (2014-2015).

Development Co-Chair

This is a two-year term:  one year as Development Co-Chair (2013-2014), followed by one year as Development Chair (2014-2015).

Programming Co-Chair

Working collaboratively, Programming Chair and Co-Chair will be responsible for executing regular professional development programming for EAL/LA membership. This will include brainstorming and generating ideas, coordinating event logistics, and assisting with day-of responsibilities, as necessary. Chair and Co-Chair will provide assistance and guidance to members who seek to sponsor and organizeEAL/LA events. They will review program proposal submissions and determine which programs to recommend to Leadership Council for promotion and sponsorship. Chair and Co-Chair will communicate with planning committees to ensure programs are executed according to EAL/LA guidelines.

Programming Chair and Co-Chair will support committees for annual programs, including Creative Conversations and APAL. These programs will be managed through their respective committees, but the Programming Chair and Co-Chair will ensure the programs are being executed, are on schedule, and are in accordance with EAL/LA standards.

Additional responsibilities of the Programming Chair and Co-Chair will be to organize and attend regular meetings of Programming committee. In conjunction with the Strategic Planning process, Programming Chair and Co-Chair will develop EAL/LA Programming Priorities and Guidelines document. This will be reviewed by the Leadership Council and implemented with future EAL/LA programming.

The Programming Co-Chair is highly interested in the nuts and bolts of program development. The Co-Chair should be a highly motivated and accessible team-player. Familiarity with contemporary arts/non-profit management and professional development theories, events, speakers, and ideas is a plus, but can be substituted by an interest in these areas and a willingness to learn. Most importantly, the Co-Chair should be dedicated to ensuring EAL/LA provides high-quality, constructive, and inspirational programming to our members.

This is a two-year term:  one year as Programming Co-Chair (2013-2014), followed by one year as Programming Chair (2014-2015).

Finance Co-Chair

The Finance Chair and Co-Chair manage the EAL/LA budget. In coordination with the Executive Chair/Co-Chair, the Finance Chair and Co-Chair will develop and implement systems for maintaining budget records, approving expenses and reimbursements, and keeping the members of the Leadership Council (LC) informed about financial issues. The Co-Chair will assist the Chair in monitoring the budget on an ongoing basis by reviewing monthly budget statements from Community Partners (CP) and tracking income and disbursements. The Finance Chair and Co-Chair will be responsible for ensuring that proposed expenditures are within budget and collect necessary information for the LC and CP to evaluate and authorize the expenditures. The Co-Chair will be involved in obtaining receipts and preparing forms to be submitted to CP for reimbursement. The Finance Chair and Co-Chair will support EAL/LA’s programs by helping the Programming team create event budgets. Should a paid membership structure be introduced, the Finance Co-Chair will work with the Membership and Development Chairs and Committees to receive and track membership dues. The Finance Co-Chair will, when appropriate, assist in Development activities by providing current budget information for funding solicitation and grant reporting purposes. The Finance Co-Chair will assess EAL/LA’s budget and will meet with the Finance Chair to discuss the state of EAL/LA’s finances on at least a monthly basis. The Finance Chair and Co-Chair will work with the LC to establish budgets for several fiscal years in advance and will support the overall financial goals of the organization. The Finance Co-Chair will likely work very closely with the CP liaison (the Finance Chair Emeritus) in performing all of his or her duties. In addition, the Finance Co-Chair will assist in the initiation and implementation of various projects including finance-themed workshops, and incorporation, and act as a liason to the Nonprofit Task Force committee.

For this position, that old job description standard “detail-oriented” is a must. No formal―or even informal―accounting experience is required, but a familiarity with budget spreadsheets and monthly/annual financial statements is helpful, and those with phobia of numbers or handling money may rather apply for something else. The Finance Co-Chair should be responsible and responsive to requests for budget information from the Finance Chair and other LC members. Of course, the Finance Co-Chair should be committed to EAL/LA! Sense of humor a plus.

This is a two-year term:  one year as Finance Co-Chair (2013-2014), followed by one year as Finance Chair (2014-2015).

Communications Co-Chair

The Communication Co-Chair will assist the Chair in maintaining the website, social media and other online accounts. This includes site moderation for spam, membership, content, and access issues. The Co-Chair will help generate blog content and solicit permission for cross-posting relevant blogs to be posted on ealla.org. Co-Chair will keep an editor’s eye on website specifically blogged content. The Communications team is responsible for checking EAL/LA voicemail and general email account, and forwarding questions to appropriate people. The Communication team will assist the LC with other tech issues as they arise. The Communications team will assist the Marketing & Membership team in writing and distributing press releases and pushing out information and announcements through all channels. The communications team will work closely with all departments to develop and maintain brand fidelity. The Co-Chair will communicate to the Finance team any budgetary concerns or recurring costs. The Co-Chair will work with the Development team in identifying and implementing appropriate online revenue initiatives.

The ideal Co-Chair will be very web savvy and have be active online on a daily basis. The Co-Chair will be accessible to the LC and membership, keeping tabs on the various online accounts on a regular basis. The Co-Chair will meet with the Chair on a monthly basis aside from the LC monthly meetings. The Communications Co-Chair will have an interest in web technologies and content management. The Communications team will work on an archiving solution for audio, video, and image content for the group and will be looking to experiment with new tech tools to benefit the EAL/LA membership.

This is a two-year term:  one year as Communications Co-Chair (2013-2014), followed by one year as Communications Chair (2014-2015).

Marketing & Membership Co-Chair

This is a two-year term:  one year as Marketing & Membership Co-Chair (2013-2014), followed by one year as Marketing & Membership Chair (2014-2015).

At Large Member

As a voting member, the ALM will also attend monthly Leadership Council meetings, participate in online discussions, and work with various Chairs on projects, as available.

About the Leadership Council

(Click through each image to see it full sized on EAL/LA’s flickr.)

This is Emerging Arts Leaders / Los Angeles. Our Membership/Marketing and Communications teams have worked together to complie data and create this image representing the membership of EAL/LA. The data show some interesting trends and gives insight into areas of need and interest for the future of EAL/LA.

Certain trend are apparent in each of the demographic fields. A quick glance shows that the majority of EAL/LA members are 21-39 year old. Most of the members are female and the largest subset for race is white. The majority are employed full time and an overwhelming number of members have a degree or an advanced degree. The average salary for these members ranges from 20-45 thousand dollars per year. The data also shows that EAL/LA is an inclusive organization. The range in age, gender, nationality and race, and education and income levels offers insight into the inclusive policies of our organization. Member statistics are also reflective of the arts management field in general, cementing the reality that national arts sector jobs are largely held by white women with degrees.

What does this information mean for EAL/LA? It provides insight into what we are made of, giving direction for future programming and membership growth. It also points to areas where we need to improve. The Leadership Council is concerned with broadening the race and gender audience of EAL/LA and becoming more reflective of the breadth of diversity in Los Angeles. The data and graphics also provide talking points for explaining what EAL/LA is, who it serves, and what functions it provides. With this tool, the Leadership Council and members can say that EAL/LA is an organization that provides opportunities for Professional Development for the arts sector in Los Angeles. The Demographics include a wide range of diversity but are reflective of national trends in the field. Having a cool graphic to use as a discussion point is a bonus.

It should be remarked, EAL/LA provides a wide range of professional development and networking activities throughout the year. The two Creative Conversations book end the Fall and Spring seasons with their full day lectures and workshops while the rest of the year is filled with organizational committee meetings, workshops based on departments, resume roundtables, and a glut of Social Media interactions. All of the committees accept volunteer membership throughout the year and provide opportunities for members to become as involved as they would like to be in EAL/LA.

The Leadership Council encourages all of our members and future members (sign up for free membership here at ealla.org) to engage and help shape the organization. The full complement of department chairs will be “emerging” this year, requiring an election of new co-chairs for each seat. Join a department to learn more and provide yourself with opportunities for professional growth.

Special Thanks to Gavin Williamson for compiling the demographic information. Thanks to Gopi Shah for her assistance in building the infographic. And thank to all the members who participated and allowed us to compile the information.

EAL/LA is a fiscally sponsored organization. This arrangement has served us well for the last several years but as we look toward the future, we wonder what type of business entity will be the best for us going forward. To help determine our fate, we are putting together a small task force to explore our options.

If you are interested in researching non-profit models, analyzing the implications of remaining fiscally sponsored v. becoming an independent nonprofit, exploring the practical requirements of 501(c)(3) incorporation, and thinking through the future of EAL/LA, please email Cynthia, EAL/LA Finance Chair at cynthia@ealla.org, with GO NPO in the subject line.  This is a small group forum, space will be limited.

The task force will meet in early February, convene over email for the next month, prepare a summary of our findings for the Leadership Council’s March meeting, and sponsor a workshop on tax-exempt organizations in the spring.

We’ve searched long and hard and we are proud to announce our new Managing Director of EAL/LA is Stephanie Stallings! Stephanie will ensure successful operations of the EAL/LA Leadership Council by guiding efficient communications and organization.  We know she will keep us on track as we grow and build a better network for emerging leaders, and help EAL/LA to strengthen the vibrant arts community in Los Angeles!

A little bit about Stephanie:

Stephanie Stallings is a musicologist with over 13 years of experience in the arts and education sectors. She has worked as a marketing and sales coordinator at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC and as a lecturer in music history at George Washington University.

Stephanie researches the use of visual and performing arts in public diplomacy as well as other forms of inter-cultural dialogue. She created Arts Diplomacy Network in 2012 to address–in thoughtful discussion with arts ambassadors, diplomats and policy experts–some of the challenges inherent in current arts diplomacy practice (artsdiplomacy.com). Her future plans include curating and evaluating artistic programming that both increases awareness of international arts and celebrates U.S. cultural diversity at a time when both are imperative. Her other interests include cultural policy and globalization, and the role of the arts in diverse, democratic societies.

Stephanie’s professional experience includes work in higher education, publishing and editing, fundraising, direct response marketing, and work with the Cultural Data Project, which gathers longitudinal data on the arts and culture sector. She’s also an active member of Arts for LA, the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles, and the Young Professionals of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, and she was selected as one of 40 participants in Americans for the Arts‘ 2013 Local Arts Classroom.

The Managing Director (MD) will ensure successful operations of the EAL/LA Leadership Council by guiding efficient communications and organization.  The MD may serve as a consultant to the Leadership Council but will not be a voting member. This is a part-time, temporary, 6-month position, with the possibility of renewal pending additional funding.

Job responsibilities include:
- Attend all Leadership Council meetings and retreats and post meeting minutes and action items on Basecamp
- Attend events and committee meetings as needed, as available, or as allowed by or as subject to time and budget limitations
- Track Leadership Council and Chairs’ progress toward meeting major deadlines and achieving major goals according to grant proposals, reports to funders, the strategic plan, and other planning documents
- Encourage and facilitate inter-departmental communications, especially for marketing, programming, and fund-raising initiatives that require support from multiple departments
- Maintain a list of venue prospects and associated information, such as rental fees, capacity, food and alcohol availability, etc.  The MD may be asked to make a venue recommendation to Chairs or Committee members for upcoming events and meetings.
- Track service periods and renewal dates for services like Basecamp, Survey Monkey, donor management systems, etc., and alert the appropriate Chairs of upcoming renewals or service terminations
- Observe Leadership Council and EAL/LA operations and programs to look for gaps, overlaps, or ineffective methods, and work with Chairs to improve efficiency and effectiveness

The Managing Director may work with each department’s Chairs in the following ways:
- Assist Development Chairs in engaging Leadership Council and Advisory Board in fund-raising initiatives
- Communicate frequently (or on a regular schedule) with Finance Chairs, Community Partners Liaison, and Community Partners staff regarding fiscal management, fiscal sponsor processes, and financial planning.
- Strategize with Executive Chairs for effective governance, goal-setting, and long-term planning
- Work with Marketing & Membership Chairs to plan and execute membership and recruitment initiatives
- Enlist Communications Chairs in improving internal and external communication flows
- Communicate with Programming Chairs to understand the cross-departmental needs for upcoming events:  expenses and purchasing; promotion and marketing; attendance tracking; addressing member requests for specific content; insurance needs, etc.
- Other duties will be performed as assigned

To apply:
Please submit a resume, cover letter and list of three professional references to info@ealla.org by 11pm on December 31st. Interviews will take place the first week of January and the official start date is January 15th at EAL/LA’s Leadership Council meeting.

Congratulations to the new Leadership Council members!

The people have voted, our new Leadership Council members are:

Executive Co-Chair- Shayna Keller

Marketing & Membership Co-Chair – Aurea Adao

Development Co-Chair – Maria Paredes

At Large Member – Stephanie Moore

Programming Co-Chair - Ronnie Wise

Terms begin this month.

Get ready to rock n’ roll EAL/LA!

Being a registered voter of ealla.org was required for voting eligibility. Number of unregistered voters, 19. These votes will not be counted.

2012 EAL/LA Leadership Council Co-Chair election time is here! If you are a registered member of ealla.org you will receive an email with this link to VOTE. Wanna know who’s running? Read more about the candidates below.

For election schedule and position descriptions, please read: http://ealla.org/leadership-council-elections/

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Candidate for Executive Co-Chair:


Shayna Keller


Managing Director / Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles

As a native Angeleno, I care deeply about Los Angeles’s arts community, and have spent most my life as a performer, maker, audience member and arts administrator in this cultural landscape. Los Angeles’s strength lies in its size and abundance of cultural participation, but its vastness can be overwhelming and isolating to those new to the arts community. EAL/LA’s welcoming, inclusive network is an invaluable resource for our city’s emerging cultural workers.

During my first experience with what folks in our community so fondly know as “burnout”, a colleague from the dance world directed me to EAL/LA. I was relieved and thrilled find this network of people who shared the vision of a well-supported, engaged, empowered community of young arts professionals.

I have personally experienced the benefits of an expanded peer and professional network through participating in the 2012 Arts Professionals Advisors Link program. My fellow APAL mentees all bring me tremendous hope for the future of LA’s arts and culture sector, and I could not have asked for a more perfect advisor than Claire Peeps of the Durfee Foundation. EAL/LA’s programs, and the people who facilitate them, are sensitive to the needs of our field, constantly working to encourage and inspire future leaders.

This is all to say: I am passionate about EAL/LA’s mission and committed to moving the organization forward. In running for this position as Executive Co-Chair, I hope to expand my leadership skills and give back to the organization that has so generously supported my professional growth and well-being. I also hope to bring the interests and perspectives of the dance community to the table, and in turn learn from my peers across artistic disciplines.

I am well acquainted with many of the responsibilities involved in the Executive Co-Chair position through my current role as the Managing Director of the Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles. As the only staff person, I am used to wearing many hats and shifting between executive, programming, development, marketing and volunteer management roles. I am naturally drawn to strategy, implementation and helping others achieve their goals. The Executive Co-Chair position would allow me to help facilitate the growth of EAL/LA, and in doing so hone my leadership skills in a new context.

Since I am the only staff member of my organization, much of the work I do happens alone. Becoming a part of EAL/LA’s Leadership Council would provide a platform for me to explore more collaborative leadership practices and build relationships with a diverse group of active, engaged peers. I find the energy of collaboration deeply satisfying and want to invite more of it into my life. Having attended a Leadership Council meeting on behalf of our APAL cohort and spent time at EAL/LA events and mixers, I know what a terrific, bright, thoughtful, dedicated group this is. It would be an honor and privilege to serve among these individuals.

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Candidate for Development Co-Chair:


Katrina Frye


Administrative Assistant / Pasadena Conservatory of Music

As a new member of EAL/LA I have been waiting for an opportunity where I could give back. The ability to inspire is priceless and I feel like EAL/LA is in the position to evoke relevant conversation while stimulating leaders to move the status quo. I have personally felt this way through EAL/LA’s blogpost and current members. As a young leader I am always looking for ways to stay accountable and encouraged. I see my chance for a solid foundation with EAL/LA and more specifically this position.

The position of Development Co-Chair specifically resonates with me as I have concentrated on law, policy, and advocacy throughout my current Masters program. I have found that these areas of focus are the foundations to strong development. I find my strengths as a connector and activator, guiding me to be a key team player for the development field. Today’s development landscape is competitive which means creativity will rise to the top. The blend between my arts background and my present business degree lead me to be unique perspective. Not only has my professional experience directly prepared me for this position but my academic foundation overwhelmingly aligns with the needs and demands of the Development Co-Chair. I believe this opportunity would bring a great balance to my professional and personal development. I find myself at a perfect crossroads in the professional career. I have now been an assistant to just about every position in the work place and I see this Co-Chair position aligning me to move beyond assistant to director. I have been waiting for an opportunity to dive into specifically LA’s arts leadership arena. To learn directly from the current leadership council already would be remarkable but then to further this learning with the next year of action would be incredible. I worked for about three years in San Diego making connections and staying involved in many different levels. I quickly learned that all those relationship connected to bigger platforms and larger agendas, which is where I excelled.

Some of my goal/objectives I hope to achieve once elected as Development Co-Chair:

Learn as much as I can about development, specifically within the Los Angeles Arts landscape.

Re-inspire donors with a clear mission and clear results

Re-inspire members of how necessary and unique EAL/LA is to their past, present, and future

Create new sustainable avenues of funding to ensure a great future

Always reflect the member’s voices in my decisions on the Leadership Council

I have worked on a Board of Directors and know what it takes to lead from behind or rally the team towards positive change. I understand the dynamics of a council and how to always stand for “the people’s“ voice. Above all I believe in our generation. We will be the next leaders of many great and established cultural assets, and I will work hard to make sure EAL/LA plays a major role in providing ready and able leaders regionally and nationally.

Candidate for Development Co-Chair:

Maria Paredes


Donor Relations Associate for the Guild / Center Theatre Group

EAL/LA is an invaluable resource for the thriving arts ecology of Greater Los Angeles. It is my goal to sustain the individuals and systems that support creative expression, and it is with this aim that I seek to serve as the Development Co-Chair.

Through five years of arts administration experience I have developed a unique skill set to steward arts organizations and their assets. With effective management, I assisted the Idyllwild Arts Academy to research suitable funding sources, the Dia Art Foundation to sustain member relationships, and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts to advance its summer programming. Currently, as the Donor Relations Associate for the Guild at Center Theatre Group, I manage charitable membership programs and $1-999 gift fundraising appeals. These efforts resulted in approximately 156 memberships and more than $33,000 in revenue within the span of nine months.

As the Development Co-Chair, I will further ground my skills in the discipline of fundraising while developing meaningful relationships with colleagues that share my passion for contributing to the Emerging Arts Leaders community in Greater Los Angeles.

I think it is absolutely crucial that funders know the value EAL/LA programs create for its members, alumni, and the arts ecosystem. It is my goal to develop the depth of relationships with current funders and seek for diverse funding sources. These can include but are not limited to corporate gifts, foundation and government funding, membership program donations, and earned revenue. Another goal is to subsidize administrative and programmatic related costs by developing partnerships with other likeminded organizations and EAL/LA alumni. If given the opportunity to serve as the Development Co-Chair, I greatly look forward to setting challenging but achievable benchmarks for the aforementioned goals with the EAL/LA Leadership Council.

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Candidate for Marketing & Membership Co-Chair:


Aurea Adao


Assistant Special Events & Promotions Coordinator / Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO)

Hi. My name is Aurea. I am interested the Marketing & Membership Co-Chair position because I believe that I am at the cusp of realizing my purpose in Los Angeles and I can definitely characterize myself as ‘emerging’ in something (at the very least, in my own thoughts). I’m not an active member of Emerging Arts Leaders/LA but I have had you on my radar for quite some time.

I am first and foremost a driving-averse, public art-loving, suburban Angeleno lovingly referred to by my friends as “the bargainista”. To say I love going on long walks would be an understatement, because I work for Metro (the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority) and commute to work/play daily via the Gold Line. My transportation choices are not coincidental to my current place of employment but simply because I detest driving in Los Angeles, for fear that I will have to use its congested freeways (always anticipating an expensive and complex parallel parking situation), all for the sake of a fancy cup of tea.

I am not a bus driver, nor am I an engineer. I actually work in Metro’s communications department working with various departments on producing press events and securing what my boss affectionately calls “the Groupon of public transit”: Metro Destination Discounts. Specifically focused on these two social areas of public transit, I manage a myriad of projects that involve social media, web site development, public relations, marketing, writing/editing copy, and special event management.

While my current job allows me to develop strategic take-public-transit partnerships with awesome local events, restaurants, and retail throughout Los Angeles, it is with a heavy heart that I admit that arts groups have yet to actively jump on the bandwagon (at least not in the obvious way that some of our other partners have). While we have had some arts organizations approach the program, my long-term goal would be to actively engage Los Angeles’ arts organizations in promoting patrons to attend galleries, happenings, and performances without their vehicles. If we already take public transit to eat and shop, why can’t we take it for cultural experiences? Seriously though. Just wondering.

I think this mentorship program would be a fascinating experience for my professional goals in arts marketing. I’m particularly interested in the idea of an EAL/LA membership benefits program and I’d like to extend my experience with coordinating a transit-oriented membership benefits program. I’d also like to see where our alliance as arts administrators and artists can be leveraged as a way to create more partnerships within the city and beyond through creative marketing approaches.

I think I’d be a great fit for this position (and a delightful person to meet), not only because I’ve managed to immerse myself in the marketing/public relations field (despite my specific educational background in art and urban planning) but also because I too have a specific agenda to engage more arts and cultural groups to participate in a membership program. Turns out, we have something in common!

Candidate for Marketing & Membership Co-Chair:

Sarah Bedo


Development Intern / Center Theatre Group

Why are you interested in this position?

Within the last year, I have developed a skill set that revolves around social media and marketing. During Spring 2012, I was a campus social media ambassador for Superdry, a clothing company out of the UK. I managed events, posts and all of the marketing to USC’s campus via social media. Through this, I realized that I enjoyed working with marketing tools to communicate with others. I am currently working on various social media projects for The Fringe at CTG, a young professional donor group offered at CTG.

How would you be a good fit?

I feel that my passion, drive, and experience will help me excel in this position. I love theatre, and I love using any means I can to share theatre with those who love it, and even those who haven’t been exposed to it yet. I feel that my experience in both the performance and non-performance side of theatre provides me with a very well rounded background, and a unique ability to understand the needs of the performer and the business.

How would this position effect your professional & personal development?

I am on a constant personal development journey. I do not believe that will ever end. I think that EAL/LA would provide me with a wonderful space to develop in both realms by fostering a place for positive career-shaping relationships to grow and flourish. Also, having experience in EAL/LA would be showcasing exactly what I want to market myself as: an emerging arts leader in Los Angeles. Young professionals in the theatre need a guiding light and an anchor community where we can create, learn, grow and share together, and I think that EAL/LA would be a great place to do that.

What are some specific goals and/or objectives you hope to achieve in this position?

As with any position I take on, I hope to get people excited about what it is I am working on. Since my experience in the past year has really been about promotion using social media, I would want to raise the number of members, as well as the number of page views of the website. Currently, EAL/LA’s Facebook page has 572 likes. I would want to use that number and have it grow by reaching out to important members, and other media engagement opportunities. I would love to find ways to get members excited about EAL/LA, and realize some incentive-based contests, and other promotion materials to garner interest not only about the group, but also specific events for the group.

Another goal I would love to see realized is creating connections between colleges and the EAL/LA. As a current student at USC, I see how little my peers know about organizations in Los Angeles. I want to create a bond between distinguished Los Angeles colleges and provide their students with the information needed to join EAL/LA, as well as eventually have EAL/LA be marketed to students as a guiding light and a great home for their careers to grow.

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Candidate for At Large Member:


Stephanie Moore


Administrative Coordinator / Burbank Arts For All Foundation

As a current EAL/LA member, I have attended or helped plan multiple events in part because I believe in the importance of peer learning and mentorship. Throughout my career, as both a student and arts administrator, I have been fortunate to have not only an informal mentor, but also a strong cohort of emerging arts leaders with which to discuss issues and ideas. EAL/LA has become part of my cohort and as the At Large Member (ALM) I would continue to collaborate with new and current members to strengthen existing networks and forge new relationships.

My personal belief in the power of informal mentoring and continued professional development complements EAL/LA’s mission. Throughout my work on the Programming and Development Committees I have seen the dedication of committee chairs provide EAL/LA members with amazing opportunities to grow and succeed. I am skilled as a collaborator and understand that no project can be completed well without the assistance of other innovative thinkers and doers. As a board or staff member I always look to gain new skills and in turn try to offer others the same chance for growth. I know that my ability to work collaboratively as well as facilitate and lead will be important to this position.

My career goals focus on building strong communities via collaborative learning, cultural mapping, and helping artists and arts administrators find the resources necessary to continue or complete their work. These goals parallel the description of the ALM’s duties, including connecting members to the unique events and opportunities EAL/LA offers as well as creating a welcoming environment for open dialogue at each of these events. Engaging members in a dialogue about their current work, career goals and professional development needs will allow me, as the ALM, to partner with other Leadership Council members to realize programs for all EAL/LA members. Also, as a new emerging leader in the LA arts scene I am looking to build a network of arts professionals as informal mentors. As a Leadership Council member I will have the opportunity to learn more about the structure and processes of an emerging arts leader’s network, further my career goals and be a part of this creative learning community.

Candidate for At Large Member:

Laura Sardisco


Drama Instructor/ Arts & Services for Disabled, Inc.

I am interested in the position of At-Large Member because it is something that takes me outside of my normal comfort zone. See my EAL/LA blog post, HYPERLINK “http://ealla.org/networking-for-introverts/” Networking for Introverts and you’ll understand. Networking is always a challenge, especially when new to an organization. It can be daunting to find a friendly face within a crowd of unknown people. Fortunately, when I first joined EAL/LA there were several people who made me feel welcome and it’s time for me to pay it forward. As a result, EAL has presented me with many opportunities to expand my administrative skills; the hardest part was to know where to start.

My goal is to foster new member understanding of how EAL/LA offers opportunities to develop skills which directly translate into professional growth. I would also like to encourage members to participate in committees that the may feel intimidated to join. I’ve directly experienced how serving on a committee, and ultimately learning a new set of skills, has directly led to new opportunities with my organization.

This position will effect my professional development by increasing my management skills. As At-Large Member I will get to be the members’ representative to the Leadership Council to advocate for their needs as well as be responsible for a specific deliverable, promoting active membership. I will also grow my people management skills by ensuring that everyone is well informed and that everyone has a charge according to their unique skills.

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Also on the ballot:

Ronnie Wise has been serving as Interim Programming Co-Chair since February 2012.  Because of his contributions and experience in this role, the Leadership Council moves to install Ronnie as the permanent Programming Co-Chair for the 2012-2014 term.

Are you looking for a way to get more involved? You’re invited to apply for a position on the EAL/LA Leadership Council!

Election timeline:

July 18, 2012  - Deadline for applicants
July 19, 2012 - Election opens on ealla.org
August 1, 2012 – Election closes
August 4, 2012 - Co-Chair terms announced

Application Packet Checklist

EAL/LA Leadership Council Application 2012 [click to download]
Curriculum Vitae and/or Resume
Personal Statement

Please e-mail all Application materials to info@ealla.org  by July 18, 2012 at 5 p.m.

Application Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by current LC members. Once applicants are approved, candidates personal statement will be posted on ealla.org.

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About the Leadership Council

EAL/LA creates an atmosphere that is conducive to information sharing and generational leadership succession. We’re emerging arts leaders so the idea is that we expect our own leaders to eventually “emerge”.

In order to do so, we’ve created a Leadership Council (LC) that is chaired by our more seasoned members. The Chairs will aid in orienting new leaders over the course of a one-year period. During this period, the Chairs preserve institutional knowledge and ensure the sustainability of EAL/LA by working closely with and developing the Co-Chairs. As the Chairs “emerge” or transition from the network, the Co-Chairs progress into the Chairs role and a new group of Co-Chairs is elected from the networks general membership.

Responsibilities:

The Co-Chairs are expected to meet monthly with the LC and with partnered Chair on an as needed basis. Each Chair/Co-Chair committee is expected to provide a short update to the LC to document the committee’s progress.

Co-Chair Descriptions

Executive Co-Chair

Development Co-Chair

The Co-Chair helps the Development Chair in creating strategies for resource development and implementing fundraising activities for EAL/LA during his or her term. The Chair and Co-Chair will work with Executive Chair/Co-Chair and Leadership Council to identify priority funding areas and coordinate with the Development work group/committee to seek funding for these areas. The Development Chair and Co-Chair will maintain the relationship with current funder while also seeking support from other sources. They will research and apply for grants and other sources of revenue, and implement action items to make progress toward the fulfillment of Strategic Planning goal #3- resource development. The Development Chair and Co-Chair may also work with Membership Chairs to coordinate a paid membership program if one should be started.

The Development Co-Chair should be ready to dive into fundraising activities for EAL/LA; a person who works well with a team and also takes initiative to research and brainstorm possible sources of revenue independently. Familiarity with fundraising practices is helpful. Most importantly, the Development Co-chair should be passionate about the goals, activities, and mission of EAL/LA.

This is a two-year term:  one year as Development Co-Chair (2012-2013), followed by one year as Development Chair (2013-2014).

Marketing & Membership Co-Chair

The Marketing & Membership Co-Chair will assist the Chair in writing, editing, and distributing all promotional based materials for EAL/LA including, but not limited to press releases, e-blasts, and ad copy. The Co-Chair will contribute towards building and maintaining a social media based promotions plan to increase membership presence on EAL/LA’s website through Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as take the lead in maintaining content and communications on those sites. Additionally, the Co-Chair will oversee the creation and organization of press and listings contact sheets, as well as help manage all field related vendor relationships. The Marketing and Membership team will establish cohesive membership development plan and solidify membership communication strategies to ensure more effective distribution of information. The Co-Chair will assist in the creation of membership materials and will work closely with the Chair and the Programming Team for all Special Events and with the Development Team to identify funding partners to establish a membership benefits program.

The ideal candidate will have excellent writing and communications skills, as well as a willingness to learn negotiation skills. Additionally, the Co-Chair must prove detail-oriented and have an ability to manage multiple projects efficiently and ensure their timely execution. No previous marketing or development experience is required, but is preferred.

This is a two-year term:  one year as Marketing & Membership Co-Chair (2012-2013), followed by one year as Marketing & Membership Chair (2013-2014).

This past weekend, EAL/LA’s Leadership council met for a Leadership Retreat.  All the current members of the LC were present at the Getty Center on Sunday for an extended session dedicated to promoting programs and content for EAL/LA Members.

In the week prior to the meeting, Chairs and CoChairs reported back to the LC through Basecamp, detailing all of the innovative programs and ideas that have already occured this year.  Progress reports on current and upcoming programs such as APAL and Spring 2012′s Creative Conversation were discussed.

At the meeting, The LC reviewed EAL/LA’s strategic plan.  The LC is happy to report alignment with the strategic plan and looks forward to another year of exciting programming and professional development opportunities for all members.  Other topics included the Community Partners Audit for last fiscal year, discussion on the creation of an administrative positions for EAL/LA, upcoming programing for 2012 (including Creative Conversation, mixers, and workshops), development opportunities for maintaining and increasing EAL/LA’s funding, scholarships for members, and more.

In the coming weeks, you can expect to see more detailed information on all of these topics here at EAL/LA.

You too can become involved in a variety of ways.  Friend members of the LC here at EAL/LA and stay tuned to learn more.

Your Leadership Council is

Executive Chair: Tara Aesquivel

Executive CoChair: Kristin Runnels

Finance Chair: Cynthia Pearson

Finance CoChair: Jen Gorman

Membership/Marketing Chair: Megan Powers

Membership/Marketing CoChair: Gavin Williamson

Development Chair: Rosa Langley

Development CoChair: Clare Bayens

Programming Chair: Kelly Christ

Communications Chair: Krystal Boehlert

Communications CoChair: K. Ryan Henisey

Photo: Cynthia and Gavin actively taking notes, the lovely Getty Center and San Gabriel Mountains as our backdrop. 

Photo by Melvin Gaal (Mindsharing.eu)

If you are interested or have any questions, please contact krystal@ealla.org