Oops! The Missing 42nd Interim Board Member
July 9, 2008 by Chris Heuer
Looks like we (I) made a mistake. I think I was looking for the number of interim board members to be 42 subconsciously, even though we only had 41 as Lloyd Davis pointed out in the comments of our interim board announcement today. If you aren’t into sci-fi, you probably don’t know that 42 is the answer to the ultimate question about life, the universe and everything, but I digress…
The bottom line is that we accidentally listed Doug Pollei twice and I didn’t catch it when writing the final post and list of links. So this brings up the question of how to deal with it and how to live our values transparently (which is another way of saying honestly IMHO). As I have been explaining for some time, its usually the response that is more important then the mistake or the message. So rather than adding in someone else to make it look like a typographical error instead of a stoopid human one, we would like to make some lemonade from these lemons. I would also like to point out that the conversation here in the comments works - Lloyd cared enough to actually count through the number of members, pointed out the mistake and we corrected it… That is one of the ways that social media can be more powerful then broadcast media.
This afternoon in thinking about what we might do, we came up with what I think is a better idea for how to resolve this mistake - instead of just appointing someone from the vast array of people I had to leave out, we are now searching for the missing 42nd interim board member (I do love the Doug Adams reference as you may have guessed from our win a free professional SMC membership contest announced on Twitter). If you or someone you know would like to volunteer and join the interim board with us, please reply in the comments after reading and agreeing to the general terms below.
- All submissions must be for/from real people, no trolls allowed
- You can submit yourself or suggest someone else
- You have to want to do it and be willing to volunteer several hours per month to communications and other activities to further the objectives announced in the post
- All people who are listed for consideration will be vetted via brief phone call (dont leave your #, we will contact you for it via email)
- Everyone will be considered who submits their name before midnight PST on Saturday July 12 2008 but not anyone after that time
- From Monday July 14th at 12:01am PST to Wednesday July 16th at midnight PST, all valid submissions for consideration will be presented for voting on this Web site. The choice of the missing 42nd board member will be decided upon by open vote here
- All submissions and the final winner will be subject to approval by existing interim board
So, despite it taking some more energy to coordinate, we want to do this openly and we want to involve more of our members. I think this is the best route and look forward to seeing who else is interested in helping us move this organization forward.
Also today several people have raised some questions and concerns about the interim board which I will be answering later tonight with a more in depth post…
I was happy to see a couple people on the list who have a history working with government and politicians. However, it would be great if there was another voice for government and government services — rather than politicians. Would love to talk to you both (Chris & Kristie) about the topic of social media and government whether or not I am picked to be the amazing #42.
Congrats on the progress you all have made thus far! Can’t wait to see what comes next.
Okay, I’m game. I would like to join. I’m not a social-media celebrity, but I am deeply involved in the business and production end of social media, and, as Kelly Feller pointed out, it sounds like some of those heads are desired. I feel I fit that bill.
So…um…now what?
I’d love to be considered for the 42nd board member. There are far too few Aussies on the list, and I’d love to spend more time collaborating with Chris and Des. I think I also have an interesting perspective to offer, having spent (as Hillary noted she would like to see) a lot of time in government, where (certainly in Australia) social media penetration remains low and needs awareness built.
Chris and Kristie,
I just sent you a contact form comment and an email saying I would be very enthusiastic about serving on the SMC Board, if you’re still taking nominations. Please add me to your list, and I’ll be glad to send you more info about my extensive nonprofit and business management background, including forming, managing, and serving on Boards for several noted nonprofits (including as Board President for one). Cheers!
You definitely need a curmudgeon on the board, preferably one who will wave his cane and shout at the kids on his lawn, and I’m more than glad to be #42.
I will even promise to shout about the time I had to walk, uphill both ways, to the nearest central office carrying my bucket of ones and zeros so that I could file a tweet. I will also tell the story about the days when facebook and myspace were constructed using 300 baud modems.
Board position 42 or not - glad to help
Having been engaged with social media club in my career and business travels since our early days, I would like to offer a greater commitment to our cause through supporting as a board member. I am always surprised by the lack of awareness of our organization in the world of corporate and agency marketers/communications leaders. I am able to provide an extension to this community and offer my time and resources to help others get it and share it.
I would like to put my name in as well. You have a lot of really great people already and I would like to contribute. I run a coworking facility and heavily push the use of social media in business. I now have the time to contribute and would greatly appreciate your consideration.
I’ll add my name to the pile, if you want someone with an association/non-profit perspective. I have a tendency to be the class clown, though, just fyi : )
What a great opportunity to work with great people. I’d love to be considered.
Like some others, I’m no celebrity, but seeing social networking and media succeed is one of my top themes. Anything I can do to help that along would be wonderful.
Thanks for the opportunity to try for this spot.
I would be both delighted to be included as the 42nd Board Member. This is not only my full time job, but also a passion & lifestyle which I envisage lasting indefinitely. I’m based in the heart of London, literally, (only 1 minute from Buckingham Palace) and in being so would be honored to represent the Club here in London as well as throughout Europe which I travel within extremely regularly.
Besides all that, I’m friendly, have strong views & feel I could bring a lot of thought & fun to the community.
As much as I would be delighted to be your choice, good luck to everyone running for this. Cheers!
Oh and I have emailed in today, but just in case you contact me anyway via zee@wedocreative.com .
I would love to be considered be illustrious number 42. As a social media/new media consultant based in South Florida, I have been trying to help keep building the network and community of social media/new media practitioners and newbies. My background is in TV and video production, mostly in and for Latin America and the US Hispanic markets, who tend to be early (and enthusiastic) adopters.
Board member or not, I am glad to be a part of this community.
I would like to be considered for the 42nd board slot.
For the past 8 1/2 years, I managed online community and social media initiatives for CNET’s TechRepublic.
Starting at the end of the month, I will be leading the social media initiatives for a Fortune 150 company based in Columbus, OH.
In addition, I have been active in the Social Media Club chapter in Louisville.
Would love to help in any way I can.
While it is true some of of the 41 folks get more lime light than others, it is not a prerequisite to be on the BOD. In fact, I would almost prefer #42 to not even have a Twitter account yet. Never heard of Facebook? Perfect.
Sense of humor is almost a requirement. We are business professionals, but we don’t like working with people who take them selves too seriously..
The most important piece is term #3, having the time and the passion to commit to moving SMC forward.
If that is you - throw your hat in the ring and help us move SMC forward.
I would be an enthusiastic and positive addition to this already solid team. I’ll not only bring traditional media experience, but also in-house marketing and a desire to take social media to mainstream media.
Check out our growing network, PitchEngine at http://mediapitch.ning.com.
Thanks for your consideration!
Per an email with Kristie, I’m adding the following:
I’ve served on several nonprofit Boards, have helped found five organizations, and have served as an Executive Director, Development Director, Marketing and Public Relations Director, and Program Director for nonprofit organizations. I have a lot of experience in both business and nonprofit management. If it would be appropriate, I would like to talk about possibly serving on the Board or in another capacity with the Social Media Club.
I am interested (from a business and a blogging/community point of view), though also think Stephen Collins would make a fine addition!
P.S. …and I definitely have a sense of humor…if you’ve seen my tweets or gone to a tweetup or SMC meeting w/me, you already know that. Looks like we may need 50 Board members, from all the great people responding here!:-)
[...] Because of a minor snafu, there is actually a seat open. You can throw your hat in the ring here: Oops! The Missing 42nd Interim Board Member [...]
I’d like to support the nomination of Stephen Collins (post 3 above) for the 42nd board member.
I’ve known Stephen for several years and watched him make a positive contribution to social media awareness in Australia. He’s inspired a number of people to become more active in the area
Stephen is highly respected across the Web 2.0 community in Australia and, I believe, internationally.
For the Social Media Club to be a representative body I’d like to see it having more than a US-centric philosophy to ensure it remains a credible force. Stephen’s involvement would also help in this regard.
Cheers,
Craig
I’d LOVE to be considered for the #42 position for a number of reasons:
1] 42 is my lucky number (seriously, it is)!
2] I currently work within the field of Social Media and have been for the past three years
3] I’m really excited about the work that you guys are doing and would love to be able to contribute to the ‘collective’
4] I attended the Tuttle club a few months back and fell in love with the philosophy behind the SocialMediaClub
I’d love to hear from you and ultimately be considered for the position.
Here’s to seven-and-a-half-million years’ worth of good work from the SocialMediaClub…
Rax
Would like to become the 42nd board member myself.. just so busy with my own business. Can I nominate some people I think would be exellent 42nd member candidate?
I second Maddie Grant. She’s one of the smartest, most consistent voices for social media in the association community. She will not only bring social media expertise to the table, but also a practical understanding of how to help groups like the Social Media Club grow and thrive. Find her here:
http://www.diaryofareluctantblogger.com/
I just joined, would be interested in serving however I can.
I also will get on the Maddie Grant bandwagon. She is super smart, and she’s not kidding about the class clown part, but she also lives by her advice of “just get crackin!” She moves forward and gets things done, all the while including others rather than running over them. You can’t go wrong with her.
I would like to third, fourth or even fifth the notion of adding Maddie Grant! I have seen her in action and have always been impressed. I think she would be a perfect person to fill that last seat and would be a great asset to the SMC
I’m interested, but either way would love to help you all, as you wish!
I’ll toss my vote to Maddie Grant for more nonprofit/association representation.
[...] when noticing that we had made a mistake in claiming 42 interim board members, when in fact there was only 41. Had Lloyd’s intention been anything other than to respectfully get to the facts, he may have [...]
I am happy to place my hat in the ring.
Please see my background at http://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrycorbett
I have served on a number of boards and in leadership positions and am happy to be of service.
Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer for Marketing Profs, would be an excellent candidate. Through MP blogs, publications, webinars and conferences, Ann is actively engaged in helping businesses implement social media strategies into their marketing plans.
I would love to be considered for the position.
I have been in online marketing for more than a decade and my company, Memolink, Inc., is currently knee deep in the social media space. We are working with advertising companies and developers to generate millions of dollars a year from social media.
I have also been researching social media (specifically Facebook apps) extensively for the past several months and recently wrote two of the most comprehensive articles on social media monetization out there.
Part 1 –
http://www.adotas.com/2008/06/dont-lol-social-ads-rev-up-revenue/
Part 2 –
http://www.adotas.com/2008/07/social-media-back-to-basics-for-cash-bonanza/
I also attend 2-3 trade shows a month (6 a year that focus on social media and social gaming), so I am seriously committed to the space and have a lot to contribute.
Thanks.
I would love the opportunity to serve on the interim board! I do actually work in social media right now (product manager for social-media at PBS (public broadcasting based in Washington DC). I’m an avid user of social-media tools and feel like I could bring a lot to the table and do some excellent outreach for the SMC.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
I’d love to be considered for the 42nd spot. I am always eager to help Social Media go as far as possible in new and unique ways.
Leslie Poston
Profy.com Social Media News and Reviews
UptownUncorked.com Social Media Consulting, Bringing People Together
Like Siobhan O’Neill, I am not a “social-media celebrity”, but I’d love to be able to volunteer if I could. We need some more international representation.
Thanks
I would be honored to be considered from this prestigious group. There are several in the group that I am friends with already, and I would love to meet the rest of the group. Having been in young organizations like this one before, I understand what it takes to get things done. I look forward to hearing from you.
Tony Wright
WrightIMC.com (blog:www.shavingoccam.com)
I was thinking that posting the 42nd comment would improve my chances of being selected ;)… but then decided to jump in as #34. Fact is, I’d like to be more involved with SMC as a Board member or otherwise. So, count me in (please)!
I’d like to offer my assistance.
Began my career in 1984 in marketing, started my online career in 1993 with launch one of the first online consumer generated sports news community (www.e-sports.com).
One of the team of founders of the internets first online ad-network (24/7 Real Media in 1996 - rode through the IPO too).
Through my Virtual Intellectual Incubator, launched 40 .com start-ups in 6 years (1994-2000) with impressive results and returns.
Founded Alti Success Strategies in 2001, (An Internet Marketing Agency with offices in Cleveland & Phoenix specializing in creating integrated internet marketing and social media strategies).
My ventures have been party to pioneering many of the industries more advanced techniques in social media optimization, community management, syndication & advertising.
PERSONALLY - I’ve resisted twitter (until recently) & facebook. I abhore using myspace for anything (can you say page bloat?).
I guess I’m a bit of an “old school” new media guy - if that makes any sense.
And would enjoy being considered for seat #42 of the SMC BOD.
Thanks.
http://www.twitter.com/mediamanx
This has been such a fantastic response - thank you all so much for stepping up and offering to help, we can certainly use all the help we can get. There is a lot to do in the short term to get a stronger foundation in place, but we need help internationally, nationally and locally so there is definitely enough to do for eeryone. Also to be clear, this is just an interim position to help shape and push things forward. Once we get the formal structure in place there will be plenty more opportunities to pitch in formally and informally…
While, at 53, I may not be the oldest social media practitioner around (thank you, Shel Israel, I think), I’m pretty darned close. Having been involved in technology professionally for over 30 years now, I hope I can bring some perspective. And at least once every meeting, I promise to say “back when I was using 110/300 Baud Hayes modems…” Speaking of which, I’ll match my knowledge of Hayes modem AT command set instructions with anyone!
I’d like to help in whatever capacity you think is most beneficial. I’ve been a member for almost 2 years (I think) and when I didn’t see much happening at the parent organization, I founded the local chapter in Birmingham. We have an enthusiastic smart group of communicators here that I’m sure will also assist. Of course, I’d like to serve as the 42nd member of the interim board. Regardless, I’m ready to do whatever I can to further the Social Media Club’s objectives. With effective leadership and a corp of volunteers, much can be accomplished.
Dear 41,
I too would love to be considered for spot number 42. For one, I live and breath social media every day as part of my job (for a company that provides social media software, services and strategy to other companies). I am an avid blogger and podcaster (I’ve interviewed at least a dozen people of the current 41).
In addition to social media, I also have experience working for organizations like the SMC. I was a founding member of BIMA (http://bima.org) and served as their president for two years. I was also a board member for MITX for four years. In both instances, I was an integral part of progamming, events and overall promotion.
As many other folks in the comments have stated, however, I’m happy to help regardless of whether or not I was elected to the 42nd slot. Either way, thanks in advance for the consideration.
Best - Aaron/@astrout
Couldn’t resist grabbing the 42nd comment slot… it just felt lucky!
@astrout
I’d like to nominate Christopher Carfi and/or Mark Resch (take your pick — they’re both fantastic).
Having had the opportunity to work closely with them, I can tell you without reservation that they’re both brilliant, creative, resourceful, aware, and insightful. They get it and they share it.
from an entertainment (movies/TV) perspective I’d like to throw my name in - or help out in some way.
I would be interested in serving on the board too. I have experience of a decade leading 2 non-profit boards.
My focus is on community building. I’m helping organize a social media chapter in Minnesota.
Well, alright, I’ll throw my hat into the ring too (and just under the wire!). I’d like to be on the board because I’m a total megalomaniac and love to be in the spotlight. Plus, I really want to put ‘Social Media BOD’ on my business cards.
Just kidding!
(’Sense of Humor?’ CHECK!)
At the risk of this reading like a laundry list of campaign promises as to why you should vote for me for the illustrious #42, here are some assets I think I could bring:
a) I’m extremely passionate about social media (the old cliche ‘eats, sleeps and breathes’ holds true for me - and sometimes I even dream about social media!)
b) I am committed to utilizing social media to help businesses engage their customers/build relationships/drive cunsumption/brand loyalty/equity, and the company I founded, Snowcial Media, is focused on enterprise social networking/b2b engagements, which would round out the current heavy consumer focus nicely.
c) I can bring some unique perspective on verticals like the healthcare sector that need to evolve with the changing landscape and engage social media tools to be successful, and through which the doctor-patient relationship can be strengthened, and our healthcare system as a whole - social media is powerful for ANY industry, and defining it — and harnessing it — beyond what many believe is just online entertainment and frivolous popularity vehicles is critical, and a cause that needs to be championed through a diverse board such as this.
d) I am passionate about moving SMC — and the category as a whole — forward by defining best practices that will help to shape the future of the social web, marketing, and relationship development that has exciting implications in both the online AND offline world. I’m also focused on bridging that gap to remove the current ’silos’ and compartmentalization of web vs. real life. The web is comprised of humans and I seek to infuse what I’ve termed a ‘digital heartbeat’ into online communications as these are all manifestations of who we are as people, and should be at the core of any social media efforts put into action — personally or professionally.
OK, done touting. Either way, I’d love to be involved in any capacity that helps further this important movement.
All the best, and good luck to everyone!
Gennefer
I would appreciate your consideration as number 42. I have years of experience in the enterprise world–infrastructure and business. Former Gartner analyst. Practical and research experience about compliance, security and data privacy.
I’m a former SNCR research fellow. I see membership in the Social Media Club as a great opportunity to be more actively involved in the movement.
See my resume at http://grey-consulting.com/files/MaureneCaplanGrey_CV.pdf.
Thanks for your consideration.
Please add my name to the mix for your 42nd seat on the board.
I am a strong advocate of transparency, and I believe that is one of the great strengths of social media.
(Rather than include my credentials in this blurb, I’ll wait until the next stage.) Thanks.
Having just organized the Interactive Austin 2008 conference http://www.interactiveaustin2008.comrecently, I have a deepened commitment to social media and its business implications. It was exciting to see corporations seeking the resources to engage in social media and to integrate it into their marketing plans. The future of public relations and marketing will be directly influenced by the conversations online. I would be willing to commit my time and to utilize the resources of my firm, Accolades Public Relations http://www.accoladespr.com to further the reputation of the Social Media Club. I enjoyed supporting Connie Reece and Mike Chapman as the local Austin chapter began. Being #42 on the national board would be a grander experiment! I look forward to the opportunity if it is offered.
Hey guys, if you are interested in this role, put your info here. There is no need to email us directly. We’ll only direct you back here.
Thanks, Serena
I too nominate Maddie Grant. She would be great!
Lots of swell folks on the list. I like Adam Broitman as a choice. Kind of interesting. Ann Handley is a great friend, and she’d be spot on, too. Lots of great names to consider. 42. The answer.
Thank you everyone for your nominations and feedback for the 42nd spot on the SMC interim BOD.
The time to submit nominations has now ended. We are putting the list together and will be opening the polls for voting shortly.
Good luck to everyone who threw their name in the hat!
[...] from) we are slightly altering the previously stated procedures slightly but the integrity of the process I outlined the other day is intact and the rules we laid out there are incorporated herein by reference (yay, a little legalese!). [...]
Dunno how exactly I surfed here, but I nominate Dawn Foster.
of
* fastwonderblog.com
* Jive Software Community Manager
* former Intel Open Source Community Manager
* moderator of many a tech conference round robin
* part of the Legion of Tech which puts on Portland Ignite and Portland BarCamp