We want to give the Editors Toronto members and student affiliates another way to get to know the executive and find out what is involved in being on the committee. So, we ask each new executive committee member to introduce themself and their role by answering a few questions.
Meet Aidan Harris, our current programs chair. He has been a member of Editors Canada for two years and joined the Editors Toronto executive committee in the 2021–22 season. He is in his final year of undergraduate studies in political science, philosophy, and classics and he will be beginning his MA at the University of Guelph in September. Aidan has always been passionate about words and ensuring the highest quality of everything he works on.
What kind of editor are you? Tell us a bit about your experience.
At the moment, I am still a student editor who has not specialized in any particular field. However, my main editing interests are in academia. I have worked with several student clubs to edit their documents, websites, and social media posts. Eventually, I would love to edit academic articles and books at a university press.
What is your favourite part of the role you hold on the executive committee (or the “exec,” as we call it)?
My favourite part, by far, is getting to meet incredible and talented editors! Not only do I get to reach out to experienced professionals every month for our programs but I also get to meet all the editors that attend our events. It’s such a great way to get involved and immersed in the community.
Give us an elevator pitch for your role.
As the programs chair, I plan and organize our monthly branch programs. This process usually begins with an idea for a topic or with a speaker we are keen to have present. Once the speaker is on board, we plan the agenda of the event. This usually includes a brief introduction, speaker’s presentation, and a Q&A period; however, the format can change depending on the layout of the presentation and the number of speakers we have that month.
What’s your favourite part of an exec meeting?
Similar to my exec role, my favourite part of an exec meeting is getting to see the other execs! Everyone on the team is so amazing and welcoming; it’s always so nice getting to catch up with them every month.
If you didn’t have your role on the exec, what role would you pick?
I think I would choose the community liaison position just because I love getting to meet new people, and I also would love the opportunity to get to grow our branch! I think it would be a position I would enjoy a lot.
Editors Toronto holds elections to fill the executive committee positions every May. For the 2022–23 season, we are looking for candidates for the roles of co-chair, vice chair, secretary, community liaison, BoldFace editor-in-chief, and possibly communications chair, seminars chair, and programs chair. If you are interested in the positions and/or their availability, please contact us at [email protected].
This article was copy edited by Julia Kennedy.
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