We wanted to give Editors Toronto members and student affiliates another way to get to know their executive committee members, while also finding out what is involved in being on the committee. So, we asked executive committee members to introduce themselves and their roles by answering a few questions for our “Executive Unplugged” series.
Meet Jona Rhica Mejico, co-chair and a member of Editors Toronto for the last three years. This is her third year on the executive committee. She spent her first year as vice chair, then moved to the co-chair role in her second year.
Jona has over a decade of communications experience, writing and editing in-house for some of Canada’s top financial institutions. She is also an editor-at-large for Blood & Bourbon, a local literary publication that publishes collections of short stories, essays, and poetry twice a year. She is also an avid letter writer.
What kind of editor are you? Tell us a bit about your experience.
I work in an industry that doesn’t totally understand (or have room for) the different types of editing. In the various roles I’ve held throughout my career in finance, I have done it all: substantive editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Though copy editing is my expertise, I really enjoy proofreading, especially for creative assets like marketing material, pieces in support of an event, or anything with a visual component that people may overlook because they might think that only words are edited.
What is your favourite part of the role you hold on the executive committee (or the “exec,” as we call it)?
It has been quite a rewarding experience to help lead the last two executive committees. I’m particularly proud of this year’s exec, as a lot of our chairs are in their first year on the committee. It’s such a great feeling seeing everyone just absolutely excel.
Give us an elevator pitch for your role.
Being a co-chair of Editors Toronto is a great opportunity to stretch your leadership and strategic thinking skills. If you’re interested in the bigger picture and helping enhance the presence of Editors Canada’s largest branch, then the co-chair role is for you. You get to interact directly with Editors Canada’s home office, the National Executive Committee (NEC), and your counterparts who are running the show at the other branches and twigs across the country.
What’s your favourite part of an exec meeting?
I love that we’re one big think tank. Everyone on the committee brings a different perspective when it comes to making decisions in the best interest of our membership. Hearing everyone’s ideas and opinions is inspiring—sharing knowledge and learning from each other is really important for me on a personal and professional level.
If you didn’t have your role on the exec, what role would you pick?
That’s a tough question. There are things that interest me in each of the roles on the committee. If I had to choose, I would say that the programs chair is something I’d be interested in. It’s a great way to connect with other editing professionals in niche roles or industries that most people would not think require editors!
This article was copy edited by Piu Chowdhury. She is a writer and poet.
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