Secretary/treasurer candidate Rob Schneider states his case to SND members

Early this morning this was in my inbox:

(Each candidate for office is given the opportunity to address the membership directly before the election deadline, which is Dec. 15. What follows is from Rob Schneider, candidate for Secretary/Treasurer.)

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 Hi, my name is Rob Schneider, and I believe in the power of the Society for News Design. I know the impact and influence that it has had in my life. More importantly, I'm excited and optimistic about the power SND can have in the future.

 As an SND member, I urge you to vote before the Dec. 15 deadline so your voice can be heard.

 I'm running for the position of secretary/treasurer and I urge you to visit schneidersnd.com and take a look at some ideas for how we can improve the Society as well as my past experience serving our organization. If you believe that SND needs to continue to evolve and improve its mission, I
would ask for your vote.

 I came up with the platform after talking with countless SND members and non-members (especially from smaller publications) over the past few weeks. Many have told me how and why the Society has stopped being a relevant part of their lives. The plan on schneidersnd.com will help bring that relevancy
back. My ideas include improvements to our website, contest, convention and our outreach - especially to educators, students and international members.

 Last year was a difficult one for the Society, with a leadership crisis and unethical behavior by elected officers. I think we as journalists must shine a light on that behavior no matter how uncomfortable it might be. I also believe that if we are critical of the things SND has done in the past, we must actually have a plan to make the organization better in the future. That plan is on my site: http://www.schneidersnd.com.

 SND must continue to do a better job of serving its burgeoning international membership and sister chapters. The plans at schneidersnd.com will do just that as well.

 Finally, serving as an SND officer would be an honor and privilege and shouldn't be treated as a three-year unrestricted run without consequence. So I pledge, if elected, to seek out a write-in opponent every year I am up for office so I can be accountable for my actions and decisions (as can
SND.) I would urge other officers and candidates to do the same.

 Thank you for being a member of SND. I'm excited about improving that membership experience over the next year.

 If you have any questions, please email me at rschneider@dallasnews.com and follow me at twitter.com/schneidersnd.