After  a year-long planning and re-visioning process in 2009-2010, AREA Chicago decided to reorganize its structure.  Six COREdinators oversee various aspects of the day-to-day operation of the oranization, while maintaining direct accountability to our advisory group.  The vast majority of the work done by AREA Chicago is done by our fabulous network of volunteers, board members, and supporters in the community.  The CORE supports this work and provides continuity for the organization.  Below is a description of these roles, as well as the current person serving in the role.

1. Finance COREdinator

Current COREdinator: Gabrielle Toth (finance@areachicago.org)

Responsibilities:

•    Conducts general AREA Chicago Bookkeeping

•    Communicates with and fulfills obligations to fiscal sponsor

•    Reports to the board regarding finances

•    Prepares annual and project budgets

•    Pays bills

•    Researches Printers/vendors

•    Coordinates direct mail campaigns

•    Works with communications on online fundraising

•    Process payments and reimbursements

•    Ensures that grants are applied to and that volunteer grant writers have the info that they need

•    Conducts funder communications

•    Bottoms lining fundraising events and annual auction

•    Oversees general development planning

•    Creates/maintains a fundraising calendar

2. People COREdinator

Current COREdinator: Robin Hewlett (people@areachicago.org)

Responsibilities:

•    Responds to external inquiries for information/assistance, etc. (general AREA email)

•    Gathers and disseminates requests from AREA divisions for volunteers,

•    Oversees Intern applications, assignments, etc

•    Recruits new advisory board members

•    Manages communication logistics for advisory board (meeting reminders, meeting prep items, meeting facilitation etc.)

•    Manages logistics of orientation process for AREA participants (new staff, volunteers, interns, new advisors, advisors who are transitioning out of the advisory role, etc.)

•    Gathers and disseminates AREA call for submissions/RFPs, etc.

•    Fosters and develops relationships with existing AREA contacts

3. Content COREdinator

Current COREdinator: Martin Macias (content@areachicago.orgO

Responsibilities:

•    works with the Communications COREdinator to solicit/edit/format web content as needed

•    formulates issue themes in consultation with core group, editorial  committee, advisors

•    communicates with editorial committee (i.e. advisors, volunteers, and friends of AREA) interested in rotating through "issue editor" role, then coordinates submissions and calendar for issue editors (web and print) - this includes sending updates to other COREmembers, especially wrt design/production and social media outlets

•    brainstorms events, programming, networks and communities specific to issue themes to develop issue possibilities 

•    supervises editorial interns, if any

•    occasionally acts as spokesperson on themes/content

4. Outreach and Distribution COREdinator

Current COREdinator: Sam Barnett (distro@areachicago.org)

Responsibilities:
•    Maintains list of distribution sites

•    Maintains and strengthens relationships with sites (ie: keep eye on stock)

•    Develops new relationships to establish new distro sites

•    Distributes AREA to individuals with deep social networks

•    Delivers newspapers and promotional materials to sites, events, individuals

•    Organizes a street team (equip with capes)

•    Organizes and co-ordinates AREA presence at community events

•    Coordinates tabling/attending events on a regular basis (IE: once a week/every two weeks)

5. Design and Production COREdinator

Current COREdinator: Claudia Garcia-Rojas (design@areachicago.org)

Responsibilities:

•    Oversees graphic identity of AREA, including lay-out, photo/illustration/other graphic contributions, and look/feel of web presence

•    Ensures quality and consistency of graphic presentation

•    Solicits graphic content and maintains relationships with graphics contributors

•    Solicits and coordinates closely with Issue Designers

•    Supervises Design Interns, if any

•    Maintains close communication with Content Coordinator and Issue Editors

•    Creates and tracks production schedules

•    Maintains relationship with printer

•    Consults on design/production component of special projects

•    Occasionally acts as AREA spokesperson

6. Communications COREdinator

Current COREdinator: Frank Edwards (info@areachicago.org)

Responsibilities:

•    Sends email blasts

•    Manages AREAChicago.org, works with Content COREdinator to generate and manage blog content

•    Develops content for email announcements and other AREA messaging

•    Conducts PR to larger, mainstream publications

•    Maintains social web presence

•    Collect email addresses and maintains AREA email distribution list

•    Develops and implements long term communication strategy

•    Oversees databasing/archiving/research of AREA history

•    Co-ordinates with Design in regards to promotion of events

•    Co-ordinates with Finance in regards to merchandising + event promotion