Draft Guidance for
Mid Atlantic Region Multi State Manager (MAR MSM)
Definition
Mid Atlantic Region Multi State Manager (MAR MSM) is special role that extends editing permissions to the entire Mid Atlantic Region.
Eligibility
Editors eligible for receiving MAR MSM shall meet the following criteria:
- State Manager of a MAR State for minimum of 3 months
- Rank 5 editor
- Good communication and leadership skills
- Forum and Editing accounts show active activity
- Regional Coordinator (RC)/Assistant Regional Coordinator (ARC) permission
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Role is designed for emergency assistance and for coverage if other SMs are unavailable.
- Must follow all state standards, the state's SM still has final authority.
Background
The MAR MSM role was created for two primary reasons: to provide assistance during high editing periods (weather or event driven) and limited State Manager availability (vacation, work, family events, etc.). Additionally it will unofficially provide training for MAR SMs to develop skills and experience that could help them prepare for CM/LC/RC/GC positions.
Approval Authority
Granting MAR MSM is a Regional Coordinator role. So RC/ARC have the sole decision to grant (or rescind) MAR MSM. State Manager/Country Manager opinions and suggestions may be considered in the RC decision, but there is not a vote.
Discussion of MAR MSM Role
Many MAR SMs already have editing area in adjacent states and regions due to driving the area or Area Manager/Country Manager responsibilities. Having MAR MSM is similar to those privileges. MAR MSM is just editing privileges and the applicable State Manager(s) set the appropriate policies that the other editors (including CMs and MAR MSM) follow. MAR MSM is not permission to export your state's policy into a neighboring state with a different policy. Therefore MAR MSM implicitly implies that one must read and be familiar with the applicable editing guidelines prior to jumping in on a problem. If there is confusion as to how to follow guidance, then the MAR MSM editor should defer to the applicable SM(s).
MAR MSM gives our team greater flexibility to respond to severe weather and man-made events (think snow storms, hurricanes, fires, traffic accidents, or terrorist events) by enlarging the pool of local MAR editors available to help. Not all events that need a MAR MSM are necessarily bad, since a reporter or editor might submit a last minute parade or festival that needs road closures in a short period of time. Holidays, maintenance problems, or improper entry of the editing permissions can delay the assistance; MAR MSM will alleviate those problems for our senior editors.