Make your voice heard

Want to join our editorial board?

For the past two years, The Gazette editorial board has selected community members to join our discussions and help develop our editorial positions.

We now are looking for community board members for 2015.

The editorial board actively seeks community members who will bring diverse experiences and views to the table. Who will speak their mind and engage in civil debate as we work toward consensus opinions. Who will help us better understand the communities we serve.

These are not honorary positions: We ask that community board members bring their unique, informed views to our weekly editorial board meetings and occasional meetings with guests, and that they represent the board in the community. Community editorial board members also may write occasional opinion pieces for publication.

The editorial board is grateful for the perspective community board members bring to discussion. Simply put, community board members make our discussions stronger, smarter and more relevant.

Community members tell us they find the experience valuable, too, as these guest columns from our 2013 and 2014 board members show.

For consideration as a 2015 community representative to the editorial board, please submit a personal statement of around 250 words describing yourself, your professional and community involvement, and why you are interested in serving on the board.

Please include your full name, address and phone number. Statements may be emailed to editorial@thegazette.com or mailed to: Editorial Board The Gazette, 501 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Applications must be received no later than Jan. 5.

' Questions? Call Opinion Editor Jennifer Hemmingsen at (319) 398-8469 or email jennifer.hemmingsen@thegazette.com