Volunteer Lead Editor, APEN eBulletin

Call for expressions of interest

The Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) is seeking expressions of interest from members for the volunteer role of Lead Editor, working with a small team to produce APEN's monthly eBulletin.

The eBulletin is our monthly newsletter, connecting members across Australia and New Zealand with extension practice, professional development opportunities, events, research, publications and member achievements. In our 2025 member survey, members rated it the most valued of APEN's communication channels.

As Lead Editor, you will work with the APEN Executive Officer and Communications Officer, and lead a small Editorial Committee to be appointed once the Lead Editor role is filled. You will guide content development and keep the eBulletin relevant, engaging and timely. The Lead Editor makes final editorial decisions and approves each edition for publication.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate content planning for each edition
• Encourage contributions from APEN members and partners
• Review and edit content submissions
• Work with APEN support staff to ensure timely publication
• Lead a small Editorial Committee and provide strategic direction for the eBulletin

Time commitment

The role is expected to take around 10 to 15 hours per month, with an initial two-year appointment. The time commitment should decrease once the Editorial Committee is established and tasks can be shared.

How to apply

Submit a brief expression of interest (maximum one page) to info@apen.org.au by 5pm AEST Monday 26 October 2026, addressing:

1. Communication and editorial experience. Describe your experience writing, editing, publishing or managing newsletters or other communication products.
2. Knowledge of APEN and extension practice. Outline your understanding of extension and your interest in supporting APEN's objectives.
3. Leadership and collaboration. Provide examples of how you have coordinated contributors, managed deadlines or worked collaboratively to deliver outcomes.

Further information

Nicole Sallur, Chair, APEN Communications Committee
0427 603 241 | nicole.sallur@dpi.qld.gov.au

Pat Hamilton, current APEN eBulletin Editor
0409 180 164 | phamilton@rbh2.com

eBulletin Editorial Committee Terms of Reference

Purpose

The APEN eBulletin is APEN's monthly electronic newsletter and is a key communication channel for members and stakeholders across Australia and New Zealand.

The purpose of the Editorial Committee is to support the quality, relevance and strategic direction of the eBulletin while ensuring timely publication. The Committee provides advice and content support, while the Lead Editor has responsibility for final editorial decisions.

Scope

The Editorial Committee will:

• Support the development and ongoing improvement of the eBulletin.
• Identify, source and encourage content relevant to APEN members.
• Promote APEN events, professional development opportunities and member achievements.
• Support inclusion of approved content from sponsors, Business Supporters and corporate partners.
• Monitor reader engagement and recommend improvements.
• Assist with development of an annual editorial calendar.

The eBulletin may include:

• Articles and case studies.
• APEN news and events.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Research, extension and engagement resources.
• Employment opportunities relevant to APEN members.
• Surveys, consultations and research participation requests.
• Sponsor and partner content approved by APEN.

Editorial principles

Content published in the eBulletin should:

• Align with APEN's vision, mission and strategic priorities.
• Be accurate, relevant, timely and professionally presented.
• Promote excellence in extension, engagement and knowledge exchange.
• Reflect diverse perspectives across regions, sectors and member groups.
• Meet professional and ethical standards.
• Respect copyright and intellectual property requirements.
• Clearly distinguish editorial and promotional content.
• Protect and enhance APEN's reputation.

Where artificial intelligence (AI) tools are used in content development, the content must be reviewed by a human editor prior to publication. Contributors remain responsible for accuracy, originality and appropriate attribution.

Membership

The Committee will comprise:

• A Lead Editor (Chair).
• Up to four Editorial Committee Members.
• The APEN Executive Officer (ex officio).
• The APEN Communications Officer (support role).

Membership should reflect a diversity of experience, sectors and geographic regions. Members are appointed for a two-year term and may be reappointed.

Roles and responsibilities

Lead Editor

The Lead Editor will:

• Provide leadership to the Editorial Committee.
• Coordinate editorial planning and publication schedules.
• Contact potential eBulletin contributors and follow up (or delegate some of these tasks to other volunteer Committee Members).
• Manage content review processes.
• Ensure alignment with APEN objectives and editorial principles.
• Approve each edition for publication.
• Make final editorial decisions where differing views exist.
• Ensure publication timelines are met.

Committee Members

Committee Members will:

• Suggest content and contributors, and contact and follow up with these contributors as required.
• Encourage member participation.
• Review content when requested.
• Provide advice on emerging topics and member interests.
• Support continuous improvement of the eBulletin.

Committee Members are not required to review every edition.

APEN Executive Officer and Communications Officer

The Executive Officer and Communications Officer will provide administrative, publication and distribution support, which primarily involves design, collation, distribution and analytics in Mailchimp.

Governance and operations

The Committee operates in an advisory capacity and reports through the APEN Communications Committee.

Meetings

• The Committee will meet monthly or as required.
• Business may be conducted electronically between meetings.

Decision-making

The Committee will seek consensus where possible. To ensure efficient publication, the Lead Editor has delegated authority to make final editorial decisions and approve each edition for release without requiring formal Committee endorsement.

Performance monitoring

The Committee will periodically review, with monthly Mailchimp analytics provided by the APEN Communications Officer:

• Open rates (target of 34%).
• Click-through rates (target of 5%).
• Subscriber growth.
• Content engagement.
• Contributor diversity and participation.

Conflicts of interest

Members must declare any actual, perceived or potential conflicts of interest. Conflicts will be managed in accordance with APEN governance requirements.

Review

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed every two years. Version 1.1.