Our View: Become a visiting editor with us

The editorial voice of any newspaper is a vital part of what it does.

The Sun-Star's position on a wide range of issues is expressed in space set aside for that purpose and that purpose only.

The goal of the editorial is to convince readers of the rightness or wrongness of a position, endorse candidates for elected offices and create awareness of situations -- both good and bad.

But despite our best efforts, readers often don't take our advice, agree with our position or support the candidates we endorse.

So why bother? Because it's our job on the editorial pages to take a strong stand on things that people in the community care about in a respectful and thoughtful way, providing leadership and direction regardless of the fallout.

People may not agree with us, but at least we spark the debate, offer a different perspective and distill the rhetoric.

And a key component of in this is your participation. Not only through Letters to the Editor and longer Op-Ed pieces, but as community members on the Sun-Star's editorial board.

If you are interested in applying to be on the Sun-Star's editorial board (a three-month commitment), here are the guidelines for visiting editors:

Participate in discussions about a variety of mostly local issues. Most discussions take place at the weekly editorial board meetings, which are usually held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays. We frequently have guests at these meetings, but try to reserve at least one Wednesday a month for open conversation.

Contribute to group editorial decisions and have an opportunity express their own views through individual editorials once each month during your quarter (up to 300 words each). After your quarter as a visiting editor, you may be invited to become a community columnist, submitting articles of up to 500 words about local or regional issues.

Your experience will be most meaningful if you:

Subscribe to and read the Sun-Star, and generally keep up with local issues.

Join us as often as you can and stay in touch. We send out regular emails of draft editorials and about upcoming meetings and topics.

And we ask that you:

Not use your position as a visiting editor to further your own political, business or personal interests or to benefit a specific cause or interest group. You can write about an interest group if you acknowledge up front that you are involved with it.

Not participate in an editorial board discussion or conclusion on a political race if you are actively supporting a particular candidate -- by giving money, posting signs or in any other way.

For those who would like to apply to be a Sun-Star visiting editor, please email a cover letter about why you would like to participate in this program and include a personal/professional résumé to dhill@mercedsunstar.com for our consideration.