EBMA - COMMITTEES

EBMA COMMITTEES

In 2023, the EBMA leadership revised committee charters outlining the mission of each committee along with roles and responsibilities. It is the goal of the organization to simultaneously engage members and further the mission of the organization through committee opportunities. If you have questions about committees or wish to join a committee please email info@edupaperback.org.

BOOK BANS & CHALLENGES COMMITTEE

New in 2025

Roles and Responsibilities:

2025 Committee Chairs: Ben Conn, Eric Heidemann, Amanda MacDonnell

COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE

The EBMA Communications Committee shall support the management of external communication activities to promote the association in a positive manner, serve the needs of the membership, and assist in making the membership aware of important association information.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Support development of strategies and marketing work plan for informing members and stakeholders about the association’s programs and services
Support development of content for external communications
Review and edit external communications prior to distribution
Ensure that all marketing and communication materials reflect the mission, values and goals of the association

2025 Committee Chairs: Brian Buerkle, Lucy Del Priore, Holly Merriman

CONNECTIONS COMMITTEE

New in 2025

Roles and Responsibilities:

2025 Committee Chairs: Lauren Cannavino, Eric Heidemann, Frank Radell

HISTORIAN COMMITTEE

The EBMA Historian Committee is dedicated to preserving the history of EPA/EBMA’s inception, important events and notable figures.

Roles and Responsibilites:

Supports the development and compilation of a permanent record of important events, past presidents and members to be housed by the association
Develops a strategy to showcase a timeline of EPA/EBMA events
Interviews original members, past presidents and notable figures
In conjunction with the Communication Committee, develops a strategy of how to inform current members of the history of EBMA
Ensures that past records, including photos are archived

2025 Committee Chairs: Ben Conn

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance committee is dedicated to ensuring the sound financial management of the resources of EBMA.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Recommending financial policies, goals, and budgets that support the mission, values, and strategic goals of the organization.
Managing the organization’s financial performance against its goals and proposes major transactions and programs to the board
Reviewing and approving capital expenditures and unbudgeted operating expenses that, per board-approved policy, are above management’s authority but below the threshold required for board approval.
From time to time engaging a third party to review the financial accounts of the association.
Reviewing the financial aspects of major proposed transactions, new programs and services, as well as proposals to discontinue programs or services, and making action recommendations to the board.

2025 Committee Chairs:

JEAN SRNECZ COMMITTEE

The EBMA Jean Srnecz Award Committee is dedicated to selecting a book industry professional who has contributed significantly, over their lifetime, to the educational book market and displayed the kind of creativity and dedication that was valued in Jean Srnecz, EPA Past President (2006-2008).

Roles and Responsibilities:

On occasion present a prospective nominee to present the Jean Srnecz Award to the board of directors for approval.
Ensure that the nominee has a portfolio of work or contributions made that is on par with past awardees.
Verify a nominee’s willingness to travel and accept the award.
Write a citation to be included on a small plaque.
During the annual meeting, present the award during the designated time set forth by the board.
After the annual meeting, write a press release to be distributed to EBMA members announcing the winner and contributions made to the educational book market.

Managed by EBMA Board of Directors

LUDINGTON COMMITTEE

The EBMA Ludington Award Committee is dedicated to selecting an author, illustrator, educator, and/or librarian who has made a significant contribution to the educational media business and meets criteria to receive EBMA’s version of a “Lifetime Achievement Award”.

Roles and Responsibilities:

On an annual basis, review past recipients, nominees, and prospective nominees and develop a list of 3-5 nominees who meet the criteria.
Present a list of the top three nominees with justification for board approval.
Contact the publisher representative of the nominee and officially offer the award, confirm acceptance, sponsorship, etc. Confirm that the nominee will accept the award and be able to attend the annual meeting and that publisher and nominee will keep the announcement confidential until the joint press release.
Work with the publisher representative to collect the nominee’s biography, photo, jacket images, etc. Write a press release announcing the nominee. Submit release for approval to both the President of the Board and the publisher.
Write the citation to be included on the award plaque.
Schedule a conference call with the Ludington co-chairs, the publisher representative, and the actual nominee. Provide the nominee with an official welcome, provide background on EBMA, discuss how the awards dinner will be organized, and what the nominee’s responsibilities are (including the acceptance speech)
During the annual meeting, meet and greet the Ludington award winner and accompany publisher to help set up books and award booklets on table prior to dinner, sit with winner and publisher during dinner, present award during dessert

2025 Committee Chairs: Sheila Hennessey, Brandi Ivester, Ann Lehue

MEETING SUPPORT AND LOGISTICS COMMITTEE

The EBMA Meeting Support & Logistics Committee is dedicated to providing input and advisement towards the development of the annual meeting logistical tasks and providing onsite support during the annual meeting. Support and advisement should align with the goals and needs of the annual meeting.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Provides oversight on pre, during and post task development for the annual meeting
Provides input on significant agenda and one-on-one schedule changes
Supports the development and orientation of one-on-one session pre-meeting webinar
Supports onsite registration
Supports author book setup during annual meeting
Supports the book donation selection and onsite boxing up of books and materials
Provide oversight on meeting logistic specific questions for post annual meeting survey

2025 Committee Chairs: Jessica Bitterman, Marin Foster, Holly Merriman, Nick Sykora

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

The EBMA Program Committee is dedicated to the development of the annual meeting’s educational content that supports the EBMA mission and is responsive to the needs of the association’s members and the industry at large.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Develops the annual meeting’s overall meeting theme, educational topics and publisher programming
Identify authors, illustrators, educators, librarians and industry experts who can present content and materials on identified topics and theme
Make initial invitation to presenters
Oversee the development of the letter of agreements distributed to invited presenters, ensure that what is offered to presenters falls within the guidelines for guest speakers
Oversee the development of the meeting agenda
Select final graphics developed for branding of the annual meeting
Review speaker materials for clarity and relevancy
Facilitate at least 2 speaker meetings for sessions that include a panel; hold at least 1 speaker meeting for sessions that include only a sole presenter
Write a letter from the co-chairs to be distributed to members & attendees about the content in advance of the annual meeting
Develop a committee report to update the board at the May and September Board Meetings
Serve as an onsite contact and host for the presenters
Introduce presenters during the annual meeting
Review the post-annual meeting survey for accuracy and relevancy of program specific questions

2025 Committee Chairs: Katy Hostman, Kara Redmon, Kathleen Rourke

REVENUE COMMITTEE

The EBMA Revenue Committee is dedicated to the recruitment, retention, member benefits and overall satisfaction of members and sponsors. The Committee shall perform needs assessments, plan, develop, guide implementation, and evaluate member programs, to include (but is not limited to) benefits, services and/or programs consistent with the EBMA mission.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Reviews member applications submitted, ensures prospective members meet criteria for membership
Presents applications to the board for approval during designated meetings of the board
Welcomes new members to the association
Conducts new member orientation
Recommends membership criteria for each member level
Reviews and supports development of member application
Reviews and develops member benefits
Recommends dues structure changes and member benefits
Develops member renewal letters and lapsed member notifications
Conducts membership recruitment efforts
Ensures that renewal notifications and invoices are distributed
Develop strategic goals and plans that support revenue growth for the association
Cultivate and maintain the growth of relationships with existing and new sponsors in order to develop and maintain their commitment to the association and its mission
Review sponsors and sponsorship levels annually to determine the best course of action for sponsorship for the upcoming annual meeting
Perform a cost benefit analysis on revenue pipelines to determine value of various pipelines and make recommendations during the budgeting process to increase or decrease the value of revenue fees

2025 Committee Chairs: Ben Conn, Ben Mondloch, Frank Radell, Nick Sykora

WEBINAR COMMITTEE

The EBMA Webinar Committee is dedicated to the development of webinars that support the EBMA mission and are responsive to the needs of the association’s members and the industry at large.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Developing quarterly webinars or as requested by the board of directors
Determining topics and engaging speakers for each webinar
Work with EBMA staff to plan logistics for each quarterly webinar
Be available for a practice webinar for each quarterly webinar
Participate in each quarterly webinar as a moderator

2023 Committee Chairs: Jessica Bitterman, Eric Heidemann, Nick Sykora, Sam Temple

Educational Book & Media Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.

P.O. Box 3363, Warrenton, VA 20188
Ph. 540-318-7770
admin@edupaperback.org

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