Interesting, enjoyable and rewarding

More than a month ago, I was asked by Phyllis Thomas to be a guest editor of The Gleaner along with Milton Samuda and Donna Duncan-Scott.

From the inception, we decided to focus on positive articles to motivate Jamaicans.

We were at liberty to choose our topics and headlines. The Gleaner reporters researched and wrote the articles with our input.

In addition to all the preparation we did prior to publication, we had a full workday at The Gleaner on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Milton, Donna and I shared a very good and enjoyable working relationship.

During the day, we reviewed all the articles and had to choose the ones which should go to press. We also had the opportunity to have lunch with the editors where we interacted and shared many experiences.

My experience was interesting, enjoyable and rewarding. It was a pleasure working with Phyllis and her team. They were efficient and results oriented.

They ensured that we remained focused and stuck to our deadlines.

It was a pleasure to see the excellent publication yesterday.

Lascelles Chin

A great experience!

I looked forward to the experience. I knew it would be good. I did not know how much I would enjoy it.

Watching professionals work expeditiously, simultaneously mindful of deadlines and product quality, was refreshing! Watching a creative process unfold faithful to facts, cross-checking and double-checking information, while marketing 'news', was fascinating. Being an integral, decision-making part of it all was truly gratifying!

An unexpected bonus was lunch with the staff editors and reporters where candid, enlightened and engaging conversation almost detained us from the task at hand.

To be sure, being a guest editor with The Gleaner has serious responsibilities and requires a willingness to give up time. From supplying the ideas for the stories, to identifying the theme to proofing and editing, the guest editor, for a defined time, becomes an integral part of The Gleaner staff, dedicated to publishing a 'special issue' in keeping with the paper's principles and standards.

Underlying it all was an enjoyment in learning from the process and the people - my fellow guest editors Donna and Lascelles and the utterly professional staff of The Gleaner led by Phyllis Thomas.

Great experience!

Milton Samuda

Inspired to do better

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being a guest editor, particularly with Lascelles Chin and Milton Samuda.

We all share an optimistic approach that seeks to focus on the solutions and opportunities to move us towards our vision and goals.

I was inspired by the competence of very young subeditor, Shaunette Jones, and the enthusiasm of Phyllis Thomas, the project leader. Interacting with the reporters left me in admiration of the beauty of varying self-expressions and commitments.

I thank The Gleaner for this valuable experience.

Today, I am reminded of the many Jamaicans who desire the best for Jamaica and who realise that we have to work hard and make hard choices if we are to have a better Jamaica.

I call upon our prime minister to help us all to be clear about what we can do individually to achieve our country's goals in the same way that the leaders of a company must ensure that each team member knows what his individual goals are.

Donna Duncan-Scott