What is a mission? In this case, my mission would be to continue aiding membership in bridging the gap between traditional and digital journalists within our organization.

Documentary film is my kryptonite, and I could devour many titles in one sitting, which is why serving as Co-President of our Documentary Branch for the past two years was especially fulfilling. Working alongside Christopher Campbell, the Impact Award was established where we honored award winning filmmaker Dawn Porter (“Trapped’,” “Luther: Never Too Much,” “John Lewis: Good Trouble”), while ensuring that the Doc Awards came out of the shadows as the step child of CCA with a more vibrant red carpet/social media presence overall.   Our NomCom Zoom meetings were created to invigorate conversation amongst our committee to discuss and deliberate our potential nominees for the Doc Awards and were a huge hit!

In addition to serving on the Real TV Awards and Documentary Award NomCom committees, it was my suggestion to develop an app for awards season to cut the hundreds of passwords and links clogging up email inboxes. This process has proven to be remarkably successful and the perfect beginning to bridging the gap.

Going into this next chapter, it is my desire to continue the path of creating a more transparent and supportive organization, while simultaneously creating access opportunities for members in secondary markets that are not major media hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. As well as encourage more global support of our woman critics across television and film. 

Thank you in advance to taking the time to read my statement and it is my sincere hope to be able to work with and for as many members as possible to ensure that our spirits are uplifted and amplified during a time when our journalistic integrity and voices are trying to be silenced.  I stand with you ALL now and ALWAYS.

Hello Fellow Critics Choice Association Members,

~ ~The Short of it~ ~

My name is Derek Sante. I have been helping CCA members for 18 years and taking this seat will allow me to take this service to the next level. I will see that members get more invaluable opportunities and help to make the association and brand flourish in many different ways.

~ ~The Long of it~ ~

I’ve had the opportunity and honor to meet many of you at CCA Events, on red carpets or at festivals. This year I am submitting myself for a seat with the Board of Directors. Helping fellow Critics and the CCA is my goal, but by no means has this been a new one for me.

Whether you are aware of it or not, I have been working to help members and the association for 18 years. 

Some of the things I have helped create, institute and grow include:

• Membership Empowerment: I am a Founding Member of this movement to provide you, the Critics with tools you can use to succeed. Our topics vary, but our goal of empowerment and growth. I have proudly been a part of the technology, hosting, planning and conversation for every episode.  
• CCA Facebook Group: I established the need for a Facebook group and helped create its structure so CCA members could better share information, opportunities and issues. And even though I turned it over to the board after creation, it still grows and is used by members daily.
• Film Festival Liasson: Leading the charge for members on the ground at film festivals, I have put the call out through the FB group and in newsletters to create a comprehensive list of members attending and covering these events. From there I actively shared it with studios, agencies and publicity leads to get our members invites and opportunities that might have passed them by. 

______

When it comes to my group involvement, I have worked hard to be part of the conversation and team to make CCA’s voice and brand shine.

• Marketing & Promotion Committee: I have been an active member of the M&P committee since its inception. I have been working to build and spotlight CCA and its events for years.
• Nominating Committees for Awards: It’s been my pleasure to be part of numerous nomination committees over the years. Giving my time and attention to help nominate the best options for CCA members to select.
• Celebration of Latino Film & Television Awards: I worked to create grounded ideas and goals to grow this amazing show.

These are just a few of the key points highlighting my years of involvement and service to CCA and its members. I have open, available and ready to help. 

__________

As for what I plan to do once appointed to the board, that’s simple. I plan to make things better for members and leadership. I have some of the most useful mix of skills needed for this position. I am a logistical person based in reality with extensive experience in Marketing, Promotions, Sales, Publicity and Technology. 

My appointment to the board will help the following:

• Member Information: I will give equal consideration to the members and the needs of the Critics Choice brand. I will make sure that the association is heard and informed in a timely manner. We work in communications; we can always be better at this.
• Member Opportunities: I will look for options to make being a member a more-positive and helpful experience. This is something I have been passionate about for many years. As we know, better access leads to more opportunities.
• Sales and Sponsorship: This is an area that needs constant attention. Someone has to pay for our amazing events. My goal will be to expand this category, while still holding our professional journalistic integrity.
• Marketing: I have relationships many brands and agencies outside of the critic norm as well as the entertainment industry. The demographic of CCA, its members and its followers is key to many hopeful campaigns and partnerships.
• Technology: I have the skills and knowledge to use technology to give the association more options and better opportunities with events, structure, communication and day-to-day operations. In addition to my current video and audio production, I have an extensive background in website building and SEO tactics. 

I have held many titles in the past including Director, Editor, Regional Marketing Manager, Executive Producer and Consultant. I understand the need for different roles and types of teamwork. I will work with the board to do what’s best for the members and the association and lend my expertise and voice to a stronger Critics Choice Association.

Greetings CCA members! My name is Herb Stratford and I’m throwing my hat in the ring for BOD membership. While I certainly don’t know all of you, I’ve been a member since 2015, and have served on several committees including the nomination committee for the documentary awards for the last seven years and continue to enjoy working in the group. I’m the only critic in the Southern Arizona market, and am the only state-wide critic for Arizona with weekly film & TV spots. I’ve been programming film festivals around the country for the past 20 years, and am also a documentary filmmaker and historic theatre consultant with projects in 24 different states since 2008.

I Joined the then BFCA’s at the suggestion of long-time friend Jim Ferguson, as I admired the work our group does, and over time have been pleased to see the progress we’ve made with member engagement, public awareness and of course our fabulous awards events.

I believe my perspective and experience will be of value to the organization in the future. I have worked ever since joining the group to offer ideas (the CCA lapel pins as one example), suggestions and feedback to better serve both our collective audiences and the group as a whole. I want to help find ways for us to continue to grow our influence on the industry, to generate positive relationships between our group, filmmakers, studios and audiences as we continue to offer criticism of the new media universe. 

I also believe we can find even more opportunities to connect, celebrate and foster the power of storytelling in the 21^st century and our role as critics to shine a light on the best stories that are being produced and help foster and nurture emerging talent and performances. I would welcome the chance to be a member of the board and look forward to the opportunity to join you as a board member of BFCA.

Hello, my name is Sammi Turano and I am the owner and editor in chief of TVGrapevine. I have been a member of the CCA since 2012 and served on several committees for the Real Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Marketing and Women’s committees and more. I would like to submit my personal statement to be a part of the Board.

I have been working in the journalism field for the past seventeen years. It was a long, tough road, but one filled with hard work and determination. I came from humble beginnings, and I am always slowly but surely working my way to the next level of my career.

If I were to be a member of the Board, I would work to help bring the CCA to the next level and bring more eyes and ears to our shows, mission and vision. I would also make sure all the committees and members are treated fairly and are equally represented. I believe everyone and every committee has something unique and special to offer and I want to make sure that is seen and heard by all. 

Being on the Board would be an incredible honor because I not only represent the women in the field, but I also represent the underdogs who have worked hard to get to where they are today. We all have different stories, and I think mine is one of inspiration and hope.

I hope you will consider me for a position on your Board and I look forward to working with you!