Empowered to Become Part of LDSPMA

By Joseph A. Batzel (LDSMPA Director of Education)

Our theme for this year’s conference can invite many thoughts and interpretations. As I think of the word empowered, I am drawn to a definition from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary: “having the knowledge, confidence, means, or ability to do things or make decisions for oneself.” 

I was empowered several years ago when I was searching for an organization that provided an opportunity for me to further my knowledge in publishing and media. I had tried several other groups who provided similar opportunities, but their values and principles were not what I was looking for at the time.

As I perused the website I was so impressed with what Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media stood for in their mission statement: “LDSPMA is an international organization for members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who work in media and publishing or seek to do so.”

We provide online and in-person opportunities for our members to learn, network, share and refine their work, and support one another in magnifying and marketing praiseworthy works that bring light into the world. The media represented by LDSPMA members include books, blogs, articles, songs, poetry, videos, films, audio programs, podcasts, and others.

I had years of experience in writing, singing, poetry, video, and audio, and  I was also going to have the opportunity to work with people with the same values and principles. This combination was precisely what I was looking for to fit my spiritual and artistic needs. I made a decision that day to join the organization. In my past, I had been the CEO of my nonprofit organization for the preservation of the arts. I realized at that time I not only wanted to be a member I also wanted to serve on the board of directors.

I was at the right place and the right time when I felt guided by inspiration to find the website and notice they were looking for a director of education. The criteria met my qualifications. I filled out the application and was contacted shortly thereafter by the current president and approved by the board.

My privilege to serve others has been a mantra of mine for many years. I have been a professional educator for more than forty years. In those years, I have had the privilege of teaching students in the classroom of universities, colleges, and public schools. I’m blessed to say, “I have learned as much from my students as they have learned from me.” Education is a collaborative effort; we don’t need teachers if we don’t have students to teach. 

I look at serving on our LDSPMA board in the same capacity. We can’t function if we don’t have members that support us by becoming involved as our future leaders, committee members, presenters, keynotes, and general attendees at our conferences. 

We operate as a nonprofit organization; all of us who provide service are volunteers. As the director of education, it is my responsibility to provide as many opportunities to educate our members. Our yearly conference scheduled for this September is an ideal chance to receive some excellent instruction from our many presenters sharing their expertise in all facets of publishing and media. Along with our conference, I would like to share with you some of my educational goals for this coming year:

1. I want to continue with our podcasts and include some of our conference presenters in our interviews.
2. I want to encourage our college and university students to become involved by establishing and joining chapters on each college and university campus.
3. I want to provide more opportunities for our members to submit their poetry and short stories to our blog and social media pages.
4. I want to encourage our members to give us feedback on our blog, website, and social media pages. We want to provide the best educational experiences you are seeking.
5. I want to encourage all of our members and potential members to attend our conference and learn from the most knowledgeable, insightful, passionate, and uplifting presenters that we are assembling to teach you in your respective areas of interest.

It is my hope and prayer that we can grow together as leaders and members and become one as we reach for the goal of “Empowering our Vision” for the coming year. I hope to meet many of you at this year’s conference.

Joseph