Role-Scope Alignment Minutes

Meeting opened 10:00. Human Resources had submitted, in advance, a proposal that the Circulation Manager serve as the publication's Workplace Wellness Champion, with responsibility for coordinating the forthcoming step-challenge program, circulating (Human Resources' word) weekly fitness bulletins to staff, and maintaining the sign-up ledger for the autumn 5K. The Circulation Manager produced his position description and indicated Section 10, which specifies that the Weekly Report shall be one line, weekly, and accurate, and that no further reporting obligation is created. Human Resources observed that the step-challenge sign-up ledger was also, technically, a ledger; the Circulation Manager opened to Section 4(c), which states that the ledger records newsstand returns and nothing else, whatever else may occur. The proposal failed on its own terms. Meeting adjourned 10:05.

Meeting opened 10:00. Human Resources had proposed, in advance of the meeting, that the Circulation Manager assume a standing seat on the newly formed Editorial Modernization Steering Committee, with responsibility for reporting on distribution trends and surfacing circulation-adjacent opportunities at each monthly session. Jon produced the position description and indicated Section 9, which limits review to instances warranted by agreement of both parties. As no such agreement had been sought or recorded, participation in a standing monthly committee constituted a scheduled review obligation without the requisite warrant, and the proposal could not be accommodated. Meeting adjourned 10:04.

Meeting opened 10:00. The Circulation Manager attended, holding a printed copy of the position description. The Director outlined an opportunity to reimagine the circulation function for a digital-first landscape. The Circulation Manager produced the document. No remarks. Adjourned 10:04.

Meeting opened 10:00. The Director proposed that the Circulation Manager "take ownership" of the publication’s newsletter. The Circulation Manager produced the document and indicated Section 4, which concerns newsstand returns. The newsletter is not a newsstand. Adjourned 10:03.

Meeting opened 10:00. Convened at the request of Human Resources regarding the outstanding Form 12-B (surname). The Circulation Manager produced the document. Form 12-B does not appear in it. Adjourned 10:02. The shortest alignment on record.

No meeting was convened. Entered into the file by the Director, out of cadence: during the June flood, the Circulation Manager, unprompted, moved the entire 1974-1989 archive to the third floor by hand truck in one morning, then returned to the loading dock without informing anyone. When asked afterward why, he indicated Section 7: "safeguarding of undistributed stock in transit." The archive is not stock. The Circulation Manager stated the archive "was not distributed, and was in transit." No further remarks were obtained.

Meeting opened 10:00. The Director presented a draft revision of the position description, prepared by an outside consultant, expanding the role to "Audience Circulation & Growth." The Circulation Manager read it in full, in silence, for eleven minutes. He then produced the original and placed the two side by side. The revision was withdrawn. Adjourned 10:15. The longest alignment on record.

Meeting opened 10:00. Subject: the burros. Facilities had inquired whether the animals on the loading dock were authorized. The Circulation Manager produced the document and indicated Section 11. Facilities had not previously read Section 11. Adjourned 10:05. Facilities has since read Section 11.

Meeting opened 10:00. The Director asked whether the Circulation Manager would consider "stretch goals" for the coming fiscal year. The Circulation Manager asked whether the goals would be added to the position description. The Director said they were more of a spirit thing. The Circulation Manager produced the document. Adjourned 10:04.

Meeting opened 10:00. The weekly circulation report was reviewed. The number was zero. It was noted that the number has been zero for four hundred and forty consecutive reports, without a single filing error. The Director characterized this as "a perfect record." The Circulation Manager agreed. Adjourned 10:03.

Meeting opened 10:00. The Director proposed the meetings move to a quarterly cadence. The Circulation Manager indicated Section 9, which provides for "review as warranted." A discussion followed as to whether cadence can be warranted. Adjourned 10:06 without resolution.

Meeting opened 10:00. The Director asked the Circulation Manager how he was finding the role. The Circulation Manager stated the role was "as described." Follow-up questions returned the same answer with the emphasis moved. Adjourned 10:04.

Meeting opened 10:00. First alignment. The Director welcomed the Circulation Manager and asked after his goals for the position. The Circulation Manager produced a printed copy of the position description, placed it on the table, and indicated it. The Director asked if there was anything beyond the document. The Circulation Manager said the document was thorough. Adjourned 10:05.