Editors

Literature Committee editors are responsible for editing documents in any of the English language production teams. Editors also proofread documents returning from layout and design before final distribution. Editors may be called upon to work individually, but often they work in editing work groups. 

Responsibilities

• Works with team coordinator(s) to meet editing deadlines
• Reviews documents for content, style, spelling, punctuation, and grammar, as required by the specific production team.
• Proofreads previously edited documents returned by layout designers.
• Be available when possible for last-minute review of documents which require immediate attention.
• Consults the literature committee’s resource materials, including the Editing Checklist and The Chicago Manual of Style. 

Helpful Skills and Abilities

• Ability to check email and respond within 24-48 hours

NOTE: This service description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Volunteers may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of COSA as a whole.

Requirements/Necessary Tools

• Reliable computer
• Consistent, reliable internet access
• Excellent communication skills in all aspects of service
• Knowledge of standard English spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Familiarity with the Literature Committee’s Writing Guidelines for COSA Literature
• Attend monthly Literature Committee meetings via Zoom (strongly preferred but not required)
• Ability to improve overall content while preserving the voice of the author
• Ability to use email, and send attached documents [Required of all ISO volunteers]
• Ability to use (or develop skills in) Microsoft Word and Google Docs software
• Familiarity with COSA’s Twelve Steps, Traditions, and Concepts

Literature Translator

Literature translators are responsible for accurate translation of COSA literature from a source language (often English) to a specific target language. They may perform the translation or oversee translation by an outside professional hired by the ISO. Translators must be able to speak and write fluently in both the source and target languages.

Responsibilities

• Translating, or overseeing professional translation of, specific pieces of approved COSA literature by an agreed-upon deadline
• Coordinating the efforts of translation editors to improve translated COSA literature
• Corresponding with Literature Committee chair, Literature in Development coordinator, and literature translators of other target languages
• Cooperating with design & layout specialists to create accurate and attractive publishable final documents
• Communicating with Literature Committee members, ISO board members, and source language writers as needed

Helpful Skills and Abilities

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Organizational ability
• Knowledge of the Writing Guidelines for COSA Literature 
• Familiarity with COSA’s service structure
• Detail oriented
• Patience and diplomacy

Requirements/Necessary Tools

• Phone
• Computer/printer and email
• Willingness to develop computer skills in MS Word and Google Docs
• Attend monthly Literature Committee meetings via Zoom 
• Familiarity with COSA’s Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts
• Demonstrates fluency with standard English spelling, punctuation, and grammar in their regular ISO service correspondence
• Demonstrates fluency with target language spelling, punctuation, and grammar in their regular correspondence with translation editors

NOTE: This service description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Volunteers may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of COSA as a whole.

Translation Editor

Translation editors are responsible for supporting accurate translation of COSA literature from a source language (often English) to a specific target language in cooperation with their literature translator. They must be able to speak and write fluently in both the source and target languages.

Responsibilities

• Editing translated source documents in Google Docs by an agreed-upon deadline
• Proofreading translated source documents in Google Docs by an agreed-upon deadline
• Cooperating with the literature translator of a given target language to improve all COSA literature in that language
• Corresponding with Literature Committee chair, Literature in Development coordinator, and translation editors of other target languages
• Communicating with Literature Committee members, ISO board members, and source language writers as needed

Helpful Skills and Abilities

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Organizational ability
• Knowledge of the Writing Guidelines for COSA Literature
• Familiarity with COSA’s service structure
• Detail oriented
• Patience and diplomacy

Requirements/Necessary Tools

• Phone
• Computer/printer and email
• Willingness to develop computer skills in MS Word and Google Docs
• Attend monthly Literature Committee meetings via Zoom
• Familiarity with COSA’s Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts
• Demonstrates fluency with standard English spelling, punctuation, and grammar in their regular ISO service correspondence
• Demonstrates fluency with target language spelling, punctuation, and grammar in their regular correspondence with literature translators and other translation editors

NOTE: This service description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Volunteers may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of COSA as a whole.