PLAIN elects new president

Margrethe Kvarenes

Margrethe Kvarenes of Norway (pictured) was elected the new President of PLAIN by the members of the organization’s board. Margrethe thanked her predecessor, Joanna Richardson of Argentina, for her wonderful service to PLAIN during her tenure.

Returning officers are Jana Goldman, United States, Vice-President; Greg Moriarty, Australia, Secretary; and Diane Macgregor, Canada, Treasurer.

The Board also welcomed two new members – Miguel Martinho of Portugal and Irene Stotko of South Africa.

The new President has great faith in PLAIN’s strategic plan, and Margrethe’s main goals for her term are to add value for PLAIN’s members and to professionalize the organization and the field of plain language further.

Margrethe is a manager at the Language Council of Norway, the Norwegian Government’s consultative body on language issues. Her career includes positions in international organizations and extensive Board experience from both non-governmental organizations and the public sector. As plain language advocate, lecturer, and author she has played a major part in establishing plain language in Norway’s civil service – a ten-year initiative which has set a new standard for public communication in Norway.