President's Column

By Laura Walcher

We Don't Talk Anymore ...

... and to think, we're in the "communications" business! Never mind: We talk to you; and now we want you to talk back. That's why you will soon have an important questionnaire/survey in your email The conversation we hope to spawn is a communicator's dream, believe me. What we want to know is how to please you. How to excite you. What you'd like from your Press Club. What can we do to improve your career?

Besides not talking, what you haven't done much of is attend our last several highly interesting and enjoyable events: the embedded reporters' panel program, and our Salute to Radio Legends. But that's you. Others attended in droves. Yet while we can therefore call ourselves successful, we're not happy. We want Press Club members. We Want You.

So when you get your survey, take it as a good opportunity to get more of your money's worth by being a Press Club member. We'll let you know what everyone says, and design our organization around your best ideas.

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We're History, Man ...

In Washington DC, the Newsmuseum is undergoing various stages of construction, with plans to open in autumn of this year. Artifacts of the profession include items that range from a pencil used by Mark H. Kellogg, a reporter who was killed in 1876, perhaps embedded with Custer in Little Bighorn, to turquoise slippers worn while working by blogger Ana Marie Cox. Also, for instance, Edward R. Murrow's microphone and Danny Pearl's laptop.

This is America's second Newsmuseum - significantly expanded from the original in Arlington, Virginia. Its goal: to present the "first rough draft of history" in all its glory and some of its shame.

It'll be worth the trip.

Posted June 2007