President's Column

By Laura Walcher

Thanks, Robert! After two years at the helm of the SDPC, Robert Griswold left us strong and surely forward-thinking. Did he set a high bar? You bet, and we're up to it. A strong executive committee has already begun proving themselves, and you - our board and members - are already letting me know you want "in" ! Ohhh-kay!

If Chuck Fox' "revolutionary" Journalism Awards herald things to come, we should have a wonderful year. No other way to say it: we had a few glitches, and we had a blast, to which our honorees and guests will attest.

We're bound this year to address the many changes facing the media - - the continuing growth of the internet, "citizen journalists," one-man-band television news reporters, the on-going threats to journalists over freedom-of-information issues and confidential sources. We're living through flux.

Long-time board members never sit on their laurels: Reid Carroll agreed to head up the Press Club Foundation Board; Frank Saldana's heavy into finalizing our Legends event on November 4; Gayle Falkenthal never misses a Foghorn deadline, and that's just one way she contributes.

And we're into fun: just watch out for Ron James' and Barbara Metz' wine-tastings, the SDPC salute to San Diego radio veterans next year, Jan Percival's road trips, a new Speakers' Bureau, and more.

Lastly, we're well on our way to record membership, and here's a deal: if you join now, your membership will be good until June 2008. That's how much we want you!

Posted Dec. 2006