Carole J. Greene
Because we are close to year’s-end, our November board meeting dwelt on committee reports and Old Business topics. I am certain that the first meeting of the incoming board, scheduled for December 13, will have some agenda issues under New Business.
We heard reports on upcoming luncheon programs; an informative panel at FGCU for students in their journalism program, scheduled for January 24; and upgrades to the “Member” section on our NPC website. Plans are moving forward to take a busload of students from Parkside Elementary School to tour the Naples Daily News facility and meet real journalists face-to-face. Jeff Margolis is coordinating with the school’s principal. The school will arrange the transportation, which NPC will fund.
The idea behind this project is to acquaint youngsters with our local newspaper. Many pupils at this school come from homes that do not take a newspaper, so this is likely to be an eye-opening experience for them.
We devoted the biggest chunk of time to discussions of the planning for our December 1 luncheon, holiday buffet, and extraordinary program to celebrate our club’s 20th anniversary. We will honor founding members and past presidents of the club. They will NOT have to pay for their meal that day, but if they bring a Plus-One, that person will be welcomed at the guest fee of $40.
The festive holiday meal, plus champagne or a mimosa for each person, will cost more than our standard luncheon menus. However, the NPC treasury will subsidize the cost—your dues returning something directly to you!—so our usual fees apply: $30 members, $40 guests, $10 students, no charge to NPC scholarship recipients.
We expect to fill the room, so be sure to rsvp or purchase tickets ASAP. We’ll set up a waiting list; if you reserve and find you can’t make it, PLEASE call Rhona (434-9230) to cancel! Then we’ll call the top person on the wait list.
Plan to come to Tiburon early that day for two special opportunities. Several of our author members will be selling/autographing their books. Remember—books signed by the author make great holiday gifts! Also, starting at 10:30 a.m., we’ll be set up for you to answer one of three questions—to be recorded on video for posting to our website and Facebook. Here are the questions; decide which one to talk about:
1. What does the Press Club of Southwest Florida mean to you?
2. What is your favorite memory or special memory of the Press Club of Southwest Florida?
3. What importance does the media play in today’s society?
This is my final “Your Board in Action” as your president. It’s been a thrilling ride!