Julie Pedretti
The Sizzling Summer Media Mixers have been very well attended. More than 30 NPC members and guests have attended each of the recent events at Ford’s Garage in Estero and The Claw Bar (Bellasara Resort, downtown Naples). To make the Media Mixers convenient to all journalists and media professionals, we’ve experimented with an event at “Society” in Bell Tower Mall in Fort Myers. Let us know if you have suggestions for locations for these events next spring and summer.
(L to R) Denise LeClair Cobb, Bob Orr, Rachel Pierce
(L to R) Julie Pedretti, Frank Cipolla, Alexa Santos
As a result of the NPC summer planning retreat, member Frank Cipolla, who was a television reporter in the New York media market before moving to Naples, convened a committee to review our organization’s name and mission statement. The committee has been thoughtful about our history, what we do, and how we can grow by attracting working (and young) journalists, who primarily work and live in Fort Myers. Committee members also researched names and mission statements from other press clubs to understand how they address free speech and fair exchange of information, which are not included in the current NPC mission statement.
At our September 20 NPC Board Meeting, we discussed the Young Journalist Award program (three winners will be featured at December 13 lunch), the NPC Journalism Scholarship program, membership and fundraising. In addition, Mike Sheffield and Connie Kindsvater shared an update about a partnership they have developed for NPC with the Collier County Library System to offer a freelance writing and blogging workshop, which is scheduled for Saturday, December 8. Watch SCOOP and the NPC email blasts for details.
(L to R) Rachel Pierce, Alexa Santos, Marissa Cornford
The board also reluctantly accepted the resignation of NPC Board Member Soni Dimond, who served as president of NPC in 2017. This summer, Soni moved back to Pennsylvania to pursue a career opportunity. Her enthusiasm, energy and smile will be missed.
If you are interested in becoming more involved with NPC, please reach out. Your insights, experiences and talents will likely match up with one of our committees.
Members, please take a minute to review your information in the Members section of our website and provide updated information (title, company, address, phone number, email address, etc.) to NPCBioPage@gmail.com.