Owing to the success of our pilot program in Baltimore last year, the National Association of Science Writers will again coordinate a mentoring program at the 1997 Seattle meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to help young professionals in the fields of science reporting and public affairs meet and learn from veteran mentors.
NASW will be arranging for young professionals and students to be teamed up one-on-one with established science writers and public information officers for AAAS sessions on Saturday, February 15. Barring any unforeseen difficulties, the mentor and his/her charge will meet early in the morning and stay together all day -- attending the same sessions, interviewing sources together, working the press together -- all the things that make the AAAS meeting worthwhile. As a young professional, you'll see how the pros do it. As a veteran, you'll be sharing your valued experience with the next generation of science writers.
We're asking for volunteer mentors who could spare time on Saturday during the AAAS annual meeting. You'll be matched up in advance of the meeting -- at 8 a.m. Saturday in Room 207 of the Convention Center -- so you'll have a chance to talk briefly make any other necessary arrangements.
Coordinator for this program is Rick Borchelt, Special Assistant for Public Affairs in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. If you have questions, or to get a copy of the registration form (for both mentors and their charges) you can call Rick at 202.456.6020 (days) or email him (rborchelt@nasw.org).
Watch for your dues bill around December 16th. The envelope will also contain a notice about the banquet in Seattle and about signing up for workshops at the AAAS meeting. Most important: If your dues are not received by March 1, l997, you will not be in the 1997 Roster of Members.
When you send in your dues payment in December, please include any change of address, telephone number, and the like. Other good months for sending in address and telephone changes are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.