President Laurie Garrett opened the meeting with a discussion of the increasing professionalization of NASW. One indicator is the NASW newsletter, which has been recognized as one of journalism's top professional publications.
Secretary Paul Raeburn reported that 129 NASW members had returned forms seeking membership in the Authors' Registry, an organization formed by writers to protect writers' legal and contractual rights, especially with regard to re-use of their work online and in electronic form. Diane McGurgan planned to submit the forms to the registry's organizers on Feb. 20.
A freelance committee was established to enable NASW to pay increased attention to issues of importance to freelance writers. The members are Joel Shurkin (chairman), Mary Knudson, Sandy Blakeslee, Charlotte Libov, Tabitha Powledge, Stephen Hart and Simson Garfinkel. The committee was given the following charge:
The NASW freelance committee will pursue issues and develop policies relevant to NASW members who are freelance writers and producers. The committee will keep NASW officers and the board informed of its actions. It will not involve NASW in any affiliations or endorsements without the approval of NASW officers in consultation with the board. Major policy decisions will likewise be reserved by the officers in consultation with the NASW board.
Joel reported that the committee would act in an ombudsman's role, providing information to writers and circulating the names of editors and publishers the committee deems to be unfair in their contractual dealings with writers.
Mary Knudson reported that the book on science writing she is editing with Deborah Blum--to which many NASW members contributed--was well received by the editor at Oxford University Press and was being edited.
Howard Lewis reminded members that he is always eager to consider contributions to the NASW newsletter. Laurie recommended that new members especially can introduce themselves by contributing to the newsletter, underlining the requirement of meeting deadlines.
Laurie sought comment on this year's NASW symposia, organized in conjunction with the AAAS meeting. Members expressed overwhelming support for continuation of the symposia. Most agreed that it would be reasonable to charge a fee for the symposia next year to help cover costs. Members proposed that the rates be reduced for students and for NASW members if outsiders are invited to the symposia. The sentiment for inviting outsiders to the symposia was mixed. Some argued the symposia would lose their value if they became too large; others suggested that inviting outsiders would help defray the costs. Members approved a motion directing the officers to establish fees with reasonable adjustments for students. A second motion directed that next year's symposia be limited to press accredited to cover the AAAS meeting.
Laurie appointed four people to serve on a committee to organize next year's symposia. The committee members are Paul Lowenberg, Julie Osler, Carol Morton and Ben Sherman.
Treasurer Joe Palca reported on NASW's finances. He noted that we will need to find additional sources of revenue to keep accounts balanced during the next few years. Joe noted that one possible source of future savings could be distributing the membership directory electronically, saving printing and mailing costs. A suggestion was made that the NASW dues form be rewritten to include a line asking for additional contributions beyond the dues payment.
Joe gave a report on NASW Online. After studying various proposals, the officers recommended that NASW move its online service to the EurekAlert! service being created by AAAS on the World Wide Web. NASW Online on Compuserve will be maintained for at least six months. The membership voted to accept the recommendation.
At the close of the meeting, Victor McElheny and Robert Cowen donated $100 and $150, respectively, to NASW to help defray the cost of the NASW symposia.
The meeting was adjourned.
Paul Raeburn, Secretary
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