President's Letter

From JAWS President Dawn Garcia

February 2008

Spring and a New Plan for JAWS

OK, so now it’s spring and you’ve blown your New Year’s resolution to be perfect in 2008. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Who can accomplish everything on that dream list, one that seems uncannily similar year after year? (Lose 10 pounds--again. Write that book. Solve world hunger. Clean out the garage...OK, that last one really IS impossible.)

                With all the craziness going on in journalism and in the lives of hyper-multi-tasking women these days, here’s something you do have control over: you can reach out to help another woman in journalism. Today. How’s that for a doable 2008 resolution?

                That’s what JAWS is all about. Whatever the stage in your journalism career, wherever you live, you have a gift to give other women in JAWS: an ear to listen, a tip about an open job, encouragement for a new idea. One excellent vehicle for these conversations is the JAWS email listserv. Please use the listserv for its intended purpose: to help communicate about JAWS and promote the professional empowerment and personal growth of women in journalism.
               
JAWS Blueprint for the Future

                Meanwhile, after listening to your questions, ideas and concerns, your volunteer JAWS Board of Directors has approved a new five-year strategic plan for the organization.

                The JAWS Blueprint for the Future is a leadership framework that will help steer JAWS in the years ahead. The plan sets priorities for expanding programs and services for members, building a diverse membership and boosting financial resources. It sprang out of coaching from the Challenge Fund for Journalism grant we won last year, and it will help JAWS have continuity year-to-year as we aim to do more for JAWS members.

                The JAWS Board reviewed notes on the discussions that were held with JAWS members about the blueprint at our annual conference in Wisconsin Sept. 27-30 and revisions suggested by committees afterward. The board worked to integrate your ideas and concerns into the final plan.

                Some things everyone agreed were good ideas, and we’ll move forward with those in the coming months: plan more regional events, continue to improve the JAWS Web site, and one that needs no serious discussion: keep the JAWS spirit of fun alive amid the serious stuff!

                The topic that received the most attention and concern at the discussion tables in Wisconsin was the external relations goal, the public face of JAWS. We fully understand the concerns and questions raised. When is it appropriate for JAWS to speak out and on what issues? How can we do so in a timely and prudent manner?

                We are mindful that we are a group of journalists who must maintain the ability to cover issues without the slightest appearance of conflict of interest. At the same time, issues may arise where we as journalists, especially women journalists, may want to raise our voices in support, in concern or in criticism. To that end, we recast the external relations section of the blueprint to address your concerns; please check it out. The final version of the new plan is now posted on the member section of the JAWS Web site.

                In addition to the strategic plan, the board also approved a 2008 JAWS budget, a new listserv policy and is making plans for the next annual JAWS conference (aka camp!) September 5-7, 2008 at the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel in Bartlett, New Hampshire. http://www.jaws.org/events/2008/camp/index.html
 

Your JAWS Board and Getting Involved
                You’ve elected a volunteer board of JAWS members to help run the organization, and we take that role and your concerns seriously. We’re all devoted to giving time and energy to a group that we love.

                Want to join us? If you’d interested in helping JAWS, either on a committee, as a future board member or in other ways, please check out the volunteer page on the JAWS Web site:
http://www.jaws.org/board/volunteer.

                JAWS is all of us working together to promote the professional empowerment and personal growth of women in journalism. All of us can help shape the opportunities that will surely emerge from the current chaos that is daily journalism. So please, get involved! We value you.

                Now, back to cleaning the garage and solving world hunger…