By Amy Kraft
Science Writers 2011 kicked off Saturday morning with a business meeting (coffee and carbs were provided). Before committee members shared the exciting things going on, including various opportunities for money, Ron Winslow of the Finance Committee assured members “we are solvent.”
The takeaway: there’s funding for great ideas from science writers.
Robin Lloyd, head of NASW’s Program Committee, which has awarded over $70,000 in the Idea Grants Program, said the committee is looking for ways to promote efforts that serve underserved regions.
Adam Rogers of the Internet Committee announced the web Guest Editor pilot project. The project is aimed at finding ways to improve the current NASW web site and make it more of a user-friendly community. Note: You don’t have to be Mark Zuckerberg to apply.
NASW has also been busy working on ways to promote the free flow of information in the U.S. and across borders.
A recent international survey ranked the U.S. as 40th in openness and access to sources for journalists. NASW President Nancy Shute wants to change that. She wants to improve access for science writers to government sources and FOIA requests and is looking for members to get on board with the initiative.
Beyond our borders, NASW will continue to look for ways to strengthen ties with science journalists. The World Conference of Science Journalists in Doha last June created an open forum for journalists to learn of the difficulties reporters face in the Arab world. The association hopes to continue international collaboration with the Arab world.
There are also new opportunities to team up with journalists in Latin America. Luisa Massarani from Brazil and Valeria Roman from Argentina were at the meeting and available to talk about ways science writers in North America and Latin America can work together.
There was also a shout-out to an NASW member for her effortless work in keeping Science Writers strong. Congratulations to Jeanne Erdmann, this year's winner of the Diane McGurgan Service Award. Jeanne organized the pitch slam and power pitch sessions at the NASW conference – an informal gathering that’s just a bit intimidating and a lot of fun.
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