Volume 46, Number 2, Fall 1998

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

by Richard Harris

It’s hard to believe that my time as president of NASW is just about up. On January 1, I’ll hand the mantle over to my friend and colleague Joe Palca. When I started this job two years ago, I promised Joe that I would do my best to resolve the matter of the NASW constitution. Judging by the reaction to the proposal that the board has put forth, it looks like I should be able to honor that pledge. That will leave Joe free to champion his own causes within NASW.

It seems that most everybody who cared to comment about the proposed constitution had good things to say about it. But, in the fine tradition of journalism, I’ll focus on the relatively few complaints.

• Student membership. A few members (mostly students) squawked at the suggestion that student membership should be limited to two years. That limit was set because a few perpetual students were expecting perpetual discounts. It has been the organization’s practice to limit those deep discounts to two years. I still think that’s a reasonable policy. But some members made a persuasive argument that the time limit should be open to debate and relatively easy amendment, not cast into the stone of our constitution (even if that document is only a 5 on Mohs scale of hardness). I accept that argument and so does the board. So the time limit will be stricken from the proposed constitution and left as current policy.
• Life membership. We dropped this category from the constitution because—frankly—so many science writers turn out to be lifers, we simply can’t afford to give them exceptional treatment. Of course, existing life members won’t be stripped of that honor. At one time, life members were no longer asked to pay dues. But that hasn’t been true for years, now. Everyone is asked, and those who are still gainfully employed are expected to pay. But life members can put in less than the full dues, if that’s what they can afford. Our new constitution says dues will still be set by a vote of the membership, and I presume retired members of NASW will continue to be treated with the courtesy they are now accorded.
• Expulsion from NASW. Victor Cohn finds our proposed constitution too vague when it comes to behavior unbecoming a member of NASW. [See commentary this page.] I agree with him that we should articulate professional standards and reserve, as the ultimate sanction, expulsion from NASW. It’s my firm opinion that the constitution doesn’t have to be changed to accommodate that, however. We should consider establishing a professional standards committee to articulate those standards. It’s not possible to have one uniform code of ethics for all members of NASW, since we are a diverse lot, but I do believe we can and should have standards that apply to people doing various jobs, whether they are staff journalists, freelancers or public information folk. We don’t need membership categories to have and enforce professional standards—to cite Vic’s example, nobody should pose as a journalist unless he or she is doing bona fide journalism.

Other than those complaints, there’s remarkable agreement that the proposed constitution reflects what we, as members of NASW, wish our organization to be.

Before I sign off, I’d like to say a few thanks to people who have played vital roles in the past two years. I’d especially like to single out Mary Knudson, who worked tirelessly and passionately, particularly on behalf of the freelance members of NASW. She has been one of the most active and influential members of NASW over the years—as co-editor of our very successful Field Guide for Science Writers (coming out now in paperback), and also founder of NASW’s popular workshops. She is not running for reelection to the board this year—and she’s entitled to a break. Mary has shaped NASW as much as any member I’ve ever known, and we owe her our hearty thanks.

If I thanked everyone else who deserves it, this would start to sound like an after-dinner speech. So let me simply say that your board—and our priceless Diane McGurgan—have served us all well for the past two years. And as I look at the outstanding names on the ballot for the coming term, I’m assured that we will remain in good hands, indeed.

Godspeed, Joe Palca.

Richard Harris can be reached at National Public Radio, 635 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington DC 20001; phone: 202-414-2786; fax 202-414-3329; e-mail: rharris@nasw.org.

PHOTO BY BARBARA REIS