Members Approve a $1 a Month Dues Increase

A $1-a-month increase in dues was approved by National Press Club members at a general membership meeting Oct. 5. The increase applies to all categories except students, spouses, partners, widows and those in the “inactive” category.

During discussion, Club Treasurer Myron Belkind explained that the club still has $400,000 of long-term debt to pay down, business operations have been uneven, with a sharp falloff in the number of press conferences held at the Club, and that profits have been declining for the past three years. Capital investments have been made to refurbish the club, but we still need to renovate additional bathrooms on the 13th floor, convert the Broadcast Operations Center to high-definition equipment and to invest in the main kitchen.

Membership Secretary Nyia Hawkins reported membership revenue is on budget. We now have 149 spouse members, up from 120 last year. We have one additional journalist member and have added new members from major outlets, as well as major bureau chiefs and international members. Total membership is 3221, down about 80 members from last year.