NPC members approve $1-a-month dues increase, strategic plan
A $1 dues increase for journalists and communicator members as well as a strategic plan to guide the Club's development from 2014-2018 were approved during the National Press Club's general membership meeting Oct. 4.
In other business, Membership Secretary Marc Wojno noted that while there are 40 fewer members this year than last, new member applications are up 31%.
Three new reciprocal clubs have been added -- the Hartford (Conn.) Club, Nashville (Tenn.) City Club and the National Press Club of Kahtmandu, Nepal.
Other membership benefits approved since the last membership meeting include 50 percent discounts for tickets to Blues Alley Sunday-Thursday as well as certain performances at National Harbor and the National Theater.
Treasurer John Hughes reported the Club has been consistently profitable. Despite a very tough economic environment -- made worse by the government shutdown and continued layoffs of journalists — the Club is ahead of last year in revenue and profit, and might book a $1 million profit for the fifth consecutive year.
But it will be tough, Hughes warned. He added that next year is likely to be like this year – a good month or two followed by a bad month or two.
President Angela Greiling Keane said there have been 15 luncheon speakers at 13 luncheons since the last membership meeting in May. Among them have been the president of Chile, two cabinet secretaries and Gary Pruitt, president and CEO of The Associated Press, who discussed the Justice Department’s subpoenaing of reporter phone records.
The Club has been very active on the press freedom front, including a statement denouncing the Justice Department's subpoenaing of phone records related to The Associated Press and some AP reporters.
Greiling Keane said fun events have included a crab feast, a bus tour of area breweries, beer and wine dinners, the annual members' photo exhibit – and our softball team, had its best year ever, coming in second in the Metropolitan Media Softball League competition. Wrapping up the fun events was the second journalist/members of Congress spelling bee, which sold out the ballroom. The first was held 100 years ago.