Suzanne Struglinski: Candidate for communicator on Club board

Fellow Communicators, I ask for your vote on Dec. 9 because I want to be a strong voice for all of us in the non-journalist category.

No matter if you are inside or outside the Beltway, a frequent Club visitor or someone who comes by once a year, if at all, a Young Member or a Silver Owl or somewhere in between, I promise you this: I will be a strong voice on the board for our needs and stand-up for more equality within the Club for communicators.

By using my three-year term to focus on increasing professional development, networking and social opportunities, I want to enhance the communicator membership experience. My main goals including creating more ways for communicators and journalists to meet, for communicators to meet each other and for all members to get the best value out of their Club membership through members-only events.

Before becoming press secretary of legislative affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council, I worked as a journalist for nearly a decade in Washington, D.C., including a two-year term as president of the Regional Reporters Association. This gives me the unique experience to represent the precise mix of members we have at the National Press Club.

I have been so impressed by the diversity of professions in the communicator category, I know we all have a lot to contribute to the Club.

I originally joined the National Press Club as a student in 1999 but have been a member full-time since 2003. In nearly of decade of membership, I have worked on the Membership, Young Members, Professional Development and Speakers committees while also volunteering at the annual 5k, inaugural planning committees and other events.

I received Vivian Awards for service to the Club in 2005 and 2006 for my work on membership recruitment and retention. From hosting Pub Quiz to securing actress Ashley Judd as a lunch speaker, I am an energetic member of the Club and want to bring this enthusiasm to the board.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about my candidacy at [email protected] or (202) 289-2387.