Candidates agree politely in rare three-way Club debate
Polite agreement characterized a rare three-way debate among candidates for National Press Club president Nov. 28.
Vice President Keith Hill, Board of Governors Chair Theresa Werner and Young Members Chair Tim Young agreed that the club is on target to meet its goal of a $3 million dollar reserve, should co-sponsor events with other organizations as a recruiting strategy, foster freedom of the press and schedule high-profile speakers.
Hill said “I strongly believe that I have the fire in the belly, the desire to be Press Club president.” Hill, an African-American, cited the election of Sheila Cherry, the club’s first African-American president, soon after he joined eight years ago as his inspiration to aim for the presidency. He listed his previous positions of vice chair and chair of the Board of Governors, plus treasurer and vice president of the club.
Hill said he specializes in Federal tax withholding law as editor/writer at the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA), where he has worked for 22 years.
Werner told the audience “I need your support and want your advice before and after the election.” She said she brings years of leadership experience and has served five years on the Board of Governors.
Werner listed her traditional journalism background at NBC4 and AP TV and broadcasting. Having been downsized, she now freelances, which requires a broader range of skills.
“Everybody’s a backpack journalist now,” she said. She described her experience with regional programming for Comcast and current production of a documentary on women’s issues.
Young said, “My experience here over the past two years has been incredible. I have gained so much knowledge and have been able to give so much back to the young members of the club.”
Young cited experience with his college newspaper, multiple local newspapers and his current work writing for Patch.com and commenting on radio and web sites.
The moderator, former Club President Gil Klein, noted that the two self-employed freelancers obviously had their employers’ support to serve, but asked Hill if the proposed absorption of BNA by Bloomberg would complicate his service. Hill replied that BNA supported his service.
A note of disagreement crept into the event when Young advocated keeping the Reliable Source bar open until midnight and the other two approached the issue more cautiously. Hill said in an “ideal world” it would be open all the time and Werner said she favored experimenting with keeping it open for special events. She added, “If you want it open more, you need to drink more.”
Another such note appeared when Hill and Werner cited using personal contacts to recruit high-profile speakers, particularly heads of state. Young asked if they had these contacts, why weren’t there more such speakers now.
Young said he had not attended any Board of Governors meetings, which are open to members for observation, because he heard they were long and boring, but that he read the minutes. Both Hill and Werner acknowledged long meetings but said they were sometimes necessary because the Board handles serious issues that require discussion.
All agreed with the need for the softball team to have new equipment. Young added, “That’s a softball” question.
In her concluding statement Werner underlined professional development that could help members “survive and thrive” in a challenging industry environment. Young said the Club could be better and wanted to expand the sense of community the young members have developed to a “grander scale.” Hill said the Club is run by members and would like to “make it possible for members to want to be involved with the Club.”