During meeting with Broadcast/Podcast Team Freedman urges Club teams to 'be creative'

National Press Club President Michael Freedman thanked members of the Club's Broadcast/Podcast team for maintaining its regular meeting schedule even while the Club has halted almost all in-person activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which he described as "a crisis of epic proportions."

Freedman joined the team as it held its regular monthly meeting by teleconference on Thursday.

The clubhouse is in a "state of suspension" and will be until at least April 27, Freedman reported, noting that staff is being paid through that period. Many employees are teleworking and "doing exceptional work," he added.

The staff has shown "extraordinary" appreciation for "treating them like family," he said.

Although physically shuttered, Freedman said, "the Club is open for business in terms of supporting our colleagues."

He has encouraged all of the Club's teams to hold virtual meetings and to be creative in scheduling virtual events that can provide value for Club members.

He lauded staff and member outreach to older members. Their efforts have included picking up and delivering medications and groceries. The Club also donated 1,600 pounds of perishable food from the Club's kitchen to D.C. Central Kitchen to help provide for children whose access to school lunches has been impaired.  The appreciation for these efforts "has been heartwarming," Freedman said.

Freedman hosted a virtual Newsmaker event on Census Day April 1, interviewing Georgia politician Stacey Abrams on the importance of the decennial national headcount. The Club's Broadcast Operations Center, which is open "for certain relevant events," produced the hour-long webcast. 

With the help of members with studios at home, the Broadcast/Podcast Team has continued to publish Update-1. One edition has been posted since the Club suspended in-person activities. Two more are set to be released in April and at least another two scheduled for May.  A scheduled tour of NPR, two "Legends of Broadcasting" exclusive dinners and attendance at a baseball game at Nationals Park have been placed on hold. 

Freedman predicted there might be a wave of post-traumatic stress disorder among journalists when the pandemic subsides.

"We are so proud of what our colleagues are doing" covering the pandemic, Freedman said. 

Team Chairman Mark Hamrick said that, if the Club is still closed, the group will next meet by Zoom call at noon on Thursday, May 7.