APRIL/MAY 2006 NEWSLETTER

April 17 , 2006--Hello members and friends of Albuquerque Press Women. Since the days following the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., Americans have watched as little by little, many of the civil liberties we have cherished -- and which have made America the "Land of the Free" -- begun to unravel. Freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of the press have all come under attack. Laura Berg, a registered nurse and employee of the federal Veterans' Administration, learned first hand how it feels to have her civil liberties challenged when she was accused of sedition following a letter to the editor she wrote and which was published in the Weekly Alibi.

In her letter, Berg, criticized the Bush administration's handling of Hurricane Katrina and the Iraq War, noting that, "as a VA nurse working with returning vets, I know the public has no sense of the additional devastating human and financial costs of post-traumatic stress disorder." Berg then urged readers to "act forcefully to remove a government administration playing games of smoke and mirrors and vicious deceit."

Following publication of the letter last September, VA Information Security employees seized Berg's office computer because they claimed "government equipment was used inappropriately during government time for drafting an editorial letter." No evidence has been found that Berg wrote the letter from her work computer.

The local office of the ACLU has stepped in to defend Berg in this case and on Monday, May 8, Laura Berg and ACLU attorney Larry Kronen will join Albuquerque Press Women for a discussion of this case and tell us what's next in Berg's fight against a "big brother" government which seems determined to silence its critics. You don't want to miss this program!

APW luncheons are open to the public for the nonmember price of $21. Or join APW at the door and pay the low member price of $15. For reservations, simply reply to this via e-mail or contact me, Diana Sandoval, by 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 3 at 841-6052. Your reservation is our commitment to reserve a seat and a meal for you and your commitment to pay (no shows will be billed).

NMPW Conference Next Weekend!
Don't forget to make plans, including your hotel reservations, to attend the 2006 New Mexico Press Women Annual Conference in Los Alamos. The conference begins with the awards banquet Friday evening, April 21 and continues with informational seminars on writing for public radio and digital photography, to name just two! For more information, link to the NMPW Web site from this site.

Nominating Committee
Janet Ford, Sherry Robinson and Susan Walton are working hard to recruit a pool of candidates for the slate of officers. If any of you are interested in continuing the great work we've done over the past two years and would like to serve on the Board of Directors of APW, please contact any member of the nominating committee today. The election will be held at the June general meeting and luncheon.

Bylaws Change
Albuquerque Press Women has amended its bylaws to state that the terms of office for all officers is two years. A majority vote of the general membership is needed for approval and a vote will be held at the May luncheon to make this change official. Please see the attached edited bylaws change and come to the May luncheon prepared to vote.

Support APW -- Buy a pen!
Albuquerque Press Women has a stock of beautiful and great writing pens (black ink) engraved with our Web address, abqpw.org. Select either a blue or burgundy color for only $10! Pens are available for purchase at all APW luncheons; see Diana Sandoval.

Membership
For those of you who have not already done so, it is time to renew your APW membership. Anyone who has not renewed, WILL BE CHARGED THE NONMEMBER LUNCHEON FEE, so please come to the February luncheon prepared to pay your dues (fee breakdown explained below). The full benefits of membership include the discounted luncheon rate and the ability to link from our Web site to your own for free. You also gain the benefit of belonging to a great organization with other great Press Women members! Now is also a great time to recruit your colleagues to join APW!

Again, for those of you who are not current with your membership dues, you will be billed the nonmember luncheon rate of $21, instead of $15. Bring your membership up-to-date so you donâ ™t lose out on the member discount. If you cannot make it to the February luncheon to pay your dues in person, please mail a check as soon as possible to: Albuquerque Press Women, c/o 2901 Wisconsin NE, Albuquerque NM 87110-2457.

The dues information follows:
Full membership: National Federation of Press Women--$51.50 (Student rate available) and New Mexico Press Women--$10
Total of $61.50 is paid to the National Federation of Press Women and is billed in November.

Albuquerque Press Women--$10 for National and State members
Paid separately to the local chapter. Due annually in January. Full membership entitles you to receive mailings from all three levels of the organization, attend the national convention and other national, state and local functions, enter state and national contests, and enjoy all the "perks" of full membership.

Local Membership only
Albuquerque Press Women--$35
Local dues are due in January and are paid directly to the Albuquerque chapter. Local annual dues entitle you to the discounted member price for monthly luncheons for you and for any first-time guest you bring ($15 instead of $21), the frequent E-GRAMs that serve as our newsletter, discounts for products and functions held or sponsored by Albuquerque Press Women. (Local membership does NOT entitle you to membership in either the state or national organization and you will not appear on their mailing lists.)

Support APW -- Buy a pen! Albuquerque Press Women has a stock of beautiful and great writing pens (black ink) engraved with our Web address, abqpw.org. Select either a blue or burgundy color for only $10! Pens are available for purchase at all APW luncheons; see Diana Sandoval.

Full membership:
National Federation of Press Women -- $51.50 (Student rate available) New Mexico Press Women -- $10  
Total -- $61.50 is paid to the National Federation of Press Women and is billed in November.  

Albuquerque Press Women -- $10 for National and State members.  
Paid separately to the local chapter. Due annually in January. Full membership entitles you to receive mailings from all three levels of the organization, attend the national convention and other national, state and local functions, enter state and national contests, and enjoy all the "perks" of full membership.  

Local Membership only Albuquerque Press Women -- $35 Local dues are due in January and are paid directly to the Albuquerque chapter. Local annual dues entitle you to the discounted member price for monthly luncheons for you and for any first-time guest you bring ($15 instead of $21), the frequent E-GRAMs that serve as our newsletter, discounts for products and functions held or sponsored by Albuquerque Press Women.

Local membership does NOT entitle you to membership in either the state or national organization and you will not appear on their mailing ists.  

Again, for those of you who are not current with your membership dues, you will be billed the nonmember luncheon rate of $21, instead of $15. Bring your membership up-to-date so you don't lose out on the member discount.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
If ever you have any ideas that might help us to better serve you, let us know. We're always open to suggestions and want to provide the best networking and resources for communications professionals.

January, 2006 E-GRAM (close window)