Anita K. Parran

I hope you have received the revised 2002 KCABJ Membership Directory (September issue) and will let me know whether changes or corrections are needed. A 2003 directory is planned for early next year, so don't forget to send your dues as early in the year as possible. The membership directory is mailed only to paid members of our organization -- a benefit of joining!

Thanks to those who have responded to the proposed changes in the KCABJ Constitution. This process began in February of this year, and if approved, this document will help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively in the new millennium. I anticipate the revised Constitution to be approved at the November meeting. (Special thanks to KCABJ member Olivia Dorsey for being the first to respond to the Constitution query!)

On another note, KCABJ is being courted by two local organizations for collaborative purposes. I was recently approached by the Association of Women in Communications-Greater Kansas City Professional Chapter (AWC). That organization wants to partner with KCABJ in 2003. A professional development program perhaps? You may remember that KCABJ member Yvette Walker, who's also assistant managing editor for staff development and new media at The Kansas City Star, volunteered to lead the professional development programs discussed earlier this year.

New member Andre' Riley is serving as a great ambassador for KCABJ! He is recruiting new members at the Kansas City Kansan, and as a member of the Kansas City Press Association, Andre' says that his newspaper editor (and president of the Press Club), Rebecca Shelton, is also interested in partnering with us to develop opportunities. Way to go, Andre' -- and you can bet that I will pursue both of these collaborative possibilities before the next meeting!

Sadly, the "two sides'' still remain in the Geri Gosa saga. But I'm optimistic that the truth will be revealed. I would like to reiterate that KCABJ will stay vigilant in monitoring KCTV-5 and Meridith Broadcasting. I would also like to thank all who serve as the eyes and ears of the journalism community...which is a good segue into mentioning the upcoming 11th Annual KCABJ Media Awards Program.

If you have a sweet tooth and like to schmooze, too, here's the scoop. This year's media awards program will be a dessert reception at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center. While this event will be a little less formal than our evening sit-down dinners, attendees will still be treated to an exhibition of media entries, meet our summer journalism students, congratulate the student scholarship winners from the 2002 workshop class, honor our peers who will receive awards for the best in the media about African Americans and other people of color and check out who will get the infamous "KCABJ Thumbs Down Award'' for doing the most in the last year to set back the image of African Americans and other people of color.

There are no tickets for the media awards program this year. We're just asking for donations at the door. So ya'll get your calendars out and be sure to join us for a lively afternoon of enjoying a few extra calories and conversation.