Personal Touch Goes A Long Way

By Ana Tintocalis Press Club Membership Committee

Before I joined the Press Club I checked out what the other big media groups in San Diego had to offer. I attended a variety of membership functions organized by the Society of Professional Journalists and other ethnic media clubs. It seemed as though all these groups were well-respected in the community but the reason why I was drawn to the Press Club was because my close co-workers were club members.

Every other week my colleagues would tell me about the latest Press Club news - whether it be about an upcoming event or veteran journalist who just retired. They would invite, persuade and urge me to attend Press Club functions. That personal touch went a long way and eventually co-workers gave me that much needed push to join the group.

As we begin the new year, I encourage all Press Club members to use that personal touch to attract new or past members. Strike up a conversation with a coworker about the upcoming Speakers Bureau event or about the 2005 J-Awards. Invite them to the next News Forum event or the Press Club Road Trip. Direct them to the Press Club web site or hand them a copy of the latest Foghorn. Word-of-mouth can be a powerful thing.

I plan to coordinate a variety of fun and exciting membership events this year. The next Young Professionals Night Out will be held on Feb. 17th at the Local Eatery and Drinking Hole located at 1065 Fourth Ave. in downtown San Diego. The event begins at 7a.m. Members and nonmembers are invited. There will be $3 drink specials and pub-grub food at affordable prices.

Throughout 2005, you can also expect more family-friendly gatherings, the resurrection of the No Comment Cocktail hour, and events at some of the new and stylish hotels in downtown San Diego. If you have ideas on how to attract prospective or past Press Club members, email me at atintocalis@kpbs.org.

Posted Feb. 2005