Participants agreed that the chapter’s first public event was a rousing success. On Friday, January 15 the National Board and key staff members of the Society of Professional Journalists came to the Land of Enchantment … and the New Mexico Chapter was there to greet them in style.
A highlight of the informal reception, which drew attendance of about 50, was the swearing in of the new permanent officers and board of the New Mexico Chapter. National President Kevin Smith conducted the ceremony, with all but one board member in attendance.
Members of the New Mexico Chapter are sworn in during the reception held January 15 to greet the national board and staff. From left are Betsy Model, president; Dan Vukelich, director; Dennis Roberts, director; Pilar Armstrong, director; Staci Matlock, director; Julie Ann Grimm, treasurer; Gwenyth Doland, director; Bill Diven, director; and David L. Brown, VP-Communications. (Photos: Mark Bralley)
National SPJ President Kevin Smith swears in the New Mexico Chapter officers and directors.
It was a busy day for National President Smith. First, he traveled to Santa Fe to pay a call on the Santa Fe New Mexican, invited by Chapter members Staci Matlock and Julie Ann Grimm. After touring the editorial and business facility in downtown Santa Fe, Kevin joined Julie Ann, Chapter President Betsy Model and VP-Communications David L. Brown for lunch at a trendy cafe near the Old Plaza. After lunch he toured the mechanical plant located at the edge of Santa Fe. This modern production facility not only prints the New Mexican but several other papers. Later, he toured the studios of KOAT-TV, the ABC affiliate in Albuquerque. Chapter officers Betsy Model and David L. Brown split the pleasant duty of shepherding Kevin between his appointments.
Then it was on to a gala reception in the grand Atrium of the Marriott Pyramid, Journal Center, Albuquerque, arranged by our Chapter to welcome the visiting National Board. Members of our New Mexico Chapter were on hand to meet and mingle, along with other guests from the journalism community.
The evening continued at the nearby Courtyards of Marriott, headquarters for the National Board meeting. Arranged by our Chapter, the Courtyards staff put on a gala dinner with a New Mexican theme for members of both the National and Chapter boards and National staff in attendance. It was a nice end to a successful day.
To view a photo report on the informal reception, go to this page in the Features section.