August 2017 - District 5 Meeting Minutes
Dear KAC District 5 Members,
Here's a summary of June's District 5 meeting.
Minutes August 12, 2017
One announcement: The public schools will be having “reading emphasis” weeks. Connie White had contact with a parent regarding this for their local elementary school and asked Connie if she would consider being a speaker. This is a good time to check with your local elementary or secondary school for the possibility of speaking to students about reading and writing their own stories. Connie suggests that you contact your local school to see about this opportunity.
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 pm, with brief announcements by Diane Wahto. Diane acknowledged Gretchen Eick for her wonderful work as Vice President and program chairperson this year. Diane presented Gretchen with a lapel pin for Kansas Authors Club, and Taylor Stucky, the new District 5 Youth Liaison at Wichita State University, presented the following poem for Gretchen:
“The time has come” the young man said, “To speak of many things.”
“Of finding words, and plans ahead; of lands and distant springs.”
Through, and Looking Past
A reference poor against the score of one who worked too well.
So to pass with joyous voice that I've been tasked to tell the wondrous lady;
A fond farewell.
Though miles and seas will span between,
We stand beside our storied queen.
To hope, perhaps, our wishes well
Will find their way beyond the swell
Of ocean dreams; to land in view.
Gretchen Eick, our best to you.
Our speaker for this meeting was Stephen Wolgast, Associate Professor of Journalism at Kansas State University and member of the Kansas Humanitarian Council Speakers Bureau. He is a former editor on the New York Times, where he received a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the 9/11 crisis. The topic was “Freedom of Speech In Times of Crisis." Mr. Wolgast showed a film, William Allen White and Freedom of Speech, which illustrated various times of crisis in Kansas history where freedom of speech was at issue. He then led a stimulating conversation on freedom of speech with the audience. Some points of discussion:
- Americans consider freedom of speech a birthright, but in many parts of the world, there is no such freedom granted for public speech.
- We need to let people express themselves so that we know what they are thinking.
- Conversation needs to be a COURTEOUS exchange of ideas.
There is a difference between NEWS and JOURNALISM. News reports information that is interesting. However News can be presented as Fake news (“news” that is presented to undercut information that someone doesn’t like). “News” can also be presented as disinformation purposely given to circumvent truth. This disinformation is propaganda. Journalism, on the other hand is an attempt to publish the best-researched information. The journalist must share his/her sources, though this can sometimes be difficult especially with higher levels of government. However, good journalists should expose their sources.
The whole point of free speech is the ability to criticize the government or those in authority. We must have a free press, and written material in the United States has the same Constitutional protections as speech. Mr. Wolgast said, “The press works for the public. Therefore we need to insist that the press be fair and balanced. Fake news is not new – it has always been around. Satire is a good way to portray “unpleasant” ideas in an acceptable way. Real news does attempt to be fair and balanced. Fake news attempts to deceive, and is therefore propaganda. Mr. Wolgast advised us to be sceptical of “news”. Sources should be named and actual dates should be available. Regarding online “news”, check the sources! Refer to the source before republishing online news (sharing). Don’t spread gossip. Regarding online sources, Mr. Wolgast illustrated how URLs can APPEAR to be legitimate, but are not. Be careful what you share online. There really is no simple solution. Let the reader beware. The Society of Professional Journalists has a “code of ethics”, which is roughly as follows. 1) Seek truth and report it; 2)Minimize harm; 3) Act independently; 4)Be accountable and transparent. You can read more on their website.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 PM. Our next meeting will be September 9, 2017 at Larksfield Place in the meeting room off the dining hall. The speaker will be Annette Hope Billings on “Poetry and Courage”. Roy Beckemeyer and Joan Breit will provide refreshments.
Connie White, Secretary
Here's a summary of June's District 5 meeting.
Minutes August 12, 2017
One announcement: The public schools will be having “reading emphasis” weeks. Connie White had contact with a parent regarding this for their local elementary school and asked Connie if she would consider being a speaker. This is a good time to check with your local elementary or secondary school for the possibility of speaking to students about reading and writing their own stories. Connie suggests that you contact your local school to see about this opportunity.
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 pm, with brief announcements by Diane Wahto. Diane acknowledged Gretchen Eick for her wonderful work as Vice President and program chairperson this year. Diane presented Gretchen with a lapel pin for Kansas Authors Club, and Taylor Stucky, the new District 5 Youth Liaison at Wichita State University, presented the following poem for Gretchen:
“The time has come” the young man said, “To speak of many things.”
“Of finding words, and plans ahead; of lands and distant springs.”
Through, and Looking Past
A reference poor against the score of one who worked too well.
So to pass with joyous voice that I've been tasked to tell the wondrous lady;
A fond farewell.
Though miles and seas will span between,
We stand beside our storied queen.
To hope, perhaps, our wishes well
Will find their way beyond the swell
Of ocean dreams; to land in view.
Gretchen Eick, our best to you.
Our speaker for this meeting was Stephen Wolgast, Associate Professor of Journalism at Kansas State University and member of the Kansas Humanitarian Council Speakers Bureau. He is a former editor on the New York Times, where he received a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the 9/11 crisis. The topic was “Freedom of Speech In Times of Crisis." Mr. Wolgast showed a film, William Allen White and Freedom of Speech, which illustrated various times of crisis in Kansas history where freedom of speech was at issue. He then led a stimulating conversation on freedom of speech with the audience. Some points of discussion:
- Americans consider freedom of speech a birthright, but in many parts of the world, there is no such freedom granted for public speech.
- We need to let people express themselves so that we know what they are thinking.
- Conversation needs to be a COURTEOUS exchange of ideas.
There is a difference between NEWS and JOURNALISM. News reports information that is interesting. However News can be presented as Fake news (“news” that is presented to undercut information that someone doesn’t like). “News” can also be presented as disinformation purposely given to circumvent truth. This disinformation is propaganda. Journalism, on the other hand is an attempt to publish the best-researched information. The journalist must share his/her sources, though this can sometimes be difficult especially with higher levels of government. However, good journalists should expose their sources.
The whole point of free speech is the ability to criticize the government or those in authority. We must have a free press, and written material in the United States has the same Constitutional protections as speech. Mr. Wolgast said, “The press works for the public. Therefore we need to insist that the press be fair and balanced. Fake news is not new – it has always been around. Satire is a good way to portray “unpleasant” ideas in an acceptable way. Real news does attempt to be fair and balanced. Fake news attempts to deceive, and is therefore propaganda. Mr. Wolgast advised us to be sceptical of “news”. Sources should be named and actual dates should be available. Regarding online “news”, check the sources! Refer to the source before republishing online news (sharing). Don’t spread gossip. Regarding online sources, Mr. Wolgast illustrated how URLs can APPEAR to be legitimate, but are not. Be careful what you share online. There really is no simple solution. Let the reader beware. The Society of Professional Journalists has a “code of ethics”, which is roughly as follows. 1) Seek truth and report it; 2)Minimize harm; 3) Act independently; 4)Be accountable and transparent. You can read more on their website.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 PM. Our next meeting will be September 9, 2017 at Larksfield Place in the meeting room off the dining hall. The speaker will be Annette Hope Billings on “Poetry and Courage”. Roy Beckemeyer and Joan Breit will provide refreshments.
Connie White, Secretary