PRODUCER: Jean-Marc Fleury
CHAIR: Toss Gascoigne
PRESENTER: Barbie Drillsma
PANEL: Kathryn O’Hara, Julie Martineau, Fida Aljundi, Gervais Mbarga, Jenni Metcalfe
SESSION REPORT: Build your own network army
By Ochieng’ Ogodo
Forming science journalist associations is an important aspect of science journalism, but it requires conforming to some basics.
“The first step is to discover how many potential members you can attract,” said Barbara Drillsman from the Association of British Science Writers.
She said that it’s also important to stress that the association’s intention is to improve standards and to promote a network of science communicators, in case some people think you are forming a body that may be more demanding.
“It’s important to have large numbers. There is strength in numbers. Press clubs, if they exist, could also be used.”
Another important thing is fixing the first meeting after enough interest has been generated. “This can be a formal event or an informal gathering.” At this meeting it is key to discus what members expect from their own science journalist association — for example, sharing knowledge, the support of fellow members or even the possibility of taking part in larger international meetings.
It is also important to appoint officials at the first meeting. And it’s essential to be able to fund the association. “Right from the start you will need some money — even if it is only to pay for advertisements. If you do not have any, seek funding,” she said.
A constitution that lays down the rules and regulations controlling how the association will be run has to be put down. “It is easy to be bogged down when preparing a constitution but keep it as short and simple as possible.”
From the start, she said, it is important to keep strict financial records. “Nobody is willing to invest in, or support, an organisation which is not completely open about its accounts.” Often, you must establish just how much funding you will need to support the first years’ operation before launching the association.
When starting, she pointed out, it is crucial to let members get used to the idea of a subscription that will enable the association to run its basic functions.
According to Tim Louhgeed, President of Canadian Science Writers Association, association events should be sociable. “Make it a very social affair, like having parties during weekends and speaking science in a manner that doesn’t make feel like it’s a job.”
Lougheed said it is also important to have events that profile the organisation the way it wants to be seen. “For us, an award was the best way to go. But we now want to set up scholarships for young people,” he said.
According to Nadia El-Awady from the Arab Science Journalist Association, combining associations offers an invaluable opportunity for different associations to work together, especially for the young ones.
She said a lot of scientific knowledge is coming out each day and networking was one of the best ways of keeping in touch with what’s happening in other parts of world.
Ochieng’ Ogodo, a Nairobi based journalist whose works have been published in various parts of the world, is the chairman of the Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association (Kensja). He can be reached at ochiengogodo@yahoo.com
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