Volunteer…

Active involvement from APC members ensures the success of all of our programs and events.  Committee members play an important role in the planning and execution of all programs and events. Committees meet at various times throughout the year depending on the time and magnitude of the event. Descriptions of the various committees, as well as contact information, are provided below. We welcome your involvement!

Annual Gala
Chair: Lauri Strauss, Atlanta Press Club, 404-523-1318 lstrauss@atlpressclub.org
Each spring, the Annual Gala Committee stages the Press Club's largest event of the year. The black-tie optional gala features a major keynote address by a distinguished journalist and the Journalist of the Year Award awards.

Debates
Chair: Maria Saporta, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 404-526-5392, msaporta@ajc.com
The Atlanta Press Club has over 15 years of experience in hosting political debates. The Debate Committee organizes and stages televised political debates, creates the format, determines the ground rules and chooses the candidates and panel of reporters who will participate.

Fundraising
Chair: Lauri Strauss, Atlanta Press Club, 404-523-1318, lstrauss@atlpressclub.org
The Fundraising Committee oversees the club's annual campaign and raises programming and operating funds for the club by soliciting sponsorships from corporate and media outlets.

Gorilla Ball
Chair: Leslie Duffield, WAGA-TV, FOX5, 404-724-4483 -- leslie.duffield@foxtv.com
The Gorilla Ball Committee stages the Gorilla Ball, a membership drive competition among local TV stations for the coveted Willie B Award, which recognizes the best news blooper tape of the year. CNN and The Weather Channel also participate through helping to warm up the crowd by providing blooper tapes of their own.

Holiday Author Party
Chair: Lauri Strauss, Atlanta Press Club, 404-523-1318, lstrauss@atlpressclub.org
The Holiday Author Party Committee stages the Press Club's annual holiday party and scholarship fundraiser. The event features 30-40 national and local authors who are on hand to sign their books. There also is a silent auction with great gifts for the holiday season.

Legal/First Amendment
Chair: Ed Bean, Fulton County Daily Report, 404-521-1227, ebean@amlaw.com
The Legal/First Amendment Committee provides members with information about Freedom of Information Laws. The committee also stages programs that take a critical look at whether local government is open to the public and informs the membership on legislative issues.

Membership
Chair: Elaine Hudson, Atlanta Press Club, 404-523-1318, ehudson@atlpressclub.org
The Membership Committee creates programs and drives to recruit members to the club. They also develop a package of benefits for members such as restaurant and entertainment discounts.

Press Conferences
Chair: Paula Hovater, Public Affairs, 770-998-1106, phovater@atlpressclub.org
The Press Conference Committee is planning an unprecedented media services division that will facilitate news conferences, company product launches and a public forum for hot button regional and national debates. All this will be under one roof at accessible venues. This is the newest addition to APC’s committee list.

Programs
Chair: Elaine Hudson, Atlanta Press Club, 404-523-1318, ehudson@atlpressclub.org
The Programs Committee plans and stages the monthly educational programs of the Press Club including headliner lunches, panelist discussions and book-signing events. They also assist with special Press Club events and work with other local organizations and media outlets to help secure panelists for their programs related to the media. 

Scholarship
Chair: Doug Barthlow, Georgia State University, 404-651-2651, joudab@panther.gsu.edu
Co-Chair: Leonard Pallats, Associated Press, 404-522-8971, lpallats@ap.org
The Scholarship Committee awards scholarships, recruits students for membership and stages an annual scholarship luncheon with a keynote address by a distinguished newsmaker. Four outstanding students who are studying journalism at a Georgia college or university are selected to receive these scholarships each year.

Get involved! Contact committee chairs directly!