Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
 
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting; July 28, 2020
 
Today’s meeting opened with a beautiful, bucolic photograph of our American flag taken by our own Laura in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  We welcomed two guests today.  It was nice to re-welcome Janet Pipes.  Janet is a friend of Bob and previous speaker on fiduciary elder abuse.  We were also pleased to welcome Jill Jorden Spitz who joined us at Laura’s invitation.  Of the 14 members and guests present at today’s meeting, and their represented children and grandchildren, three were CDO high school alumni, three current CDO attendees (children and grandchildren) and one a bitter Marana High School alum.  Despite rivalry, a well-represented home-grown group. 
 
Announcements:
  • Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) applications are now being accepted.  Mary will put forward a student from… CDO, who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and kindness in her community. 
  • The District Governor visit has been moved.  Diane Ventura Goodyear will be visiting the board on the eve of Nov. 30th and the club the following morning, Dec. 1st
  • President John made a pitch for contributions to the Arizona Vocational Fund.  We have put forward quite a number of vocational students for this scholarship program, contributing to significant changes in the lives of individuals and families.  Please consider donating to this 100% tax deductible charitable foundation.
  • Rotary International insurance has announced that it is excluding disease and copywrite infringement from its coverage.  The endless reaches of COVID. 
  • Mary will obtain a photo of the bank account holding our Global Grant monies, while all is put on hold due to COVID
Happy Bucks Highlights
  • Dan has returned from an ‘amazing’ trip to Henry Lake, Idaho, where he was struck by the beauty of this part of the U.S.  As evidence, he shared with us an awesome photo of a visiting moose who peacefully walked into the lake and swam away after Dan’s friend came a bit too close for its comfort. 
  • Don and Richie will both be attending Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) this year.  I believe Richie will become a graduate.  Don also shared that he is putting in an application for the Arizona Redistricting Commission.  We need thoughtful people to contribute to that conversation and process, so thanks to Don.
  • Dave and Mary’s children are all enrolled to begin the new school year online.  A new era in education.
 
Our Program today was provided by Jill Jorden Spitz, Chief Editor of the Arizona Daily Star newspaper.  Laura, a former journalist herself, introduced Jill, speaking to her ‘perfect temperament’ for such a position, being both grounded and impeccably ethical.  Jill is also a native Tucsonan and cares deeply for her community. 
 
        The Arizona Daily Star is an award-winning newspaper dedicated to investigative reporting, not simply news coverage.  COVID-19 has had far-reaching impact on the Daily Star’s functioning; from how staff are working, to morale, to revenue.  COVID has not, however, impacted the quantity or quality of reporting done by journalists and editors.
    One hundred percent of the Arizona Daily Star tasks are being done remotely.  Business meetings have moved to Microsoft teams, journalist interviews, when can’t be done electronically, are done with distancing and masks, and photographers are using longer lenses to achieve greater distancing.  There are advantages and disadvantages to the remote model.  Jill’s office open-door policy allowed for spontaneous and meaningful conversations between her and all staff.  Neither these conversations nor organic exchanges of ideas between journalists are able to take place currently.   Without those mechanisms, both reporting and staff morale have been negatively impacted to some degree.  However, most journalists have enjoyed the efficient use of time and productivity afforded by the remote work.  When circumstances allow for a return to brick and mortar, the Star will likely implement a combined workplace model, with a shared work-space environment used in combination with remote work. 
    Just prior to COVID, The Star had put their massive, 220,000 sqft, building, up for sale.  Its home had once housed itself, the Tucson Citizen, and a printing press. The Citizen has been defunct since 1990 when it vacated.  Additionally, a reluctant, budgetary imposed decision was made to stop operation of the printing press in 2018 and move printing to Phoenix.   Sixty people lost their jobs with the close of the press, which had been particularly welcoming to people with hearing impairment where other employment opportunities aren’t.  The Star’s felt loss was represented in Jill’s deportment. 
    Needless to say, COVID has had substantial impact on The Star’s revenue.  When stay-at-home orders first went into place, there was an 80% loss of revenue from advertisers.  Revenue loss has become less dire since then but continues to be off by 20%.  All staff were furloughed or took salary cuts.  Additionally, The Star has been forced to consider creative means of generating income.  75% of revenue is from the newspaper’s printed product.  While circulation is strong, printed circulation continues to decrease while digital increases.  To compensate for income loss, the newspaper has implemented some programs.  It is beginning to apply for grants, and it is offering Sponsored Content.  All sponsored content must meet strong standards to ensure that it presents journalism in-line with the views of the sponsor by that does not support the sponsor.  Other income generators that are being considered are events and marketing skills.  Skills that might be offered include research writing and photography.  Investigative reporting, with its research, documents, and lawyer vetting, is by far the biggest cost in reporting.  The Star is dedicated to maintaining enough revenue to continue to produce this important work.
    Another development in the COVID environment is increased negativity toward media.  In the past few years resentment toward the press has ramped up, but since COVID, the negativity has gotten much uglier.  Not only are there the more typical cries of ‘fake news’, but additionally measures like trolling of commentators and reprehensible memes about reporters have taken a toll on journalists’ mental health.  We are grateful the Arizona Daily Star journalists continue to persevere and serve us under these conditions. 
    Many thanks to Jill Jorden Spitz for allowing us insight into the life of the Arizona Daily Star and of the staff and journalists who provide us with a basic and necessary ingredient to Democracy; free press. 
 
Submitted by Mary Straus