I am impressed at the passion and urgency that has been presented on this 
listserv.  I also think that the conversation that we have been having is 
important and necessary.  Our current AEJMC president acted and drafted a 
press release without our input, and Federico is correct that her subcommittee 
really needs to have a strong minority voice on it that perhaps could have 
spoken up and prevented or changed the release to one that was more 
accurate.  This is an issue that must be addresssed -- the absence of 
diversity on the president's subcommittee.  Perhaps, the head of CSM should 
be an automatic member of this committee?!

But first, as suggested by our membership -- we must contact Carol.  Linda, 
as head of CSM, will contact her and speak on behalf of CSM with the support 
of MAC.  Let's begin here.  I also think that it wouldn't be inappropriate for 
Dwight to contact her also.  I know Carol personally since she was the 
director of the School of Journalism at my university before she took her 
current position.  So, I, too could call her -- I will speak to Linda and perhaps 
a joint phone coversation will serve us best. So a formal call and an informal 
from a concerned colleague -- Dwight -- will make an impact.  AEJMC is 
monitoring the comments of their press release, so let us also make responses 
there -- many responses.  I don't think they will be expecting it because I do 
not think they thought about their membership when they drafted this 
release.  It is another case where the absence of diverse thoughts and voices 
led to misguided statements.  The resolution will be our next move after Linda 
reports back her conversation with Carol.  Regardless, the composition of that 
subcommittee must be addressed.

Meta, is also correct that we must be more proactive and ready for these 
types of episodes in the future.  We are after all the experts:)  So let's not 
just think present tense, but future also.

As for MAC and CSM going to their membership first before just responding -- 
isn't this what got Pardun into trouble with us in the first place?  At this point, 
I think we have more than enough information and positive support from the 
membership to move forward on their behalf.  But the last thing any of us 
would want is for something to go forth without us all knowing about it before 
hand and supporting it. We lead, but we also serve.  We cannot effectively 
lead without knowing the heart of our membership.

Jennifer Woodard
MAC, Head