Meeting the Challenge on Today’s Battlefield

                What an amazing two days at this year’s Keystone Press Conference in Gettysburg .

                The theme of the event – “Meeting the Challenge – Lessons Learned from the Battlefield” – certainly captured the troubled times we are experiencing.

                From the inspiring speakers to the hundreds of talented journalists honored at the Keystone awards dinner, I think many of us came away reminded of why we love the news business.

                Butch Ward, managing director for the Poynter Institute, challenged us to remember why we do what we do, saying: Talk about it with your colleagues. Let them dig deep, and then “do great stuff.” 

                We added student journalists to this year’s conference, writing about each of the events, shooting video and photos, and posting it all online throughout each day. 

                You can see it here: http://getty.psne.net/.

                Six college students, who had to apply for this internship, earned valuable experience with the assistance of seven professional advisers.

                And thanks to the continued success of the silent auction started last year, we will be able to fund another group of young journalists at the 2010 conference. 

                A number of us toured the Gettysburg battlefield with Ret. Col. Tom Vossler, who tied Civil War leadership successes to modern day workplace challenges.

                Bottom line: a good game plan, followed properly, wins the battle.

                Another conference highlight, for me, was a speech by Jay Paterno, Penn State ’s quarterback coach, who talked about inspiring a team when the chips are down.

                Paterno, who said he’s an avid news reader both in print and online (and not only sports stories), said “Joe” taught him four key things to ensure success:

• Stay true to your beliefs/core values
• Recognize the talent you have on hand
• Bring in new talent when needed
• Ensure your consumers are comfortable with changes – market them properly.

                Yes, these are trying times in our industry, but there is much to celebrate. From our own newsrooms serving as watchdogs of the community, to the many supporters who couldn’t imagine life without us, we will pursue our “calling.”

                As the new president of the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors, I look forward to working with many good people in this state striving for great journalism.

Susan Martin, an assistant managing editor at the York Daily Record/Sunday News, is the president of the Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors. You can reach her at smartin@ydr.com.