Celebrate this Leap Year Day at SWINY’s annual bash at the Friend of the Farmer restaurant in their mellow private upstairs space, see old friends, meet new ones…..good cheer, good networking, great nibbles…..door prizes.

Members: $20 in advance, $25 at the door
Nonmembers: $30 in advance, $35 at the door
Students: $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Register now!

It’s an ideal time to renew your membership or join for those who haven’t yet made the move.

We look forward to seeing you!

The SWINY Board

Dues are only $20 for the year. You can renew now using PayPal.

You also can mail a check, payable to Science Writers in New York, to:

Science Writers in New York
51 MacDougal Street, Suite 304
New York, NY 10012

But please don’t delay. If we don’t hear from you by Monday, May 31, we will have to remove you from the SWINY membership roll and from the SWINY-Members Google group. You’ll miss out on preferred registration for space-limited events, discounts on admission and advance notice of job opportunities.

In making your decision, you might want to consider these tips on how to get the most out of our organization.

Come to our events. We’re proud of our diverse program of science-related events. SWINY panels have ranged from career development (branding, social media 2.0, business planning for freelancers) to such topics as autism, imaging, the secret life of New York’s trash, and the science of sex. We’ve taken field trips to world-class sites including Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Watch for our e-mails for new event announcements. Remember — SWINY members get to register first for space-limited events and always receive discounts.

Network and socialize. SWINY holds regular quarterly social events as well as a rollicking annual party. They’re all great opportunities to network, mingle, and enjoy the company of smart, companionable colleagues.

Get active. To really make the most of SWINY, get involved. If you’d like to suggest or plan programs, propose new activities, or simply collaborate with a stimulating group of thinkers and doers, come to our monthly Board meetings. Newcomers and fresh ideas are warmly welcomed to our all-volunteer board.

If you decide to continue your membership, don’t forget that that SWINY is your organization — so please take advantage of all we offer, and feel free to ask for more. We’re here to serve science writers’ professional needs, and always eager to hear how we can better do that.

We look forward to seeing you at future events!

Sincerely,

Joe Bonner
David Levine
Co-chairs, Science Writers in New York

SWINY’s job listings and networking opportunities have always been a value. In 2009, however, we outdid ourselves. We had a breakthrough year in hosting outstanding events (many of which drew SRO crowds of science and health writers).

Among them:

• Ethics in Hard Times. Top journalists discussed how economics are changing the behavior of top health and science magazines.
• Social Media for Science Writers. Top practitioners explained the power and limitations of social media.
• Lust, Romance, & Attachment. What brain scanning says about love and lust.
• Goodbye Benchtop, Hello Laptop. How scientists can translate their knowledge into a writing career.
• Me.com. A very practical session on using social media to brand yourself as a writer.
• The 2009 Swine Influenza. What happened, what may happen, and the role of the media.
• Land, Sea, & Sky. A mind-expanding tour of Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
• Research and Science Parks. How governments, universities, and business work together to revitalize regional economies.
• Healthy Bones. Facts, myths and the science behind bone health.

We also hosted several networking socials, threw a festive annual party, and upgraded our website so it is easier to use.

This year, we hope to find even better ways to bring writers, editors, and scientists together. Your membership dues make this possible.

Dues are only $20 a year, and you can pay via PayPal or by check. Complete information is on the SWINY Web site.

SWINY can only exist with your continued support. This year, please help us continue providing great events and workshops for the New York science writing community.

Joe Bonner
David Levine
Co-chairs, Science Writers in New York

P.S. Remember, many SWINY events have cover charges to defray the cost of renting space. If you attended even two of those events in 2009 — or our annual February party – your membership paid for itself.
P.P.S. Your dues may be tax-deductible as a professional expense.