Serving you in person or from afar. (President's Letter).

NCEW has worked to become an organization that provides value to its members throughout the year.

For many years, NCEW, like most other professional organizations, was convention-centered. That is, the convention was where the organization did most of its work and offered the majority of its member benefits. I think of the daylong critiques and the professional workshops, to say nothing of top-notch speakers.

Our conventions still provide these valuable professional services. And, if I may, I'd like to again urge everyone to seriously consider coming to Providence September 17-20 for the convention. Convention chair Froma Harrop has developed an excellent program focusing on our country's political roots. Included is a trip to Newport where we'll spend time at the Naval War College and have dinner at Rosecliff the mansion where they filmed "The Great Gatsby."

The professional workshops will focus on writing, just as a significant portion of this month's Masthead does. Which leads me back to my point: NCEW serves its members throughout the year.

The Masthead has been and remains the jewel in the NCEW crown. I can't recall a weak issue in my 25-odd years as an NCEW member. That's because a succession of good and creative editors right up to current editor Frank Partsch have felt the pulse of the profession and cajoled members to share their insights and visions about the opinion writing trade and the issues that regularly confront those of us who ply it. A Masthead library is a course in the art of writing and editing opinion.

And then there are the critiques offered by the Member Services Committee. This year's co-chairs, Dale Davenport and David Holwerk, are eager to go over your work themselves or find other experienced editors who will offer advice and suggestions to make your pages better. But they feel like the Maytag repair man: very lonely. Those who can't get to a convention should make sure Dale and David earn their keep. Get them working; ask for a critique.

Sessions at the United Nations coordinated by Kate Stanley and seminars at the State Department organized by Jim Boyd are member services that are unique and incredibly valuable. Take advantage of them.

Have you been to an NCEW regional meeting? This year Lynnell Burkett, J.R. Labbe, and Keven Willey organized a legislative orientation session for all Texas opinion writers and editors. It was a smashing success. And Shelley Epstein and Barb Drake, with help from several other midwestern members, ran a first-rate regional meeting in Peoria. Frank Partsch organized a regional meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska, in April. Other sessions have been held in Florida and New England over the years. I've asked Dick Mial, this year's chair of the Regional Meeting Committee, to develop templates for organizing and publicizing regional meetings so those who want to run one don't have to reinvent the wheel. In addition, NCEW will provide a $100 subsidy to make things a wee bit less expensive.

Dan Radmacher is a very ethical guy, and he's this year's chair of the Ethics Committee. He is ready and able to help members sort through problems that might arise with publishers, editors, or conflicts of interest, as examples. Dan has a stable of senior NCEW members who can offer advice and guidance on a confidential basis.

Bob Kittle, chair of the International Affairs Committee, is considering an NCEW trip to Mexico. Foreign tours have provided members with invaluable insights into the culture and political framework of nations throughout the world.

Phineas Fiske has been the lifeblood of our website and the listserv since their inception. Day-to-day management of these has shifted to NCEW headquarters in Harrisburg, but Phineas continues as editor and overall guru of our cyber-efforts. I can't say enough about how much we all owe Phineas--as anyone who uses the listserv knows.

The listserv, as another ongoing member service, has been a real asset to us all. Advice is sought and given generously about everything from managing publishers to organizing letters to the editor. Source materials are shared daily on topics we're all working on. And there are occasional "debates" to keep things lively.

A spanking-new service will be offered to members at the Providence convention: a workshop on opinion writing and editing. Conceived by David Holwerk, the session will be aimed primarily at new members and first-time convention attendees, but others will be free to join in the sessions. The topics will range from the practical to the whimsical. The only limits are defined by the faculty which, in addition to David, include Kay Semion, Rick Horowitz, and Richard Aregood.

And last, but not least, our headquarters is always at your disposal. Sheri Virnig has quickly learned what NCEW is all about and has provided excellent service to many in the organization.

I do hope many of you come to Providence. But, if you can't, I am confident NCEW is doing whatever it can to make your professional life, if not easier, more informed.

NCEW president John H. Taylor Jr. Is editorial page editor of The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware E-mail [e-mail]