Connie Schultz Resigns
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Join Us on October 2011 Newsletter of The Press Club of Cleveland From the President Herb Thomas, Veteran WJW Photo Journalist, to Ed Byers Receive the 2011 Chuck Heaton Award It’s Hall of Fame time. Herb Thomas, long The Plain Dealer and John Telich of WJW This year we honor time WJW photojour- FOX 8. native Clevelander Kelly nalist, will be hon- With more than 30 years at WJW TV- O’Donnell of NBC and ored with the 2011 FOX 8, Herb has worked in numerous formerly FOX 8, Tom Chuck Heaton Award capacities, from maintenance and set Beres of Channel 3, to be presented at the building, director of print operations, Tom Feran and Phillip Club’s annual Hall studio camera crew to photojournalist Morris of The Plain Dealer, and Bob of Fame induction, and news videographer. Herb created Paynter, Pulitzer prize journalist, for- Friday, Oct. 28 at 6 and produced the TV8 sign-off programs merly with The PD and Beacon Journal p.m., at LaCentre in “Meditations” and “Celebration.” He was staff. Westlake. the creative force, photographer and Here’s a news tip: register now and The Chuck Heaton Award honors an co-producer of the public affairs series save ten bucks. The early bird registra- individual who best exemplifies the “Neighborhood.” Herb has traveled exten- tion deadline is October 10th. After that, qualities of Hall of Fame reporter Chuck sively throughout the United States, the price jumps. Heaton, a long-time sports writer and col- Canada, Israel, Armenia and El Salvador as As for this year’s Chuck Heaton Award, umnist at The Plain Dealer. Heaton, who photojournalist and videographer cover- we had a handful of very worthy candi- passed away in February 2008, was known ing special assignments. dates, but Herb Thomas was the unani- for his lifelong dedication to journalism, Herb is also founder and president of mous choice. Herb is truly a man for all his fairness, his concern for community thomasvisions™ a multi-faceted company seasons. His caring nature and spirit of and helping others. specializing in media productions, public “giving back to the community” is second Previous Heaton Award winners include relations, and media consulting. to none, as witnessed by his efforts with Terry Pluto and Margaret Bernstein of “The Prayer Warriors.” continued on page 4 > His camerawork at Fox 8 is legend- ary. As one of his nominators pointed Connie Schultz resigns out, “Through the years, if it made news By Stuart Warner in Cleveland, Herb was looking at it She was 36 years old, a single mother through the lens of his camera.” Herb from working-class Ashtabula, the first in is credited by many a TV reporter for her family to graduate college, when she helping calm live-shot jitters, dispensing got her first full-time job in journalism at timely advice, and sometimes just being The Plain Dealer on Dec. 15, 1993. a good friend. To borrow a favorite phrase of Connie Herb is a very modest guy, but he is Schultz: So how did that work out? also very well known for his recurring Not too damn badly. “Soulman” role on “The Big Chuck and Within a decade, she was a finalist for Little John Show,” which aired on FOX 8 the Pulitzer Prize, journalism’s highest for decades. honor. is a member of the Cleveland Journalism How popular was the “Soulman” char- In 2005, after only two years of writing Hall of Fame. acter? Well, there are a lot of stories. a regular column, she won the Pulitzer for Along that busy by-way, she fell in Mike Conway, formerly of FOX 8, now commentary and a slew of other awards love with a man who also happened to with Sherwin Williams corporate com- for work that reflected her roots, stories be a politician and who is now a United munications, tells of the time he and that other journalists often overlooked, States Senator from the great state of Herb were sent to Israel to cover the first like the money in a coat-check woman’s Ohio, Sherrod Brown. On Sept. 19, with John Demjanjuk trial. They were walking tip jar going directly to her employer. her husband facing re-election next year, down a street in the middle of downtown She’s written two books, her column is Connie made the decision to resign from Jerusalem when all of a sudden there syndicated across the U.S., she appears Ohio’s largest newspaper. was this shout from the crowd, someone regularly on national TV and radio I was her editor for several years. I will yelling, “Hey, Soulman! Hey Soulman!” programs, she speaks frequently at always be a friend. I asked her why. continued on page 2 > journalism and other seminars and she continued on page 5> 28022 Osborn Road Cleveland, Ohio 44140 | 440-899-1222 | Fax: 440.899.1010 | www.pressclubcleveland.com 2 The Press Club of Cleveland October 2011 Acting the Phone Screen Laurie Mitchell Certified Personnel Consultant Recently, a thirty to have your mobile phone plugged in and listening skills are deficient. sixty minute telephone charging during the call. Make sure that Their perspective is that each ques- screen has become the you’ve previously checked the cell recep- tion is asked for a specific reason and new first interview tion in the place where you will receive they want it answered. If you wish to “norm” for many white the call, and also make yourself “inter- proffer additional information, ascer- collar positions. Talent ruption proof.” No children, colleagues, tain that the timing is appropriate, that acquisition and HR bosses knocking, clients ringing or pets doing so feels “right” or save it for the professionals, many nudging you. Walk the dog beforehand. end of the conversation when you’re hiring influences and The call may come in five minutes early given an opportunity to add something third party recruiters (headhunters) or fifteen minutes late. Be patient. Don’t or ask questions. now find it more efficient – and less panic. Finally, if you like everything you “messy” – to conduct the initial candi- If it is more than fifteen minutes late, have heard and learned, then most date screen via phone using a prepared send the interviewer an email, don’t definitely ask what the “next steps” in list of usually behavioral-based ques- call her, leave your line 100% open. Of the process are, clearly express a desire tions to assess a candidate’s skill set course, double confirming ahead of time to continue interviewing, and thank and “fit.” Doing so provides the inter- the correct number is obvious. the interviewer. Within a few hours viewer “an easy out” if the candidate’s Remember to “smile through the of hanging up, send her a short, sweet oral presentation of skills, accomplish- phone” so that you sound friendly and and warm – but not fawning or unctu- ments and/or attitude is less impres- relaxed. The interviewer will only allot a ous -- follow-up email reiterating your sive than those on the résumé and/or couple minutes for initial small talk so most salient qualifications and desire to application. don’t drag it out. further explore your candidacy. These tips will enrich your phone When describing any situation or Caution: never tell an interviewer screen performance: answering any question, make absolutely that you’re “the perfect fit” for a posi- Go to the bathroom before the call. certain that you don’t digress, ramble or tion. Unless you’re inside her head and/ Have a glass of water, tissues, note- go off on a tangent and that you answer or privy to all the intangibles discussed pad, writing implement, glasses, your precisely what you are asked. Do not on the hiring end, you can’t possibly résumé and a list/cheat sheet of the play politician and answer with what fathom what “the perfect fit” is. accomplishments/lemons-into-lemon- you want to tell the interviewer. HR Laurie Mitchell & Company, Inc. ade/ anecdotes you wish to relate near pros hate – I really do mean “hate” – to you. Don’t type or eat while interview- redirect a question. If they must redirect, Marketing Communications Executive Search ing; it is bad enough that the inter- they will count it heavily against you mitchellco17@aol.com viewer may be typing. even if you’re the best “fit” they have Use a landline if possible and, if not, identified, because it indicates that your www.LaurieMitchellCompany.com Press Club Member FROM THE PRESIDENT FROM PAGE 1 Thousands of miles from home, says a high-profile network anchor and a well- Anniversaries Conway, and “Soulman” is picked out of known Hollywood actress may be joining the crowd in downtown Jerusalem. us. Again, make your reservation now and October Don Olson, former FOX 8 I-Team take advantage of a price break. Join us for 7 years investigator and currently, Medical the celebration. See you there. -Ed Carol Saferin Mutual of Ohio communications director, 4 years tells of the time he and Herb were try- Margaret Bernstein ing to gain a better vantage point to get 3 years footage inside a crime-ridden Cleveland Brian Newbacher row house. A maintenance man happened along and instantly recognized Herb as 1 year A publication of “Soulman.” Turns out, “Soulman” was the Marvin Fong The Press Club of Cleveland Mike O’Mara maintenance guy’s all-time hero. He was Editor Paul Orlousky so star-struck by Herb’s presence that he unlocked the door and escorted Don and Lee Moran Chris Quinn Herb inside to get their story.