Meet a Member: Molly Klocksin

Molly Klocksin joined NFPW early in her career and rejoined Nebraska Press Women three years ago. She has been active ever since rejoining, even helping plan an affiliate conference. Molly attended her first NFPW communications conference last fall after being awarded a First Timer Grant from the NFPW Education Fund. It is nice to have her back as an active member and we hope to see her again this fall in Alabama. I hope you take time to get to know this unique and unbelievable NFPW member.

Name: Molly Klocksin

City and State: Lincoln, Nebraska

Molly Klocksin

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Parliamentarian, Nebraska Press Women affiliate

Years a member of NFPW: About 3 years in this century.

Tell us a little about you.

I grew up in suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My paternal grandfather was a small-town newspaper publisher, and a paternal uncle was a TV news anchor and state legislator. My parents read newspapers and watched the news on TV; we often talked politics at the dinner table. One of my earliest political memories is accompanying my mom to the polls for the 1960 JFK/Nixon presidential campaign. The “lunch ladies” from my elementary school were poll workers!

All through school, I was interested in news and politics. During the summer of 1967, I kept a diary describing what the newspapers and TV stations were reporting about the race riots in Milwaukee.  At one point, I wrote, “I sound like a reporter!”

In high school, I was co-editor of the school paper. I went on to study journalism and political science at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. Journalism was popular in that Watergate era, but I think I may have been a “J” major, anyway.

In my early career, I worked at newspapers – a suburban weekly and a small-city daily. I worked hard, and worked long hours, but the work and the people suited me. I later worked as a press secretary for U.S. Senator Jim Exon, D-Nebraska in Washington, D.C., and for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln., writing press releases and feature stories about agriculture. I then took a detour into my current position as a Case Advocate for Disability Rights Nebraska, and earned a master’s degree in counseling from Doane University in Lincoln. I still feel like a reporter when I investigate abuse/neglect in facilities for people with mental illness. I interview people and observing their surroundings, and then I take the details to our agency’s attorneys – much like I used to gather information for stories that went to editors. I’ve written an Op Ed piece, some press releases and blogs for our agency. .

Any career advice you would give?

Be willing to move for a job. My dad told me I’d have rocks in my head to move to Grand Island, Nebraska. But I wanted to work at a daily newspaper, and I figured working in a lightly populated state’s third largest media market would be a good opportunity. I was right!

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’ve always wanted to be a certified Jazzercise instructor. I’ve been a student for years. It keeps me sane.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I’d like Santa Fe, N.M. in the winter. And northern Wisconsin in the winter.

What book are you reading?

“Leaving the Pink House,” by Ladette Randolph. She’s a Nebraskan, and she writes about all the houses she has lived in. She also writes about renovating an old house with her husband. This book resonated with me because my domestic partner is building us a custom log and stone house on his farmland outside of Lincoln. He does the vast majority of the work, of course, but we often talk about the “Big House on the Prairie” and plan our future there with our cats. We’re hoping to make many happy memories there with visits from his two adult daughters and four adult grandchildren.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

When I was young, my mother called me “The Next Nancy Dickerson.” Nancy was the first female correspondent on network television. She was from a Milwaukee suburb, and graduated from my mother’s alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison.   Nancy Dickerson’s son, John Dickerson, now hosts “Face the Nation.”  I wrote to him on Facebook after I read his book about his mother. He “liked” my comment. Mom would have gotten a kick out of that!

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

I’ve met great friends at NFPW and Nebraska Press Women events. Even though I no longer work in the media per se, I still enjoy the company of journalists. Of course we have professional development opportunities, but it’s the people and sense of community that matter most to me. When a member loses a parent or other loved one, NPW members are the first  to send a card. That thoughtfulness is hard to find elsewhere these days!

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

My Twitter handle is @annalia2013. I’m on Facebook as Molly Klocksin.

Advertisement

Meet a Member: Stephanie Geery-Zink

Stephanie Geery-Zink was one of the organizers of the 2011 NFPW conference hosted in Nebraska and Iowa. It was a family affair with her talented family joining to help with the celebration. She is a hard working professional and enjoys sharing her talents with others. Enjoy getting to know this talented, unique and unbelievable member of NFPW.

Name: Stephanie Geery-Zink

City and State: Lincoln, Nebraska

Stephanie Geery-Zink

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Nebraska Press Women. I have served as president, past president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and Legislative/First Amendment (not necessarily in that order!). Helped organize the 2011 NFPW Conference in Council Bluffs/Omaha. I am taking a break from the NPW Board after serving for 16 years, but as a former treasurer I serve on the Finance Committee.

Years a member of NFPW: 19

Tell us a little about you.

I was a journalist from 1991-2009, worked in public relations, then made a jump to nonprofit work as a communications coordinator, and as a development director (fundraising) for Lincoln Community Playhouse for the past five and a half years.

My husband and I have been married for 23 years. Our daughter Schuyler is in her second year at the University of Nebraska College of Law (Class of 2018), specializing in international human rights and national security law. Daughter Keelin is a senior at University of Nebraska High School.

Any career advice you would give?

Keep your options open! You never know where life might take you, so be ready for any eventuality and pay attention to possible career changes. I could have never imagined when I was in the midst of my journalism career that I’d end up working in nonprofits, especially as a fundraiser but it has turned out to be a rewarding career change that draws heavily on my journalism and NPW/NFPW experiences.

Family members from left, Keelin Geery-Zink, Roger Geery, Schuyler Geery-Zink and Stephanie Geery-Zink

Which talent would you most like to have?

My organizational skills are okay, but I could be much better at motivating myself to get more organized. My superpower choice would be never-ending energy.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I’m pretty happy where I live now, but would love to be able to travel especially in Great Britain, Ireland and France.

What book are you reading?

“Quitter (closing the gap between your day job and your dream job)” by Jon Acuff and “Reimagining Equality: Stories of Gender, Race, and Finding Home” by Anita Hill (yes, a book I picked up at the Arizona NFPW Conference in 2012, finally getting around to reading it!).

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I was scared of dogs all my life. Until Winston, an apricot toy poodle, entered my life almost three years ago. He was supposed to be Keelin’s dog, but we latched on to each other and are inseparable. Now I need to pet all the dogs. I am still a cat person too!

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

NPW has provided me with important career and leadership experience through serving as an officer of the organization and organizing conferences (special events planning). I have also made some incredible friendships.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc. I’m on Facebook! A lot!

Meet a Member: Mary Pat Finn-Hoag

I always look forward to seeing Mary Pat Finn-Hoag at NFPW conferences. Mary Pat and others from Nebraska are special friends I enjoy seeing each year. She is a dedicated member of both NFPW and Nebraska Press Women and is always willing to help out and share her talents. She is a talented writer and you can always count on her to help out and get a job done. She is another unique and unbelievable NFPW member I am honored to call a friend.

Name: Mary Pat Finn-Hoag

Hometown: Norfolk, Nebraska

Mary Pat Finn-Hoag, right, has written numerous stories with foreign ties. Her latest was on Rochelle Holm, who is coordinating a water and sanitization project Malawi. Holm is shown holding her 18 month old daughter, Mphatso.

Affiliate and leadership positions:

I am a proud member of the Nebraska Press Women and am currently serving as historian. I am a past vice president and have served on various committees and coordinated two state conventions in Norfolk.

Years a member of NFPW:

I’’ve been a member since 7-7-77; am I lucky or what! My regret is that I didn’’t join several years earlier.

Tell us a little bit about you.

I grew up on a Wayne County farm that’’s been in our family since 1906. I ha’ve always loved to read and was “reading” newspapers before I could read. My fourth-grade country school teacher told me: “You can write.” I incredulously answered: “I can?”

I graduated from Wayne State College (a 12-mile pickup drive from home) in December 1972, its first graduate with the journalism-broadcasting double major. I also earned a teaching degree.

I landed a newspaper job before a teaching job — and I’’m now in my 43rd year at the Norfolk Daily News, a family-owned newspaper for more than 125 years. I worked on the national Livestock Market Digest staff for four years before landing the agricultural editor’’s position. I am also in my second long stint as youth editor. I’’ve done general reporting (on almost every subject), plus photography, almost since day one.

Always helping a friend, Mary Pat Finn-Hoag, right, snaps a picture of Lori Potter at the 2014 NFPW conference in South Carolina.

Any career advice?

Continue to learn. Read, read, read. Hone your skills; attend workshops. Be involved in professional organizations. Go the extra mile. Be a team player. Treat everyone with respect. Give praise to others. Use your God-given talents. Maintain high standards.

What talent would you most like to have?

As a teen, my early career ideas were livestock judge, veterinarian or artist. Then I wanted to be a disc jockey. I later thought I woul’d farm full time and do free-lance work on the side. I love art and would love to be more artistic; I have creativity inside wanting to spill out.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Norfolk — and Nebraska — are great places to call home (I’’m not a big-city girl), but I love to travel. I’’ve enjoyed discovering the cities scattered across the country where the NFPW conferences have been conducted. I love mountains, beaches and nature. I’’d like roots but freedom to explore wherever my heart leads me.

What book are you reading?

Prior to the Alaska conference I was delving into a stack of travel information on Alaska. I usually have several books in the works; I gravitate almost entirely to non-fiction. My current reads include “Eighty-One Seconds” by LaRayne Topp (personal accounts by victims of the multiple tornadoes that struck this immediate area in June 2014); “The Land of Milk and Uncle Honey” by Alan Guebert, a nationally syndicated ag columnist who recently spoke in Norfolk; and “My Life with the Saints” by James Martin. I have been a “magazine-aholic” since childhood and subscribe to “too many,” but I love mags and keeping up on many topics.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

My high school English teacher said women don’’t go into broadcasting. My guidance counselor said I should work in a factory (since I was fast on office machines) and not go to college. My parents were college educated and all eight of their children would — and did — go to college. My proudest moment in life was graduating from college in 2.5 years (trimester plan), ranking third academically in my class.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

I love the “sisterhood,” the networking, the educational workshops, and look forward to the state and national conferences each year. Membership in NPW and NFPW has been one of the wisest investments of my life!

Ways to follow you:

I am not a “techy” and not an avid social media user. My home email is mphoag@cableone.net, and I’’m on Facebook (marypat hoag).

Meet a Member: Barb Bierman Batie

The Nebraska governor is a smart man who recently appointed Barb Batie to the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission to oversee the planning for and carry out activities and celebrations to be associated with the 150th anniversary of statehood.  She is also an avid Nebraska football fan. When my Idaho State University Bengals played the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the NFPW Conference in Arizona her team won and the NFPW Education Fund benefitted from wagers supporting both teams. Barb is also a great ambassador for Nebraska and NFPW. She is talented, a hard worker and a fun person to be around. Meet my unique and unbelievable friend, Barb Batie.

Name: Barb Bierman Batie

Photographing the arches in Arches National Park has been on Barb Batie’s Bucket List for years. She crossed that item off earlier this year. In the background are the North and South Windows

City and State: Lexington, Nebraska

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Nebraska Affiliate, currently the Communicator of Achievement program chair, just finished four years as the scholarship chair. I’ve held every elective office on the state level, including serving as state president.

Years a member of NFPW: Member since 1982, so 33 years

Tell us a little about you.

My friends call me a “Woman of Many Hats,” and I guess they have that right. I am a farm wife, and have been married to my husband, Don, for 30 years this coming May. We raise corn, soybeans and alfalfa and I keep a flock of about 40-50 hens, selling farm fresh eggs to people in town. We are the parents of two daughters, Juliana and Cicely. Juliana turns 25 in March and was married Oct. 4, 2014, to Douglas Loudon.  They currently live and work in North Dakota, but we are hoping this summer they will be able to move back to Nebraska. Cicely turns 22 in March and is a senior at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she is completing work on a double major in German and Global Studies. For many years I worked for area weekly and daily newspapers. Two years ago I accepted a position as marketing director of the Nebraska Rural Radio Foundation and in this part-time job I spread the word about the foundation’s scholarships for non-traditional students and organize and conduct their annual fundraiser for 200-300 guests.  I continue to hone my writing and photography skills by doing freelance work for state, regional and national farm magazines.

Barb and her husband, Don, toasting their 30 year anniversary during a wine tasting visit to Fallbrook Winery in San Diego County, California.

In addition to my activities in Nebraska Press Women, I am active in our church, one of my specialties is cooking meals for 40-50 people each Wednesday night during the school year for Christian Family Night. I’m on the boards of several community organizations, including our local theater group, county leadership group and so forth. I’m a 4-H leader and my husband and I are active in both our county and state Farm Bureau. On a state level I serve on the executive committee of the University of Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network and the Nebraska Environmental Trust board of directors, which administers grants for environmental purposes that are funded through the Nebraska Lottery. My most recent appointment was to the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission, which will oversee the planning for and carry out activities and celebrations to be associated with Nebraska’s 150th anniversary of statehood in 2017.

My husband and I love to travel and for the last 10 years we have been fortunate enough to take one major trip a year, often at least two weeks in length. This year we will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and because farmers can’t be away from the farm in May (when our anniversary falls) we usually take those trips in the winter. That is why this year’s trip was longer than most, lasting three full weeks.

Any career advice you would give?

If you are studying print journalism, one of the best places to learn the craft is at a weekly newspaper in a small town. So many  journalism graduates feel they need to start out on large papers, but those jobs are scarce these days. There are still openings to be found across the country in smaller markets. I learned to write, take photos, layout pages, proofread, and occasionally even set ads, all at two different weeklies. When I finally did move to a daily for a 15-month gig, my editor called me his “Jill of All Trades,” because I could handle nearly every slot on the news desk.

Which talent would you most like to have?

The ability to draw/paint. While I’m grateful to be a photographer and capture special moments on camera, I would love to be able to sketch and paint on canvas.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Barb and her daughter, Cicely, with the Hamburg Harbor and shopping district behind them.

Germany. I was an exchange student in then West Germany for six months right after graduating from college in 1980. Because I became fairly fluent in the language, I have been able to keep in contact with five of the seven host families I had while there and I still have relatives there, as my grandfather immigrated in 1905 and none of his siblings came to the United States. So a piece of my heart has always been there and visits have been far too few.

What book are you reading?

I am not a huge reader, but when I do read it is usually something light. I love cats, so the current one on my nightstand is “Catch as Cat Can,” a Mrs. Murphy mystery by Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I have done some interesting things promoting events in and around our county and once participated in ostrich races to promote our county fair.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

As a cub reporter the support extended by veteran media professionals was invaluable, as the years have gone on the opportunity to network and be able to exchange ideas, battle stories and develop friendships have been equally important. On both a state and national level, annual conventions provide opportunities for professional development so key to keeping abreast of trends and technology in our craft.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

My social media connection is limited to Facebook and you may find me at Barb Batie.

Award winning journalist Burney shows determination and class in overcoming challenges

She was the NFPW Communicator of Achievement in 1993, the National Mother of the Year in 1991, has won over 250 state and national awards for her columns, articles and books. One of the highlights of the national conference in Iowa/Nebraska in 2011 was the entertaining presentation team of Joan Burney and her daughter Juli Burney. What an entertaining team. I attended the May meeting of Nebraska Press Women and was delighted to see Joan Burney in attendance and making marvelous progress from her recent medical issues. She even led the group in song during the meeting. Her doctors call her a wonder woman and I agree. Meet another unique, unbelievable and amazing NFPW member, Joan Burney.

 Name:  Joan R. Burney, M.S. Ed.

Joan Burney, sitting, and her daughter Juli

City and State: Hartington and Lincoln, Nebraska

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Nebraska Press Women, see website www.jburney.com for all the details

Years a member of NFPW: since the late 1960’s

Tell us a little about you.

Joan Burney was a farm wife who became an award winning columnist and feature writer as well as psychological counselor, motivational speaker, author, music director and self described “klutz”.  She has won many national writing awards, been named the Nebraskan of the Year, was the 1991 National Mother of the year, and all while raising 6 kids, 5 boys and a girl.  Now she is a grandmother of 4, 3 girls and a boy. Joan lost her husband in 2005, broke her neck in a car accident in 2006, and in 2007, Joan suffered a traumatic brain injury that caused her aphasia (struggle with finding words to speak) however she retained her writing skills and continued writing her column until a stroke in 2013, which took her reading and writing skills as well, a condition called alexia without agraphia.

Joan has been doing intensive therapy since her stroke and has partially recovered her ability to read, write and mostly to speak. Her condition is so unique that the UNL Barkley Center of Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic conducted a study on therapies with Joan which has lead them to discover new therapies to help others that have the same challenges.  Joan won her most recent award from the Nebraska Speech-Language Hearing Association for her great attitude and determination, inspiring everyone who has a challenge to live life to the fullest.  She does not stop no matter what obstacles life gives her.

Any career advice you would give?

You shouldn’t set out to win awards or make a name for yourself you should just set out to help people.

Joan with NE Governor Dave Heineman, First Lady Sally Ganem and their dog Snickers at the Governor Mansion’s annual Easter Egg hunt for the foster care system.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Right now I wish I had my ability to read, write and speak again. I miss writing my columns. I have so much I want to tell people.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I would love to be living on my farm in Hartington full time. Right now it is just not possible.

What book are you reading?

Dr. Seuss books.  They are helping me regain my reading skills.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Most people I talk with don’t even realize that I have a problem.  I think they are surprised to find out.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

Because I love the women in the group.  They are my friends, my support group, my inspiration.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.  

I am on Facebook and also have a website – www.jburney.com

Journalist Hahn known for her love of four feline kids and being Donny Osmond fan

She was the first to volunteer to help find speakers for last year’s National Federation of Press Women conference in Salt Lake City. She loves to share information about her adopted pets and since as a 12-year-old she fell in love with Donny Osmond and his famous “Puppy Love.” She works hard for her Nebraska affiliate as I witnessed last weekend at their spring meeting. She enjoys sharing her talent with others. She is a friend and a unique and unbelievable NFPW member. Enjoy learning more about amazing Terri Hahn.

 

Name: Terri Hahn

Terri Hahn with Donny Osmond

City and State: Osceola, Nebraska

Affiliate and any leadership positions:

Nebraska Press Women; currently serving as contest co-director and publicity/social media chair. Past president and other various board positions.

Years a member of NFPW: 24 (since 1990)

In a couple of paragraphs, tell us a little about you.

Most people don’t know my first college degree was in interior design. I graduated with that degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1981 – right as the nation’s housing market was tanking. No one was buying OR remodeling and there just weren’t any jobs. I continued my retail job for several years until I decided there had to be something better out there. I’d always been interested in journalism (I actually tried to take classes while working on my design degree, but there were always conflicts) so I decided to give it a go. I started back at UNL in 1986 and added a journalism option to my original degree. I can honestly say it was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made. After graduation I worked for four years at the Dodge City Daily Globe in Dodge City, Kan., and my coworkers there were the ones who tuned me into Kansas Press Women and NFPW. I’ve been working as the features editor at the Grand Island Independent since 1993 and have been a member of NPW since that time.

That’s the professional side. Now the personal side. I’m known around the office as 1) the crazy cat lady or 2) the crazy Donny Osmond fan. Whatever. I love cats and live with four feline kids – Muffy, Charlie, Hallie and Maddie – all rescues. Three are from the street, the other from the local humane society. They are great company and I wouldn’t part with them for the world, even when Muffy is begging for breakfast two hours before the alarm goes off and Charlie is chewing on my hair.

As for the Donny Osmond part: I’ve been a fan since I was 12 (the “Puppy Love” days), but just got back into the fan loop a few years ago right after my mom died. The women I met through an online fan forum the winter after she passed away have become my second family. The fan thing is as much about them as it is about the man himself. But, yes, having him sit on my lap during a bus trip to Hoover Dam was pretty special. I won’t deny it.

Terri Hahn

Any career advice you would give?

That’s a tough one. As much as I love journalism and my job, it’s a tough field to be in these days. The hours are lousy, the pay is worse – at least at a daily newspaper. My advice would be to be flexible and be willing to adjust to the rapidly changing world of news gathering. If you’re not willing to change, you’re going to be left in the dust.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I can think of a couple. I would love to be able to sing and dance. I have no skills in either area. I used to have a cat who would leave the room when I sang along with the radio. Seriously. I’m that bad. I also wish I could be one of those people who write clever headlines. I’m always looking at them and thinking “Why didn’t I think of that?”

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

A restored Victorian in the Pacific Heights section of San Francisco. It’s one of my favorite places in the world.

What book are you reading?

Currently, none. (Is that bad?). The one on my desk I want to read was an entry in our communications contest, “From Picas to Bytes: Four Generations of Seacrest Newspaper Service to Nebraska.” I need to ask the author if I can keep it for a few weeks before I return it to her.

I love biography and history books, as well as mystery stories. One of my projects I’m working on now is getting all my books out of storage and organizing a library in my basement family room. I’m almost there. Having all my books under one roof after more than 20 years is wonderful.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve considered starting a professional organizing business. Although you wouldn’t know it to look at my house right now (too many ongoing projects), I’m a good space planner and have a knack for getting a lot of stuff into very little space. I’m available for consultation if anyone needs some help.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

I don’t have a lot of close family and my NPW sisters are just that – sisters. They have also become a second family to me. And I’ve learned so much through NPW and NFPW. I love attending the national conventions that have allowed me to visit places I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise, and I love the people I’ve met along the way. I’ve learned a lot from both.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

I’m on Facebook and open to friend requests. I’m also on Twitter, although I don’t tweet a lot. You can find me at @terrihahn. I keep it pretty simple.