Board of Directors Meeting, January 7, 1954 5
Dr. Harry Thompson remarked that there was no reason by Dr. Farness should not appear, even in their drive for funds, but that he should clear.
Dr. Manning inquired whether, as a matter of policy, every time a drive comes up it should be supplied with a speaker from the Society.
Dr. Lesemann replied that there is a difference between the Medical Society and the individual; if one speaks as a representative of the Society, that is one thing; but if he speaks as President of the Trudeau Society, it is another thing entirely. He said that he failed to see that it is the same.
Dr. Bernstein suggested that if the doctors cleared through the Society of the Public Relations Chairman they could be advised and alerted to the possibility of being used to raise funds.
Dr. Manning stated that in one instance he had turned down a request for a speaker because Dr. Schwartzmann had called him and said that they wanted him to say that funds should be contributed because this particular thing was necessary, this on a Television program. Dr. Manning did not feel that this "plugging" for a certain fund drive should be done in representation of the Society.
Dr. Engle remarked that if one did not represent the Society, he would not have a clear with the Society. He said that this puts it into the hands of a small publicity committee, and makes a lot of bad feeling.
Dr. Harry Thompson said that since the policy of clearing through the Society Public Relations Committee or President was begun there has been almost no difficulty; that there is no reason why anyone should not appear on the programs, for instance, of the various associations, but that Dr. Schwartzmann, in clearing for this talk, said "They want me to say this certain thing, and I can't do it." He reminded that in the past there have been unfortunate statements made which were quite detrimental to the Society.
Dr. Rudolph inquired as to what has to be cleared.
Dr. Manning reminded Dr. Rudolph of the fact that occasionally controversial subjects come up, and that to talk of these stirs up the anger of many peoples.
Dr. Bernstein suggested that it would be well for the Society to be notified of all the talks, for publicity reasons. Someone might, unintentionally, embarrass all the members. In the short time he has been with the Society, he said, several times have happened which offend the very people with whom the Society wishes to maintain good relations. He gave as an instance an item of public interest which much happen at County Hospital--the reporter calls there and gets a terrific run-around just trying to find out to whom he should apply for information, and when finally he gets to the doctor involved he is told the matter is not for publication at all. He felt relations with the newspapers to be especially important, and believed that all publicity matters should be cleared.
Dr. Harry Thompson said that there is never any trouble with the good men, and that since the provision to clear was made it has given the Society a sort of checkrein on those who want to advertise or go out on a limb on some subject or other.
Dr. Manning said that he did not believe the publicity men have tried to be dictatorial at all. He said that it is quite astounding, upon talking to reporters, to find out how little they really want, and that he felt that it would be found quite easy to cooperate, if gone about in the right way.
Dr. Costin inquired whether the membership, as a whole, is kept reminded of this.
Dr. Manning suggested that whoever will handle Public Relations for Dr. Bernstein should go all over this matter.
Dr. Bernstein remarked that the business of Public Relations interests him greatly, and that to a large extent, in his opinion, the attitude of the public toward the profession is the profession's own fault; that the doctors mean to do the right the thing but are fouled up by mechanics. He thought, also
