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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Green, 573-882-2772


Nov. 6, 2001

IRE launches 'Help a Colleague' program

Columbia, Mo. -- Because of downsizings and layoffs in the news industry, Investigative Reporters and Editors has launched the "Help a Colleague" project, aimed at keeping members active in IRE despite temporary unemployment.

One-year membership renewals are being offered at half-price to any member recently laid off and still unemployed.

A fund has been established to which fellow IRE members can contribute. By contributing $25 to the fund, someone can help a fellow member remain a part of the organization for another year, $50 will help two colleagues, etc. The fund was kicked off with personal contributions from the IRE Board, executive director and deputy director. Within two days of alerting the membership, enough money had been raised to assist about 30 colleagues. Calls continue to come in.

"We're happy to get this program going during this time of layoffs in our profession," said Brant Houston, IRE's executive director. "After all, helping a colleague has always been the point of IRE."

Those who want to contribute to the fund should contact membership coordinator John Green at jgreen@ire.org or 573-882-2772.

Those who wish to apply for membership assistance should also contact Green. Unemployment status of each applicant will be verified. The program is for membership renewals only and does not apply to new membership applications.