Accuracy in titles

On more than one occasion we have been asked how such a small staff of reporters can produce all the stories it takes to publish weekly issues of Credit Union Times ranging in size from 36 to 120 pages. They can’t. The five-person editorial staff of Credit Union Times is a multi-talented and prolific lot. They churn out dozens of by-lined news and feature stories each week. But as good as they are, they can’t fill the growing number of editorial pages in this publication without outside help. That help comes in the form of a team of 11 talented correspondents located throughout the country. The difference between a reporter and a correspondent is sometimes confusing to readers. Adding to that confusion, some publications use the titles interchangeably and inconsistently. They shouldn’t. There is a significant difference between the two. A reporter is a full-time employee of a publication such as David Morrison, our reporter-at-large. A correspondent is an independent contractor, such as Michelle A. Samaad, our correspondent-at-large. Other examples: Sarah Snell Cooke is our Washington reporter and Myriam DiGiovanni (formerly Bourjolly) is a staff reporter. All of our reporters and correspondents are listed separately in the masthead on page 14 of every issue. Correspondents are assigned stories by our editors and are paid on a per story basis. They may also write for other, non-competitive, publications. Reporters are also assigned stories by our editors, but work exclusively for us and are paid a regular salary, benefits, etc. as are all other employees of Credit Union Times. We think readers should know who they are talking to when contacted by a publication. -