The Peninsula Press Club’s board has voted unanimously to make donations of $100 each to three organizations that promote the First Amendment. In addition to making these contributions, the board also asks the club’s members to consider making donations to these worthy organizations.

They are:

• Californians Aware is “a nonprofit organization established to help journalists and others keep Californians aware of what they need to know to hold government and other powerful institutions accountable for their actions. Its mission is to support and defend open government, an enquiring press and a citizenry free to exchange facts and opinions on public issues. In short, Californians Aware will be a center for information, guidance and initiatives in public forum law.” CalAware’s general counsel is Terry Francke. Here’s a link to the group’s board. The address for donations is 2218 Homewood Way, Carmichael, CA 95608

• California First Amendment Coalition, or CFAC, “is a nonprofit public interest organization dedicated to advancing free speech and open-government rights. Since its founding in 1988, CFAC has been a crucial counterweight to the tendency, at all levels of government, toward greater secrecy and declining accountability. A membership organization, CFAC’s activities include educational and informational programs, participation in ‘test case’ litigation to enhance first amendment rights for the largest number of citizens, and legislative oversight of bills affecting free speech.” CFAC’s executive director is Peter Scheer. Here’s a link to its board. The address for donations is California First Amendment Coalition, 534 4th Street, Suite B, San Rafael, CA 94901.

• Student Press Law Center is “an advocate for student free-press rights and provides information, advice and legal assistance at no charge to students and the educators who work with them.” The center provides free legal advice and information as well as low-cost educational materials for student journalists on a wide variety of legal topics. In addition, the SPLC operates a formal Attorney Referral Network of approximately 150 lawyers across the country who are available to provide free legal representation to local students when necessary. The executive director is Mark Goodman. Here’s a link to the SPLC’s board. The address for donations is Student Press Law Center, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1100, Arlington, VA 22209-2275.