Many of you have already started back at school, and some of you will be starting in the coming weeks. Regardless, September is back-to-school time, which means The Weekly Index is starting up again.

Let’s get those presses, cameras, and recorders up to speed!

Instead of gambling the night away or finding yourself at the quickie chapel, make sure you’re around to check out some of the amazing programs geared for students at the convention in Vegas.  Here’s a quick overview, but the entire schedule can be viewed on SPJ’s convention website.

MONDAY

2-3:15 p.m.

How Schools and Universities Use “Privacy” Law to Thwart Legitimate News Coverage

MELROSE 2

The nation’s obsession with family privacy has been a double-edged sword. For every family shielded from unnecessary embarrassment there are countless families whose stories of struggle and misery have been obstructed by “privacy” laws that put the wall of government bureaucracy between journalist and story. This session will throw the spotlight on FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Among the most important stories journalists cover involve children and public education, which makes FERPA one of the most important laws a journalist must understand and master. Learn what FERPA really says and, most importantly, what it does NOT say.

Speakers: Frank LoMonte, executive director, Student Press Law Center; David Chartrand, journalist-author, Kansas City

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Weird Careers in Journalism

MELROSE 2

If you’re about to graduate or recently have, a future in journalism may look bleak. But there are good jobs for young journalists in places you might not think to look. Learn how to apply for them and how to separate yourself from all the other applicants.

Speaker: Michael Koretzky, student media adviser, Florida Atlantic University

4:45-5:45 p.m.

Covering Campus Crime

SUNSET 2

From sexual assaults to fraternity hazing, crime on college campuses is a story that college and professional media outlets struggle to cover. You’ll learn the laws governing access to crime records and how to get information from reluctant campus officials. The new edition of the Covering Campus Crime booklet will be distributed.

Speakers: Frank LoMonte, executive director, Student Press Law Center; Carolyn S. Carlson, assistant professor of journalism and citizen media, Kennesaw State University

TUESDAY

9-10 a.m.

Your Walking, Talking Resume

SUNSET 2

Get tips on making the best first impression, then create your own “elevator pitch” and practice introducing yourself to colleagues.

Facilitators: Aiesha Little, associate editor, Cincinnati Magazine; Renee Petrina, instructor, Ball State University

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Art of Interviewing

WILSHIRE A

Lots of journalists dread one thing as they prepare for a story: the interview. Unfortunately, journalism classes don’t teach reporters how to conduct a successful interview when they’re trying to “get the story.”  In mock interviews, attendees will be coached on what type of questions one could and should ask during interviews. You’ll also get constructive feedback on which tactics work best so that you’ll feel at ease when interviewing someone for your next great story.

Speakers: Mary Hausch, assistant professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Bonnie Newman Davis, associate professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

2-3:15 p.m.

It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences

MELROSE 2

To be a great writer, you must write great sentences. But most journalists never take the time to learn what makes some sentences sing and others stink. This session will offer rare insights into this most-critical writing unit. Taking a mechanical approach to breaking down and rebuilding sentences, Casagrande will show you how to streamline your writing in a way that turns clunky, amateur prose into high-quality professional work.

Speaker: June Casagrande, author, “It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences”

3:30-4:30 p.m.

The Nuts and Bolts of Freelancing

MELROSE 2

Whether you’re making a career change, looking for some extra income or simply interested in diversifying your portfolio, freelancing can be a terrific option. But it’s not as easy as submitting story ideas and waiting for the checks to roll in. Hear from a group of freelancers on what it takes to get started. From setting up a home office to printing business cards and invoicing, as well as the various options for freelancers, including traditional media outlets, blogging for pay or editing books.

Speakers: Holly Fisher, Freelance Writer/Editor; Dana Neuts, Freelancer; Bruce Shutan, Freelancer

SPJ’s Convention and National Journalism Conference is just around the corner (October 3 – 5), which can only mean one thing: campus chapters need money! SPJ is not oblivious to this, which is why the campus board members pulled together some fundraising ideas for campus chapters.

• One of the fastest ways to earn money is to partner up with a local restaurant or business willing to donate part of a night’s profits to the chapter. The basic idea is that the chapter would promote the evening, which means an increase in business. A lot of chain restaurants do this, but you can always check with local businesses to work out a similar arrangement.
• Some campus athletic departments will also allow campus organizations to sell concessions for a cut of the profits. A twist on this idea would be to sell an item that the department does not typically carry.
• Selling t-shirts and other memorabilia with a catchy phrase or slogan is always a big moneymaker. Early in the semester may be the best time for this fundraiser. Other items to put slogans on could be notebooks, drawstring backpacks, and water bottles.
• Some other popular items to sell – with a little bit more planning and effort – are AP Stylebooks. A stylebook sale can be very profitable. However, chapters need to be willing to make a much larger financial commitment upfront, and be prepared to compete with the campus bookstore.
• Creating midterm care packages for incoming students is also a great way to raise money. A school’s academic affairs office can provide chapters with the names and addresses of parents and legal guardians. A chapter can charge around $20 for a package, and then fill it with $5 to $7 of goodies. Another nice touch is to include a signed card from the parent or guardian.
• Don’t be afraid to “hit people up” for money, too. Department chairs, deans, and provosts usually have a special fund that can be used at their discretion. Be prepared with a good argument as to why the convention will not only benefit your chapter, but the whole school. Student governments have also been known to give money to organizations in need.

There are six ideas to get you started, but there are countless more out there. Chapters with their own fundraising ideas are encouraged to share their ideas in the comments! Also, a big thanks to Board Member Neil Ralston for most of these tips!

Don’t forget to check back for more convention ideas and news!
____________________________________________________________
Andrew M. Seaman is a student at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York, and a recent graduate of Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He is one of SPJ’s student representatives on the national board and you can follow him on Twitter @andrewmseaman.

“Occasionally, I had watched the evening news with my parents and read the newspaper, but I never fully realized the impact that news had on my daily life,” said Lucy Chen, a soon-to-be junior at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Md. “And studying news literacy taught me how to gather and assess my own stream of information, whether it come from a newspaper, a TV show, or the Internet.”

The above paragraph appears in Chen’s article in the recent edition of the Nieman Reports, which is published by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. Chen is one of many students to take part in the News Literacy Project, a program designed to educate middle and high school students on how to discern fact from fiction in the digital age.

Alan Miller, a former investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times and founder of the News Literacy Project, wrote in the same edition of the Nieman Reports, “In the 2009-10 school year, the News Literacy Project worked with 21 English, history and government teachers in seven middle schools and high schools in New York City, Bethesda and Chicago, reaching nearly 1,500 students. More than 75 journalists spoke to students and worked with them on projects.”

Miller brought in several seasoned journalists to help with the project: Gwen Ifill, Sheryl Gay, Peter Eisler, and James Grimaldi – to name a few.

The project engaged students in discussions and activities through a variety of subject matter, said Miller in his article. He added that teachers were also able to adapt the curriculum to fit their own needs.

To view both of the above articles, and the Nieman Reports’ entire section on “Digital Youth,” click here.

On March 24, 1838 an editorial in the Saturday evening edition of the New Yorker urged young men to “Go to the West.” In the West, the author promised, “your capacities are sure to be appreciated and your industry and energy rewarded.” The author was Horace Greeley, the founder of the now defunct New York Tribune and New Yorker. This year, SPJ finds new meaning in Greeley’s words as the organization urges all journalists to head to the West for the 2010 SPJ National Convention. There, journalists’ “capacities are sure to be appreciated and [their] industry and energy rewarded.”

The annual convention will convene in the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino from Sunday, October 3 to Tuesday, October 5. Among activities at the convention will be the countless workshops and professional development sessions, award ceremonies, business meetings, receptions, and speakers.

As always, SPJ’s leaders are keeping their fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing journalism industry. Their steadfast dedication will undoubtedly lead to a successful gathering, and prepare SPJ’s student members for the future.

SPJ leaders from across the country are working to prepare all members for a successful convention:

• Headquarters has a great website with detailed information about travel, lodging, schedules, etc.
• Those coordinating the conference have established a blog to preview many of the events and sessions.
• T.J. Tranchell was kind enough to write an exhaustive list of things to do in Las Vegas for the under-21 crowd.

The Campus Copy will carry some posts about the upcoming convention, but it is important for SPJ’s campus community to know about the links above.

And a final reminder… “Go to the West!”

Josh Moore, staff writer for the Student Press Law Center, reports that the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees will take up a controversial policy for their student publications.

According to Moore, “The proposed policy states that student publications are not public forums and that administrators will not tolerate material that is ‘libelous, obscene, invades the privacy of others, conflicts with the basic educational mission of the school, socially inappropriate or inappropriate due to the maturity level of the students, or is materially disruptive to the educational process.’”

Elizabeth Kaleva, the district’s attorney and author of the policy, told Moore that the policy would help protect their students’ First Amendment rights. However, Frank LoMonte, the SPLC’s executive director, said the policy allows too many possibilities for censorship.

Please click here to read Moore’s article.

Campus members in SPJ’s Region 3 can apply for an incredibly unique reporting opportunity.

Region 3 is currently looking for writers, photographers, print and web designers, and multimedia journalists to help seize control of the nation’s second-largest homeless newspaper over Labor Day weekend.

Students will receive free travel, free lodging, free meals and –most importantly – experience!

Interested students can click here for more details, and to see last year’s project.

Welcome back everyone!

I had a great time in Indianapolis last week for the annual SPJ spring board meeting.

There are a lot of great things coming to SPJ members across the country: new training videos, exciting new partnerships, and much more. The next few years will be one of the most exciting times to be a member of SPJ!

Have a great weekend, and enjoy The Weekly Index!

State courts have recognized that newspapers may withhold materials from the government unless officials make a compelling case to the contrary, a process that is supposed to play out in court in response to a subpoena. In this case there was no subpoena, no court arguments and no recognition that raiding a newspaper makes a mockery of the First Amendment. ~ The Washington Post

Marsha L. Garst
Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg
Judicial Center
53 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540) 564-3350
mgarst@rockinghamcountyva.gov

Dear Ms. Garst:

The leadership of the Society of Professional Journalists is outraged by your actions when you barged into the offices of The Breeze at James Madison University on Friday, April 16, 2010 and seized over 900 published and unpublished photos from the newsroom. We are especially troubled that your actions appeared to have violated the federal Privacy Protection Act of 1980.

The office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney has trampled on the freedom of the press by trying to use this media outlet as an arm of law enforcement. In a democratic society it is vital to have an unfettered press free to exercise the First Amendment without fear of government intervention.

We recognize the need to investigate an out-of-control public event where crimes may have been committed but there are more appropriate tools available to law enforcement than to bully the student newspaper.

We would like to point out that your own state’s constitution says that, “The freedoms of speech and of the press are among the great bulwarks of liberty and can never be restrained except by despotic governments.”

We ask that you return ALL of the materials, as well as copies, taken during your raid and issue an apology to the student newspaper, its staff and the University community.

Sincerely,

Kevin Smith
SPJ President

Sue Kopen Katcef
SPJ Campus Adviser At-Large

George Daniels
SPJ Campus Adviser At-Large

Neil Ralston
SPJ Vice President of Campus Chapter Affairs

Bill McCloskey
SPJ Director At-Large

Katie Maloney, a staff writer for the Student Press Law Center, reported, “Harrisonburg Police officers and the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockingham County, Va. executed a search warrant in the newsroom of the James Madison University student newspaper Friday.”

The SPLC also reported that the officers and attorney seized photographs of a recent riot near campus.

Please check the SPLC’s website for a full report here.