This time of year I definitely count SPJ as something to be thankful for. I joined in 2002, when as a new faculty member at Florida A&M University, I was asked to serve as campus chapter adviser.

Over the years I’ve ramped up my involvement: Diversity Fellow (2005), Diversity Committee member, Regional Director (Region 7), and now the chair of the national membership committee. Along the way I’ve made great friends and forged lasting connections; people who have played important roles in my professional life.

‘Tis the Season

This time of year is an opportune moment for reminding fellow journalists why SPJ membership is important.

We all know how it is: The membership renewal notice arrives and we mean to take care of it right away, but life has a way of getting in the way.

Then there’s the matter of money. Many journalists who are unemployed or underemployed may wonder if the $72 a year is worth spending. To that I say, the investment in your career may be the best money you spend all year.

The SPJ “Calling Corps”

A group of members –including board members and past presidents– will be picking up the phone in December to check in with folks whose memberships have lapsed. If you’d like to join the Calling Corps, please send me an email: dateline.belize@gmail.com.

Here’s what’s involved:

• Call at least five people, names provided by HQ
• Encourage them to renew their membership
• Answer their questions about SPJ (talking points and info provided)
• Report on the results

It would be great to start the calls the first week of December, with contacts based on geography. This means Calling Corps members would focus on contacting people in their own SPJ regions.

Why Are You a Member?

Every member has a story. If you would like to share yours, I invite you to submit a guest blog post! Again, my email is dateline.belize@gmail.com.

Holly Edgell is a Regional Editor for Patch.com in St. Louis. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and Google+