McKenzie Romero is president of the Southern Utah University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. She earned a communication degree from SUU in 2009. Then she spent 18 months on an LDS mission in Guatemala. She is back at SUU to complete her Spanish degree and will graduate (again) in May. Meanwhile, Romero leads the campus newspaper and multi-platform convergence initiative.

The new year has rung itself in and campus is alive again. As one of my new year’s resolutions I’m taking the chance to work on revitalizing my student chapter of SPJ here at Southern Utah University.

Our chapter has been around since the 1980s, but activity has fluctuated through the years. It seems that we have been in a downward trend lately, but once students passionate about journalism come to understand SPJ’s mission, interest will follow.

We started off this semester with a luncheon sponsored to explain the benefits of SPJ membership to new student journalists involved with the campus newspaper. Next we will be branching out to the TV and radio students.

My plan for revitalizing my chapter consists of three steps:
1. Get students passionate about journalism. Students who understand why journalism is crucial to society will want to be involved and will make it a priority to prepare themselves to work in the field. At our SPJ luncheon we went over SPJ’s mission; to preserve the free press and thereby protect our free society. The students agreed that with so much happening in our country and the world right now, journalists’ ability to report freely is essential.
2. Letting students know what SPJ can do for them. My experiences attending conferences, helping with campus events and being a national Mark of Excellence finalist have been some of the highlights of my time in college, and have helped lay the foundation for my career. In addition to my own experiences, at our lunch meeting we talked about SPJ’s support of Utah journalists in 2011 when the state tried to limit access to government records and meetings.

• READ MORE: SPJ gives Utah “Black Hole Award” for egregious anti-transparency law

3. Present a unified front. Consistency is key in making sure our chapter is meeting regularly, sponsoring activities, bringing in guest speakers and mentoring student journalists. For those of you who may be facing a similar situation with your chapter, let me know what’s working for you, I’d love to trade ideas. Stay tuned for updates.

• Reach McKenzie Romero: kenz.rae@gmail.com
• Follow her on Twitter: @McKenzieRomero
• On the web: The Southern Utah University SPJ Chapter

March Madness takes on its own special meaning for members of the Society of Professional Journalists. It is Membership Month, in which local chapters make a special push to bring new members into the fold. You’ll also find SPJ members celebrating Sunshine Week, March 11-17.

Perhaps my favorite reason for celebrating March, however, is this:  SPJ regional spring conferences blossom from coast to coast.

I live in Missouri, which puts me in Region 7 — also home to Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska in terms of the SPJ chapter map. I’ve attended our spring conferences regularly since moving to the Show-Me state in 2006. As regional director I even helped organize and produce our regional gathering in Omaha back in 2010.

This year I am excited about seeing old friends and making new ones when we convene at Iowa State University on March 30-31.

Why attend a regional conference?

Here’s my list of reasons… Feel free to add your own thoughts about gathering in your area of the country in the comments section.

1. Relatively close to home. Not everyone can make it to the annual national convention, Excellence in Journalism (although I recommend that, too). Your regional spring gathering is most likely to be within driving distance.
2. What a bargain! Registration for students starts as low as $30 in some regions. Professional rates average about $75, varying by region (a big higher if you are not a member). Organizers work hard to get low rates on hotel rooms in the host city.
3. We won’t waste your time. The format for the conferences is a Friday night social gathering followed by a full Saturday of programming, including the Mark of Excellence lunch, where student journalists are honored for their work.
4. Did I mention programming? Take a look at the sessions on tap for your regional spring conference. A brief glance at the lineup will show you there is something for everyone: no matter your media platform; whether you are a student or professional, freelancer or full-timer.
5. Get connected. You’ll meet journalists, academics, students, and people who may just play a role in your career. Find a mentor. Even better: become a mentor!

So, if you are an SPJ member, take advantage of the offerings at your regional spring conference. If you are not a member, what better time to cultivate your career by planting a seed this month? (Okay, that’ll do it for the gardening metaphors for now).

• Remember, you can find your nearest chapter and contact its leaders on the SPJ website.