January 13th, 2013
You asked for it! A new way to let Society of Professional Journalists membership work for your newsroom
By Holly Edgell
Find your local chapter!
One of the primary goals immediate past president John Ensslin had during his tenure was to find a meaningful way to offer memberships to news organizations.
Mission accomplished! With great assistance from our SPJ executive director Joe Skeel and his team, then president-elect Sonny Albarado (now our fearless leader) and research into what fellow journalism groups were doing, came consultations with newsrooms leaders and employees and input from the membership committee. A promising formula emerged.
The plan is based on membership tiers, each offering price points based on the value and benefits of which newsrooms would like to take advantage.
This means, whatever its size, a newsroom can decide to make an investment that suits its budget and needs:
- Bronze $250
- Silver $750
- Gold $1,250
- Learn more about each tier!
All the membership tiers offer some basics: dues discounts for individual members; discounts on products and services; an ethics plaque; and a free newsroom subscription to Quill magazine. All newsrooms memberships also allow individuals to register for conferences at the member rate.
Among the first to take advantage of this new membership plan is the Osage News in Oklahoma. Welcome!
To learn more about newsroom membership, you can contact SPJ Chapter Coordinator Tara Puckey via email or phone: 317-927-8000, ext. 215. Or, check out the information available online.
With 2013 shaping up to be another wild ride for journalism and journalists, it may be the right time to bring your newsrooms into the largest, broadest-based organization for our profession anywhere.
Here are some more reasons to join us!
Excellence in Journalism 2013. The national conference unites members from SPJ, the Radio Television Digital News Association and–new this year–the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. August 24-26 in Anaheim, Calif.
NEW: Access to health, life, disability insurance and more benefits through WestPoint Financial Group.
Spring regional conferences. Sprouting up from coast to coast, there’s bound to be a conference near you. The one-day gatherings offer training, chances to network, and more. Find your nearest conference here!
Committee work. One of the best ways to make an impact on journalism and roll up your sleeves in the SPJ is to volunteer for a committee. This can especially satisfying if you live far from the nearest SPJ chapter and find it a challenge to attend meetings. Committees include people from around the country! Find a committee that suits your skills and interests here.
Resources and support for freelance and independent journalists. You are not alone! The freelance committee is among the most active and engaged in SPJ. The on demand resources for training and help are outstanding. Check it out!
For more insights into what SPJ can do for you (and vice versa), I encourage you to read more entries in this blog and peruse the rest of the SPJ blog roll.
Feel free to ask a question below, or email: me@hollyedgell.com
Tags: benefits, ethics, journalism, journalists, membership, newsroom, Society of Professional Journalists, SPJ, Tara Puckey