Recently a small puffy envelop arrived from SPJ headquarters. What could it be? An earring I lost at a convention? Valentine’s Day chocolate? It was something even better: a pin commemorating my 10 years of membership in the Society of Professional Journalists.

As many journalists can relate, dedicating oneself to anything career-wise can be a challenge in these times of churn in our profession. Layoffs, buyouts, closures, and just plain burnout… Not to mention our natural tendency to seek new opportunities, decide to take a break to go back to school, go it alone as a freelancer or entrepreneur or opt for more family life than work life. It all adds up to a tall order to stick with one job or one company for ten years.

Speaking for myself (having experienced many of the above-referenced vagaries of journalism life) I was more pleased than I would have imagined to get that 10-year pin!

Evolution and opportunity

The pin reminds me of my evolution in SPJ. It represents the support and opportunities that have come my way through the organization–not to mention the friends I’ve made along the way.

Membership has helped me in practical ways: training, resources, networking, mentoring, conferences (regional and national). The fact of being an active member who actually knows other active members as well as organization leaders and staff has opened doors in my career. I’ve judged MOE and SDX awards, organized a spring regional conference (and attended several), made a point to attend the national convention as often as possible, chatted on SPJ Blog Talk Radio, and more.

Over the past ten years, I’ve seen SPJ evolve into a broad based journalism organization that welcomes journalists from media platforms beyond newspapers and academe. Thanks to the efforts of Sally Lehrman (now an SDX Foundation board member) and her organizational descendents, the organization is reaching out to members from diverse background like never before.

This year’s national convention exemplifies both changes: For the third time, SPJ and the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) are teaming up for Excellence in Journalism 2013 in Anaheim. This year the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is joining in, too!

Ten for ten (years)

That 10-year pin got me thinking: Who else has been a member for 10 years? Linda Hall, our membership director at HQ, was kind enough to send me a few names. (Andy Schotz sent me a message on Facebook to let me know he also got his ten-year pin. Thanks, Andy)!

Joel Jay Campbell > associate professor, Brigham Young University

Carol Cole-Froe > independent journalist and  and adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma

David Joachim > weekend Washington editor. The New York Times; adjunct professor, George Washington University

Gerard T. Koeppel > journalist and author, Bond of Union, Building the Erie Canal and the American Empire (2009)

Beth Konrad > professor, Loyola University Chicago

Dominick Miserandino > owner, TheCelebrityCafe.com

Gayle Reaves-King > editor, Fort Worth Weekly

Andrew Schotz > assistant managing editor at The Gazette (Gaithersburg, Md.)

John Siegenthaler > founder, The First Amendment Center

Scott A. Thiesen > web producer, KSTP.com

Going the distance

Of course there are members who’ve stuck with SPJ far longer than ten years. I salute you! After posting a note about my pin in the SPJ Linkedin Group, I heard from a few other folks:

Elizabeth Kelly shared that she’s been a member for 18 years!

Eileen Sisk reported receiving her 35-year pin. Nice!

Jacqueline Jordan said: “Just got my 20-year pin. Not bad for a freelancer, huh? We revived our local pro chapter last year (San Antonio, Region 8) and will hold our first conference in several years in May!”

My SPJ Timeline:

2002. Joined SPJ as campus chapter adviser at Florida A&M University.

2005. Became a member of the first class of Diversity Leadership Fellows. Began blogging for “Who’s News: Diversity Everyday,” Who’s News: Diversity Everyday,” the SPJ Diversity Committee blog

2006. Ran for Campus Adviser At-Large. Lost.

2008. Ran for Region 7 Director (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska). Won!

2011. Asked by SPJ President John Ensslin to serve as national Membership Committee chair

2012. Asked by SPJ President Sonny Albarado to stay on as national Membership Committee chair

Ready to join or rejoin SPJ? Drop me a line with your questions: me@hollyedgell.com and find more information at SPJ.org.

> It’s $75 dollars for a full year of professional membership, $37.50 for student membership 

> We offer newsroom membership options.

> We offer collegiate institutional memberships

There’s quite a discussion going on among members of the Society of Professional Journalists group on Linkedin.

It started more than one month ago when Lisa Eramo, a freelance journalist in Rhode Island, posed a question about the ethics of journalists posting their opinions on social media pages, specifically those managed by their newsrooms. To date, there have been 82 comments, with a few heated exchanges!

For me, the thread that follows Lisa’s post raises several issues SPJ members might want to consider: both philosophical and practical. More on that in a moment.

First, here is a selection of the two cents being offered. Please note: The SPJ Linkedin Group group is members only, which implies a degree of privacy, so I am not including the names of the posters. (Lisa gave me permission to include her name and comment above). If you’d like to join the SPJ Linkedin Group, click here.

• “In my opinion, my opinion should be kept out of everything I write or edit in my professional role as a journalist. That would include an employer’s social media page. Yes, I have opinions. But my job, unless I’m a columnist, isn’t to share them.”
• “It is up to the general public to form their own decision about a matter based on the information as laid out. And for a journalist to post an opinion on their newspaper’s Facebook page, (directly or indirectly) affects that process.”
• “I’m hesistant to share my personal opinion on my own Facebook page – because nearly everyone I’m connected to associates me with my job – it’s the downside of the social media for reporters….”
• “Frankly, I’m not sure. I’ve been researching how bias is expressed rhetorically, and I think it’s mostly unconscious. It comes out in things like choice of adjectives, parenthetical remarks, etc. It might be better if reporters had their opinions on record somewhere – or maybe not. Sorry, all I’ve got is honest confusion. For practical reasons, their publications FB page might not be the best place to state where they’re coming from.
• When we as journalists step away from this mindset, we dilute the news process and step into the realm of telling people WHAT and HOW to think. And in my opinion, that is no longer journalism. Expressing one’s opinion as you’re hanging out with friends (in person or on your PERSONAL Facebook page), is fine.”
• “No.”
• “Does the paper itself have a policy? Seeing Courtney’s comment really helps. She appears to be engaging in a discussion rather than monitoring comments. I ran into this a lot at my previous job. When readers would engage me via company email about stories I edited in the magazine I stayed very neutral. I would explain myself, but not take sides. When they engaged me about the column I wrote, which was supposed to have a point of view, I had no problem issuing my opinion. Either way, however, I was very cognizant that whatever I put in writing could then be forwarded, re-posted, etc., so I never went beyond the line that I’d established in my column.”

So, back to the philosophical and practical thoughts.

What does the SPJ Code of Ethics say about social media and the personal opinions of journalists? SPJ Ethics Committee chair and past SPJ president Kevin Z. Smith wrote an eloquent post about this very question in September. It acknowledges that SPJ members have raised the issue of whether social media matters should specifically be addressed in the Code.

While the term “social media” does not appear in the Code, I think we can refer to these points to guide us:

• From “Seek the Truth and Report It” — Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
• From “Act Independently” —Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived; Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.

We might actually interpret the Code to actively use social media to fulfill our mission as journalists.

• Again, from “Seek the Truth and Report It” — Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant; Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
• From “Be Accountable” — Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct; Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media; Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.

On the practical side of things, it occurred to me that professional and student chapters could use this discussion and the issues it raises to develop programs that  would provide timely forums for frank talk about an issue that continues to fascinate and frustrate us.

Three ideas:

1. A panel discussion could feature a journalism ethics professor or a member of the SPJ Ethics Committee, a local news manager whose organization has progressive and evolving social media policy, and journalists who effectively use social media to engage with the community. Invite the general public, perhaps?

2. A Tweetup on campus or in a local public space where the social media and journalism conversation might evolve more organically

3. An Twitter chat or Google+ hangout about the subject

Whether we as an organization ultimately incorporate special social media language into the Code, or use it as a starting point for discussion and decisions is a matter that members can actually influence. That’s the beauty of membership in the Society. Let’s talk.

• Find an SPJ Ethics Committee member near you
• Find ethics help, resources and insights

Editor’s Note: The 2012 membership drive may be over, but I’m still in a membership state of mind. Remember, the membership committee is always interested in sharing thoughts and ideas from members, former members, and would-be members. So, drop me a line: me@hollyedgell.com.

A native of Phoenix, Anne Stegen is the president of Arizona State University’s SPJ chapter. Anne keeps herself pretty busy! Not only is she a journalism major in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, she serves as a resident hall community assistant and works as web administrator for ASU’s School of Social Work.

Guest Post by Anne Stegen, Arizona State University Society of Professional Journalists

I did not grow up wanting to be the anchor on the evening news. Reporters never drew my attention; they were just a part of every day life, updating citizens on goings on. Like many, my interest in journalism became apparent in my high school newspaper class. The North Canyon Rattler Review was a little, quarterly publication. School administrators designed it to give students writing skills; not to stir the pot and exemplify the First Amendment’s virtues.

Armed with a pen, paper, and 30 questions, I gained an interview with the football coach and the prodigy sophomore quarterback and muscled my way on to the football field. I had to prove I was a journalist by showing my equipment bag’s contents: a 3.1 megapixel point and shoot and my family’s first generation digital camera. I took photos that were mediocre at best, but photography from the sidelines was an honor that no of my fellow student reports had attained. It was a small story, but that experience changed my life forever.

At that Friday night football game in high school, I became a journalist. I felt important and privileged to see events unfold from a perspective that no one else had, and share that with others.

I joined SPJ in the fall of 2009–right out of high school–in my first semester at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The officers were so knowledgeable and the network of members was so vast, that I was swept into it fully. Now here I am, president of the premiere journalism organization at one of the best journalism schools in the country. Once again, I feel privileged that journalism has afforded me this opportunity.

My perspective has changed since that football game. I don’t want to be a news anchor or even a reporter, and the industry faces an uphill climb. I grew up coding my Neopets profile in HTML, and getting my father’s business’s website to the top of Google, which we now call SEO. Convergence is not a challenge for me because I already live it. I have to land that first job out of college, and I am hopeful because of my progressive media skills and SPJ’s network. I am a member of SPJ because I have just as much to contribute to the Society and the industry as it can give to me.

Connect with Anne on Twitter

Why join SPJ?

Find your SPJ chapter! 

Note to readers: The 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Membership Drive runs Sept. 4 to Oct. 4. As membership chair, I’ve assigned myself the task of sharing the stories of members around the country through a series of Q&A posts. If you would like to share your thoughts via Q&A or in a guest post, email me@hollyedgell.com. We are also interested in hearing from people wondering why they should join and former members who have constructive ideas about how SPJ can serve the profession. Please share these posts with non-members!

Q&A with Tara Puckey, SPJ Headquarters Staff

Tara is the perfect person to talk about how SPJ chapters power the entire organization. A freelance journalist, she knows the Society from several angles: member, national board member, and now Chapter Coordinator at HQ in Indianapolis. Tara’s job is to keep the Society connected to its chapters around the country and serve as a resource for those chapters and their members. Here’s how she describes the job on her Linkedin profile:

“Assist chapters around the world in building, growing and sustaining their membership while supporting the missions of the Society.”

Tara took the time in the busy week before Excellence in Journalism 2012 to answer five questions.

Edgell You’ve experience several aspects of the SPJ experience. What are some of the hallmarks of a strong chapter that serves its members well?

Puckey Strong chapters can often be tied back to good leadership and strong, unique programming. This business is changing and evolving, so the days where professionals could take paid time out of their day to sit and listen to lectures are gone. Journalists are looking for someone to remind them what an amazing craft this truly is, to teach them new skills and techniques in a way that is interactive and innovative, and someone to lean on. A strong chapter does all those things while staying connected to members and serving local interests as well.

Edgell I’ve heard you talk about the importance of chapters keeping in touch with members. In an age where personal connections seem to be dwindling, why is that local communication so important for chapters?

Puckey Members often come in two kinds: those who know SPJ in their own backyard and are unfamiliar with the national level or those who know SPJ on a national level but haven’t ever connected with SPJ on a local level. That has to change. Members need to know the great things SPJ is doing on a national level, which comes from good communication through the chapter level, but also need to be connected to journalists in their community.

One thing we know members want from SPJ is networking – for jobs, for friendships, for training. Networking is great on the national level, but it’s also important on a local level so we’re working hard to make sure that all members can know SPJ in their backyards.

Edgell Based on what you’re hearing from chapter leaders, what kinds of programming seem to be resonating with members right now?

Puckey Programming is constantly changing with the needs of journalism, which itself is constantly changing, so each and every year I see new and innovative programs that address some of the challenges our members are facing. Right now, members seem to be drawn to interactive programs, events where they’re not only learning, but also having fun and engaging with other professionals or students as well. Chapters are producing short videos, magazines and plays or gathering to conduct hands on training with social media pros. Overall, they don’t want to just sit and listen anymore, they want to do.

Edgell A couple of our regions cover a wide geographic area. Chapters can be physically far from their members and potential members. Any advice for how chapters engage with journalists in this context?

Puckey This has been an ongoing struggle. With changing technology, our members have found it easier to connect through tools like Skype. Some chapters are even holding events with it, cutting programming costs while keeping members connected to quality speakers.

Right now, there’s no official “right” answer for members that are far away from chapters. We’re working on finding the best way to give them a local connection, including networking and programming opportunities. In the meantime, I would encourage chapters with far away members to offer live streaming of events, start a Wiggio or other forum where members can have constant discussions about problems or issues they’re facing and to simply keep in contact with those members. Truthfully, an email or phone call makes members feel less disconnected, even when they aren’t able to attend programming or events in person.

Edgell You’ve been in your job at HQ for a few months now. What’s your favorite thing about working with chapters?

Puckey I think one of my favorite things about being at HQ is that I have the chance to get to know more chapter leaders and members. Another favorite is the fact that I’m able to facilitate sharing amazing ideas from one chapter to another. Sometimes that’s all it takes to spark greatness, so it’s rewarding to see a chapter in New York put a twist on a program originally held in Texas. And I have to add that working with SPJ “newbies,” who are always excited and enthusiastic, to start new chapters is another one of my favorite things.

Overall, I’m lucky that I fell into this great but sometimes messy business. And that I’m part of an organization that reminds me daily why I love it so much. SPJ is great for training and resources and advocacy and all our other important missions, but it’s mostly important to me because I’m connected with others who love it just as much as I do.

Connect with Tara Puckey: tpuckey@hq.spj.org > Twitter & Facebook. Or, give her a call: 317/927-8000 ext. 215

More about the SPJ Membership Drive: Toolkit and Calendar included!

Why join SPJ?

The 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Membership Drive runs Sept. 4 to Oct. 4. Just Tweet it! Please share your membership story on Twitter this month. The hashtag is #joinspj. I recommend adding #journalism as well.

You may know Sarah Bauer from her voice: She’s the host of  the monthly program “Your SPJ Memberbership” on BlogTalkRadio. She is Program Director at Minnesota Newspaper Association and also serves as co-chair of the SPJ Membership Committee.

As an active member of the Minnesota SPJ chapter, Sarah knows a thing or two about keeping chapters alive, kicking and relevant. She served as president of the chapter from 2010-11 and held other board positions before that. I asked her to share her “sales pitch” to journalists who have decided to leave the Society.

Guest Post by Sarah Bauer

I’ve talked to hundreds of SPJ members over the course of my work with the membership committee. We always try to reach out to former SPJ members and see why they left, and what it would take to bring them back to SPJ. A common response over the past few years has been, “I’m out of work,” or “I’m no longer working in journalism.”  And, for those members, there isn’t much that I – or anyone– could say to bring them back.  But, members do come back.

Here are a few things that often convince people to become a member of SPJ – again!

1. Camaraderie.
Whether you work in a newsroom, or freelance from your home office, SPJ provides an instant network of colleagues. When you connect with a local chapter, you’ll have regular opportunities to meet and greet journalists in your area.  Some of my best friends are journalists (no surprise, I guess), but they are all people I met through SPJ.  I go to them for advice, I go to them for hot media gossip. I go to them when I need help. I go to them when I need to disconnect from work.
2. Opportunities for Training.
SPJ provides countless opportunities for professional improvement.  From in-person gatherings at the local level, to SPJ’s eCampus online, webinars hosted by national, and resources like the Journalist’s Toolbox. In short, there are weekly, if not daily opportunities for training. Let’s not forget the national convention! Members get nearly a 50% discount to attend, and get two FULL days of top-notch sessions and hands-on instruction with nationally renowned speakers.
3. Recognition.
At the local and national level, SPJ provides opportunities for journalists to be recognized for their good work. Did you help bring down a corrupt politician with your sweeps piece? Did you write a six-part series helping regular citizens understand the intricacies of the city budget?  Did you look into your city’s public worker pension plan and expose wrong-doing or waste?  In Minnesota we have the Page One Awards.  At the national level, the Sigma Delta Chi Awards are doled out annually. Enter your best work in SPJ’s awards programs: members get exclusive entry fee discounts and access to awards programs.
4. Doing good.
SPJ is out in the real world, lobbying for a federal shield law. Paying legal bills for arrested journalists. Providing legal support for journalists. The staff and volunteers from all over the country work hard to make sure that journalists know how to submit FOIA requests (and work to make sure FOI laws stay on the books), they make sure public meetings stay open to the public, they train journalists to be better watchdogs. SPJ defends the First Amendment, and works daily to strengthen the Fourth Estate. If that doesn’t make you feel good about being an SPJ member, I don’t know what will.

Follow Sarah on Twitter

Connect with the Minnesota SPJ Chapter on Facebook & Twitter

More about the SPJ Membership Drive: Toolkit and Calendar included!

Why join SPJ?

 

Note to readers: The 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Membership Drive runs Sept. 4 to Oct. 4. As membership chair, I’ve assigned myself the task of sharing the stories of members around the country through a series of Q&A posts. If you would like to share your thoughts via Q&A or in a guest post, email me@hollyedgell.com. We are also interested in hearing from people wondering why they should join and former members who have constructive ideas about how SPJ can serve the profession. Please share these posts with non-members! 

Q&A with Brian Smith, Des Moines

Is Brian living the 21st Century journalism dream? He’s Assistant Digital Editor for Social Media at  the The Des Moines Register. Fresh out of Iowa State University, he has a very cool job at a pivotal political moment for the country. Brian was a leader of the Iowa State Leo Mores Chapter of SPJ and rose through the ranks of the award-winning Iowa State Daily.

Edgell You work for a major daily in a swing election state. What are some of the challenges and exciting elements you are coming across as a journalist?

Smith There is definitely a lot of excitement in Iowa right now. Paul Ryan’s first solo visit was at the soapbox The Des Moines Register sponsors at the Iowa State Fair. President Barack Obama was in the state on the same day as part of a three day bus tour. Some days its a struggle to find the time to experiment and try new ideas. Luckily, our editor is really passionate about digital and makes it a priority.

Edgell  When did you join SPJ and why?

Smith I joined SPJ my sophomore year in college. I was taking an intermediate reporting class and the professor was the adviser for the SPJ chapter at Iowa State. He encouraged me to join and I’ve been a member ever since.

Edgell Perhaps equally important, why do you remain a member? For example, what are the elements, resources, or tools you find most relevant and useful?

Smith I stayed in SPJ during college because of the great opportunities our chapter provided. Now that I’m out of school, I’m keeping my membership because of the regional conferences and online resources from SPJ. I met some great people during regional conferences and had a great time organizing last year’s at Iowa State.

Edgell Have you ever tried to recruit someone to join SPJ? How’d it go? What’s your pitch (whether you’ve actually tried to reel someone in or not)?

Smith I served as an officer in Iowa State’s SPJ chapter for two years. Part of our recruiting plan was to go to introductory classes and talk about SPJ. I usually emphasized the opportunity to network with fellow students who shared a passion for journalism. Our officers were often high level editors in student media organizations and the first to land jobs after school. Getting to know these people was always a big benefit for underclassmen.

Edgell Fill in the blank. Life without my SPJ membership would be _____________.

Smith ….less informed.

Connect with Brian on Twitter and Linkedin

More about the SPJ Membership Drive: Toolkit and Calendar included!

Why join SPJ?

Note to readers: The 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Membership Drive runs Sept. 4 to Oct. 4. As membership chair, I’ve assigned myself the task of sharing the stories of members around the country through a series of Q&A posts. If you would like to share your thoughts via Q&A or in a guest post, email me@hollyedgell.com. We are also interested in hearing from people wondering why they should join and former members who have constructive ideas about how SPJ can serve the profession. Please share these posts with non-members! 

Q&A with Tammy Merrett-Murry, St. Louis SPJ

Merrett-Murry is an award-winning college media adviser and program director for The Alestle at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, across the border from St. Louis. She has 14 years of student newspaper advising experience and 23 years of experience working in the field as a professional journalist–both as a reporter and editor. Merrett-Murry is the president the St. Louis SPJ Chapter.

Edgell You’re in the academic world of journalism. What are some of the key things you try to impart to students about our profession these days?

Merrett-Murry Before becoming an educator, I worked for community newspapers for a decade. Comparing that experience with what media is today has shown me first-hand that the media environment is evolving faster than what students are learning in the classroom can often keep up with. Journalism students cannot sit back and only do what’s expected of them in classes. One of the main reasons I went into higher education is because of all the things I wish someone had told me before I became a journalist. They must take the initiative to learn as many skills as they can on their own to make themselves more versatile and marketable. Work for your campus newspaper, television station or radio station. Soak up as many skills as you can.

Edgell You’re St. Louis SPJ Chapter President. If you had one minute (or two) to talk to every journalist in your community about joining SPJ, what would your pitch be?

Merrett-Murry By joining SPJ, you are joining an esteemed group of professionals across the country who hold good journalism and what it takes to be good journalists in the highest regard. These are your people and they “get” what it takes, what the challenges are. They are advocates for their fellow journalists as well. But, besides camaraderie, you have monthly opportunities in the St. Louis Metro area to make connections and get further education in issues that are important in the media for that week or that day. We even offer training through some of our programs for professional and student journalists alike through such events as our recent FOIA event and our upcoming annual college journalism boot camp.

Edgell When did you join and SPJ and why?

Merrett-Murry I joined SPJ in 2008 as a way to get more familiar with the professional journalists on the Illinois side of the river. This was shortly after I took the position of Program Director for The Alestle, the award-winning student newspaper at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Edgell Perhaps equally important, why do you remain a member? For example, what are the elements, resources, or tools you find most relevant and useful?

Merrett-Murry I remain a  member of SPJ because of my desire to help journalists in the area find a place where they can share their voice and not only have it heard by understood. Helping journalists connect with each other and to the issues of the day that shape our profession is important to me. I also work with a great group of board members who welcome and support me and the mission.

Edgell Fill in the blank: Life without my SPJ membership would be ___________.

Merrett-Murry …Not as well-developed professionally or as fulfilling personally as it is with my membership.

Connect with St. Louis SPJ on Facebook and Twitter

More about the SPJ Membership Drive: Toolkit and Calendar included!

Why join SPJ?

Note to readers: The 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Membership Drive runs Sept. 4 to Oct. 4. As membership chair, I’ve assigned myself the task of sharing the stories of members around the country through a series of Q&A posts. If you would like to share your thoughts via Q&A or in a guest post, email me@hollyedgell.com. We are also interested in hearing from people wondering why they should join and former members who have constructive ideas about how SPJ can serve the profession. Please share these posts with non-members! 

Q&A with Susan Stabley, Greater Charlotte SPJ

Stabley is a reporter at the Charlotte Business Journal. She and fellow Greater Charlotte SPJ members are in the thick of Democratic National Convention happenings, and the chapter is making itself useful to journalists who are covering the convention.

Edgell You and your fellow journalists are going to be covering the heck out of the DNC this week. The Charlotte SPJ chapter held a seminar this summer to help reporters get ready. How did it go?

Stabley Turnout was fantastic. We sold out and had to turn people away. It was standing room only and attendees came from as far as New York. The response was a phenomenal validation of the chapter’s work, especially that of our program director Cheryl Spanhour and Frank Barrows, our president. It’s one thing to think you have a great idea, a concept for a program. Our instincts told us there was a demand, a need for professional training. But you never really know until the program is out there.

Edgell Not everyone gets a national party convention in their backyard. Still, to what degree do you think timely tools and resources are draw for new members and a tangible value for current members?

Stabley Does the nth degree count as an answer? Newsrooms and broadcast stations can’’t afford continuing education. The new hires these days are cheap labor, right out of school that can be exploited, and as a result, there’’s a high burn out. Veterans are getting driven out, and media outlets then lose their institutional knowledge. The survivors are exhausted and dejected. Organizations like SPJ must provide support or our craft will be unable to fulfill its mission. There’s a reason why journalists became journalists, and it’s not the money. But we can’t continue to do our jobs and keep the faith without reinforcement. And it’s just not happening in the workplace right now.

Edgell When did you join SPJ and why?

Stabley Before I worked at the Charlotte Business Journal, I worked at a sister paper, the South Florida Business Journal. My real estate editor was Darcie Lunsford, a longtime leader in SPJ locally and nationally. She was always promoting the organization. I called her up a couple years ago, frustrated with the lack of a journalism community in Charlotte and asked her what I needed to do to start a chapter. She gave me advice and the right contacts at SPJ National, and then I turned to other journalists that I respected in the city and, we made it happen.

Edgell Perhaps equally important, why do you remain a member? For example, what are the elements, resources, or tools you find most relevant and useful?

Stabley Journalism is the greatest job in the world and it’s also one of the most stressful. There’ are days that turn into total nightmares. Worse still, is the quality of journalism overall. There’ are outstanding reporters out there but there’’s also a lot of crap. Our role is essential to a healthy democracy. Communities suffer when there’s no watchdogs. Or worse, when people instead get garbage news that just makes them more ignorant and irrationally angry. SPJ on the chapter level allows journalists to reenergize each other and also mentor each other. On a national level, SPJ sets a bar, enforces ethics, celebrates excellence and guards our First Amendment rights. We need this, perhaps now more than ever.

Edgell Fill in the blank. Life without my SPJ membership would be _____________.

Stabley How about: “Life with my SPJ membership is like sweet ice tea on a sunny, humid day. Refreshing. Just what I needed to beat the heat”.

Follow @CharlotteSPJ on Twitter for details and information about the DNC

More about the SPJ Membership Drive: Toolkit and Calendar included!

Why join SPJ?

Tuesday, Sept. 4 marks the first day of the 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Membership Drive. At the heart of what we are doing this year is encouraging members to reach out to friends and colleagues to encourage them to join our ranks.

There are three components:

1. Each one reach one (E1R1): One member makes an effort to recruit one person
2. Twitter Power Push: Light up the Twitterverse with information about SPJ > #joinspj
3. Programming: Making the most out of chapter events and meetings to engage new members

You can find details about each of these elements right here. 

As your membership chair, I’ve assigned myself the task of sharing the stories of actual members through a series of Q&A posts here on this blog.

Regional Directors have been sending me the suggestions for members to interview, and I welcome members to self-nominate! Basically, I’m asking five questions in an email that the parties in question answer.

And here’s a novel idea: I invite former members out there to share their stories, perspectives and/or ideas on how SPJ can serve the profession to use the comments section or even email me@hollyedgell.com about 400-500 words as a guest post.

Day 1: Cue (or queue) the Q & A

Check this blog Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. Central for the first Q&A post of the drive. It comes from Greater Charlotte Pro Chapter member Susan Stabley, a reporter at the Charlotte Business Journal. She and fellow chapter members are in the thick of Democratic National Convention happenings, and the chapter has been making itself useful to journalists who are covering the convention.

Follow @CharlotteSPJ on Twitter for details and information about the DNC.

Watch this space! (And, if you’re not a member, read this).

You can find chapters in your region using this handy map at http://www.spj.org/chapters.asp

Each week I receive a dispatch from SPJ membership guru Linda Hall. It includes stats about overall membership, and noteworthy news. This week’s message was especially heartening: We have eight new chapters and nine reactivated ones. A reactivated chapter is one that may have gone dormant for any number of reasons but has met the requirements to officially rejoin the ranks of the Society (see “Restoring Chapters to Good Standing” on the Start an SPJ Chapter page).

Welcome–and welcome back!

New chapters:

• Texas Panhandle Pro – Region 8
• Tarleton State University - Region 8
• Canisius College – Region 1
• Webster University – Region 7
• Regent University – Region 2
• Oakland University – Region 4
• Colorado Mesa University – Region 9
• Fullerton College – Region 11

Reactivated chapters:

• American University - Region 2
• North Carolina Pro - Region 2
• Franklin College – Region 5
• Wichita State University - Region 7
• Pepperdine University - Region 11
• University of Louisiana Monroe – Region 12
• Jacksonville State University – Region 3
• Auburn University - Region 3
• Hofstra University - Region 1

You can find your nearest chapter here. If one does not exist, learn how to start or re-start one.