Reunited! I met two former Mizzou students now gainfully in journalism: Erica Bennett and Crystal Hilliard.

The phrase above was the theme of the 2012 National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair, winding down today in the Crescent City.

Check out the NABJ Monitor, the multimedia student project featuring work by college journalists from around the country

The last time I was in town was also a professional occasion: Excellence in Journalism 2011 in September. That was my first visit to New Orleans and the first joint gathering for the Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio Television Digital News Association.

The NABJ convention comes in the wake of the layoffs at the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and NABJ offered journalists let go by the paper free admittance to the Career Fair, which is a famous and very effective element of the NABJ annual convention.

Related: Times-Picayune to print only three days a week come fall

Shop window sign on Toulouse Street, New Orleans French Quarter (June 2012)

Media company recruiters come to NABJ with real jobs to hire people. The broadcast networks, big papers, news services, television ownership groups, new media, magazine publishers — you name it; they are here. (CNN was conspicuously absent this year, by the way). At any rate, I hope the Career Fair was beneficial to laid off Times-Picayune employees.

So, what is a laid off journalist to do?

Never having been laid off myself, I can only imagine how it feels. One editor attending NABJ–and still employed by a major metro daily–told me she’s beginning to think about what her options in the event the axe falls her way. Teach? Freelance? Consult? Go on unemployment and take stock? Start a business?

There’s no doubt that journalists are in a “hope for the best, prepare for the worst” moment. SPJ can help.

A fully employed SPJ member may utilize his or her membership in certain ways, and not even be aware of all that belonging to SPJ can mean, so here are a few reminders:

• Training to reboot your skills
• Committees in journalism interest areas that provide insights and share resources
• Freelance directory to showcase your work
• Local chapter activities where you can network
• The spring conferences around the country (check the SPJ website for news about when and where starting around the first of the year)
• The national Excellence in Journalism convention. This year it’s in Fort Lauderdale from Sept. 20 to 22.
• …and much more!

The SPJ Freelance Committee is one the most supportive and welcoming groups in the organization, so I strongly urge any journalist seeking to work independently to engage with a member or two. You can find all committee chairpersons and their contact information here.

More: full roster of SPJ Freelance Committee members

• If you are not an SPJ member, do consider joining! You can shoot me an email with any questions: me@hollyedgell.com.

There are two ways that you can get to this year’s super-duper-mega conference in Fort Lauderdale, Sept. 20 to 22.

• The Terry Harper Memorial Scholarships. This program is specifically designed to get journalists to the conference. It includes:

— A convention registration
— Three nights stay at the convention hotel, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
— Airfare to Ft. Lauderdale(Up to $250)
— Tickets to the convention’s two ticketed meal events

• The Diversity Leadership Fellows Scholarship. I was part of the first class of fellows back in 2005. It’s designed to encourage members from diverse backgrounds to pursue greater participation and leadership within SPJ. In my case, it worked! I’ve served on the national board and the Diversity Committee, and now I am the national Membership Committee chair. This scholarship includes:

— A convention registration
— Four night stay at the convention hotel, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
— Airfare to Ft. Lauderdale (Up to $300)
— Tickets to the convention’s 2 ticketed meal events

If you’ve been to a national SPJ convention you know it’s jam-packed with great training and networking opportunities for journalists across the mass media spectrum. The partnership with RTDNA proved very potent for last year’s convention in New Orleans, yielding more great speakers and programs than ever.

Read More: The EIJ 2011 recap

I encourage members who may not have the conference in their budget to apply for one of the two scholarship opportunities! The deadline for both is June 11.

Holly Edgell with Jason Lamb, reporter at KTUU-TV in Anchorage, at EIJ 2011 in New Orleans.

Lynn Walsh is the Investigative Producer for WPTV, the NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach, Florida. She is also the Chairwoman for SPJ’s Generation J Committee. You can get in touch with Lynn on Twitter @LWalsh and Lynn.K.Walsh@gmail.com.

It’s that magical moment in the life of the budding journalist: graduation and–soon after–one’s dream job. Well, perhaps not the dream job right away. That’s part of the reason behind this guest post. While many college journalists find it worthwhile to join SPJ on campus, they often may not realize how membership can help them in the real world.  Thanks to Lynn for this timely contribution!

Graduation is right around the corner for many of you. That means you probably are not thinking about anything except for jobs, jobs, jobs. Some of you may have one, others may not.

When I was graduating I fell into the still-seeking category. Unless what you were talking about had to do with employment, I wasn’t interested. I was lucky and did find a part-time job and then a full-time position pretty soon after graduation. Still, looking back on my search I remember one thing that a mentor told me: be sure to join SPJ.

I was a member during my early years in college but then let the membership lapse. After hearing similar advice a few times and seeing the discounted rate for recent graduates ($37.50 a year for three years after graduation or three years for just $75) I decided to take their advice; it is definitely one of the better decisions I have made.

• More on SPJ membership

Why SPJ?

Well, I could start with the amazing contacts I have made or even all of the great story ideas and writing and investigating tips. I could mention help my many job searches or the recommendations written for me by SPJ members as I was trying to get back into the TV news business. I could also discuss the journalists who have become more than professional contacts over the years and have turned into mentors and friends.

I can genuinely say that SPJ has helped me obtain two of my post-college journalism positions. Events sponsored by SPJ have put me in contact with amazing training opportunities that have taught me more in 45-minute sessions than I learned in some 10-week college courses.

SPJ offers me a breath of fresh air every time I open my mailbox to find my Quill magazine filled with “Toolbox” articles. By the time I am done, it’s not much of a magazine because I have pulled almost all of the pages out to find more information about a topic and use the tools and resources mentioned.

Welcome to the real world

I have truly gotten more out of SPJ as a professional member than I did as a college member. That said, campus chapters offers a lot at the college level; maybe I probably was just not taking advantage of it at the time. Now that I am taking advantage of it, it is worth every penny.

Important tip! Once you graduate, keep SPJ posted on how to get in touch with you. You can update your SPJ profile OR email Linda Hall at headquarters: lindah@hq.spj.org

And there’s more!

• Find your nearest chapter
• Start a chapter
• Check out the SPJ Blogroll
• Join a committee
• Training
• Freelancer Resources
• Generation J

Join host Sarah Bauer, SPJ membership committee chair, and Dana Neuts, SPJ freelance committee chair. this Thursday, December 9 at 1 p.m. (EST) on BlogTalkRadio.com for a 30-minute podcast discussing the many SPJ benefits available to freelancers. Learn more about the freelance committee’s projects, resources and more.

Got a question? Call in during the show to contribute to the conversation (to join, call 347-857-2441).

Listen in Thursday at 1:00 EST: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/spj/2010/12/09/your-spj-membership

Can’t listen in live? No worries – we’ve got you covered! Listen to the archived show online (and past shows!) at BlogTalkRadio.com/SPJ.

If you haven’t listened to the new SPJ podcast – Your SPJ Membership – tune in at 1 p.m. EST on Nov. 11. Put together by the Membership Committee, this monthly podcast addresses the latest SPJ and journalism news while providing information for making the most of your SPJ membership. Listen in at BlogTalkRadio.com. Also, feel free to call in during the show with any questions and they will be answered live.

Also, feedback on the show and suggestions for topics are welcomed. Please e-mail Holly Fisher at holly(at)fishers2000.com.

1.    The journalism profession is changing and you need to keep up with what’s new.
2.    Be cutting edge – learn new technology and techniques at national, regional and local workshops and conferences.
3.    Access members-only areas of SPJ.org for job listings, a freelancers’ directory, online training opportunities and additional member benefits.
4.     Add your voice to an organization that fights for journalists, FOI and a free press.
5.    Discounts to national conventions, regional conferences and local chapter events.
6.    Networking – key if you’re hunting for a new job or need to consider your options in this tough job market.
7.    Find a network of people passionate about journalism and willing to support you when you need it.
8.    Learn from fellow SPJ members. The organization is a diverse group of ages, backgrounds and skill levels. You have the opportunity to share your expertise with others while learning new tips and tricks from your colleagues.
9.    Have fun! SPJ is made up a terrific group of people who are not only colleagues but friends.
10.    Save money – SPJ is significantly less expensive than other national journalism organizations.
What’s your reason?

When I asked in the last blog post what would prompt people to join SPJ right now, “networking” was a common answer. It’s not surprising, really, considering the uncertainly of our industry. For student journalists concerned about finding a job, for young professionals unsure worried about pink slips and for seasoned professionals who have found themselves in the unemployment lines, this is a tough time.

And in tough times, you need a support system. That’s were SPJ comes in handy. Once you join, you’re connected to a few thousand friends and supporters – people willing to lend a hand, offer advice or encouragement or simply listen if you’re worried about your future. SPJ members also can give you a professional boost by connecting you to job openings, introducing you to hiring managers, serving as mentors and giving your resume an editor’s eye.

SPJ as an organization provides a host of conferences – national and regional – along with various professional development workshops and programs aimed at helping you learn new skills so you can be part of a new world of journalism.

I’d say that’s pretty good deal for $72.

Think of the things people will drop $72 for without a second though: a pair of jeans, date night, concert tickets, a few too many Starbucks trips … and the list goes on. Look at all the people who jumped at the chance to buy a new $500 iPad.

All those are one-time expenses for items that are either immediately consumed or eventually replaced. But growing a network of lifelong professional contacts (and friends), learning new skills and figuring out a way to stay in a business that changes almost daily – those lessons won’t be gone in the time it takes you sip a latte or polish off a fine dinner.

SPJ has staying power – but only if you join the network and only if you stay.

Having joined SPJ as a college sophomore, in many ways I feel like I’ve always been a SPJ member. It’s hard to remember a time when I wasn’t involved in SPJ – a student chapter, professional chapters, as a regional director or as a member of a committee.

I’ve been giving a great deal of thought about a message I want to send to colleagues and friends who aren’t members asking them to join. SPJ does many different things for many different people. Some may find it valuable for networking, others for training, some for the freelance job directory and still another group who believe strongly in the power of journalism.

All of those reasons are compelling, but I’m wondering what would make me join SPJ now if I had never been a member (or hadn’t been a member in a long time)? I’m curious to hear from new members about what prompted them to join now. And long-time members, what would make you join now?

It probably seems like ages ago, but I promise you, it’s only been three weeks or so since we met in Indianapolis.  Since then I’ve spent three days in Orlando being deposed in a defamation case (no, I’m not in trouble) and 6 days in Wales delivering a paper at a conference on the Future of Journalism (yes, there is one!).  Plus, I had to keep may day job, so those are my excuses for not getting this out to you more quickly.

We have some new members on the committee:
Mia Rhodarmer, Editor and Publisher of the Advocate-Democrat in Sweetwater, TX
Ann Augherton, Managing Editor, Catholic Herald, Arlington, Virginia
Mike Walter, President, Walter Media, Washington, DC

At our meeting in Indy we talked about the types of questions we’d like to include on the survey HQ will be sending out to members.  Proposed questions centered on topics such as how do you like training delivered (online vs. in person, travel to training vs. have training come to you), as well as the types of training, i.e. which new media skills are needed or even whether help is needed in selecting hardware and software.  We also wanted to know how great the interest was in entreprenuerial journalism, social media skills, etc.  (Kevin, I have not sent those questions to you yet, but I’ll be working on getting those to you today or tomorrow.)

Kara proposed and the rest of us agreed that we’re interested in talking to HQ about the possibility of adding a social media module to the courses offered in the newsroom training program.  Obviously, we may want to wait for the survey results before committing to developing the content, but Kara also suggested that Jeff Cutler might be an excellent choice for creating the module.

We discussed a few sessions we’d like to propose for the 2010 convention, including sessions in which multimedia journalists might show & tell – show us their work and then tell us how they accomplished it technically, we might also propose a session on multimedia time management – how does one person do it all.  We discussed a session on the increased pressures newsrooms face to make money in ways they probably wouldn’t have considered in the past, i.e. Gannett’s advertorials, a Maine TV station that let an organization pay for travel on a story, etc.

During the last few months, the SPJ membership committee and the national staff have talked about ways to possibly help laid-off journalists continue paying their SPJ membership dues. We are concerned about losing these unemployed reporters as members, perhaps permanently.

Some ideas that have been discussed include having local chapters contribute to a fund that could be used to temporarily pay dues for laid-off members, possibly for six months; reducing the membership fee for journalists who have lost their jobs, perhaps to $36; or waiving the fee altogether and giving the unemployed reporters an electronic membership.

None of these ideas, though, seem to be a clear favorite. So I’m asking for your help. Please let me know what suggestions you have. What can SPJ do to help retain members who have lost their jobs and, due to financial hardships, are unable to continue paying their dues? Do you like any of the above ideas? And would your chapter contribute to a fund for laid-off journalists?

You can respond either by adding a comment to this post or by sending me an e-mail at john.huotari@oakridger.com.

Thank you.

John Huotari
SPJ Membership Committee Chair

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Membership on Friday, March 13, 2009– 8,645
Membership one year ago — 9,212