The Ball State University chapter sweetened its discussion of ethical dilemmas with two “Cookies and Ethics” programs in April 2010. The events were funded by a Region 5 Campus Chapter Programming Grant. Here’s the chapter’s description of the programs:

The April 1 session focused on the use of euphemisms in writing. Faculty adviser Renée Petrina’s presentation focused on specific examples of commonly used euphemisms in journalistic writing. While enjoying cookies and milk, attendees discussed the repercussions of such incidents and participated in an activity involving the identification of commonly used euphemisms. The National Association of Black Journalists was a co-promoter of the event.

The April 29 session focused on ethical issues within the journalism industry. Chapter president Megan Faulkner led discussion about junkets, “infotainment,” school-sponsored student media and numerous other ethical dilemmas pertaining to the field of journalism. Students were provided with free cookies and milk during the hour and a half discussion. The Ball State Daily News and various other student publications were represented at the event.

A reminder:  All campus chapters are required to file an annual report by Monday, April 26. Chapters must file an annual report to remain in good standing, to qualify for certain rewards in the star system, and to have voting delegates at the national convention, which is in Las Vegas Oct. 3-5, 2010. The annual reports are also used to determine regional and national chapters of the year. The form is available online (and can be submitted online) at  http://www.spj.org/ar-campus.asp. Please file your report NOW.

New provisional campus chapters at DePaul University and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis were approved by the SPJ Board of Directors at its spring board meeting April 17. Welcome to Region 5!  Both chapters have already held programs.

The DePaul University chapter, which has 35 members, has also elected officers: 

President: Nick Tarantino

 Vice President: Lauren Camplin

Secretary: Meredith Gonsalves

Event Coordinator:  Meghan Bower

Program Coordinator: Ali Trumbull          

Membership Coordinator: Katie Karpowicz

Publicity Coordinator: Katie Rosebrock

Mike Reilley, a DePaul assistant professor and editor of SPJ’s Journalist’s Toolbox web site, serves as the chapter’s adviser.

 The chapter has launched a web site, http://www.spjdepaul.comand a Twitter feed @SPJDePaul

Congratulations to all of the Region 5 Mark of Excellence winners. The complete  list of winners is posted at http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=957. First place regional winners advance to the national competition. National winners will be recognized at the 2010 SPJ Convention and National Journalism Conference in Las Vegas Oct. 3-5. The MOE luncheon is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 4.

Each year, the Society of Professional Journalists sponsors internships for 12 bright, motivated and hard working collegiate journalists to staff The Working Press, a daily tabloid newspaper that covers the SPJ National Convention. Student reporters, copy editors, photographers and designers are invited to apply for these select positions.

This year’s convention is set for October 3-5 in Las Vegas. Selected interns will need to arrive in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 2 and attend a mandatory 2 p.m. staff meeting. The internship ends Wednesday, October 6 at Noon.

You provide:
— Energy, talent, great ideas and a good attitude
— Your transportation to and from Las Vegas
— Photographers: Bring your own gear (digital)

The Society provides:
— Complimentary convention registration
— Complimentary accommodations at convention hotel
— Mentoring by professional journalists
— Networking venues
— A place to showcase your talents in front of many professionals

Eligibility

Applicants must:
— Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in journalism or a related field (graphic design, photography, etc)
— Not graduate before the start of the internship
— Be available to be in Las Vegas from October 2-6, 2010.

Applications will be accepted via mail or e-mail. The following must be submitted or your application will not be considered:
— Application available at  http://spj.org/pdf/workingpress-application.pdf
— Cover letter
— Résumé
— Three published clips, layouts or photos (relevant to the position you are applying for) Clips should be on 8.5 x 11 paper.

Mailed application postmark deadline: April 16, 2010
(E-mailed applications must be sent by Midnight, EST, on April 16, 2010)

Mail two sets of your application materials to:
Society of Professional Journalists
Attn: The Working Press
3909 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208

Or e-mail your application to Heather Porter at hporter@hq.spj.org

(If e-mailing application, the following file types will be accepted: PDF, Microsoft Word documents and JPG files).

Application materials will not be returned.

Applicants will be notified of their status by May 21, 2010.

The SPJ chapter at Western Illinois University received a Region 5 Campus Chapter Programming Grant to cover the costs of speaker Todd Frankel, a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter and ASNE award winner. Frankel spoke at WIU on Wednesday, March 10, and his speech was covered by SPJ member Lauren Finkler for the Western Courier.  Read the article at   
 http://media.www.westerncourier.com/media/storage/paper650/news/2010/03/12/News/A.Man.Of.Few.Words-3889684.shtml

Journalists or journalism educators are needed to help 
judge entries in SPJ’s Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest. The contest has categories for daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, online news sites, and TV and radio stations.

The contest is being judged nearly entirely online this year. Judging should be complete by early April.

If you are interested in helping out, contact Scott Maben at ScottM@SPOKESMAN.com

Six campus SPJ chapters have been awarded $100 regional programming grants to support activities during the remainder of the spring 2010 semester. As Region 5 director, I had originally planned to give five grants but when six worthy proposals were submitted, I decided to fund all six from regional funds.

Here’s how campus chapters plan to use the money:

The Western Illinois University chapter will bring Todd Frankel of the St. Louis Post Dispatch to campus March 10 for two speeches focusing on “Finding and Telling the Overlooked Story.”

 The newly formed Ball State University chapter will use its funds for a portfolio and resume critique (held Feb. 22) and for a series of “Cookies and Ethics” discussions Thursday nights in March.

 The Western Kentucky University chapter plans to bring writer Mary Meehan and photographer David Stephenson, who worked together for several years on a series titled “A New Dawn” for the Lexington Herald-Leader, to campus to discuss relationships between reporters and photographers.

Two of the grants will support First Amendment Free Food Festivals at the University of Southern Indiana March 18 and at Indiana University in April. Eastern Kentucky University will use its grant to support First Amendment Week activities April 5-8, which also will include a “No Free Lunch” event as well as a day-long visit to campus by journalist and former hostage Terry Anderson, and a film festival.

Congratulations to all of the grant recipients.

The deadline for applying for a Region 5 campus chapter programming grant is midnight Monday, Feb. 22.  Here are the details:

SPJ Region 5 has money available to fund up to five $100 grants to campus chapters in the region to be used for programming during the remainder of the spring 2010 semester. The grants can be used to support any type of programming your chapter holds before July 1, 2010.

Proposals should include:

— The chapter name and region number
— A contact person and his/her complete contact information including mailing, e-mail and telephone number. (If your chapter receives grant funds, this person will receive all communication concerning the grant).
— The name of the proposed program
— Date the program will be held
— A description of the program, including objectives.
— How the program will benefit the chapter’s members
— Any relevant details of the program, such as speakers and format
— The requested grant amount, not to exceed $100
— A preliminary budget on how the grant funds will be spent

Proposals must be submitted by midnight, EST, on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.  

Additional Details

— Grant recipients will be notified by Friday, Feb. 26, 2010.
— If your chapter is selected to receive a grant, the funds will be distributed AFTER your chapter submits the required grant program recap. To receive the grant funds, awarded chapters must file this report within one month of the completion of their program. Receipts for program related expenses should be submitted with the report. After the report/receipts are reviewed, your chapter will be reimbursed the amount of your grant (not to exceed $100) for expenses incurred for the program. The program must take place by June 30, 2010.
— Grant funds may cover travel expenses for speakers, but funds will not be awarded to cover speaker fees or honorariums.

Send your proposal to:   Liz Hansen, SPJ Region 5 Director, at liz.hansen@eku.edu

DEADLINE: Midnight EST Monday, Feb. 22, 2010

SPJ Region 5 has money available to fund up to five $100 grants to campus chapters in the region to be used for programming during the remainder of the spring 2010 semester. The grants can be used to support any type of programming your chapter holds before July 1, 2010.

Proposals should include:

— The chapter name and region number
— A contact person and his/her complete contact information including mailing, e-mail and telephone number. (If your chapter receives grant funds, this person will receive all communication concerning the grant).
— The name of the proposed program
— Date the program will be held
— A description of the program, including objectives.
— How the program will benefit the chapter’s members
— Any relevant details of the program, such as speakers and format
— The requested grant amount, not to exceed $100
— A preliminary budget on how the grant funds will be spent

Proposals must be submitted by midnight, EST, on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.  

Additional Details

— Grant recipients will be notified by Friday, Feb. 26, 2010.
— If your chapter is selected to receive a grant, the funds will be distributed AFTER your chapter submits the required grant program recap. To receive the grant funds, awarded chapters must file this report within one month of the completion of their program. Receipts for program related expenses should be submitted with the report. After the report/receipts are reviewed, your chapter will be reimbursed the amount of your grant (not to exceed $100) for expenses incurred for the program. The program must take place by June 30, 2010.
— Grant funds may cover travel expenses for speakers, but funds will not be awarded to cover speaker fees or honorariums.

Send your proposal to:   Liz Hansen, SPJ Region 5 Director, at liz.hansen@eku.edu

DEADLINE: Midnight EST Monday, Feb. 22, 2010