Journalists are doing a lot more in the field with tools designed for reporting and posting while on the go. Find out how on Monday, Nov. 14, when Chip Mahaney, Director of Digital Content for Scripps Media, Inc., speaks to the SPJ Louisville Pro Chapter on the topic of Mobile Journalism. He’ll be presenting at Interactive Media Lab, 124 N. First St., Louisville, beginning at 7 p.m. Chip is a nationally known speaker on this topic and we’re glad to have him in Louisville. The presentation is free and open to the public. Please mark your calendars and invite a friend.

Submitted by Robyn Davis Sekula

Region 5 chapters and leaders received numerous awards at the Excellence in Journalism 2011 Conference in New Orleans.

Al Cross, former Region 5 Director and SPJ national president in 2001-2002, received the Wells Key, the Society’s highest honor.

Tara Puckey, founding president of the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis SPJ chapter who also served two years as a student representative on the national board, received the Julie Galvan Outstanding Graduate in Journalism Award. The award is based on character, service to the community, scholarship, proficiency in practical journalism and contributions to the student’s SPJ chapter.

The Chicago Headline Club was named the national large chapter of the year and the DePaul University chapter was named the national student chapter of the year.

The Chicago Headline Club also took home three Circle of Excellence awards in the FOI, diversity and professional development categories.

Region 5 four-year universities won first place in three categories of the national Mark of Excellence contest:

Best Affiliated Website–wkuherald.com, Herald Staff, College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky University

Best Independent Online Student Publication–North by Northwestern, North by Northwestern Staff, Northwestern University

Online News Reporting–“CampusCrime.net,” CampusCrime.net Staff, CampusCrime.net, University of Illinois

One more distinction for Region 5: Three of the 12 student staff members selected for The Working Press, the conference’s daily newspaper, attend universities in Region 5. The are Mary Barczak, Eastern Kentucky University; Corinne Chin, Northwestern University; and Olivia Ingle, Butler University.

Congratulations to all!

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Congratulations to Mike Reilley, a member of the Chicago Headline Club and adviser to the DePaul University Chapter, who was named the first natuional SPJ Volunteer of the Month. SPJ President John Ensslin awarded the honor to Reilley for his work with the Digital Media Committee as well as his role as adviser to the student chapter at DePaul University.

“Volunteers are the backbone of our Society, and Mike is an excellent example of someone who has put his full talents to use in the service of SPJ,” Ensslin said.

Here’s what I wrote when I nominated Mike for this new award:

“He did a phenomenal job in creating and advising the DePaul University chapter of SPJ, which was named national Campus Chapter of the Year for 2010-11 in only its second year of existence.

“Second, as creator of The Journalists’ Toolbox and through #SPJChat (@spjchat) on Twitter, he has enhanced professional development for both professional and student members of SPJ.”

If you know of an SPJ volunteer worthy of being nominated for this honor, email John Ensslin at jensslin@spj.org with the name of your nominee and why that person should be considered.

Region 5 again has money available to fund up to five $100 grants to campus chapters in the region to be used for programming during the 2011-12 academic year. The grants can be used to support any type of programming your chapter holds before May 1, 2012.

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 Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.

Additional Details

— Grant recipients will be notified by Friday, Nov. 11, 2011.
— 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 May 1, 2011.
— 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 spjliz@gmail.com

DEADLINE: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011