As fall descends on Region 7, interest in SPJ continues to rise, and two prospective chapters are rising as well to meet that interest.

The society finally is gaining traction again in the Cornhusker State, a place where it once was prominent, as the fledgling Omaha-Lincoln chapter reintroduced the society by hosting last month in Omaha a get-to-know-you happy hour for media types, resplendent with swag bags and complementary chili con queso.

Nebraska does not have either a pro or student chapter, and is the only state in the region without them.

Though attendance at the event was modest, co-organizer Rob McLean said “it was a good beginning step to restart the chapter. People are interested, they see we’re here, and that’s the first step.”

“There’s professional interest” in SPJ “in Omaha, and we’ve got students from (the University of) Nebraska who are working with us, too,” Rob said.

To keep it going, Rob, of Hearst Television, and Katie Knapp Schubert, of Omaha Public Radio, are hosting an “election prep” study session at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at NuVibe Juice and Java in Lincoln. Besides refreshments, SPJ will provide election “cheat sheets” with contact information for candidates, as well as other election information and resources.

(Editor’s note: I campaigned for region director in part on the promise to bring SPJ back to Nebraska, and Rob is a former member of the award-winning St. Louis Pro chapter.)

Meanwhile, another fledgling chapter debuts next week at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., with its first function: an Ethics Hold ‘em card tournament, led off by a presentation on professional ethics by Rob Schneider, a Truman State alumnus and presentation director for the Dallas Morning News.

The card tournament features poker matches with cards incorporating ethical ideas and situations, and pits students against each other on their knowledge and understanding of both. Ashley Jost, who’s organizing the tournament and leading the drive for a new chapter, says local businesses are donating prizes to the event.

The tournament goes from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in the Barnett Hall Atrium. Anyone interested in playing a hand or two for a very good cause can contact Ashley for more details.

__________

Sure, it’s only October, and spring seems too far down the calendar to contemplate.

But time ticks down faster than you think, and soon you’ll have to consider making travel plans for the annual Region 7 conference.

In fact, the foundation is being laid for that conference right now, with help from the leaders of neighboring Region 5 (Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana). Because St. Louis is central to both regions, we decided to convene there, and very soon we expect to announce a venue.

After that, we’ll hammer out the smaller details, such as sponsors and costs.

But the whole show isn’t up to just us: Your input is important, too. Tell us now what kinds of programs you’d like to see included at the dual regional, and maybe also mention the speakers you’d like to see present them.

Last spring, the conference in Ames, Iowa, included sessions on multimedia and mobility, social media and document searches, and helpful tips for freelancers as well as news staffs. The one-day, all-day conference even helped lay the foundations for stronger chapters in Iowa, and a new chapter in Nebraska.

Next spring, journalists from Region 7 are sure to face a host of new issues and challenges, some of which already may be taking shape. What better place then to discuss them and get valuable advice from learned SPJ colleagues and other professionals than the annual conference?

So, take a few moments to let us know now your ideas for program sessions at next spring’s conference. Send those ideas to me, David Sheets, Region 7 director, at dsheets@spj.org. If you want to discuss ideas directly, include a contact number.

Springtime may seem a long way off, but it’s really just around the corner. Help the regional conference’s planners get a jump on the calendar by adding your input to our efforts today.

__________

Region 7 had a great spring conference in Omaha! We had about 75 participants, which I think is pretty good for a state without a professional chapter.  Speaking of that, I am excited to report that several Nebraska journalists have stepped up to get the ball rolling on reviving the state’s professional chapter.  If you are interested in getting in on this, contact one of the following folks:

Joe Radske, News Director FOX 42: jradske@kptm.com or 402-554-4207

Katie Knapp Schubert, News Director KIOS-FM: katie.schubert@ops.org

Carol Zuegner, Assoc. Professor Creighton University: czuegner@creighton.edu

It’s important to make this chapter a statewide outreach, so even if you’re far from Omaha & Lincoln, I hope you will consider joining SPJ to take advantage of great services and support. In fact, you can join right now! Then, let Joe, Katie or Carol know you’re on board.

Here is my Facebook photo album, showing the original Nebraska Pro Chapter charter for Sigma Delta Chi (SPJ’s original name), which hangs in the halls of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and snaps from the conference.

So here we are in Omaha.  I thought I would share some pictures of the Region 7 opening night reception at the Doubletree downtown.

All four states in the region were in the house, with journalists from:

Iowa – Waterloo, Dubuque, and Iowa City

Kansas – Wichita & Baldwin City

Missouri – St. Louis, Columbia

Nebraska – Omaha!

Plus, past president of SPJ, Dave Aeikens came down from Minnesota.

More throughout the weekend.

In just two days I will be heading to Omaha, Nebraska for the Region 7 Spring Conference. I am really excited about meeting with fellow journalists, journalism students, and anyone else who may show up!

We have a great lineup of sessions planned, which I hope will serve to enthuse and enlighten our attendees.  Another big hope: That by the end of the conference we will have planted the seeds of a new professional chapter for Nebraska.  I heard from Ruth Brown of Nebraska Press Women that there indeed used to be a professional SPJ chapter in the state.  These folks at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln were among the driving forces:

Larry Walklin

John Bender

Charlyne Berens

Tim Anderson

I have invited all of them to attend the conference and hope we can convince them to get involved with SPJ again.  Apparently, the original 1947 charter for the chapter still hangs in the halls of the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications!

We will talk about starting a Nebraska professional chapter at the conference business meeting on Saturday, April 10.  All conference attendees are welcome.

By the way, if you still want to register for the conference, you can do so online now, or on-site (more expensive).

The Radio Television Digital News Association announced its regional Edward R. Murrow Award winners today. RTDNA’s Region 5 corresponds exactly to our Region 7.  By the way, SPJ & RTDNA are joining forces for a national conference in 2011! Stand by for more information on that.

So, here are the winners in IA, KS, MO and NE.

Congratulations to all!

Radio, Large Market

Overall Excellence
KMOX-AM – St. Louis, MO
KMOX Overall Excellence
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Breaking News Coverage
KCUR-FM – Kansas City, MO
Breaking News
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Continuing Coverage
WOI-AM – Des Moines, IA
The Day the Music Died
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Feature Reporting
KMOX-AM – St. Louis, MO
The Bait Shop
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Reporting: Hard News
KMOX-AM – St. Louis, MO
Judge Jimmy Edwards
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Investigative Reporting
KMOX-AM – St. Louis, MO
Downfall of a State Rep
Listen to the winning entry

Audio News Series
KMOX-AM – St. Louis, MO
Culture of Corruption
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Newscast
KMBZ-AM – Kansas City, KS
Kansas City’s Morning News
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Sports Reporting
KWMU-FM – St. Louis, MO
Big Business in Midsummer Classic
Listen to the winning entry

Use of Sound
KMOX-AM – St. Louis, MO
History of St. Louis Rock & Roll
Listen to the winning entry

Web site
KWMU-FM – St. Louis, MO
stlpublicradio.org

Radio, Small Market

Overall Excellence
KTTS-FM – Springfield, MO
KTTS Overall Excellence
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Breaking News Coverage
KFDI-FM – Wichita, KS
Sheriff Deputy Murder
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Continuing Coverage
KFDI-FM – Wichita, KS
Justin Thurber Capital Murder Trial
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Feature Reporting
KBIA-FM – Columbia, MO
The Green Report
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Reporting: Hard News
KANU-FM – Salinas, KS
New Options For Traumatized Soldiers
Listen to the winning entry

Audio News Series
KSMU-FM – Springfield, MO
Dairy Farmers
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Newscast
KTTS-FM – Springfield, MO
KTTS Need to Know News
Listen to the winning entry

Audio Sports Reporting
KBIA-FM – Columbia, MO
Toughest Guy in Basketball
Listen to the winning entry

Use of Sound
KBIA-FM – Columbia, MO
The History Behind Bells
Listen to the winning entry

Web site
KTTS-FM – Springfield, MO
KTTS.com

Writing
KTTS-FM – Springfield, MO
KTTS Writing Entry
Listen to the winning entry

Television, Large Market

Overall Excellence
KSDK-TV – St. Louis, MO
KSDK Overall Excellence
Watch the winning entry

Video Breaking News Coverage
KMBC-TV – Kansas City, MO
I-70 Turnpike Tornado
Watch the winning entry

Video Continuing Coverage
KSHB-TV – Kansas City, MO
Save Your Home
Watch the winning entry

Video Feature Reporting
KSDK-TV – St. Louis, MO
Senior Prom
Watch the winning entry

Video Reporting: Hard News
KCTV – Kansas City, KS
Liberty Bus Crash: The NTSB Files
Watch the winning entry

Video News Series
KMOV-TV – St. Louis, MO
East St. Louis Police Investigation
Watch the winning entry

Video Newscast
KSDK-TV – St. Louis, MO
Church Shooting
Watch the winning entry

Video Sports Reporting
KSDK-TV – St. Louis, MO
Deaf Baseball Camp
Watch the winning entry

Use of Video
KCTV – Kansas City, KS
Behind the Curtain
Watch the winning entry

Writing
KSDK-TV – St. Louis, MO
Mike Bush – Writing
Watch the winning entry

Television, Small Market

Overall Excellence
KCCI-TV – Des Moines, IA
KCCI Overall Excellence
Watch the winning entry

Video Breaking News Coverage
WHO-TV – Des Moines, IA
River Rescue
Watch the winning entry

Video Continuing Coverage
WHO-TV – Des Moines, IA
Lexie’s Smile
Watch the winning entry

Video Feature Reporting
KCCI-TV – Des Moines, IA
Bud’s Gym
Watch the wining entry

Video Investigative Reporting
KWCH – Wichita, KS
FactFinder 12 Investigation: Small Smiles
Watch the wining entry

Video Reporting: Hard News
KYTV – Springfield, MO
VA Suicide
Watch the winning entry

Video News Documentary
KCRG-TV – Cedar Rapids, IA
Epic Surge
Watch the winning entry

Video News Series
WHO-TV – Des Moines, IA
13 Cares
Watch the winning entry

Video Newscast
KCCI-TV – Des Moines, IA
News Channel 8 at 6
Watch the winning entry

Video Sports Reporting
KOMU-TV – Columbia, MO
Tiger Toilets
Watch the winning entry

Use of Video
WHO-TV – Des Moines, IA
Crossroads
Watch the winning entry

Web site
KTKA-TV – Topeka, KS
KTKA.com

Writing
KCRG-TV – Cedar Rapids, IA
Mark Geary Writing Composite
Watch the winning entry

I am excited to report that we’ve added a resume “reboot” clinic to the program for the Region 7 Conference in Omaha.  It’s Saturday, April 10 from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m.  We will have pros from different media platforms to critique your resumes and provide advice.  There will be a sign-up sheet at the registration desk, so be sure to put your name down for a reserved 15-minute session.

What you will need: Two hard copies of your resume (one to leave at registration for pre-session review, one to bring to reboot clinic). If you have an e-portfolio online, bring your laptop to the session for feedback.

There’s less than a month until the conference, and early bird registration closes at midnight on March 9.  If you’re coming from out of town, be sure to make your hotel reservations at the Doubletree.  The rate is $109 per night.

See you in Omaha!

This past weekend your regional director traveled from Columbia, MO to Omaha, NE (about 4.5 hours via I-70, I-435, I-29, I-480) to do some advance work for the upcoming Region 7 Spring Conference.  Journalists and journalism students (and anyone else who pays registration) will gather at the Downtown Omaha Doubletree Hotel on April 9-10, 2010.

The Doubletree turns out to be ideal for our conference:  It’s centrally located (easy access to the interstate, Dodge Street and other arteries), easy to find, and near a number of Omaha’s top destinations and sites (like the Old Market neighborhood, Durham Museum, Joslyn Museum, Orpheum Theater, the Qwest Center, Creighton University, and more). A few miles down Dodge Street you’ll find the Dundee neighborhood — where I sampled the great cuisine at Goldbergs II Dundee — the University of Nebraska-Omaha Medical Center, the University of Nebraska-Omaha campus, a Borders, Target, and — wait for it — Nebraska Furniture Mart.

The Doubletree also has a free airport shuttle, pool, restaurant, gift shop (where you can find fresh Starbucks coffee), workout facilities, onsite parking ($7 a day).  My room was great:  updated and clean.  There is free wireless in the public areas and plug-in Web access in the rooms for $9.  We’ll be in the Lewis and Clark Rooms (side by side) for our panels and sessions and in the Winnebago Room for the Mark of Excellence luncheon.

Based on my experiences this weekend and some research, here are ten things you might want to check out while in Omaha — AFTER the conference of course.  They are in no particular order.

1 — Old Market.  A cool neighborhood spreading across numerous blocks downtown.  It’s home to restaurants (I saw Indian, Persian, and French for starters), bars, shops (I picked up a few eclectic items at a place called Souq), and carriage rides. Although it was pretty brisk weather-wise this weekend, I can imagine sitting at on outdoor table come springtime.

2 — Marcus Midtown Cinema.  I did not experience this for myself, but I have it on good authority that this is the ultimate in “dinner and a movie.” You can literally watch and movie and order dinner on one floor of the cinema.  It’s called “CineDine.” There also are a couple of bars, plus the usual concession goodies.

3 – Durham Museum. This is a history museum housed in the former Omaha Union Station.  It’s very cool! Especially if you are a train buff.  I enjoyed the view of Omaha and Council Bluffs, IA from atop the parking area.  You can actually board old trains and get a sense of the railway’s glory days.

4 — Joslyn Museum.  Omaha’s art museum. From the web site: “In formation since 1931, Joslyn Art Museum’s collection now contains more than 11,000 works of art from all over the world, antiquity to the present, with a concentration on 19th and 20th century European and American art.” This is definitely a must for me in April.

5 — Gambling.  Council Bluffs, IA is home to at least three casinos that I counted as I drove along I-29.  Ameristar, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe.  Council Bluffs is just a across the river from Omaha.

6 — Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. This zoo is widely known for its efforts in animal conservation and research. Even better, it’s a big hit with the locals, always a good sign.

7 — El Museo Latino. There is a permanent collection as well as rotating exhibits. Right now the museum is featuring “History of Latinos in Omaha: 1890 through Present,” and “Ex-Votos and Retablos: Miracles on the Border.”  This is another site that I will try to squeeze in come April.

8 — Omaha Royals Basebell.  The team will be at home the weekend of the conference!  There’s a four-game series against Memphis April 8-11.

9 — Boys Town. This is the original: Father Flanagan’s Boys Home is now a National Historic Landmark. It’s still very much in operation and open to the public.

10 — Omaha Children’s Museum.  Interactive exhibits focused on art and science.  The Museum features a kid-sized grocery, a fire rescue area, science and technology lab and much more.

If you know of other Omaha activities I should add to this list, please drop me a line at edgellh@missouri.edu.

Stay tuned for more details, developments, etc.  For students, please remember to enter your work in the Mark of Excellence Awards!

Found these on the AEJMC web site:

IOWA

Drake University: Assistant Professor of Multimedia Journalism

University of Iowa: Assistant Professor of Health Communication/Digital Communication

University of Iowa: Assistant Professor of Visual News/Digital Communication

NEBRASKA

University of Nebraska-Kearney: Assistant Professor of Communication (Advertising/Public Relations)

MISSOURI

Maryville University: Assistant Professor in Media

University of Central Missouri: Assistant Professor of Communication in Public Relations

St. Louis University: Assistant Professor of Multiplatform Journalism

Found these on various other sites:

University of Kansas:  Stauffer Professor

St. Louis Community College (Missouri): Instructor/Assistant Professor, Digital Media & Graphic Design

Maryville University (Missouri) : Assistant Professor, Graphic and Interactive Design

St. Charles Community College (Missouri): Adjunct Faculty

Southern Illinois University: Assistant Professor, Convergent Communications & New Media

Fontbonne University (Missouri): Assistant Professor of English (non-fiction writing and journalism)

Grand View University (Iowa): Assistant Professor of Communication (Photography)

I am starting to get excited about the Region 7 Spring Conference!

When: April 9-10, 2010

Where: Omaha, NE at the Doubletree Hotel downtown

Keep in mind, we are in the early stages of getting this together, so our plans are subject to change.  Still, I wanted to give you an idea of how things are shaping up!

We’ll kick things off Friday night with SPJ’s very own “Ethics Hold ‘Em,” a version of the game where everyone wins (ethically speaking)! See this link from a South Florida Pro chapter event for more

Folks in the region, Heather Porter at SPJ headquarters in Indianapolis, and I have come up with the following subjects/topics for our sessions:

Multimedia –  Ron Sylvester of the Wichita Eagle who will showcase some great ideas for taking traditional journalism forms to the next level.

FOI/Sunshine – Charles Davis and Randy Brown of the The National Freedom of Information Coalition and the FOI Advocate have a great presentation that will open your eyes to open records.

Diversity from the ground up: Hiring and beyond – I am assembling a panel that includes SPJ Diversity Committee Chair Pueng Vongs.  Looking for at least one more panelist!

Federal Shield Law — Working on a great keynote speaker who can enlighten us, whether we have a law by April or not.

First Jobs — Early career journalists talk about the strategies that worked for them when they embarked on their post college job hunt.

Entrepeneurship for Journalists – Carla Kimbrough-Robinson (you may have read her regular Quill column on career development) will share her strategies.

Of course the Mark of Excellence lunch where we honor student journalists from the region will be a highlight on Saturday!  We’ll wrap up the conference Saturday afternoon with a business session.  I hope we can rope in some Nebraska journalists to start a professional chapter!  If you know you are interested in getting in on the ground floor, it’s not too early to let me know.

You’ll notice that we are not building the conference around traditional media “tracks.” No broadcast-only or print-only sessions.  I expect multimedia and media convergence themes to be part of every session in one way or another.  Many of us are already working across two or more platforms.  As Ron Sylvester says, one day soon it’s likely we will ALL be multimedia journalists.

With all of the above in mind, any ideas for a tag line or conference “theme?” I await your ideas!  Watch this space for information about registration, hotel room rates and more.