The folks in Columbus are waaaaay ahead of the pack in planning for the Region 4 Conference next April! How much ahead? They’ve already put out a call for programs. In September. Gonna be a good one. So plan now for a trip to central Ohio April 4-5, 2014. And send all your programming ideas to Central Ohio President Beth Gianforcaro ASAP!

Her call for program ideas will get you started:

This year’s conference will focus on three themes:

1.       Contemporary Issues – Key news or other issues of particular importance to journalists and other communicators;

2.       Tools / Training Needed on the Job – Specific skill-building trainings that journalists and other communicators need to know to do their job well;

3.       Personal / Professional Development— Particular topics that enhance the personal and professional well being of journalists and other communicators.

…. we are seeking recommendations or proposals from you for outstanding speakers who might like to participate in this conference, panelists for a specific topic in one of the three key theme categories. Perhaps you or someone you know or work with would be a good presenter.  We are looking for names, contact information and a brief description of the specific subject matter to which the speaker can address. 

 Please send your e-mail recommendations to me at bgianf@aol.com  by Friday, October 4, 2013. All recommendations will be considered by the 15-member board of directors for the Central Ohio Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists as they finalize plans for the conference.  

 Watch for more conference details at http://www.centralohiospj.org/ or http://2014spjregion4conference.com/ or follow the event on Facebook.

Great job, Team Columbus!

One more item for the day:

The National Board agenda included much discussion on inactive chapters — with even more discussion about pulling the charter of the Philadelphia chapter for lack of activity.

In Region 4, the following chapters (all student ones) are now considered INACTIVE. That does not mean their charters are revoked, but simply that they are not currently operating.

I will be reaching out to J Programs at all these  institutions, but if you have any help info on any of the chapters, please be in touch.

• Bethany College
• California University of Pennsylvania
• Central Michigan University
• Cleveland State University
• Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
• Lorain County Community College
• Otterbein College
• Shepherd University
• Shippensburg University
• University of Toledo
• Wayne State College

The Region 4 Spring Conference “Journalism Rebooted” is fast approaching. The dates are March 23-24 in Lansing, Michigan. The registration Eventbrite site is now open at http://spjmi.eventbrite.com/. The Mid-Michigan pro chapter is doing a great job getting it all together and we have a kick-butt lineup of speakers – with a theme about the changing face of journalism.

Here is the info from the site:

The Mid-Michigan Pro and Michigan State University student chapters invite you to the 2012 SPJ Region 4 Spring Conference, “Journalism Rebooted,” on March 23-24 in East Lansing. Register by March 15 to avoid a $10 late fee. We’re lining up a schedule loaded with journalism innovators and experts to help you be a leader in this changing industry. For details on the conference schedule, visit www.spjmi.org. A limited block of rooms are available at MSU’s Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center at the special rate of $95/night. The Kellogg Center is within walking distance of downtown East Lansing and along the Entertainment Express bus route linking the Lansing and East Lansing downtowns. Book your room online now or call 800-875-5090. Use Group No. PFJ033012. Book your room by Feb. 22 to guarantee this rate. Join us Friday night for an opening reception at Dublin Square in downtown East Lansing. Then the work begins on Saturday, as we fill MSU’s Communication Arts & Sciences Building with student and professional journalists from across Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. And join us for the annual Mark of Excellence Luncheon on Saturday, where we honor the best in college journalism from across the region. Looking for other things do during your trip? Check out the new Greater Lansing mobile app from the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau or find out more about downtown East Lansing here.

The Metropolitan Detroit Chapter has launched a slick new Web site, put together by new chapter webmaster Celeste Filiatrault, of the Oakland Press.

Re-elected President Steve Raphael also reports a new schedule for the chapter’s annual Journalist of the Year Awards. Deadline for entries is Feb. 28 with the awards banquet in April.