2010 in 2010
I am very excited about SPJ’s new membership campaign – 2010 in 2010.  Launching Jan. 1, 2010, this membership drive has the potential to bring in new members, reward local chapters for their member recruiting efforts and just give us some plain ‘ol fun. Is a goal of 2010 members in the year 2010 ambitious? As Mickey Mouse (I have a toddler) would say, “You betcha!” Is it doable? Another “You betcha!” I know of few organizations whose members are as dedicated, devoted and enthusiastic as SPJ’s. We can easily channel that enthusiasm into a membership campaign and I firmly believe we can achieve our goal. With the journalism pr

Ideas: Program Series
From SPJ’s Leading Edge Newsletter: If you are looking for a great program idea to build a membership campaign around, consider the continuing education program being conducted by the Western Washington Chapter. They conduct an eight-week, skills-based series designed to help journalists stay on their toes. This series is one of their most popular and best attended annual programs, and they do most of it at low or no cost.  They have also been able to get chapter grants from national SPJ to help them cover their costs. The chapter makes the program free to SPJ Members and charges $10 per class for non SPJ members. Of course, anyone may register to become an SP

Ideas: Membership Message
Here at the Garden Center, we’re looking to share resources and ideas that will help grow SPJ’s membership. Please post a comment with you suggestions or e-mail me at holly (at) fishers2000.com with your suggestions. No need to reinvent the wheel – let’s hear what’s working for you or what didn’t do so well. Thanks! ~~ Holly Fisher, SPJ Membership Chair Below is a message the Cincinnati Chapter is sending out to members who fell off of their rolls last month, as well as anyone who might be interested in joining for the first time. It’s a month-long membership special: if you join SPJ at the $72 rate, you get into two of their upcoming tick

Professional Development committee meeting minutes
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