SPJ president’s statement on Oklahoma Pro chapter
Dear fellow SPJ members,
I am writing to inform you that Region 8 Director Scott Cooper has resigned his position on our national board this week amid allegations of unauthorized use of the Oklahoma Pro chapter's checking account.
Earlier this week, the Oklahoma chapter's board of directors released this statement on their investigation into this matter. Cooper resigned as treasurer of the Oklahoma chapter late last week.
Our staff has been in touch with the Oklahoma chapter leaders to find ways we can be supportive during this period. It is worth noting that the funds in question are from a local chapter account and do not involve any national SPJ funds.
Continue reading SPJ president’s statement on Oklahoma Pro chapter
Excellence in Journalism 2012 Scholarships and Fellowships: Apply by June 11
Terry Harper Memorial Scholarships: Terry Harper passed away in 2009 after a two-year battle with brain cancer. In honor of Terry’s efforts to improve SPJ and the entire journalism community, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation set up a memorial fund following his death. With a generous outpouring of support, the Society can now proudly provide up to five scholarships to SPJ members to attend its annual convention. Applications due June 11, 2012.
Diversity Leadership Fellows Program: As we face the many challenges of an evolving industry, strengthening SPJ’s diversity efforts is more important than ever. The goal of the Diversity Leadership Fellows program, ultimately, is to increase the diversity participation of SPJ members within national committees and on the national board of directors. As part of the program, we bring fellowship recipients to the convention to begin a year-long immersion and education program. Applications due June 11, 2012.
Robert D.G. Lewis First Amendment Award: From the generosity of the Lewis family, the award is given each year to a student SPJ member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the First Amendment through the field of journalism. The award assists a student with his/her attendance to SPJ's annual convention. Applications due June 11, 2012.
Nominations open for SPJ board seats
Board members help define the Society. As an organization that values diversity, SPJ is looking for candidates who represent and encompass differing backgrounds based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, appearance, geography, media discipline and professional status. SPJ is branded as the nation’s most broad-based journalism association, which is a statement to the professional and personal attributes of our membership.
The board of directors provides vision, direction and leadership to SPJ, the nation's largest journalism organization. Voting chapter delegates will elect members of the national board of directors during the Excellence in Journalism 2012 conference, Sept. 20-22 in Fort Lauderdale.
— Additional information
— Positions up for election
— Campaign guidelines
— How to run
Announcing the winners of the 2011 Sigma Delta Chi Awards
The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2011 Sigma Delta Chi Awards for excellence in journalism. Judges chose the winners from more than 1,700 entries in categories covering print, radio, television and online. The awards recognize outstanding work published or broadcast in 2011.
Click here to see a list of winners and view their work.
Dating back to 1932, the awards originally honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. The current program began in 1939, when the Society granted the first Distinguished Service Awards. The honors later became the Sigma Delta Chi Awards.
Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well- informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.
