Home > About SPJ > Communities and Committees

Communities and Committees

The work of SPJ is largely done at the national committee and community level. No matter what your passion — freedom of information, diversity, ethics, freelance, international journalism, First Amendment rights, journalism education — SPJ has an outlet for your talents, passion and energy. Scroll down to learn more about (and get involved with) our committees, and use the links to the right to discover and join any of our growing communities.

Active committees
Awards & Honors
Bylaws
Diversity & Inclusion
Finance
First Amendment Forever Fund
Freedom of Information
Journalism Education
Legal Defense Fund
Membership
Nominations
Professional Standards and Ethics
Resolutions
Sports

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Awards & Honors

This committee oversees most of the Society's awards, which are dedicated to recognizing outstanding achievement in journalism. Any changes in guidelines, judging criteria, categories or eligibility are reviewed by this committee.

Related content

Awards & Honors Committee Co-Chairs

Sue Kopen Katcef
Email

Andy Schotz
Email

Awards Committee Roster

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Bylaws

This committee strives to ensure the Society conducts its business and operations according to the Society's bylaws. SPJ's bylaws aim to unite members and promote good fellowship among them.

SPJ Bylaws

Bylaws Committee Chair

Rafael Olmeda
Email
LinkedIn

Bylaws Committee Roster

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Diversity & Inclusion

On both chapter and national levels, SPJ provides an open forum for the discussion of diversity issues in journalism. This committee's purpose is to promote a broader voice in newsrooms across the country and expand the depth and quality of news reports through better sourcing. The Society's relevance to its member is based on inclusiveness.

Diversity Home Page

Diversity & Inclusion Committee Chair

Daniela Ibarra
LinkedIn
Email

Diversity Committee Roster

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Finance Committee

The finance committee is chaired by the Society's secretary-treasurer. By authority of that position, the committee reviews the annual budget and sets financial goals. Its recommendations on the budget are forwarded to the SPJ board at its spring meeting.

Finance Committee Chair

Sara Catania
Email
LinkedIn

Finance Committee Roster

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First Amendment Forever Fund Committee

It isn’t getting any easier to fight for press freedom. It’s getting worse. Government officials threaten journalists with libel suits, SLAPP suits and subpoenas. Public information officers manage the message, and officials are increasingly gaming freedom of information laws to increase secrecy at all levels of government. Meanwhile, we have fewer and fewer sustainable resources to litigate and advocate for press freedom. The Forever Fund is a sustained war chest to guarantee someone is always fighting for press freedom. If we don’t do it, who will?

First Amendment Forever Fund Committee Chair

Sara Catania
Email
LinkedIn

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Freedom of Information Committee

This committee is the watchdog of press freedoms across the nation. It relies upon a network of volunteers in each state organized under Project Sunshine. These SPJ members are on the front lines for assaults to the First Amendment and when lawmakers attempt to restrict the public's access to documents and the government's business. The committee often is called upon to intervene in instances where the media is restricted.

FOI Home Page

Freedom of Information Committee Chair

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear
@JodiRave

Sterling Cosper, vice chair
Email


FOI Committee Roster

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Journalism Education

This committee's purpose is to promote excellence in education programs and practical research. It acts as a clearinghouse for the Society's academic members and students. It also works with annual convention planners on mentor programs both at the college and high school level.

Tools for Students | Tools for Educators

Journalism Education Committee Chairs

Jess Brovsky-Eaker
Email

J-Ed Committee Roster

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Legal Defense Fund

The Society's Legal Defense Fund is a unique account that can be tapped for providing journalists with legal or direct financial assistance. Application to the fund is approved by either a small committee or the national board, depending on the level of assistance sought. The committee works throughout the year raising funds for LDF.

More information

Legal Defense Fund Committee Chair

Tim Eigo
Email

LDF Committee Roster

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Membership

This committee follows membership trends in the Society and recommends membership recruitment drives to the national board and executive director. It is called upon to review chapter requirements, dues, organizational structure and other quality-of-life issues affecting the membership.

Why Join? | Member Resources

Membership Committee Chair

Michele Boyet
LinkedIn

Membership Committee Roster

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Nominations

SPJ’s Nominations Committee is primarily responsible for identifying, vetting and recommending candidates for election to the Board of Directors.

SPJ Election Central

Nominations Committee Chair

Sheetal Banchariya
Email
@s_banchariya

Nominations Committee Roster

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Resolutions

The Resolutions Committee meets annually at the Society's National Convention. The group is charged with presenting timely issues for debate before the Society's voting delegates. Its members serve to keep order at business meetings of the Society and to facilitate thoughtful debate. Drafts of resolutions can be submitted by any member of the Society either prior to, or during, convention.

Resolutions Committee Chair

Dan Kubiske


Committee Roster

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Professional Standards and Ethics

This committee's purpose is to encourage the use of the Society's Code of Ethics, which promotes the highest professional standards for journalists of all disciplines. Public concerns are often answered by this committee. It also acts as a spotter for reporting trends in the nation, accumulating case studies of jobs well done under trying circumstances.

Ethics Home Page

Professional Standards and Ethics Committee Chair

Michael Koretzky
Email

Professional Standards and Ethics Committee Committee Roster

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Sports

Sports Committee Chair

Lauren Vassallo
Email

Committee Roster

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