SPJ Madison » Chapter Affairs

SPJ Madison announces Freedom Ring high school publication contest

spjmadisononline — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 01:59:18 +0000

Students invited to submit writing, video and cartoon pieces on the meaning of the First Amendment

MADISON, WIS — With personal freedoms being assaulted and abridged around the world, the Madison Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is sponsoring a high school publication contest, Freedom Ring, which will include editorial writing, video and editorial cartoon items.

“Receiving a journalism award is more than a certificate and a line on a resume. It’s realizing the value of hard work. It’s encouragement to maintain high standards. It’s motivation to explore an exciting, important and challenging industry,” declared Taylor Cartier, National SPJ Communication Coordinator.

The contest among Wisconsin high school newspapers is aimed at building awareness of the FirstAmendment of the U. S. Constitution during the month of March. March 16 is the birthday of James Madison, who wrote the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Wisconsin’s capital city and many of the city’s streets are named after the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Over the past several years Wisconsin students and others have exercised many of their rights at the State Capitol.

SPJ Madison would like students during the month of March to publish an editorial, essay, cartoon or video on the meaning of the First Amendment. SPJ’s Madison chapter will judge entries based on originality, expression of thought, creativity and impact of a message.

Entries should be submitted to the SPJ Madison chapter at during the first week of April. SPJ members will judge all entries and make award announcements in May for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in all categories. Certificates of participation will also be given to all school media participants.

###

SPJ bestows honor on local chapter president

spjmadisononline — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 17:53:47 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lauren Fuhrmann, SPJ Madison Pro chapter vice president
[email protected]

MADISON, July 30, 2014 — SPJ Madison Pro chapter president Mark Pitsch has received the 2014 Howard S. Dubin Outstanding Pro Member Award from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) for his outstanding contributions to the local chapter. Pitsch has served as chapter president since 2011. His programming skills and work in reactivating the Madison chapter contributed to his winning the award.

“Mark has been instrumental in bringing young and experienced journalists together in the Madison area. His leadership in training journalists has helped build the Madison Pro chapter into one of the finest in the country,” says Joe Radske, SPJ Region 6 director and a member of the SPJ Madison Pro chapter.

Each year, the Howard Dubin Award is awarded to no more than two members — one from a chapter of 75 or more members and one from less than 75 members. The award is in honor of longtime SPJ member of the Chicago Headline Club Howard Dubin, who not only contributes time and money to the society but also remains dedicated to service at the chapter level.

Pitsch and J. Alex Tarquinio of the New York Deadline Club — winner of the award from a chapter of 75 or more members — will be recognized at the Excellence in Journalism annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, Sept. 4-6.

Based in Indianapolis, SPJ is a national membership organization that promotes high professional and ethical standards among journalists, First Amendment principles, and the belief that a free and vigorous press is vital in a representative democracy. The SPJ Madison Pro chapter was formed around 1990. Membership costs $75 annually, and it is open to journalists who spend at least half of their professional life writing or editing work for publication.

Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award nominations sought

spjmadisononline — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 03:45:22 +0000

Nominations are being sought for the 2014 Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award, presented annually to recognize an individual’s extraordinary contributions to open government or investigative journalism in Wisconsin.

Dave Zweifel, editor emeritus of The Capital Times and a founder of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, was named the inaugural winner in 2011. The late Dick Wheeler, founder of The Wheeler Report and a tireless advocate for public access to the workings of state government, was honored in 2012. And in 2013, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, the chief author of Wisconsin’s Open Records Law and a strong advocate of the Open Meetings Law, received the award.

The award is presented jointly by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council and Madison Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Letters of nomination are accepted from journalists, news organizations and other individuals and organizations involved in open government and investigative journalism issues. They should be sent by Jan. 22 to Andy Hall, the Center’s executive director, at [email protected] or WCIJ, 5006 Vilas Communication Hall, 821 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706.

The recipient will be selected by a panel of representatives from the Center, FOIC and SPJ, and will be honored at the Wisconsin Watchdog Awards reception and dinner, which is scheduled for April 23 at The Madison Club.

Madison chapter elects officers

spjmadisononline — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:03:05 +0000

The Madison pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists on Monday re-elected its chapter officers. Officers are Mark Pitsch of the Wisconsin State Journal, president; Joe Radske of WKOW, vice president; and Rebecca Wasieleski of Cygnus Business Media, secretary-treasurer.

They will serve one-year terms. The next elections will be held in April 2013.

SPJ sets officer elections

spjmadisononline — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:51:09 +0000

The Madison pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has adopted bylaws that codify officer elections will take place during the April business meeting. That will be April 2 this year.

Nominations are accepted from the floor, but in order to have an orderly election it will be helpful for candidates to submit their names in advance. The offices for which elections will be held are President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer. If you plan to run for one of these offices, please email Secretary-Treasurer Rebecca Wasieleski at [email protected] by March 25. Please note: The existing office holders intend to seek re-election.

SPJ approves new bylaws

spjmadisononline — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:32:31 +0000

The Madison pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists approved new bylaws at its meeting Monday night. The update clarifies the role of officers, provides for succession of officers in the event of a resignation, and makes clear voting procedures.

Also at the meeting:

— Vice President Joe Radske offered a report on national and local membership, including interest from SPJ national president John Ensslin to hold an event in Madison in 2013 marking the 100th anniversary of the presidency of Chester Wells and the 100th anniversary of the SPJ national convention being held in Madison. Radske also said six students are seeking mentors while more than a dozen local journalists are willing to be mentors.

— President Mark Pitsch said he would write a column on government transparency for Sunshine Week to be distributed by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.

— Members approved reimbursing Radske up to $300 for expenses in attending the Midwest Journalism Conference.

—

SPJ seeks professionals, aspiring journalists for mentoring program

spjmadisononline — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:54:47 +0000

The Society of Professional Journalists – Madison Pro Chapter, the SPJ – UW student chapter and the SPJ – UW-Whitewater chapter are seeking professionals and students to participate in a mentoring program for aspiring journalists.

You do not have to be an SPJ member to be a mentor or to have a mentor.

We will connect one professional with one student. Under the program the pair should talk at least once a week for a four month period. The interaction will be both in person as well as via email and phone. We want the professional to use their skills to help the student build toward a professional career as a journalist.

Areas of expertise include: Broadcast Journalism (Reporter/Producer/Sports/Photojournalist), Print Journalism (Reporter/Editor/Sports/Feature/Photojournalism), Magazine (Reporter/Editor), Radio (On-air, Producer).

For more information, please contact Joe Radske, vice president of the Madison Pro Chapter, at 262-366-1259 or [email protected].

Standing Business Meeting: First Mondays

spjmadisononline — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:34:25 +0000

The Madison Pro Chapter of SPJ will hold a standing business meeting on the first Monday of each month at 7 pm at the Vintage Brewing Company, 674 South Whitney Way, Madison. We’ll still send out agendas in advance.

Other events — talks, training, social events — will be scheduled on other days.

This is another step in more firmly anchoring the SPJ Madison Pro Chapter in the area media landscape.

SPJ holiday party, business meeting Dec. 14

spjmadisononline — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:33:02 +0000

Honor Journalism, Celebrate the Holidays

MADISON – It has been one dramatic year in Madison journalism. So as the year comes to a close, it’s time to celebrate our collective achievements, honor our colleagues, and get ready for the holidays at a party sponsored by the Madison professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The party will be held Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 pm at Brocach, 7 West Main Street, Madison, first floor. All area journalists are invited. SPJ members and journalists who join the organization on the night of the party will receive a free drink, while all attendees will be eligible to purchase raffle tickets for a $100 gift certificate to Brocach. SPJ will also be collecting non-perishable food items for donation to the Goodman Community Center’s Food Pantry.

SPJ will hold a business meeting at 6:00 pm prior to the party, at the same location. All area journalists are invited to attend the meeting, but only SPJ members can vote on SPJ business. An agenda will be available next week.

SPJ is a national membership organization that promotes high standards and ethics among journalists, fosters First Amendment principles and advocates that journalism is a key element in representative democracy.

#####

SPJ names Madison pro a top small chapter

spjmadisononline — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:26:46 +0000

The Society of Professional Journalists has named the Madison pro chapter one of three top small chapters in the country for its work this year. SPJ announced the award at a banquet Tuesday evening in New Orleans at the conclusion of its national convention.

Other top small pro chapters are St. Louis pro and Utah pro, which earned highest honors this year for battling restrictions on their state’s open records law.

The Madison pro chapter this year has increased membership, held training sessions and raised money for journalists affected by the Joplin, Mo., earthquake.