Minnesota SPJ

Meeting Minutes for Sept. 15, 2009

Posted on 09. Oct, 2009 by jeff.achen.

Society of Professional Journalists
Minnesota Pro Chapter
Chapter Meeting
Sept. 15, 2009
KSTP TV, 3415 University Ave., Saint Paul
Board members present: Scott Theisen, president; Sarah Bauer, president-elect; Nicole Garrison-Sprenger, past-president; Amanda Theisen, treasurer; Jeff Achen, secretary; Sarah McKenzie, Alyssa Ford, Joan Gilbertson, Karen Lundegaard; Justin Piehowski, Art Hughes, Andrew Tellijohn and Jane Kirtley directors.

I. Reports

II. Upcoming programs

a. Board discussed the upcoming “Comment Conundrum” panel event Sept. 29 and Intern night Oct. 22. There was also discussion of a grant opportunity from SPJ National for programs. Board Member Jane Kirtley suggested bringing journalists and author Chris Hedges to the University of Minnesota and making that an SPJ sponsored event, possibly a book signing too. This could possibly be tied into the grant program. [...]

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SPJ Beer & Bowling Happy Hour

Posted on 04. Oct, 2009 by scott.theisen.

Get together with your Twin Cities journalism friends for a night of beer, bowling, and hanging out!

When: Monday, October 12th
Where: Memory Lanes/Flashback Cafe, 2520 26th Ave. S. Minneapolis
Time: Starting at 6:00 p.m.

Link to Memory Lanes website

Hope to see you there!

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2009 Intern Night: Thursday, October 22nd

Posted on 04. Oct, 2009 by scott.theisen.

The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce our annual 2009 Intern Night program. We invite all local college students to learn about applying for internships at media outlets around the Twin Cities and Minnesota. Meet with representatives from metro newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, and magazines. Bring your resume and learn what it takes to find, get, and perform well at an internship.

When: Thursday, October 22nd
Where: KSTP-TV Studios (3415 University Ave. in St. Paul)
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Station tours available before and after event

RSVP by October 20th to Kate Bendell at kbendell@kstp.com. Please indicate if you’d like to take a station tour before or after event.

Space is limited to the first 60 students, so reserve your spot today! Please email any questions to minnesota.spj@gmail.com.

Google Map of KSTP-TV location:

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Comment Conundrum Event Photos

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by scott.theisen.

View more event photos:
Flickr set
Facebook album

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Event: The Comment Conundrum

Posted on 16. Sep, 2009 by scott.theisen.

What are news outlets doing to ensure civil discourse on their sites? What happens when inappropriate content is posted on comment sites? What are the legal ramifications for news outlets? For the commenters? What draws readers to comment on stories? Which sites have the best and worst commenters?

Come discuss journalism’s comment conundrum.

Watch the livestream on our video page. (Begins at 7 p.m. CST)

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 7-9 p.m.

Location: 3M Auditorium | Owens Science Hall | University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Campus

Parking: Anderson Parking Facility (ramp) located near the intersection of Cretin Avenue and Grand Avenue. Rates are $1 per hour. Visitors can swipe a credit card when they enter and exit or get a ticket and pay at the pay station with cash or a credit card.

Cost: This event is free and open to the public and sponsored by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists, the Minnesota News Council and the Department of Communication and Journalism, University of St. Thomas.

Panelists include:

David Brauer, MinnPost.com (Moderator)

Mike Knaak, Assistant Managing Editor – St. Cloud Times

Terry Sauer, Assistant Managing Editor/Digital – Star Tribune

Leita Walker, Associate – Faegre & Benson

Also, local reporters whose stories are often the target of comments that range from helpful and constructive to angry and libelous will share their experiences during the discussion.

Selected reading list:

Newspapers take renewed aim at the comment cesspool – MinnPost.com

Racism, Attacks Lead News Sites to Disable Story Comments – Poynter

When Comments Cross the Line – Poynter

Wheat from comment chaff? The visual comment map – MinnPost.com

Delay in Removing An Insulting Comment – Washington Post
[...]

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Internal Communications Internship Opportunity

Posted on 19. Aug, 2009 by scott.theisen.

Attention Students:

Fairview Health Services is seeking candidates for an internal communications internship.

Job Description:
The intern will assist Fairview’s Internal Communications department in a wide range of projects including: interviewing employees and writing bylined articles for our award-winning employee newsletter; researching and writing employee benefit announcements and tips; creating copy for our internal Web site; assisting with other projects as needed.

The work location is near downtown Minneapolis on the corner of Minnehaha and Franklin Avenues. This internship is unpaid but hours and schedule are flexible.

Minimum Qualifications:
Individual must be in junior or senior year of college and have taken journalism, communications or related coursework.

Additional skills necessary:
Excellent writing and editing skills, computer skills, strong interpersonal and customer service skills, ability to work on deadline and on several projects simultaneously. Photography skills and desktop publishing experience are a plus.

Send cover letter, resume and examples of your work to sdunski1@fairview.org

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