**PLEASE NOTE: Electronic ballots have been emailed to all current, paying members of Minnesota SPJ. Ballots must be complete by Wednesday, June 27th. Contact minnesota.spj@gmail.com with questions.
2012 MNSPJ Officer Candidates
Anna Pratt (running for president-elect)
freelance journalist
Current office: board member/programming chair
SPJ member since 2008
-
As both a staff reporter and a freelancer, my byline has appeared in The Line, the Star Tribune, the Southwest Journal, the Minnesota Independent and several suburban and community papers, web publications and broadcast media in the Twin Cities. The many beats I’ve covered include development, education, neighborhood news, arts, civil/human rights, immigration, and business.
I’ve served as a director and officer for the Minnesota Pro Chapter of SPJ for several years and I have a good handle on the hard work and high journalistic standards it takes to participate and lead the organization. As president-elect I hope to oversee the continuation of our state chapter’s nationally-recognized educational and outreach efforts and make sure we take a strong stand on the ethical, legal and professional issues important to journalists. I would appreciate your vote of confidence.
TaLeiza Calloway (running for secretary)
Freelance Journalist, St. Joseph Newsleader, Central Minnesota Women Magazine
Current office: secretary
SPJ Member since 2003, secretary since 2011
-
As a professional journalist, I have seen up close the benefits of membership in SPJ. Serving as a board member and officer on the board of directors for Minnesota SPJ has been a rewarding experience. I currently serve as secretary and on the Student Chapter committee. It is a privilege to serve alongside media professionals who are committed to giving back to the profession. I am running for Secretary because I want to continue keeping record of the chapter’s contributions to the field and strides of journalists statewide and beyond. It has been an honor to serve. Thank you for your consideration.
Chris Newmarker (running for treasurer)
Reporter, Finance and Commerce
Current office: treasurer
SPJ member since 2010; treasurer since 2011
-
As a professional journalist for more than 10 years, I am a strong believer in journalism’s potential to promote a democratic society in the United States and around the world. I have been honored to manage the chapter’s finances over the past year, and look forward to continuing the work in 2012-13.
Director Candidates
Kelly Smith
Reporter, Star Tribune
Current office: board member
SPJ member since 2010
-
I’m a news reporter at the Star Tribune and have served on the MN SPJ board for nearly two years. Before that, I was a reporter at The Forum newspaper in Fargo for two years. I’m passionate about journalism and, if reelected, I’ll continue to plan and promote events and professional development opportunities for journalists from all mediums and market sizes in Minnesota.
Drew Kerr
Reporter, Finance & Commerce
SPJ member in college, rejoined in 2011
-
For too long I’ve enjoyed the benefits of other people’s organizing and advocacy efforts while
contributing little of my own time. It’s my turn to help.
I also believe strongly in the work that SPJ is doing, here in Minnesota and around the country.
Journalists at every level need support. SPJ has served as a critical resource for people who,
like me, look to their peers for help, advice, and simple consolation. But I believe it can do
more. Now more than ever journalism is an evolving field, one that changes not year-to-year
but month-to-month. SPJ needs to be ahead of these changes, and help its members have the
information they need to understand how they impact the profession, and their work specifically.
I’m intensely interested in journalism, not just for my own sake, but for the sake of the
community I live in. I believe it’s a critical calling and one that, now more than ever, needs
people in its corner. I want to be one of those people.
Dan Haugen
freelance journalist
Current office: board member
SPJ member since 2010
-
In my first year on the MNSPJ board, I’ve enjoyed helping out with training and networking events such as the Apps for Journalists technology showcase and the Freelance Love speed-networking sessions. I would like to continue to improve and expand the opportunities for Minnesota journalists to meet and learn from one another.
Sarah Bauer
Program director, Minnesota Newspaper Association
Current office: past president
SPJ member since 2003
-
I joined SPJ as a college student and have been an active, involved member ever since. In 2011-12, I served as the Minnesota SPJ chapter president, and have been very involved with the annual Page One Awards contest and other chapter programming since I joined the board in 2006. I believe that the work that SPJ does nationally, and here on the state level is very important. From promoting free and open access to government information, to helping out journalists in legal trouble, and providing resources and networking opportunities to journalists, SPJ provides so many different types of support to journalists. I think it’s important for this work to continue, and that’s why I’d like to be re-elected to the Minnesota SPJ board of directors. I’m dedicated to helping promote excellence and advancing journalism throughout the state.
