All posts tagged Minnesota SPJ

Join Minnesota SPJ for Membership Week 2010

by Scott Theisen on September 28, 2010 in Events, News with Comments Off

If you’ve always wanted to find out what Minnesota SPJ is all about but never had the time, now is your chance! Minnesota SPJ is holding its first annual “Fall Membership Week” from October 18th through October 22nd. All week long, we’re giving you the chance to participate in events sponsored by Minnesota SPJ so you can experience the benefits of being a member of our chapter.

Sign up to become a Minnesota SPJ member during Fall Membership Week, and we will give you free access to our four-week continuing education series this spring!

Here’s a look at the events planned for Fall Membership Week 2010:

All events are FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC! *

October 18th: 25th annual Silha Lecture at the University of Minnesota
Not Child’s Play: The Misguided Effort to Regulate Violent Video Games featuring attorney Paul Smith
7:00 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota
Click here for more information

October 19th: Media Buzz Social
Join journalists across Minnesota for a night of networking and socializing! Meet Minnesota SPJ members and make new contacts in the journalism community.
7:00 p.m., Joe’s Garage, 1610 Harmon Place, Minneapolis
Click here for more information on the Media Buzz Social

October 20th: Intern Night
College students, this is your chance to learn about how to get an internship at one of the many Twin Cities media outlets! Meet local intern recruiters from newspapers, TV stations, and other news outlets.
7:00 p.m., KSTP-TV, St. Paul, MN
Click here for more information on Intern Night

October 21st: Book Signing and Bowling, featuring Laurie Hertzel
Meet Laurie Hertzel, books editor at the Star Tribune, as she talks about her new book News to Me: Adventures of an Accidental Journalist. Then stick around and join other journalists on the lanes for some bowling fun!
7:00 p.m., Lariat Lanes, Richfield (located at 6320 Penn Ave. S.)
Click here for more information about Bowling & Book Signing

October 22nd: J-Brunch “2010 and Beyond: Stories to Watch For in Minnesota Politics”
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Egg & I Restaurant (2550 University Ave W, St. Paul)
Get up early and join SPJers for a lively discussion about the political trends to watch for in Twin Cities journalism and state-wide. And, eat some breakfast, too! Panelists confirmed, so far, include Mary Lahammer from TPT, Reg Chapman from WCCO-TV, and Don Davis from Forum Communications.
Click here for more information about J-Brunch.

Questions? Email minnesota.spj@gmail.com.

*Admission to all Member Week events is free; food and beverage (and bowling) are available on a pay-as-you-go basis! Come for the camaraderie, stay for a cocktail.

Meeting Minutes for March 30, 2010

by jeff.achen on April 2, 2010 in Meeting Minutes and Documents with Comments Off

Society of Professional Journalists
Minnesota Pro Chapter
Chapter Meeting
Date: March 30, 2010
Location: KSTP-TV
Board members present: Scott Theisen, president; Amanda Theisen, treasurer; Andy Tellijohn, Art Hughes, Karen Lundegaard, Sarah McKenzie, Joan Gilbertson and Justin Piehowski, directors.

Absent: Sarah Bauer, president-elect; Jeff Achen, Sectretary; Nicole Garrison-Sprenger, past-president; Jane Kirtley directors. Continue reading →

Good Question: Why should I join SPJ?

by jeff.achen on March 14, 2010 in News, Video with Comments Off

Minnesota Pro Chapter SPJ Member and WCCO Reporter Jason DeRusha asks “Why should I join SPJ?” Good question! Here’s our answer.

Special thanks to Jason for his willingness to help us promote SPJ. For more information on joining, click here.

Meeting Minutes for Sept. 15, 2009

by jeff.achen on October 9, 2009 in Meeting Minutes and Documents with Comments Off

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. Continue reading →

Event: The Comment Conundrum

by Scott Theisen on September 16, 2009 in Events with Comments Off

CommentImage(2)

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
Continue reading →

KSTP to receive Historic Site in Journalism Award

by Scott Theisen on June 24, 2009 in News with Comments Off

Hubbard Broadcasting will receive its Historic Site in Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists during an event at KSTP-TV/Hubbard Broadcasting in St. Paul Friday, June 26. Each year, one plaque can be given by SPJ to a news organization, person or landmark of national interest. The Hubbard family, which has owned the company for more than 80 years, will receive the award from SPJ’s executive board and staff members. The event also is part of the continuing SPJ centennial celebration.

Hubbard Broadcasting began in 1925 when Stanley E. Hubbard started a dance-music radio station. Since then, the company has been a pioneer in the broadcasting industry. This is the first Historic Site in Journalism Award to be presented in Minnesota. The Historic Sites program began in 1942 to recognize places that have played important roles in American journalism.