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  Writer's Week  

Society of Professional Journalists

    Cleveland Pro Chapter Newsletter     

Feb. 23, 2014   

 Deadline For Next Edition: March 5, 2014 
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President's Message

Access to public records: Whose are they?  

Rodney Bengston
Rodney Bengston

 

Public records. Who do they belong to?  

 

The logical answer appears to be - the public.

             

But things are not always that simple. As mentioned in an earlier column, there was a little controversy a couple of months ago, when the Cleveland Heights police withheld information from a Northeast Ohio Media Group reporter.

             

That issue will be up for discussion at our next Cleveland SPJ event, on Tuesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at John Carroll University. It will be in Rooms 202-203 in Dolan Hall, the long brick building across the front of the campus. Signs directing people to the room will be in the halls near all the entrance doors and student SPJ members will be there to greet you after 6:45 p.m. Parking is available right outside Dolan Hall.  

 

The event is co-sponsored by SPJ's Cleveland Pro Chapter and the campus SPJ chapter at John Carroll.  

 

The panel will include:   

  • Cleveland Heights Police Chief Jeffrey E. Robertson 
  • Reporter Adam Ferrise of the Northeast Ohio Media Group
  • Attorney David Marburger of BakerHostetler, who represented the Northeast Ohio Media Group in this case 
       

We're anticipating a lively discussion so we hope many people have the chance to attend.

             

A thank you also goes out to SPJ board member and past president Cliff Anthony for arranging this and to Plain Dealer Managing Editor Thomas Fladung for speaking to us at a public event last week about the changes with the PD, cleveland.com and the Northeast Ohio Media Group. It was another well-attended event that gave everyone the chance to ask questions about the changes.

 

Rodney Bengston

President, SPJ Cleveland 

Applications open for Porter Scholarship

Once again this year, the Cleveland Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is holding the Philip W. Porter Scholarship competition for 2014 graduating high-school seniors planning a career in journalism in the six Northeast Ohio counties of Cuyahoga, Lake, Ashtabula, Lorain, Medina and Geauga.

 

A $4,000 scholarship will be awarded to the winner. The student will be entitled to $1,000 upon entering the college of his/her choice, and $1,000 for each of the succeeding three years as an undergraduate, provided satisfactory grades are maintained and ongoing documentation for proof of same is forwarded each semester to SPJ.  

  

All applications must be submitted in writing and received by April 1. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

 

The complete application package, including the cover letter sent to each high school guidance counsellor, eligibility rules and an application form, is attached in PDF format. If you have any problems downloading the form or questions about the scholarship, please contact Dr. Anup Kumar, chair of the Porter Scholarship Committee, at Cleveland State University's School of Communication.  

 
Expanding Freelance Opportunities: Grant Writing
AHCJ logo
Are you a health writer looking to expand your freelance opportunities?

The Association of Health Care Journalists is hosting grant writing program on Feb. 27 from 6-8 p.m. 

The program will be held at the Coventry Branch, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Library, 1925 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 

Three local experts will share their experiences with Cleveland-based grant writing and give tips on finding  opportunities:

Sandy Erlanger, Senior Development Officer at University Hospitals

Susan Ackerman, Chair, Health Policy and Planning, Center for Community Solutions

Kim St. John-Stevenson,
Principal, InkPlusLLC and a former Grant Administrator at the St. Luke's Foundation

They'll cover
  • what it takes to recognize your transferable grant writing skills and make the mind-shift needed to be a successful grant writer;
  • tips, tricks and strategies for successful grant writing;
  • navigating the non-profit landscape; and
  • how to position and market yourself as a grant writer.
Registration is required. Contact Eileen Beal at eojb@visn.net.

 

Job opportunities
 
Thanks to Kelly Blazek for her dedication and commitment in seeking out many of the jobs posted below. To receive Kelly's  full newsletter (we only excerpt media-related jobs) see the separate box headlined Cleveland Job Bank.
 
REPORTER-WTAM-FM
Newsradio WTAM 1100 has a full-time Reporter/Anchor opening in its award-winning news department. Applicants should have a minimum 3 years-experience, strong writing/multi-tasking/social media skills and a passion for broadcasting. Excellent web skills, including photo editing, are required. E-mail demo/materials and resume toray@wtam.com 
 
 
STAFF WRITER - CLEVELAND BROWNS
Info and apply here.  
 
VIDEO PRODUCER AND ANIMATOR - CLEVELAND INDIANS
Info and apply here.
 
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, ONLINE MEDIA - WEWS TV CHANNEL 5
Info and apply here.
 
ASSISTANT PRODUCER - THE OHIO CHANNEL/IDEASTREAM (COLUMBUS)
Info on this Columbus Statehouse opportunity here. 
 
REPORTER/PRODUCER - IDEASTREAM
Info and apply here. 
 

MORNING TALENT - WQAL-FM

Q104 Cleveland's #1 female radio station has an opening for a morning show cast member. Please apply if you are someone who is passionate about production, information, social and digital media. Apply online at www.cbsradio.com and send an audio sample along with 3 reasons why you are unique to cbscleaudio@cbradio.com. CBS Radio is an equal Opportunity Employer.
Required Qualifications We are looking for someone who has an interesting perspective on real life and has the presentation/communication skills to bring it to the Q104 morning show. Preferred Qualifications A minimum of 2 years experience in radio is preferred. 

 

Apply here.  

 

SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - TTI FLOORCARE

Info and apply here. 

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY - GAFFER - TTI FLOORCARE
Info and apply here. 

SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR - TTI FLOORCARE
Info and apply here. 


SENIOR OFFLINE EDITOR - TTI FLOORCARE
Info and apply here.

 

ART DIRECTOR - F&C EXECUTIVE SEARCH 

Info and apply here.  

 

Cleveland Job Bank

Check Kelly Blazek's website for advice on job-hunting and details on jobs in marketing, public and media relations, development, media, graphics/web design and more. Many of the jobs listed at left are reprinted from Blazek's newsletter.     
To subscribe and get the full list (we only excerpt journalism-related jobs), email Cleveland Job Bank. For more information, go to the website. Please Note: The jobs on Blazek's list are ONLY in communications related occupations.

 
Events
There is more information on these events and opportunities below, in articles under this column or below the President's Message. For job listings, see lower left; for student internships, see lower right

Feb. 27
Organizing Your Social Media Campaign with Project Management Tools & Techniques   
Cleveland Digital Publishers Users Group
New Horizons Computer Learning Center
1 Infinity Corp Center Drive #250
Cleveland

Feb. 27
Grant Writing Workshop
Association for Health Care Journalists
Coventry Branch
Cleveland Heights Public Library
1925 Coventry Road,
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
6-8 p.m.
Registration required
See details below

Feb. 27
Writing and Marketing Secrets of Three Fabulous Independents
IABC
Cleveland State University, School of Business
1860 E. 18th Street #220 Cleveland
11:30 a.m.

March 11
Access to Public Records:
Whose are They?
A program of SPJ Cleveland with the John Carroll campus chapter of SPJ
with

Cleveland Heights Police Chief Jeffrey E. Robertson 

Reporter Adam Ferrise of the Northeast Ohio Media Group

Attorney David Marburger of BakerHostetler

at 7 p.m. March 11

in Dolan Hall

Rooms 202-203 

 

March 20
Professional and Technical Writing Program at Youngstown State University
NEO STC
Radcom, Inc. 
561 Bostom Mills Road #400 Hudson
5:30 p.m.
Registration required
See details below




Managing a Social Media Campaign
cdpug logo
The Cleveland Digital Publishers Users Group will host a program on implementing management techniques into your social media campaign. 

The event will be held on Feb. 27 and is free to CDPUG members and $10 for guests. The New Horizons Computer Learning Center, 1 Infinity Corp Ctr Dr #250, Cleveland, OH, will play host.

For more information visit the CDPUG website. 
High school essay contest

SPJ vertical logo for webHigh School students can enter SPJ's national High School Essay Contest by answering the question, "Why is it important that we have news media that are independent of the government?" in 300 to 500 words. Submit your writing with an entry form signed by your sponsoring teacher and the $5 entry fee by March 7. For more information and to download the entry form
 
Professional and Technical Writing
The Northeast Ohio Society of Technical Communicators will host a panel discussion on the launch of Youngstown State University's Professional and Technical Communications program. 

The event will be held March 20 from 5:30 p.m-8 p.m at Radcom, Inc., 561 Bostom Mills Road, Hudson. 

To register email treasurer@neostc.com.
 
Quick Links

 SPJ Job Bank

Join or Renew Membership
(Be sure to scroll down on the application form and sign up for the Cleveland Pro Chapter, as well as the national SPJ)
Internships for journalism and communication students
LINCOLN ELECTRIC
ASSOCIATE PRODUCT MANAGER

LINCOLN ELECTRIC
CREATIVE SERVICES/GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Info and apply here. 


MTD PRODUCTS
 
SEASONAL INTERN
GAME PRESENTATION (QTV)
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
 Info and apply here. 


DEVELOPMENT INTERN

GORDON SQUARE ARTS DISTRICT

Spring 2014

The Gordon Square Arts District is seeking an intern to help complete the organization's campaign for development through investment in the arts. The student will have the opportunity to work closely with a small staff in a busy fundraising office, be involved in a variety of development activities, and have a hands-on role in the completion of a major capital campaign. He or she will also learn by working within a unique collaboration between three non-profit organizations, experience how the arts can be used as an economic development tool, and be a part of the work

a part of the work required to complete a $30 million capital campaign.  

 

Primary responsibilities would include, but not be limited to:

Working with donor database records and mailing lists for annual fund solicitations and mailings;
Compiling GSAD historical archives of photos, newsletters and press into succinct, useable format;
Organizing hard copy donor record files;
Assisting with marketing projects and materials, including maintaining information packet materials;
Assisting in fundraising initiative and event implementation;
Conducting prospect research;
Assisting with general prospect and donor activities, and
Other duties as assigned.

 

Ideal candidates would be available to work at least 2 days per week, 3-4 hours per day. GSAD will accommodate a student schedule, provide mentorship, and complete necessary requirements for the student to qualify for school credit.

 

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Development Manager Theresa Schneider.

 

Laurie Mitchell
Marketing & Communications  

216-292-9936

 

infoaboutusWriter's Week is a service of the Cleveland chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. This e-newsletter is edited by Carrie Buchanan, assistant professor, Tim Russert School of Communication & Theatre Arts, John Carroll University, and assistant editor Chris Mosby, a reporter, editor and graduate of John Carroll University.

Please send news items and job & internship postings to spjcleveland@gmail.com    

 

Street Address: Cleveland SPJ, 4337 Chanticleer Drive, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126-1906

Chapter email: Cleveland@spj.org

President: Rodney Bengston  

Chapter web site:  www.spjchapters.org/cleveland/

  

      The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. SPJ is dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi and based in Indianapolis, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed public, works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists, and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and of the press.