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  Writer's Week  

Society of Professional Journalists

    Cleveland Pro Chapter Newsletter     

Nov. 3, 2014   

 Deadline For Next Edition: Nov. 14, 2014  
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President's message
Come out Thursday to learn about
the new SPJ Code of Ethics  
Rodney Bengston
Rodney Bengston 
  

Even though journalism jobs have been on the decline, people still working in the field want to do things the right way.

 

And doing things right starts with holding yourself to a high ethical standard.

 

The Society of Professional Journalists recently updated the SPJ Code of Ethics - and people in Cleveland will have the chance to hear Kevin Smith, who chaired the update for the code, at our program this Thursday night. To register for the program, go to this website.

 

Whether it be new technology or smaller staff, ethics cannot be allowed to go by the wayside.

 

Smith will outline how the new code was updated and why, and there will be time for a question and answer period after that.

 

The recent pulling of a video from the Cleveland.com website of an endorsement interview in the governor's race has generated some discussion in media circles. We can discuss what how to balance the public's right to know against what a business feels it needs to do to operate in its best interests.

 

If a new (or old) ethical dilemma has hit your newsroom, come join us on Nov. 6 for what promises to be a lively discussion.  

 

Rodney Bengston

President, SPJ Cleveland       

Kevin Smith to discuss new Code of Ethics
Kevin Smith
 
SPJ Cleveland's program on Nov. 6 will feature Kevin Z. Smith, national SPJ ethics committee chairman, who led the multi-year national process to revise SPJ's Code of Ethics.

The event takes place at McNulty's Bier Markt, with a social hour from 5:30 to 6:30, followed by the program form 6:30 to 8 p.m.  

Smith won the Wells Memorial Key Award (the highest honor an SPJ member can receive) in September. He was the national president of SPJ from 2009 to 2010, and as chair of the ethics committee, he led the most recent code revision as well as the previous one in the 1990s.

Hailing from Columbus, Smith has more than 25 years' experience in reporting, editing and journalism education. He is currently the deputy director of the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism at the Ohio State University.
 
The event has a $5 entry fee, free for SPJ members, and includes appetizers. The beer is on you!

To register, visit this website.
This is personal. Create a professional development plan that is about you!

The Northeast Ohio Society for Technical Communication will host a professional development workshop Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

 

Workshop leaders Ginny Haas, Jennifer Yaros, and Angie Dianetti will help you to:

  • Develop a career roadmap
  • Define your personal mission, vision, and goals
  • Outline your personal professional development plan

 

Although the program is directed at technical communication professionals, anyone can benefit from it.  

 

When: Saturday Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 1p.m.  

Light breakfast and coffee/water will be provided.

Where: Crowne Centre building, 5005 Rockside Road, Suite 400, Independence, OH 44131

Cost: $30 for NEO STC members, $45 for non-members, $15 for students

 

Registration ends Wednesday, Nov. 5. Space is limited.
More information and online registration are at this website.

 

Job Opportunities

JOBS LISTINGS FOR TECHNICAL COMMUNICATORS 

 

If you're a writer who can handle scientific and technological jargon and translate it into understandable English, or perhaps a graphic designer who can deal with technological topics, you might want to consider technical communication. Here's a site set up by the Society for Technical Communication with job listings in the Pittsburgh area. There is a Northeast Ohio Chapter of STC, which holds regular workshops and programs about technical communication. Find them at neostc.org.  

Scholarships and fellowships

JAMES FOLEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
IN INTERNATIONAL PHOTOJOURNALISM

In honor of the courageous men and women who risk their lives in order to report from the world's most dangerous places, ieiMedia has established the James Foley Memorial Scholarship in memory of the photojournalist who was tragically executed while covering the war in Syria.
 
This $5,000 photojournalism scholarship covers tuition, program fees and meals for participation in the Urbino program, jointly sponsored by James Madison University and Iowa State University. The winner will work with two award-winning photojournalists in an experiential program that runs through the month of June 2015. The recipient is responsible for his/her own airfare.
 
To enter the competition you must submit a link to an online photographic portfolio as well as a short letter explaining why an international reporting experience is important for your education. The portfolio should be well organized and show evidence of curiosity about other groups or cultures. The letter should not exceed 300 words.
 
The judging will be done by a jury of professional photojournalists including former White House Photographer and Washington Post staff photographer Susan Biddle as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Dennis Chamberlin.
 
Deadline for submissions: Feb. 1, 2015
 
Apply on line at www.ieiMedia.com

2015 FASPE JOURNALISM PROGRAM

 

FASPE (Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics), in collaboration with The Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, is now accepting applications for a fellowship that uses the conduct of journalists during the Holocaust and in Nazi Germany as a launching point for an intensive two-week summer program on contemporary journalism ethics.  Fellowships include an all-expenses-paid trip from New York to Berlin, Krakow, and Oświęcim (Auschwitz) where students work with leading faculty to explore both journalism history and the ethical issues facing working journalists today.  All program costs, including international and European travel, lodging, and food, are covered.

 

The 2015 FASPE Journalism program will run from May 24 to June 4.  To be eligible applicants must either (1) be enrolled in a graduate program or (2) be working journalists who completed their undergraduate degrees between June 2010 and June 2014.

 

Completed applications must be received by Jan. 6, 2015.  All FASPE programs are non-denominational and candidates of all religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

 

To apply or to learn more about FASPE, please visit: www.FASPE.info.

 

Direct any questions to Thorin R. Tritter, Managing Director of FASPE, at ttritter@FASPE.info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Events
There is more information on most of these events in articles below and at left. Job listings are featured below at left, student internships and scholarships/fellowships, below at right.
Thursday, Nov. 6
The new SPJ Code of Ethics:
A guide for journalists
with Kevin Z. Smith
former national SPJ president
and chair of the ethics committee
5:30-6:30 p.m. social hour
6:30-8 p.m. program
McNulty's Bier Markt
1948 W. 25th St., Cleveland
Register here


Friday, Nov. 7
The Press Club of Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and Induction Ceremony
6 to 9:30 p.m.
Executive Caterers at Landerhaven
6111 Landerhaven Dr.
Cleveland, OH 44124

Friday, Nov. 7
PRSA Greater Cleveland Student Day
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Eaton Corporation
1000 Eaton Blvd.
Cleveland, Ohio 44122
Cost: $25
Register here

Saturday, Nov. 8
Northeast Ohio Society for Technical Communication
"This is Personal. Create a Professional Development Plan that is About You!"
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
With Ginny Haas, Jennifer Yaros, and Angie Dianetti
See this site for details


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
  EDITORIAL CONTENT INTERN
MAJESTIC STEEL
Cleveland, OH

 
You may get the majority of your info now from Twitter and the Daily Show, but you're also dialed in to a time that came before your Facebook newsfeed. In terms of tech, the steel industry is a bit behind, but with your help, we're looking to change that perception by building the first brand in steel. 

 

In terms of your skills, you should fancy yourself a writer who doesn't shy away from a challenge. That means writing about a breakthrough in technology one day and the rising price of zinc the next. To succeed, you'll have an analytical side that's balanced by a creative edge. Be prepared to brainstorm and then execute. 

 

You'll work hand-in-hand with our Creative Content Lead to help re-launch many of our social channels, in addition to writing our blog and sourcing topics for our Industry Insights page. You'll also be viewed as one of the team, so expect to walk away armed with a full portfolio of at least 30 - 50 articles. 

 

Here's the nitty gritty of what we'll need you to do: 

* Assist in writing content for our shiny new website and blog.

* Help us brainstorm creative content ideas for our blog, videos, collateral,  

* Source information for our Industry Insights page by keeping your finger on the pulse of current industry-specific media. 

  *Manage our social media channels, including Twitter, Insta, Facebook, Google+ and Vine. This does not mean you get to tweet all day...just for some of the day.  

*Constantly be on the lookout for the next great thing - or better yet, come up with it.   

* Get excited about challenging a traditional industry with non-traditional ideas and work. 

 

You'll need this under the hood: 

* A junior or senior college student, or recent grad. 

  *A strong desire to stretch your brain to its limits.  

*Must be able to think outside your daily activities to see the big picture.   

* Proven writing ability in the form of blog posts, school assignments or personal projects. 

* Social media prowess. We can teach you a lot, but you should be interested in using social media to build a brand. 

 

To apply, click here.

 


CLEVELAND INDIANS  COMMUNICATIONS INTERN 

 

PRIMARY PURPOSE:  

To assist Indians Communications Department in all activities including business communications, social media and other projects as assigned. 


RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:  

* Utilize creative writing and editing skills to assist in the creation and implementation of communication plans and messaging. 

* Assist daily social media efforts, including writing daily posts, monitoring and tracking all platforms. 

* Assist in coordination of Indians Social Suite, both selection of candidates and gameday coordination. 
* Assist in planning and execution of media events, press conferences and influencer events. 
* Assist by monitoring all social media channels, websites, blogs and other media outlets for content relative to Indians, baseball and sports industry. 
* Assist digital efforts including Indians.com updates, email marketing and tracking. 
* Update and create message points for TV/Radio ratings.  

* Perform other duties as assigned. 


Requirements  

Marketing or communications or journalism degree preferred. 
* Excellent creative writing and editing skills.  

* Proficient in Social Media Channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogging, etc.

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, E-mail & Internet. 
* Excellent oral communication. 
* Excellent interpersonal skills. 
* Reads, speaks, and comprehends English effectively. 
* The ability to work with multicultural populations and have a commitment to fairness and equality.
* Represents the Indians organization in a positive fashion to all business partners and the general public. 
* Ability to lift and carry items up to 40 lbs. 
* Ability to work extended days and approx. 40 hours per week for 10 months. 
* Ability to sit or stand for an entire shift. 
* Ability to move throughout all areas and levels of the Ballpark. 
* Ability to develop and maintain successful working relationship with members of the Front Office.
* Ability to act according to the organizational values at all times.

View or apply to job here.  

   

VIRTUAL INTERSHIPS
THE CELEBRITY CAFE

We are looking for dedicated interns who understand the culture TheCelebrityCafe.com embodies. We have nine different internships opportunities; Marketing and Social Media, Business Administration, Research, Copy Editing, Graphic Design and our News, Music, Entertainment and Sports Writing internships.

This is a 12-week internship for students in a virtual office for academic credit only.

We had previously asked students to dedicate 10 hours minimum per week, but will be increasing the requirement to 15 hours each week. As the online forums for writers grow, we want to continue to guide students to the best of our ability and and help them understand how an online magazine operates, and found that this can not be properly done within our original time requirements.

Additional program descriptions are online here

We also want to highlight the importance of our Marketing and Social Media internship. Students who are interested in this internship will become knowledgeable in an array of online communication, and will learn how to combine online marketing with overarching outreach goals in a professional setting. This is a necessary skill for students to acquire upon entering professional work settings, many that are heavily internet focused.

Openings for the internships are limited. Please apply here as soon as possible.

 

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 Jackie Mitchell, a reporter for the Cleveland Jewish News and recent 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  

  

      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.