Writer's Week 
Jan. 16, 2016
Deadline for next edition Jan. 23

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President's Message
Spring conference, Ohio SPJ awards plans in works
 
Hi everyone,
Kaye Spector - high res
Kaye Spector   
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. With the New Year comes a burst of activity at SPJ. Two projects that have been occupying my time lately are planning for an upcoming SPJ regional conference and this year's Ohio SPJ awards.
SPJ chapters in Region 4 and Region 5 are partnering this year to host a conference for professional and student journalists April 1-2 at the Kingsgate Marriott on the University of Cincinnati campus. Together, these two regions cover Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania (Region 4) plus Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois (Region 5).
Professional development has always been imperative, but it's taken on an additional importance considering the light speed at which our industry is changing. It's great to have an entire day of professional development aimed squarely at working journalists practically in NEO's backyard. And it will be very reasonably priced. So I hope you'll consider attending.  
Right now, the committee planning the event is neck-deep in putting together a slate of informative programs and knowledgeable speakers. We'll be sure to update you as plans are finalized. When that happens, we'll post a registration link that will probably include a hotel discount, so wait for it before booking.  
Finally, the committee overseeing the Ohio SPJ awards has been hard at work wrapping up a successful contest year and getting ready to begin the cycle again. Right now, we are working to tweak the categories to better reflect the current media landscape and the number of entries in recent years. Again, we'll keep you posted on the developments.
And now I have a question for you: What would you like to see this year from SPJ's Cleveland chapter? Any thoughts on program topics or meetups? Drop me a line at mks0511@gmail.com 
Kaye Spector
President, SPJ Cleveland Pro Chapter
 
This newsletter goes out to members two days earlier than to our many subscribers who are not SPJ members. This gives our members first crack at the jobs and other opportunities listed here. If you're not yet a member of SPJ but thinking about it, check out this list of other reasons to sign up:

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Group of event related 3D words. Part of a series.
Careers
 
Jan. 20
The Press Club
"My Year of Covering CLE:
A Conversation with
The Plain Dealer Editor George Rodrigue"
North Point Tower, Amphiteatre
11:30-1:30 p.m.
$35/$25
Click here to register   
registration ends today   
 
Jan. 20
Content Marketing Institute 
"The Story of Content: 
Rise of the New Marketing"
Screen CMI's newest documentary  
Cost: $12 for ticket, drink and popcorn
$15 at the door 
7 p.m. 
 Click here to register

Feb. 15
The Press Club
"Terrorism: How is it
Changing our Lives?"
Music Box Supper Club
11:30-1:30
$30/$40  
 
Jan. 28
Cleveland Digital Publishing Users Group
"The New iPAD Pro and Apple Pencil:
Creative Possibilities and
Useful Solutions for Your Work"
6 p.m.
Click here for more info
 
Jan. 26
Literary Cleveland
"Become a Brazen Self-Marketer"
at Mac's Backs bookstore
Lee Road, Cleveland Heights
7-9 p.m.
$15/$12.75
Jan. 30, Feb. 13, Feb. 27
Literary Cleveland
"The Heart of the Personal Essay: 
The Presence of the Author"
A course in the art of essay writing by nonfiction writer Charlotte Morgan
10 a.m. to noon for three Saturdays
at Loganberry Books
$45/$35

It's the season to enter SPJ's national awards

Sigma Delta Chi Awards

The Society of Professional Journalists is accepting submissions for the 2015 Sigma Delta Chi Awards, which honor the best in professional journalism.
 
The awards date back to 1932, when the Society first honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. The current program began in 1939, when the organization awarded the first Distinguished Service Awards. These awards later became known as the Sigma Delta Chi Awards.
 
Submissions must be received by Feb. 5. Work must have been published or broadcasted during 2015 to be considered.
 
The contest is open to any U.S. or international media outlet. Many categories have multiple divisions based on market size or circulation. Take note: SPJ members receive 40 percent off submission fees!

Mark of Excellence Awards
 
Entries are also being accepted for SPJ's Mark of Excellence Awards for the best work of student journalists - another part of the SPJ mission to improve and protect journalism.

Any student enrolled in a U.S. or international college or university, studying for an academic degree in 2015, is eligible to submit an entry. Students with full-time professional journalism experience, not including internships, are not eligible.

The submission deadline is Jan. 22. To qualify, all work must have been published or broadcast in 2015. SPJ student members receive an entry fee discount of 50 percent. 

Judging starts at the regional level with first place regional winners advancing to the national competition. Regional winners are announced at the annual spring conference held in each region.

New America Award

Who? Open to media outlets, journalists, community and issue advocacy groups, individuals and others concerned with ethnic issues.
What? The New America Award honors public service journalism that explores and exposes an issue of importance to immigrant or ethnic communities currently living in the United States.
Where? Entries for the New America Award must be submitted online.
When? The deadline to submit is Feb. 19
Why? SPJ encourages diversity in journalism and wishes to recognize public service journalists for their hard work.

Also, check out the following SPJ Honors you can nominate people for:
Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award
Ethics in Journalism Award
Historic Sites in Journalism
Sunshine Award 

For details visit SPJ's national website

Now, finally, a special award for dubious achievement:

The Black Hole Award

SPJ launched the Black Hole Award to highlight the most heinous violations of the public's right to know. By exposing such abuses, SPJ's Freedom of Information Committee seeks to educate the public about their rights and call attention to those who would interfere with openness and transparency.
 
Nominations for the 2015 Black Hole Award are being accepted now. Details about the award, past recipients and nomination criteria may be found on the national website (see link below).
 
The Black Hole Award "winner" will be announced during Sunshine Week, March 13-19. Please email nominations to FOI Committee member Mike Farrell (link on national website) or mail to:
 
Mike Farrell, Ph.D.
Director, Scripps Howard First Amendment Center
School of Journalism and Telecommunications
144 Grehan Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0042

More on the Black Hole Award at national website
Job opportunities
EDITORIAL MANAGER
Sentinel-Tribune
Bowling Green, Ohio

The Sentinel-Tribune, a family owned newspaper is seeking an Editor who is community oriented and has skills in reporting, hard news and feature writing, social media and page design. Job expectations include managing a team with a digital first approach, delegating responsibilities, decision making, working with the community at large and working within a budget. Applicants should submit samples of their published work and three references along with their resume. Communication is essential and the successful candidate will be required to be efficient in, and have a good understanding of, social media and have the ability to think digital first. The full- time position will offer a competitive benefits package including but not limited to Dental, Health and Vision programs.

Email resume, 3 references and writing samples to: jobopportunityinnwohio@gmail.com  or  Click here to apply online 


GENERAL MANAGERS / MEDIA DIRECTOR
Civitas Media  

Experienced Manager/Media Directors are needed in Ohio. The successful candidates will be dedicated to achieving realistic revenue goals. The successful candidates will be hands-on, visible leaders that can grow print advertising and digital revenue while managing other functional areas of the the business. 

Responsibilities include: 
  • Strategic planning and execution for print and digital revenue development. 
  • Being a champion of digital media, with a proven track-record of driving digital sales performance. 
  • Developing new circulation and audience acquisition strategies in digital, mobile and social media. 
  • Leading everyday training and coaching efforts to maximize sales performance. 
  • Ability to analyze market conditions and competitive business situations, identify new business opportunities and implement creative sales strategies. 
  • Collaborating, working with other department heads and the Regional Publisher to develop and execute short-and long-term strategies that bring revenue opportunities and innovative approaches to our market. 
  • P &L management, expense control.
  • Employee relations and development.
  • Engagement with the community.
Civitas is committed to introducing a wide variety of print and digital products to serve new audiences and to tap into additional sources of advertising, subscription, direct marketing, merchandising or other revenues. 

Exceptional communication, time management and planning skills are required. Solid leadership track record with 3-5 years of sales management experience preferably in the media business (magazine, internet, broadcast, newspaper, etc. ) is required. 

We offer a competitive compensation package, relocation expense, medical, dental and vision benefits and mileage reimbursement for business miles. 

Civitas Media, LLC is a national company that operates daily, weekly and niche publications and websites in 12 different states. 

To apply: Send resume and cover letter to: Careers937@civitasmedia.com 

 
Internships
NASA summer journalism internships

NASA invites students working towards degrees in journalism, communications, media relations, science writing, interactive journalism, or broadcast journalism, to participate in our science storytelling program - before you graduate. You'll gain on the job experience as you work with a leading team of writers and multimedia producers to create and share content from some of NASA's most exciting missions: mind-bending results from the Hubble Space Telescope; breaking solar storm imagery and the emerging field of space weather; new views of the moon from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter; and stories of our changing planet from NASA's Earth observing fleet of satellites. Our internships are designed to give students broad exposure to the many moving parts of the modern newsroom. Students wishing to explore the intersection between print, web, broadcast journalism and social media environments are particularly encouraged to apply. Note: Applicants must be registered students to be eligible.

Location: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date: June 2016 [flexible]
Application Deadline: Feb 19, 2016

Full PD and application instructions located here

Cleveland.com internships

Cleveland.com is offering 8-week paid internships for college students this summer in news and sales and marketing.

News interns will write and edit stories, take photos and videos, and interact with readers on social media. They must have exceptional writing skills and familiarity with web-publishing tools. Each intern will report to an editor and have the chance to influence important issues in the community.

The sales and marketing intern will work alongside the digital sales and marketing team to develop multi-platform advertising solutions for local and regional advertisers. Ideal candidates will be goal-oriented, self-motivated and will have strong problem-solving skills.

The internships are part of a national program organized by cleveland.com's national affiliate, Advance Local. Advance Local also is seeking candidates for its companies in Alabama, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Louisiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania and central New York.

At the end of the eight-week internships, interns from across the company will gather for a national summit in New York City.

Applicants must be full-time juniors and seniors in college pursuing a degree in journalism, business, communications or have prior work experience in those fields.

Interns must be available to work by June 6. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 13, and final decision will be made March 15.

Apply here 
As is typical of an Advance website, this one is not clear on how to find what you are looking for. We believe you have to register to look up the internships. Best of luck!  The original article about these internships, from which we have lifted the text above, is here.

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Writer's Week is a service of the Cleveland chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. 

This newsletter is produced by
Editor: Carrie Buchanan, assistant professor, Tim Russert School of Communication & Theatre Arts, John Carroll University,
Assistant Editor: Stephanie Phelps, multimedia journalist.

Contact us: Please send news items and job & internship postings to spjcleveland@gmail.com    
 
Chapter President: Kaye Spector, mks0511@gmail.com