A Message from the SPJ Detroit President & 2020 Agenda

Looking Back and Going Forward with More from your SPJ Detroit chapter

Message from the SPJ Detroit President

Dear SPJ Detroit members and friends,

Your chapter board of directors is busy planning an exciting 2020 with more programming, workshops and media advocacy for our profession. You will be receiving more details on these efforts following our annual board retreat later this month.

2019 was a milestone for our chapter as we conducted our first FOIA- FEST in October. Over 150 attendees were on hand for workshops. panel discussions and initiatives to reform Michigan’s restrictive FOIA laws and roadblocks to the Open Meetings Act. Attorney General Dana Nessel was our keynote speaker who voiced support for such reforms.  Your SPJ Detroit chapter pledges to continue our efforts for reform in 2020 and will be providing updates. If you missed the FOIA-Fest, please view the video recap of the event on this website along with stories from Wayne State University student reporters.

In 2019, our chapter was presented with a National Finalist Award by SPJ National recognizing our outstanding programs and activities. This is a nice service award but we want to do more for our members and our profession as we begin this new decade, and WE will!

In the meantime, please take note of the “Call for Entries” for the 2020 Excellence in Journalism Awards.

The entry period is now open for the awards honoring the best journalism from around metro Detroit during 2019. We are also accepting nominations for Journalist of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year, as well as applications for the Laurain Scholarships. The deadline for journalism entries – print, broadcast and online- is Feb. 7. The deadline for JOY, YJOY and Scholarships is Feb. 28.

Your board will be planning more programs and activities for 2020 so please look for updates on this website and our FaceBook page. As always, we welcome your input and participation. Please don’t hesitate contacting me with your thoughts and ideas at SPJdetroit.org or directly by phone at 313-600-2534.

All the best in 2020,

 

Beth Konrad

President SPJ Detroit

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