NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA PRO CHAPTER
Read the history of the chapter.The North Central Florida Pro Chapter of SPJ is the state's newest active chapter, serving Marion and Alachua counties as well as the surrounding area. Venues for meetings include the Gainesville Sun, Ocala Star-Banner and University of Florida. Members are busy coordinating professional development opportunities, encouraging and supporting young journalists, inspiring current professionals and championing ethics and freedom of information.
The following are a few of the specific activities:
- providing high-level professional development programs, including imbedded journalism with veterans and journalists who recently returned from Afghanistan
- celebrating Sunshine Week with Florida's First Amendment President Barbara Peterson by providing an informative session along with a birthday cake for James Madison and a private showing of "Good Night and Good Luck"
- a panel discussion on anonymous sourcing during Ethics Week, facilitated by Kelly McBride, ethics group leader at The Poynter Institute, with panelists Lucy Morgan, Pulitzer Prize winner and retired Tallahassee bureau chief for the St. Petersburg Times; Robyn Tomlin, executive editor at the Star-Banner in Ocala; and David Snyder, WCJB-TV
- a session on blogging and today's media with national expert Josh Hallett
- implementing a regional high school writing competition as an opportunity for students to earn national scholarships
- opening all professional chapter meetings to college students, particularly those attending University of Florida
- sharing professional experiences and information on job opportunities with colleagues of diverse media at social meetings
- sending the chapter president to regional and national SPJ meetings
The chapter includes members from print and broadcast media, and more activities are planned for the remainder of the year. New members are welcome and there are ample opportunities to become involved for those interested.