President’s Report, May 2011

Sarah J. Glover

President’s Report

May 11, 2011 Meeting

215-854-4224

president@pabj.org

PLS NOTE: I respectfully ask that if you have detailed questions for the team leaders who are reporting this evening that you reach out to them via their contact information/email that is viewable on the www.pabj.org committee link. Due to time constraints and the great need to afford NABJ candidates the opportunity to speak to you, I hope that you can make your remarks brief and follow up with any questions at a later date. Thank you so much.

PABJ@NABJ36

The organization has made great progress as it relates to planning the Friday, August 5 Convention Party and Festivities. The venue location is the top priority. The three locations that PABJ is giving greater consideration are: the Franklin Institute, Electric Factory andNationalConstitutionCenter. At present, PABJ is seeking a firm proposal/contract from the Franklin Institute. Once that is received, the tasking leaders and the board can assess in what direction we can move forward with pursuing a contract/deposit. From the previous two planning meetings, consensus was PABJ would seek the details from theFranklinand work from there. The next meeting takes place Tuesday, May 24 at 6:30 pm at the Inquirer/Daily News building.

FUNDRAISING

Since our last meeting, there had been no progress on obtaining a response from NABJ regarding our chapter’s counter-proposal on working together on fundraising in 2011. NABJ asked PABJ to raise $225k and gain 10 percent of the proceeds in February during a conference call. PABJ members and the convention planning committee came up with a counter-proposal that would be a hybrid approach. NABJ would seek some Philly sponsor independently, PABJ would seek some independently and we would work on some together with PABJ obtaining a percentage of those proceeds. PABJ suggested 25-40 percent. The percentage had not been finalized, as well as the arrangements we put forth had not been responded to. At the April 8-10 board meeting, I asked once again for closure in this matter and up and until the third week of April still had not received a response. PABJ sent a correspondence to NABJ the week of May 1 informing NABJ that PABJ would be working to secure sponsorship on its own, with a goal of $75,000. Members have come forth to assist this effort. If you have leads, please send them to Sarah Glover right away. PABJ remains committed to supporting NABJ and the convention and will continue to assist where called upon.

 

STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST
PABJ is facilitating an essay contest on behalf of NABJ founder Sandra Long. The contest deadline is May 15. Please see www.pabj.org for the rules. Four student NABJ conventions will be awarded.

PABJ-TV

The next meeting will take place Monday, May 23 at 7pm at Beech Interplex Studios. Please visit the events portion of www.pabj.org for more details. A soft launch will occur in the coming months to acquire donations. A grand launch will happen in the fall. We are in the beginning stages, be a part of this.

PABJ WELCOME ON FACEBOOK

Keep up with PABJ and the NABJ Convention- www.facebook.com/pabjwelcome

NABJ CONVENTION PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE is MAY 15!!!
Be sure to register and save big. You need to join NABJ, register for the convention, buy your meal events… then you are all set. Time to get your business cards/resumes ready!

PABJ AWARDS CEREMONY
What can I do to help PABJ? Many are asking of late… first of which is to buy your awards ceremony ticket. They are on sale now. For more details, visit: www.pabj.org. Ticket deadline is June 1. Join me, buy your ticket today.

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are needed. To help with convention, send an email to volunteer@pabj.org

To help with the day-of awards ceremony setup, send an email to manuelsmith@gmail.com

SEEKING CAMP SUGGESTIONS

An NABJ member has contacted PABJ inquiring about camp suggestions for the convention week of Aug. 3-7. If you have local overnight camp suggestions that PABJ can pass along, please advise and send an email to pabj@pabj.org.

CERTIFIED CANDIDATES INVITATION

PABJ reached out to the NABJ Election Committee to organize tonight’s candidate speaking opportunity. PABJ offered this opportunity two years ago in the previous election cycle.

NABJ BOARD MEETING WEEKEND
PABJ hosted NABJ during its April 8-10 board meeting weekend for a wildly successful series of events on Friday, April 8. PABJ members organized a press conference at City Hall with Mayor Michael Nutter, a reception at theKimmelCenter and an after-performance event at Philadelphia International Records. Thank you to all who took part. Many members attended the NABJ board meeting on Saturday and Sunday, terrific representation. It was an amazing weekend.

MEETUPS

The meetups with members went very well. Thank you to all who took advantage of them, I hope they were insightful and useful to you. I enjoyed meeting many of you one-on-one.

President’s Report, April 2011

President’s Report

PABJ Sarah J. Glover

April 12, 2011

NABJ Board Weekend

PABJ had dynamic representation at the NABJ Board of Directors meeting this past weekend. PABJ hosted the board for some memorable events; a Friday afternoon

 press conference with Mayor Michael Nutter, a “Welcome toPhiladelphia” reception at theKimmelCentersponsored by GPTMC, and a TSOP live after-event sponsored by Philadelphia International Records. Multiple PABJ members participated and stopped by  the board meeting to observe. Multiple NABJ board members have reached out to say thanks re: PABJ’s weekend hosting. A special thank you to PABJ members: Jeff Guaracino, Rachel Ferguson, Elka Battle, Dawn Roberts and Haniyyah Sharpe.

PABJ@NABJ36

You can join PABJ’s efforts. Visit the committee link on www.pabj.org for a list of team leaders. Please contact the team leader in a specific area, lend your expertise and get involved. At present, PABJ is seeking venue pricing and attempting to negotiate them. The top three venues are: Franklin Institute, Electric Factory and Constitution Center. Once the information gathering process is complete (hopefully by month’s end), we will move forward with picking a venue and signing a contract. Entertainment options are being explored, such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, Marsha Ambrosius, QuestLove and Sonia Sanchez. The next meeting for PABJ@NABJ36 (all of PABJ’s activities at this year’s convention) will take place Wednesday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at GPTMC’s offices. Visit the event calendar at www.pabj.org for other forthcoming meetings and events.

Fundraising is in progress. Multiple members have come forward with great ideas and suggestions. PABJ is in business and now is the time to finalize opportunities. Corporate leads can be sent to president@pabj.org. Small business leads can be sent to secretary@pabj.org.

Philadelphia Welcoming Committee

Any member is welcome to join the Philadelphia Welcoming Committee. Send an email to Sandra Long to get onboard, longs@phillynews.com. Visit the committee on Facebook, search for “PABJ Welcome” and friend the profile to keep up with the information flow.

Convention Volunteers

If you are interested in being a volunteer for the NABJ convention, please send an email to volunteer@pabj.org Many people are inquiring about volunteer opportunities. While NABJ has not provided specifics yet, we are keeping a list of interested parties. PABJ is understanding there will be a limited number of volunteers who may receive convention access, but it will depend on the amount of time you are volunteering for. They are interested in weeklong volunteers who will get specific breaks to venture out, so please indicated the days and times you are available. NABJ has indicated it appreciates PABJ beginning to compile a volunteer list.

The PABJ/TABJ Digital Journalism Symposium held March 19 atTempleUniversity was well attended with 45 PABJ members attending. The following panelists volunteered their time and expertise—Crystal Cranmore of CBS3, Freelance Photographer Velvet McNeil, Steve Lubetkin of Professional Podcasters LLC, Norm Bond of NAMD, Kirk Wardy of CBS3 and Digital Journalist Heather Faison. The event was free for PABJ members. TheTempleABJ were the best hosts and partners, providing the venue at no cost to PABJ. The total cost to produce the event was $191.88 for refreshments, nametags and thank you notes.

NABJ Best Practices Award

The NABJ Awards Committee is seeking “Best Practices” candidates for the awards program. If you know of a news organization that can be cited for its best practices in 2010, please send an email to pabj@pabj.org by April 20 and we will pass them all along.

Seeking Overnight Camp Suggestions

An NABJ member has contacted PABJ inquiring about camp suggestions for the convention week of Aug. 3-7. If you have local overnight camp suggestions that PABJ can pass along, please advise and send an email to pabj@pabj.org.

NABJ Certified Candidates

PABJ will once again welcome NABJ certified candidates running for the 2011-13 NABJ Board of Directors at the May and June meetings. A direct email invitation will be sent to the candidates this week with information on how the process will work. PABJ did this in 2009 for the most recent election cycle.

Meetups

Last Call– Members are welcome to schedule a meetup with PABJ president Sarah Glover during the first two weeks of May. Visit www.pabjprez.wordpress.com for the details.

PABJ-TV

The first meeting of PABJ-TV will take place Monday, April 18 at Beech Interplex Studios,1510 Cecil B. Moore Avenueat 7pm. Come out to see how this new initiative will evolve. Be a part of it from the ground up. PABJ will produce original web content and stories that will be PABJ-TV.

Photo Shoots

The chapter’s group photo shoots are going well. So far this year, we’ve had a shoot at the Rocky Statue. Our next shoot is Saturday, April 16 at the Franklin Institute. Gather at 9:30am, shoot is at 10am sharp. Please wear WARM COLORS only, such as red, melon, brown, black, etc. Business casual requested, no jeans or sneakers. Visit the events section of www.pabj.org for forthcoming events.

Open Email Letter to PABJ Members, March 23, 2011

Dear PABJ Family:

PABJ has numerous new members in the fold. WELCOME! We’re happy to have you onboard.

PABJ hosted the NABJ convention in 1995. It was a record setting convention then, and stands up as one of the best NABJ conventions in history. We’re working to help make 2011 in Philly “THE BEST NABJ CONVENTION OF ALL TIME.” With your continued support, input and active participation, we’ll continue to
celebrate our past, present and future and help take NABJ to the next level and PABJ to new heights.

Many of you have reached out and asked how you can help. There’s plenty of ways in which members can get
 nvolved. Here’s some:

1) Join a Committee. We’ve talked about the committee assignments and organizational structure at the February and
March meetings. To get involved on a committee and assist a team leader, visit here: http://www.pabj.org/docs/PABJ-2011-committee.pdf

2) Help with PABJ@NABJ36. This umbrella committee encompasses all of PABJ’s activities related to the 2011 NABJ convention. To get involved with a tasking effort, contact a team leader and offer your insights and help. Attend the monthly PABJ@NABJ36 Committee Meetings (there’s a meeting tonight, details sent under separate cover). For more info, visit here:
http://www.pabj.org/docs/PABJ@NABJ36.pdf

3) Pass along Sponsor Leads. NABJ and PABJ need support to execute the 36th Annual Convention & Career and its related activities. Many of you have good ideas about what PABJ should be doing and who PABJ should working with. What PABJ needs is further assistance with identifying tangible sponsorship leads
with contact names and information. We’re continuously seeking
partnerships to help the association carry out its 2011 goals and
establish a roadmap for the coming years. Pass along your corporate leads o: Sarah Glover president@pabj.org. Pass along your small biz leads to: Gmaine Edwards secretary@pabj.org.

4) Attend Events. Support yur fellow members who are producing PABJ programs. To view a schedule of forthcoming events, visit: http://www.pabj.org/events.html

5) Recruit Members. PABJ is welcoming of new members every day of the year. PABJ offers both community events free that are free to the public and members-only events. There’s plenty of benefits to being a PABJ member, most important of which is the PABJ network and resourceful information PABJ shares. Recruit a colleague. To access the PABJ member app, visit:
http://www.pabj.org/join.html

6) Register for the NABJ Convention. Support NABJ. You will save BIG by registering with the “chapter member discount” for the NABJ convention. To do so, you must be a current PABJ/chapter member and NABJ member and register for the convention by April 1. To access all the registration tiers, visit:
http://www.nabj.org/resource/resmgr/convention/2011_nabj_convention_registr.pdf 
To access more convention info, visit here:
http://www.nabj.org/?page=conventionreg  REMEMBER: “NABJ only comes to town” once every few decades or so…. 3,000 to 4,000 journalists and media professionals will be descending upon Philly this summer. You’re here already. You need to be at the convention taking advantage of all it has to offer, attending the professional development sessions and accessing the job fair. No brainer, register today! This is a career investment.

7) Spread the Word, PABJ has Scholarships. PABJ will award multiple scholarships in 2011, with $2,500 and $1,000
awards. The scholarship deadline is April 21. Be sure you pass along details about the scholarship program to prospective students and amongst your network. To access the scholarship application, go here:
http://www.pabj.org/docs/PABJ-2011-Scholarship.pdf

8) Attend the PABJ Awards Ceremony. The program will take place the evening of Saturday, June 11. More details to come. Please support the association and its awards program. I’m asking all members again this year to purchase at least one ticket. The awards program is our time to shine a light on the work and  accomplishments of black journalists and community members.
Be there. No other organization in the Delaware Valley honors diversity and the achievements of blacks in media like we do. This is a gem of a program. This year, the committee is working hard to ensure it’s the best awards program to date, further raising PABJ’s profile! To get involved on the committee, email: denise.james.news@gmail.com

9) Attend Upcoming Member-Only Events and PABJ Events. PABJ will host the NABJ Board of Directors for a reception at City Hall with special guest Mayor Michael Nutter. More details on the event are forthcoming, but mark your calendars and be there the evening of Friday, April 8! PABJ will also host a members-only BBQ and pool party this summer. Membership has its privileges.

10) Pass Along Your Ideas and Do Something. Reach out to members of the board and team leaders of the various committees.
Visit www.pabj.org for their information. If each and every member did “at least one thing” this year, we’ll continue to soar to new heights.

Finally, we’re a mighty medium-sized chapter growing in numbers. There’s 100 of you and one of me. While I may not be able to reach out to each one of you personally on a regular basis, I want you to
know you can reach out directly to a respective team leader/tasker to help PABJ. Again, check out the links online (mentioned above) to access who’s doing what and get involved.

I want to continue my meet-and-greets with members through April. So if you are interested in meeting for coffee at the Starbucks at 19th and Callowhill at 9am, Mondays-Thursdays, send me an email to president@pabj.org to schedule a meeting. I’ve met with many of you and these meetings have been a terrific opportunity to get to know you better, discuss your career goals and talk about new media. I’m going to push you to get out of your comfort zone.

Finally, I pledge to keep you updated regularly. There’s a lot
going on. I’ve started a PABJ president’s blog. You can keep track of what’s happening with PABJ there and how the organization’s moving parts are advancing forward. Here’s the blog archive/overview of Jan. through Feb. activity: http://pabjprez.wordpress.com/2011/ and I’ll be posting
some information pertaining to the past month in the coming week. So check back often.

Thanks in advance for your continued support. Here’s to history-in-the-making and a phenomenal 2011 to come! Cheers!

–
Sincerely,

Sarah J. Glover
Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, President
Philadelphia Daily News, Staff Photographer
215-854-4224 phone
president@pabj.org
www.pabj.org
www.facebook.com/skyphoto
www.twitter.com/skyphoto
www.philly.com/sarah