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.

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.

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

March 8, 2011

PABJ continues to be at work. Follow the association from a president’s perspective via the President’s Corner Blog, found at www.pabjprez.wordpress.com. Updates are ongoing.

PABJ@NABJ36

This committee encompasses all of PABJ’s projects at the NABJ Convention. The broader committee and tasking teams are at work. Please visit www.pabj.org for an overview of task leaders and contact info, found under committees. Website will be updated as of March 9. Next meeting takes place Wed. March 23 at 6:30 at the MAC offices,1700 Market Street, Suite 3000.

PABJ Committees

Please check out our website for committee team leaders.

PABJ/TABJ Digital Journalism Symposium

Event will take place at Temple’s Tuttleman Hall, Room 100 on Saturday, March 19. Time is being worked out, but tentatively 9:30am-3pm. Check out our website calendar which will link you to the Facebook event page. RSVP required by March 18 to RSVP@pabj.org.

PABJ Priorities Over the Next Six Months

First communicated at the Feb meeting. Recap: Help NABJ; Support the NABJ Convention; Produce an Awards Program; Produce Programming Aimed at Professional Development of Journalists and Students

Sponsorship

Packages are available online at www.pabj.org on the sponsor link. PABJ is actively seeking leads. Your support and participation is welcome!

NABJ

Sarah attended NABJ’s site tour on March 7 and has had direct communication with the NABJ staff regarding convention plans and sponsorship. The latter has additional details to workout, but we are well on our way!

Meetups with PABJ Members

The morning meetups are going well. If you’d like to meetup for coffee/tea, you’re more than welcome to schedule a morning meeting any Monday-Thursday at 9 or 9:30 at the Callowhill Starbucks. Email president@pabj.org to set up your meeting.

I’ve integrated the various feedback I’ve received from members and gave thought to many of the teamwork laws below as I crafted PABJ’s 2011 leadership team and organizational strategy. Two I’d like to speak to here– the law of the “big picture” and the law of “communication.” The former speaks to the large task that the chapter has in 2011 as chapter hosts to the NABJ convention. There is so much work to do and it’s going to take a chorus of all to accomplish our goal of hosting a successful convention. The goal not the role should be our unified focus. And the latter speaks to why I started this president’s corner blog. Being a good communicator is the basis for being a good leader. I hope this blog helps provide some useful information on what’s happening with PABJ behind the scenes and real-time so that you can be a more informed and active member.

Take the time to review the 17 indisputable laws of teamwork below. And pick up the book; it’s worth the read.

A summary of “The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork” by John Maxwell

1. The Law of Significance: One Is Too Small a Number to Achieve Greatness

2. The Law of the Big Picture: The Goal is More Important Than the Role

3. The Law of the Niche: All Players Have a Place Where They Add the Most Value

4. The Law of the Great Challenge (“Mount Everest”): As the Challenge Escalates, the Need for Teamwork Elevates

5. The Law of the Chain: The Strength of the Team Is Impacted by Its Weakest Link

6. The Law of the Catalyst: Winning Teams Have Players Who Make Things Happen

7. The Law of the Vision (“Compass”): Vision Gives Team Members Direction and Confidence

8. The Law of the Bad Apple: Rotten Attitudes Ruin a Team

9. The Law of Countability: Teammates Must Be Able to Count on Each Other When It Counts

10. The Law of the Price Tag: The Team Fails to Reach Its Potential When It Fails to Pay the Price

11. The Law of the Scoreboard: The Team Can Make Adjustments When it Knows Where It Stands

12. The Law of the Bench: Great Teams Have Great Depth

13. The Law of Identity: Shared Values Define the Team

14. The Law of Communication: Interaction Fuels Action

15. The Law of the Edge: The Difference Between Two Equally Talented Teams Is Leadership

16. The Law of High Morale: When You’re Winning, Nothing Hurts

17. The Law of Dividends: Investing in the Team Compounds Over Time

PABJ Members:

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you personally to talk about your career, your ideas regarding our journalism/media industry and your ideas for the chapter.

Let’s meetup! I’ve met with a few of you and look forward to meeting with you all. I’m available to meetup with members from 9:00am to 9:45am at the Starbucks on Callowhill Street, Mondays through Thursdays. To set a date, please email me at president@pabj.org and let me now what date you’re available.

I’d like to meet all PABJ members or as many of you that are interested during the months of February, March and April. It’s my goal to get through the meetings over the next three months.

I’m specifically interested in talking to you about new media, and I’d love to offer suggestions to expand your skill set. I don’t know it all, but I do know that we all need to be doing and learning more new media skills. I’d like to encourage you to get past your career comfort zone.

Since there are 100 of you and one of me, I’d prefer to meet you at one location, the Starbucks on Callowhill. If another location is necessary, please advise and we’ll work on making other arrangements.

I look forward to meeting with you.

Sincerely,

Sarah Glover
PABJ President

I firmly believe an organization is only as strong as its members. With the help and assistance of each and every member, PABJ will continue to soar to new heights.

The official call to all went out in January. Members were asked to email me at president@pabj.org and outline areas where they’d like to get further involved. Feedback was requested by January 21. If you are interested in serving PABJ in a leadership capacity as a committee team leader, and/or serving on a committee, please send your feedback via email. The official call is below. Thank you!

~

PABJ MEMBERS— A Call for All to “Do One Thing”

Involvement

All PABJ members are welcome to become actively engaged in the work of the association. Each member is asked to “Do One Thing” in 2011— attend an event, serve on a committee, play a leadership role to help PABJ carry out its core mission, help a student/peer, suggest an event idea and/or speaker or program, work on PABJ projects, suggest fundraising ideas, offer the use of your services inkind, suggest and develop an organizational partnership, or contribute in a new way you’d like to develop and/or identify etc, etc.

Leadership

Are you interested in serving PABJ in 2011 in a leadership capacity? Some organizational work that may be of interest include: fundraising, chapter convention-related activities, communications, media access, membership, awards, digital journalism, bylaws, media monitoring, scholarship, elections, programs and/or an ad hoc committee to be identified.

Open to Ideas

If there’s an area that you’d like to suggest that PABJ might consider adding to widen its impact, please send along your ideas.

Please send your ideas and your involvement interests by January 21. Please contact PABJ President Sarah Glover at president@pabj.org

and indicate how you’d like to get involved and provide suggestions on ways in which PABJ may continue to expand its reach.

The National Association of Black Journalists is bringing its annual convention and career fair to Philly from August 3-7, 2011. Let’s get acquainted. Bring your colleagues for an evening of networking and fun. Spread the word throughout your media network!!!!

Visit our event Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162493380468110

You’re welcome to join and become a member of both the Pen and Pencil Club and the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. For more information on the associations, visit: www.penandpencil.org and www.pabj.org

See you at the “Philly Media Mixer!”

2010 PABJ Scholarship recipient Jordan Pringle (right) with her mother Audrey Pringle.

The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) is now accepting nominations for journalists and community members to be honored at its annual awards and scholarship reception in June.

Nominees will be recognized in the following categories:

-  Trailblazer Award

-  Community Service Award

-  Journalist of the Year

-  Lifetime Achievement Award

Detailed information about the nominating process and the application can be found at www.pabj.org. All materials must be postmarked by March 11. There are no entry fees. Please e-mail questions to Denise James (denise.james.news@gmail.com).

PABJ will also award multiple scholarships ranging from $1000-$2500 to African-American high school seniors and college students who are from the Delaware Valley or who attend a Delaware Valley college/university. Applicants must be pursuing degrees in journalism or communications (broadcast, radio, print, or new media). The 2011 PABJ scholarship application may be obtained by visiting www.pabj.org. Applications must be postmarked by April 21. Please e-mail scholarship questions to Porsha Grant (pabj.scholarship@gmail.com).

PABJ is seeking sponsorship to help the organization carry out its 2011 goals and core mission. Sponsorships support the PABJ Awards Program, which honors journalistic excellence and achievement; PABJ Scholarships, which support the next generation of African-American journalists; and numerous PABJ community programs which take place over the course of the year. Please contact PABJ President, Sarah Glover, at president@pabj.org or 215-854-4224 to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

-Membership Retention and Outreach

-Finalize 2011 Sponsorship Packages and Strategy

-Developed Organizational Framework and Strategy

-Advocacy at Philadelphia Media Network

-Event planning

-Communications Strategy Revision Begun

-Hosted a Media Access Workshop with Partners PBPRS and NBC10

-Gained Member Feedback, Input and Participation

-Announced 2011 PABJ Awards Nomination Process & Scholarship Awards

-Began Community Outreach with Potential Partners

-Updated PABJ Website

-President Began One-on-One Member Meetings at Starbucks

-Sent Cheer, Extended Sympathies and Acknowledged Member Accomplishments with Cards, Gift Baskets and Calls

-Wrote a Nomination for Temple ABJ for NABJ Student Chapter of the Year; Wrote Nomination Letter for Acel Moore for NABJ Lifetime Achievement Award; and a Nomination for Heather Faison for NABJ Emerging JOY Award

-Participated in Philadelphia Welcoming Committee Meetings (For the NABJ Convention)

-Communicated Scholarship/Fellowship/Job Opportunities to Members via Email

-Encouraged Member Donation to the Christopher Foster Memorial Fund; PABJ Directly Facilitated the Donation of over $400 and Helped Raise Nearly $800.

Members can expect additional outreach, more programming, committee meetings and social events in the coming months. Members are also asked to send their social media information to media@pabj.org. A directory of member social media will appear on www.pabj.org.