Sigma Delta Chi Awards: The Sigma Delta Chi Awards are among the premiere prizes given in the profession, and are unique, because they recognize achievement in all forms of journalism: print, television, radio, graphics, magazines, research, newsletters and online. Nominations due today, February 9, Midnight EST

New America Award: SPJ's New America Award honors public service journalism that explores and exposes an issue of importance to immigrant or ethnic communities in the United States. Postmark deadline today, February 9.

National High School Essay Contest: SPJ wants to increase high school students’ knowledge and understanding of the importance of the Free Media to our lives. The top three national winners receive scholarship awards. Postmark deadline March 8.

Numerous other SPJ awards are accepting nominations at this time as well. Click here to see a complete list.

The January/February 2012 issue of Quill is now online. Stories include:

– Egyptian Press Struggles For Its Own Revolution
– From the President
– Quill at 100
– For Love of Community
– Reflections from Wheat Country
– 10 from Ten
– Member Profile - Austin Kiplinger
– Global Toolbox
– Education Toolbox
– Diversity Toolbox

To see all stories, follow this link.

Annually, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation awards about $300,000 in grant monies. Most awards go to SPJ and SPJ-related projects to further align with the work of the Society. Other journalism-related projects that help to fulfill the Foundation's mission may receive support if funds are available.

Read about the 2011 grant recipients here.

Application postmark deadline: February 19. Follow this link for guidelines, instructions and additional information.

SPJ’s Spring Conferences are day-long professional development meetings bringing area journalists, students and journalism educators together in one place to hear from industry experts on topics ranging from improving writing to leveraging technology in today’s new media climate. Enhance yourself and your journalism career by attending a Spring Conference in your area. Get available details — including dates, locations and contacts — for all 12 regions by clicking here.

March 23, 2012:
— Region 1: Stony Brook, N.Y.
— Region 3: Gainesville, Fla.
— Region 4: Lansing, Mich.
— Region 8: Fort Worth, Texas

March 30:
— Region 2: Elon, N.C.
— Region 6: Bloomington, Minn.
— Region 7: Ames, Iowa
— Region 10: Tacoma, Wash.
— Region 11: Universal City, Calif.
— Region 12: Lafayette, La.

April 13:
— Region 5: Indianapolis, Ind.
— Region 9: Denver, Colo.

“I’d like to take a moment here to share a few thoughts on the state of SPJ — on where we are and where we’re going.

First off, tonight we’ve reached another milestone in SPJ’s long and storied history. We’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of Quill, our signature magazine.

What started as a fraternity newsletter in January 1912 has evolved into an outstanding magazine that helps our members stay current with what going on in journalism and within the Society.”

Click here to continue reading John's remarks, or see and hear them firsthand in a video posted by SPJ's Charlotte chapter.

You prepared for four years (or more) and now you're working 40 hours a week (or more) as a professional journalist.

You’ve graduated from college and been working professionally for no more than three years, and now you’re looking for the keys to a successful, long-term journalism career. You will find a good start at the SPJ Reporters Institute this summer in St. Petersburg, Fla.

— More Information
— The Program
— For the Bosses
— Apply Online

The Society of Professional Journalists 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 are now open for the 2012 Black Hole Award. If you know of someone whom you feel is deserving of this "honor," click here to tell us about it.

2011 Recap: Utah the darkest pit in the United States
The SPJ Black Hole Award for 2011 goes to the Utah Legislature and Gov. Gary Herbert for plunging their state into an abyss of secrecy through the most regressive piece of freedom of information legislation in recent history. Click here to read more about last year's winner and the five runners-up.

Excellence in Journalism 2012 Scholarships and Fellowships: Apply by June 13

Terry Harper Memorial Scholarships: Terry Harper passed away in 2009 after a two-year battle with brain cancer. In honor of Terry’s efforts to improve SPJ and the entire journalism community, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation set up a memorial fund following his death. With a generous outpouring of support, the Society can now proudly provide up to five scholarships to SPJ members to attend its annual convention. Applications due June 13, 2012.

Diversity Leadership Fellows Program: As we face the many challenges of an evolving industry, strengthening SPJ’s diversity efforts is more important than ever. The goal of the Diversity Leadership Fellows program, ultimately, is to increase the diversity participation of SPJ members within national committees and on the national board of directors. As part of the program, we bring fellowship recipients to the convention to begin a year-long immersion and education program. Applications due June 13, 2012.

Robert D.G. Lewis First Amendment Award: From the generosity of the Lewis family, the award is given each year to a student SPJ member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the First Amendment through the field of journalism. The award assists a student with his/her attendance to SPJ's annual convention. Applications due June 13, 2012.

The Society of Professional Journalists is seeking 12 interns for The Working Press, a daily tabloid newspaper and online news site, that will cover the Excellence in Journalism 2012 conference. Collegiate student reporters, editors, photographers and designers are invited to apply for these select positions.

This year’s conference is set for September 20-22 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Selected interns will need to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale on Wednesday, September 19 and attend a mandatory 2 p.m. staff meeting. The internship ends Sunday, September 23 at Noon.

For SPJ student and professional chapters to be successful, they must do the right thing in the right way. The Ted Scripps Leadership Institute helps participants learn how to do just that by offering a mix of sessions focused on interpersonal and organizational leadership skills, as well as sound chapter management practices. Read all about the 2011 program, and apply by the end of day March 15 to participate.

— Program Home
— Schedule
— 2011 Highlights

Studio SPJ is a series of half-hour Internet radio programs devoted to journalists talking on topics of interest to other journalists. Guests will include authors and newsmakers. This companion blog will serve as your guide, and we will also use this space to celebrate and promote the best and most creative programs SPJ chapters are offering their members.

Latest entries:

– More Ethics Training Needed
– The Ethics of Freelancing
– Discussing the Occupy arrests of journalists
– Studio SPJ: National Practitioners Data Bank
– A surprise Pulitzer