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Expansion Policy | Requirements
Society of Professional Journalists Expansion Policy Guidelines for Student Chapters
The Society of Professional Journalists is a professional organization. It is not honorary in nature, nor is it any longer a fraternity.
In function and membership requirements it is concerned only with the field
of journalism and the free flow of information to the public at large.
SPJ's campus chapter expansion policy establishes requirements that embrace
the highest standards of professionalism. The campus chapter encourages and
assists members in carrying out common objectives. It is through the chapter
that individual members join in freedom of the press issues, learn of ethical
problems, and professional standards and enjoy fellowship of common purpose.
Before the Society's board of directors will consider chartering a new campus
chapter of the Society, several requirements must be met and several steps taken.
Who Can Form a chapter?
If you and other journalists in your school or metropolitan area are interested
in starting a new campus chapter of the Society, under no circumstances should
you take any steps or actions as a chapter of the Society until you have notified
SPJ's national headquarters and your appropriate regional director of your
interest. The national office will provide you with the regional director's
name, address, and telephone number.
The national office and your regional director will be of invaluable assistance
as you plan from the start. You must keep them closely informed of your activities.
Before you act at all as a chapter, you will have to determine whether your
group meets the requirements of a provisional SPJ chapter.
Under SPJ's bylaws, a group or organization of students may be granted a charter
by the board of directors as a campus chapter upon presentation of a formal
petition and completion of the requirements of this expansion policy.
Charters to campus and satellite chapters are granted by majority vote of the
board of directors or by majority vote of the delegates to a national convention.
Campus chapters may be established at two-year or four-year universities or colleges that have a school or department of journalism or that offer courses in journalism. At least ten students expressing a serious interest in journalism ware required to start a campus chapter.
The faculty at schools seeking a charter should include at least three members
whose principal teaching duties lie in the field of journalism and at least
three faculty members who are members of the Society in good standing. If a
school seeking a charter has only two journalism faculty members, the group
may seek the endorsement and commitment of another nearby SP J chapter to support
the newly forming group.
City- or area-wide campus chapter also may be established by several two- or
four-year colleges or universities within radius of 75 miles provided that at
least one college or university involved has a school or department of journalism
or offers courses in journalism.
Again, however, the faculty of the various schools seeking a charter should
include at least three members whose principal teaching duties lie in the above
fields and at least three faculty members who are members of the Society in
good standing. (See above for an exception to this rule.) And again, at least
one faculty member who is a member of the Society must express, in 'writing,
a willingness to serve as the chapter's formal adviser.
Once the chapter is established, the faculty adviser of city-wide or area-wide
chapters must be from the same school as the chapter's proposed president. This
ensures both a rotation of responsibility and oversight of the student chapter's
activities.
If you meet these requirements, you should consider whether your group would
best be served by its own chapter or by functioning as satellite of a nearby
existing professional or campus chapter. Again, the national headquarters and
your regional director can assist you in making that decision.
Getting Started
The national office will not recognize your group as a provisional (probationary)
chapter of the Society until a petition has been filed with the office asking
that your chapter be allowed to begin the minimum one-calendar-year probationary
period pending a charter.
You may file a petition asking to be recognized as a provisional campus or satellite
campus chapter at any time during the year. The national office is responsible
for starting the clock for provisional chapters.
To be recognized as a provisional campus chapter of the Society, you must provide
the national office with the following:
— A provisional chapter application fee of $25.
— The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least 10 student journalists
who are members of the Society, including five who are willing to serve as acting
officers and directors of your provisional chapter.
— A list of schools to be served in the event of a city-wide chapter, along
with addresses. If another campus chapter is near your area, the geographical
area your chapter may serve is limited to half the distance to the next chapter.
— Names, qualifications, and professional memberships of faculty members who
have indicated a willingness to serve as your chapter's adviser. Your adviser
must be a member in good standing of the Society.
— A description of the colleges and universities involved and a statement as
to the curriculum offered at each school which meets the requirements outlined
above.
— A description of petitioning group, identifying the petitioning students
by major subject, class rank (year) and journalistic experience.
— A description of journalistic endeavors and activities at each school, such
as a campus newspaper or broadcast outlet.
Now You're Ready
Once the national headquarters has received the above information, you will
be notified whether your group meets the requirements for a provisional chapter
of the Society. If you do, the national headquarters will supply you with the
items to help you organize your chapter, including a chapter leader handbook,
membership applications, and suggested program and fund raising ideas.
Read the chapter leader handbook thoroughly. It provides guidance on how to
select your board of directors, conduct elections, promote the chapter and set
up programs and projects.
Share the handbook with your chapter officers and directors. Always keep a copy
handy, keep your handbook up-to-date by filing inserts or changes distributed
by the national 01fice.
Activities of a Provisional chapter
As a provisional chapter, you may function much like a recognized chapter of
the Society. You may hold meetings, elect officers, conduct service projects,
and fight Freedom of Information battles in the Society's name.
Again, you must keep your regional director informed of your activities.
Your first major goal should be to recruit an organizing committee. Student
members and officers can be chosen from students in good standing in the college
or university. Graduate students still in school are eligible. But, consider
the interests of the student body and the student diversity so that students
interested in newspaper, radio, televisions, magazines, wire services, and journalism
education will be represented.
Then, schedule an organizational meeting, and ask your regional director to
attend.
Your acting president or regional director should explain the purposes and aspirations
of the provisional chapter and conduct a general discussion leading toward development
of a "statement of purposes" or "programs."
You should conduct an election to formally constitute the organizing committee
as a temporary board of directors and formally elect temporary officers at this
time. It is a good idea to also recruit chapter committee chairmen at this time.
In the case of citywide or area-wide chapters, each school involved must be
represented by an officer to ensure cooperation between schools and a rotation
of responsibility for the chapter's long-term success. Keep in mind that all
your chapter officers must be national members in good standing. SPJ suggests
you elect the following officers:
— President: Responsible for calling board meetings, arranging for chapter meetings
and the general welfare of the chapter.
— Vice President or President-Elect: Responsible for ensuring the continuity
of the chapter, typically will be responsible for programs and chapter events.
The vice president should be a likely candidate for the presidency the subsequent
year. A president-elect would automatically ascend to the presidency, ensuring
chapter continuity from year to year.
— Secretary or Secretary-Treasurer: Responsible for meeting minutes, filing
all required reports, keeping membership records, mailing notices and handling
reservations for meetings. Should have access to duplicating facilities.
— Treasurer: Responsible for chapter finances and bookkeeping.
Once you have organized a board of directors, you must provide the national
office with the following:
— The amount of dues you anticipate charging for your chapter and the name,
address, telephone number, and account number of the financial institution at
which your funds will be deposited.
— A list of your directors and committee chairmen, including names, addresses,
and telephone numbers.
— A copy of your bylaws. (SP J headquarters can provide model bylaws to guide
you.)
Then, you may begin planning your general activities.
— Set a time and place that will be most convenient for the largest number of
possible members. If a meal event is planned, keep costs low and ask for RSVP's
to control costs on guaranteed meals. You should have a main speaker of sufficient
caliber to discuss the merits of membership in SP J and its activities. Send
meeting notices to all media outlets in your area informing them of your interest
in starting a chapter and asking them to attend. If your group has the time
and resources, a survey asking for input on what prospective members would like
the chapter to accomplish can be of invaluable assistance.
— Appoint a program committee (two or three members of the temporary board)
to arrange for subsequent speakers or programs. You should begin planning meetings
two to three months in advance to allow time for adequate publicity. Your initial
programs should be on subjects of wide interest, to draw as many prospective
members as possible.
— Determine how the chapter will be financed. Expenses consist of an initial
application fee of $25, a formal chapter installation fee of $50 once you are
recognized by they board as a full-fledged chapter, expenses incidental to the
mailing of notices of meetings and the costs each year of sending a delegate
to the SP J National Convention and to your regional conference.
Suggested methods include:
— Establishing nominal annual local dues. Local dues are in addition to national
dues.
Local members may not join the local chapter unless they are dues-paving members
of the national organization.
— Adding a nominal amount to each dinner charge.
— Sponsoring an awards banquet or other event with a charge sufficient to raise
necessary funds.
During the 12-month probationary period, a provisional chapter must meet the
minimum requirements for campus chapters and submit an annual report to prove
that it can meet SP J' s chapter standards. Schedule your requirement programs
and activities for the Coming year to make certain your Provisional chapter
will meet the minimum requirements of the Society, as detailed here.
Three and four star chapters are eligible to be considered for national chapter
of the year.
Regional directors will review annual reports and select the best chapter in
their region. Regional directors have maximum flexibility in terms of selecting
chapters for recognition and in determining what form that recognition should
take. But staff will evaluate all chapters and designate their ranking based
upon their programs during the year.
Staff will provide regional directors with a list of chapters in distress, and
the regional directors, with help from their deputies, will contact those chapters
and work to bring them UP to minimum Standards.
Chapters many apply for waivers from minimum requirements. A Waiver must be
submitted in writing completely outlining the reason for the request by March
15 of each year. Applying for a waiver will not automatically guarantee approval.
Chapters requesting a waiver from attendance to the national convention or regional
conference must Outline, in writing, What steps will be taken over the next
two years to correct the problem(s) preventing the chapter from sending members
to the convention and conference.
Gaining Formal Recognition
After one calendar year, the probationary chapter may petition the national
Board of Directors for a Charter. The national board will consider a Chattering
request at its next board meeting following completion of one calendar year
and Submission of the Chartering application. The board can grant or deny the
request, or table it until a Subsequent meeting.
Provisional chapters should keep in close contact with the national office and
their regional directors regarding progress the chapters are making. The national
office and regional director should be resources to aid in the Chartering process.
SPJ members Planning on Starting a chapter Should keep in mind that the Board
meets in April and at the national convention in September or October, at which
time Charters may be granted. TO expedite the process, it is recommended that
chapters form in January/February or July/August.
When you have fulfilled the chapter requirements and are ready to be chartered
as a full chapter, forward one set of the items below to the national office.
Send a copy to your regional director:
— Charter petition. The national office will provide a copy of this form upon
request.
— Proposed chapter bylaws. The national office can provide model bylaws to guide
you.
— A written Plan for development of the chapter.
— A treasurer's statement or other evidence of ability to pay the $50 installation
fee and expense of sending one delegate to the next national convention and
to your next regional convention.
— $50 installation fee to the national office.
— An updated copy of all items sought when you originally petitioned for recognition
as a proposed chapter.
— A statement offering evidence that graduates of that chapter have attained
success as active practitioners in journalism as defined in the Society's bylaws.
— A description of all journalistic activities conducted by the petitioning
group (awards programs, professional meetings, cooperation with the journalism
School or department, workshops, etc.)
— A list of at least 20 alumni by name and present occupation.
You must submit this information at least one month Prior to one of the semiannual
meetings of the national board of directors. These meetings are held near the
end of April or early May (Spring meeting) and in September or October during
the national convention (fall meeting).
Charters to campus chapters will be granted by majority vote of the national
board of directors.
Once you're official
Your first need will be to Schedule and arrange for an installation ceremony
at which your charter will be presented. Each newly-chartered chapter shall
be installed by a past or present national officer. This ceremony usually consists
of an initiation, dinner or program, presentation of a charter certificate and
installation of officers and members.
A campus chapter will be granted authority by the national board of directors
to initiate candidates for membership providing the chapter meets all the requirements
of the bylaws of the Society, and other specific requirements established by
the board. Installation guidelines will be provided by the national office following
approval of the charter petition.
Your regional director will help you coordinate your charter installation ceremony.
Satellite chapters
If you opt to organize a satellite chapter instead of seeking your own formally
chartered campus chapter, you must still Supply the national office with certain
information and meet some basic requirements. You may want to consider a satellite
chapter for several reasons:
— You might not be able to find enough members to support a full chapter and
believe you will need considerable support to keep the chapter going.
— For Whatever reason, you do not believe your group can meet all the minimum
requirements of active chapters, but can meet most.
If you wish to be recognized as a satellite, you must contact a nearby "parent"
chapter and ask if it would be interested in sponsoring your group.
After you have located a sponsoring professional or campus chapter nearby, you
must notify the national office in writing of your intention to begin a satellite
chapter by providing:
— A petition asking to be recognized as a formal satellite of an existing professional
or campus chapter
— A $25 satellite chapter processing fee
— A copy of your written agreement with the existing chapter
— Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all chapter officers
— A copy of your chapter's bylaws
— A written Plan for development of your chapter
— A letter from your regional director acknowledging and endorsing your efforts.
— Names, qualifications, and professional memberships of faculty members who
have indicated a willingness to serve as your chapter's adviser. Your adviser
must be a member in good standing of the Society.
— A description of the colleges and universities involved and a statement as
to the curriculum offered at each school which meets the requirements outlined
above.
— A description of the petitioning group, identifying the petitioning students
by major subject, class rank (year), and journalistic experience.
— A description of journalistic endeavors and activities at each school, such
as a campus newspaper or broadcast outlet.
When the above information is received, the national office will provide you
with additional intonation to assist you in developing the program in your area.
Satellite chapters must file annual reports as required of active chapters and
must show efforts to meet most minimum requirements of active chapters.
Satellite chapters will be approved only in affiliation with active chapters
in good Standing With the Society.
Expansion Policy | Requirements
Graduated Student Chapter Requirements
One Star
— Chapter submits an annual report.
— Chapter is represented at either the regional conference or the national convention
or both.
— Chapter has six paid members on its roster.
— Chapter has four meetings per year including two meetings on journalism-related
topics such as diversity, FOI, Project Watchdog, campus crime Reporting, ethics
or any topic currently relevant to SPJ missions.
— Chapter shall establish a reasonable goal for new membership and meet this
goal.
Two Star
— Chapter submits an annual report on time.
— Chapter is represented at both the regional conference and the national convention.
Chapter has eight paid members on its roster.
— Chapter has five meetings per year including three meetings on journalism
related topics such as diversity, FOI, Project Watchdog, campus crime Reporting,
ethics or any other topic currently relevant to SPJ missions.
— Chapter shall establish a reasonable goal for new membership and meet this
goal.
Three Star
— Chapter submits an annual report on time.
— Chapter is represented at both the regional conference and the national convention.
Chapter has 10 paid members on its roster.
— Chapter has eight meetings per year including three meetings on journalism
related topics such as diversity, FOI, Project Watchdog, campus crime Reporting,
ethics or any other topic currently relevant to SPJ missions.
— Chapter shall establish a reasonable goal for new membership and meet this
goal.
Four Star
— Chapter submits an annual report on time.
— Chapter is represented at both the regional conference and the national convention.
Chapter has 10 paid members on its roster.
— Chapter has eight meetings per year including fours meetings on journalism
related topics such as diversity, FOI, Project Watchdog, campus crime Reporting,
ethics or any other topic currently relevant to SPJ missions. The chapter is
not permitted to use one program to fulfill two requirements. One of the programs
must involve public off-campus participation.
— Chapter shall establish a reasonable goal for new membership and meet this
goal.
Three and four star chapters are eligible to be considered for national chapter
of the year.
Regional directors will review annual reports and select the best chapter in
their region. Regional directors have maximum flexibility in terms of selecting
chapters for recognition and in determining what form that recognition should
take. But staff will evaluate all chapters and designate their ranking based
upon their programs during the year.
Staff will provide regional directors with a list of chapters in distress, and
the regional directors, with help from their deputies, will contact those chapters
and work to bring them UP to minimum Standards.
Expansion Policy | Requirements
Contact Linda Hall via e-mail or at 317/927-8000 ext. 203 if you have questions or need more information.
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The chapter doctor is a front-line caretaker who helps new and struggling pro chapters. Let us be a resource to resolve outstanding chapter issues and serve as a liaison to national headquarters.
Chapter Doctor Commitee Chairs
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Bio (click to expand)
Bill McCloskey is the retired Washington, D.C.-based Director of Media Relations for AT&T, formerly BellSouth Corp.
Before joining AT&T in 1987, Bill worked for 11 years with The Associated Press in Washington.
Bill's professional career started in 1961, when, as a high school junior, he took a summer newsroom job at Metromedia's WIP Radio in Philadelphia. He remained with Metromedia in Philadelphia until he was drafted into the Army upon graduation from Villanova University in 1966.
Ironically, the Army assigned him to the information office of the 1st Signal Brigade in Vietnam where he wrote press releases about the Army's telephone system.
Following his tour of duty, he was assigned by Metromedia to set up a news department for WASH FM in Washington. From 1968 until 1975, he worked as news director, network correspondent and TV news producer and writer for Metromedia in Washington.
Bill chairs the Radio and Television News Director’s Association Foundation’s annual fund-raising dinner. He is past president of the D.C. Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and was the Society’s Region 2 director. He has been recognized three times with SPJ’s “President’s Award” for distinguished service to the Society.
Sally Lehrman
Independent Journalist
Bestwrit
Montara, Calif.
Work: 650/728-8211
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Bio (click to expand)
Sally Lehrman is a director at large for the SPJ National Board of Directors. Additionally, she is an award-winning reporter and writer for some of the top names in national print and broadcast media. Her byline credits include Scientific American, Nature, Health, the Washington Post, Salon.com and the DNA Files, distributed by NPR. She specializes in medical and science policy reporting, with an emphasis on genetics, race and sexuality. Distinguished honors include the 1995-96 John S. Knight Fellowship; a shared 2002 Peabody award, Peabody/Robert Wood Johnson Award for excellence in health and medical programming, and Columbia/Du Pont Silver Baton (for the DNA Files); and reporting and writing awards from SPJ, Case, and other organizations.
Besides SPJ, Lehrman is active in several organizations that promote diversity in the media. Her volunteer work in diversity has been recognized by the 2003 Wells Key, a 2002 SPJ President’s Award, the 1998 Howard Dubin Outstanding Pro Member Award and an award for service to the NorCal SPJ chapter. She is author of News in a New America, a fresh take on developing an inclusive U.S. news media, and is a USC Annenberg Institute for Justice and Journalism Expert Fellow. Lehrman also serves as SPJ’s Diversity Committee chairperson.
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