As a board member it is your legal responsibility to keep tight oversight on chapter funds — even if you aren’t the treasurer.

By understanding and implementing some of the following recommendations, you can greatly decrease your exposure to misappropriation of chapter funds and other problems. Get valuable tips about income, expenses, duties, budgeting and more inside.

Where chapters grow. Check out the SPJ's official membership blog. Latest entries:

– 10 years already: Time flies when you’re a member of the Society of Professional Journalists
– You asked for it! A new way to let Society of Professional Journalists membership work for your newsroom
– Guest Blog: Transparency is good for members and good for SPJ
– Roundup: 4 notes for SPJ members as 2012 draws to a close
– To opine or not to opine: Social media proves fertile ground for a discussion about journalists and social media
– The accidental journalist? ASU student meets her fate under Friday night lights
– SPJ membership drive Q&A: Sandra Gonzalez hits the ground running in Las Vegas
– Guest post: Nebraska journalists sow seeds for an SPJ chapter
– SPJ membership drive Q&A: Rio Grande chapter prez says it’s all about jobs and training
– SPJ membership drive Q&A: Virginia pro chapter prez values connections and training

The Leading Edge is a newsletter designed to provide chapter leaders and officers with the tools and information to help lead a chapter, grow and retain membership and improve and protect journalism in your communities.

Latest entries:

– Free pizza, the First Amendment and serious fun
– April Chapter Grants
– A subtle reminder
– Don’t you want to be a Scrippster?
– Two chapters receive funding in February and March
– Get your books in order!
– Two chapters receive cash for programming
– SPJ welcomes Newsroom Members
– Santa, fill my stocking with SPJ gear
– Winter brings programming cash for two chapters

Grab a slice and let the pros dice. That's right, it's Slice 'n' Dice, a program that brings together students and professionals for networking, résumé critiques and grub. We've got everything you need in the "virtual" box, including directions, flyers and a sign up sheet. There are even some nifty table tents to spruce up the place. All you need to do is bring in the pros and order some pizza.

Also check out: Journalism Movie Night

About Programs in a Box

Is your campus chapter in need of a simple, cost efficient program to draw in members or just have fun? If so, we can help!

Because we understand that sometimes the clock just moves too fast and budgets are just too small, we've recently created Programs in a Box to help you implement a successful program with little planning and little cash.

Need help staying in touch with members after they join your chapter? Want to hear what other chapters are doing to keep members involved? This collection of resources, tips and templates can help.

Program Ideas for Chapters: SPJ’s chapters host an array of interactive, educational and fun programs that serve thousands of journalists of all experience levels and specialties each year. Take a look at these outstanding programs — and consider repeating them (or adding your own special twists to them) in your area.

Programs in a Box: Is your campus chapter in need of a simple, cost efficient program to draw in members or just have fun? If so, we can help! Because we understand that sometimes the clock just moves too fast and budgets are just too small, we've created Programs in a Box to help you implement a successful program with little planning and little cash.

Follow-up Scripts: Helpful scripts to use when following up with new members after three and six months.

Download valuable materials to assist in your SPJ leadership, including:

— High-resolution SPJ and other logos
— Printable SPJ Ethics Code materials
— Membership brochure and application
— Materials for chapter and national leaders, including training ideas, chapter leadership tips and more
— The most recent SPJ/SDX annual report

Follow this link to access everything.

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:

– Studio SPJ: Talking with SDX Winner Craig LeMoult
– Talking with SDX winners
– A conversation with Thomas Peele
– More ethics training needed
– The Ethics of Freelancing

Is your campus chapter in need of a simple, cost efficient program to draw in members or just have fun? If so, we can help!

Because we understand that sometimes the clock just moves too fast and budgets are just too small, we've recently created Programs in a Box to help you implement a successful program with little planning and little cash.

Our newest program: Slice 'n' Dice

Also check out: Journalism Movie Night

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 professional chapter expansion policy establishes requirements that embrace the highest standards of professionalism. The professional 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 professional chapter of the Society, several requirements must be met and several steps taken. If you're interested in establishing or expanding an SPJ chapter, these guidelines will help get you started on either the professional or campus levels.