Communities and Committees
The work of SPJ is largely done at the national committee and community level. No matter what your passion — freedom of information, diversity, ethics, freelance, international journalism, First Amendment rights, journalism education — SPJ has an outlet for your talents, passion and energy. Scroll down to learn more about (and get involved with) our committees, and use the links to the right to discover and join any of our growing communities.
SPJ Communities
Touch base with fellow SPJ members and meet like-minded journalists by joining one or more of SPJ's communities! Open to all members.
– Freelance Community
– International Community
Active committees
Awards & Honors
Bylaws
Diversity & Inclusion
Professional Standards and Ethics
Finance
Freedom of Information
Journalism Education
Legal Defense Fund
Membership
Nominations
Resolutions
Regional Coordinators
Awards & Honors
This committee oversees most of the Society's awards, which are dedicated to recognizing outstanding achievement in journalism. Any changes in guidelines, judging criteria, categories or eligibility are reviewed by this committee.
Related content | Awards Committee Roster
Awards & Honors Committee
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Bylaws
This committee strives to ensure the Society conducts its business and operations according to the Society's bylaws. SPJ's bylaws aim to unite members and promote good fellowship among them.
SPJ Bylaws | Bylaws Committee Roster
Bylaws Committee Chair
J. Alex Tarquinio
Independent journalist
Past National President, Society of Professional Journalists
Winner of the 2014 SPJ Howard S. Dubin Outstanding Pro Member Award
LinkedIn
@alextarquinio
Rafael Olmeda, vice chair
Senior writer, Sun-Sentinel
Board member, Society of Professional Journalists
Past President, National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
Past President, UNITY
LinkedIn
@rolmeda
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Diversity & Inclusion
On both chapter and national levels, SPJ provides an open forum for the discussion of diversity issues in journalism. This committee's purpose is to promote a broader voice in newsrooms across the country and expand the depth and quality of news reports through better sourcing. The Society's relevance to its member is based on inclusiveness.
Diversity Home Page | Diversity Committee Roster
Diversity & Inclusion Committee Chair
Eleanore Vega
Freelance Journalist
LinkedIn
Email
Ivette Davila-Richards, vice chair
Fox News Regional Assignment Editor
SPJ National Secretary/Treasurer
LinkedIn
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Professional Standards and Ethics
This committee's purpose is to encourage the use of the Society's Code of Ethics, which promotes the highest professional standards for journalists of all disciplines. Public concerns are often answered by this committee. It also acts as a spotter for reporting trends in the nation, accumulating case studies of jobs well done under trying circumstances.
Ethics Home Page | Professional Standards and Ethics Committee Committee Roster
Professional Standards and Ethics Committee chair
Duane Pohlman
Anchor/Investigative Reporter
Local 12/ WKRC-TV
@DUANELOCAL12
Email
Fred Brown, vice chair
Adjunct Instructor, Media Ethics
University of Denver
LinkedIn
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Finance Committee
The finance committee is chaired by the Society's secretary-treasurer. By authority of that position, the committee reviews the annual budget and sets financial goals. Its recommendations on the budget are forwarded to the SPJ board at its spring meeting.
Finance Committee Roster
Finance Committee Chair
Ivette Davila-Richards
E-mail
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Freedom of Information Committee
This committee is the watchdog of press freedoms across the nation. It relies upon a network of volunteers in each state organized under Project Sunshine. These SPJ members are on the front lines for assaults to the First Amendment and when lawmakers attempt to restrict the public's access to documents and the government's business. The committee often is called upon to intervene in instances where the media is restricted.
FOI Home Page | FOI Committee Roster
Freedom of Information Committee Chair
Haisten Willis
Email
LinkedIn
Kathryn Foxhall, vice chair
Email
LinkedIn
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Journalism Education
This committee's purpose is to promote excellence in education programs and practical research. It acts as a clearinghouse for the Society's academic members and students. It also works with annual convention planners on mentor programs both at the college and high school level.
Tools for Students | Tools for Educators | J-Ed Committee Roster
Journalism Education Committee Chair
Yvette B. Walker
University of Oklahoma
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Legal Defense Fund
The Society's Legal Defense Fund is a unique account that can be tapped for providing journalists with legal or direct financial assistance. Application to the fund is approved by either a small committee or the national board, depending on the level of assistance sought. The committee works throughout the year raising funds for LDF.
More information | LDF Committee Roster
Legal Defense Fund Committee Chair
J. Israel Balderas, Esq.
National board member, Society of Professional Journalists
Assistant professor of journalism, Elon University
Email
@jisraelbalderas
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Membership
This committee follows membership trends in the Society and recommends membership recruitment drives to the national board and executive director. It is called upon to review chapter requirements, dues, organizational structure and other quality-of-life issues affecting the membership.
Why Join? | Member Resources | Membership Committee Roster
Membership Committee Chair
Adam Sennott
Email
LinkedIn
Ana Rocío Álvarez, vice chair
LinkedIn
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Nominations
SPJ’s Nominations Committee is primarily responsible for identifying, vetting and recommending candidates for election to the Board of Directors.
SPJ Election Central | Nominations Committee Roster
Nominations Committee Chair
Nicolle Sartain
Email
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Regional Coordinators
SPJ's regional coordinators are responsible for organizing, guiding, supervising and stimulating the activity of each chapter in their regions. Meet SPJ's Regional Coordinators
Regional Coordinators Committee Chair
Jennifer Ellis
@jennifersellis
Email
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Resolutions
The Resolutions Committee meets annually at the Society's National Convention. The group is charged with presenting timely issues for debate before the Society's voting delegates. Its members serve to keep order at business meetings of the Society and to facilitate thoughtful debate. Drafts of resolutions can be submitted by any member of the Society either prior to, or during, convention.
Committee Roster
Resolutions Committee Chair
Michael Savino
@Reporter_Savino
Email
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