Dear SPJ members:

I believe our organization again has reached a critical point in its long and distinguished history of serving and protecting journalism.

The road ahead will be tough. But SPJ again is uniquely positioned to grow in membership and stature and to strengthen its ability to execute its core missions of First Amendment and freedom of information advocacy, professional development including furthering the discussion and implementation of ethical decision making and diversity, and journalism education.

During SPJ’s May 15 board of directors meeting and during the meeting of SPJ’s supporting foundation’s board, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation on May 16, many issues related to SPJ’s future were discussed and acted upon.

Key steps were taken to ensure success.

For individual members of SPJ, and its student and professional chapters, there is no better time than now to understand and to become involved in directing the future of SPJ.

Follow this link to a long but important “debrief” on business conducted by the SPJ board in Indianapolis. Please take the time to review the board’s business so you can see the depth and breadth of SPJ’s work. I believe that particularly helpful are National Mission Committee reports, the reports of regional directors and SPJ staff reports. And please take time to contact any board member or committee chair or me if you need more information.

Be assured that in the weeks ahead — as we move toward our national convention in New York City, that more information on a host of issues facing SPJ will be headed your way via e-mail, mail and the Web Site, and in messages from your chapter leaders and regional directors.

Now is the time to “educate” and “participate,” and the best time to make sure your membership contact information is updated and accurate.

Finally, the convention delegates in New York City face decisions on very important bylaws changes regarding SPJ’s governance and mission.

Make an effort to contact your chapter leaders to demand that they file an annual report, which will ensure your chapter will have its appropriate number of votes at the national convention.

And chapter leaders, make sure you seek input from all your members as to where they stand on these issues so they will be represented during the delegate session.

As always, I serve you diligently and look forward to hearing from you.

Best,

Mac McKerral
President