Latest from Region 5

NAHJ Region 5 Members,

The feedback is coming in from our NAHJ Region 5 Conference. We are learning what worked at the conference in Houston and what didn't. We are taking notes and working on a guide so we can start working towards our next regional conference. Students from El Gato at the University of Houston really enjoyed the conference and sent me a nice e-mail saying that. They are getting closer to organizing a local chapter. When we host these conferences, that's one of the goals is to energize the locals so we are happy to accomplish our goals. I am starting to consider sites for the 2011 Region 5 Conference. So if you are involved with a local NAHJ group and are interested in organizing a conference, send me an e-mail so we can start planning.

Our next multimedia conference is in El Paso on April 10th on the campus of the University of Texas El Paso. Take advantage of this full-day of intensive workshops which will include training on: editing video using Final Cut Pro, using the latest in Social Media for better storytelling and journalism, creating your blog inexpensively using Wordpress, learning PhotoShop, and improving how you use audio to tell stories more effectively and with more impact. Space is limited in the workshops so register and reserve a space today! The cost is $20 for NAHJ Students and $40 for NAHJ Professionals. Sign up today.

On the same day in San Antonio, our new newest potential chapter in San Antonio at Our Lady of Lake University will be having a membership drive and multimedia workshop. It''s called Digital Multimedia Gathering Tools and Tips. They will be offering classes on digital cameras, equipment basics, software basics, Production 101 on story telling and using Social Media to publish and promote on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube etc. It's free for OLLU students and $25 for others and will include a free lunch. It starts  at 9 am and ends at 3:30 pm. It's being held at OLLU Campus, St. Martin Hall, Room 104. For more information, contact Kay O'Donnell at modonnell@lake.ollusa.edu by April 8 or call her at 210-434-6711 ext 2112.

I am at the NAHJ Board Meeting in LA as I write. We are talking about elections for the NAHJ Board. Up for the election will be the non region rep positions, including President, VP of Broadcast and VP Print. You must turn in your petitions with 25 signatures by April 30th to be eligible for the election. So here's  your chance to get involved and run for a position. Good Luck! We also will be voting on making the Student Rep position a voting member spot on the board and creating an Academic position on the NAHJ Board.

Don't forget the 28th Annual Multimedia and Career Expo in Denver "El Grito Across the Rockies" will be held from June 23-26. Thanks to the Gannett Foundation, you can sign up early for $250 and save $75. This rate will only be around for a short time so register early and Meet NAHJ in Denver http://www.nahj.org/2009/11/2010conventiondenver/ The deadline for Student Projects/Student Campus is March 31st. I encourage all students interested in learning about the industry to apply for these programs. http://www.nahj.org/2010/02/2010-convention-student-projectsstudent-campus-applications-open/

One other deadline for students is the NAHJ Scholarship Competition, wihch is March 31st. These scholarships are awarded annually to aspiring Latino journalists and other students committed to journalism through the NAHJ Rubén Salazar Scholarship Fund http://www.nahj.org/2010/02/nahj-scholarship-applications-open/

We need people to renew their membership. So far, we have a lot of students renewing, but professionals aren't renewing at a slower pace. So renew your membership and get a discount to our multimedia conferences and the national convention. Pass this on to a friend, colleagues and any other journalists where you can get hands on multimedia training and great networking opportunities.

One last thing on our finances. There has been many members asking about this and many believe NAHJ is in deep trouble. Our campaign was to raise money for our budget shortfall from our convention. We made $30,000 off the convention, but we were expecting $300,000. NAHJ was the only UNITY group to make money, which is amazing because of the current economic times. We didn't make money because companies are tightening their belts and members couldn't afford to go to the conference. We were able to fundraise nearly $100,000 in our fundraising campaign. NAHJ isn't going to shut down or anything like that and we still have the budget shortfall. We actually borrowed money from our own account. We need to repay that and still need you to donate money. So if you can help us out, please donate at the Count Me In Campaign at http://www.nahj.org/support/donate/

Until next time, have a Blessed Day.