Emma Carew Grovum
Two years ago, when Neal ran for AAJA President, this is the endorsement that I wrote:
AAJA members, please join me in supporting Neal Justin for AAJA president.
Neal has been a fierce supporter of students and young journalists. He’s a tough mentor, but 8 years after meeting him in high school, I’ve never one regretted taking his advice.
Neal continues to be an active member at a time when many of his age peers have “retired.” He has long demonstrated a commitment to making AAJA better every chance he gets.
We face, among many issues, a leadership crisis. Few students come back to convention each year. Fewer young members step up to run for board positions.
Consider Neal’s work with J-Camp, local high school students at ThreeSixty Journalism, and AAJA’s mentorship program. He’s recognizing the crisis, and helping to groom the next generation of leaders.
No one gets off the hook easily with Neal, and that’s something you need in a leader. But when you show up, Neal shows up and then some.
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In the two years that followed that election, Neal turned his efforts local and put a great deal of work into supporting the Minnesota chapter. At the time, I was chapter co-president, and in 2011 our work was recognized by the National Board with the Chapter of the Year award.
I have worked extensively with Neal both in my capacity as a chapter president, and during my tenure leading the AAJA Print/Online mentorship program. Neal has been instrumental in trying to find solutions to fill the current programming gaps we have for serving young journalists.
Neal’s ideas are innovative and exciting, and he has the tenacity to bring them to fruition. His drive inspires other to work harder and create stronger solutions. Please join me in supporting his bid for AAJA VP of Print.
In order to cast your vote for Neal, you must first ensure you are a full* AAJA member in good standing. Check for your name on AAJA’s national roster here. Then watch your inbox for a ballot that will be sent Feb. 11, 2013.
* PO’d that you’re a student member who can’t vote in the special election? Neal has mentioned this issue specifically on his candidate Facebook page.
When we made the decision to move from Minnesota this year, one of the biggest losses I’ve felt was that of the AAJA Minnesota chapter. I had spent six years as a member of the Minnesota chapter, five of them serving on the board as student representative and co-president. The AAJA Minnesota board became not only a source of my incredible mentors, but great friends who felt like a family.
I’ve decided to apply my experience working on a local chapter in our new home, and am currently running for Vice President for Online within the AAJA DC chapter.
Any AAJA DC full members, I’d greatly appreciate your vote and support.
In the contested chapter president race, I’m backing POLITICO’s Seung-Min Kim. Her candidacy statement is included on the ballot emailed to all chapter members eligible to vote. I’ve been impressed with her leadership since moving to the area and am excited about her ideas to continue leading the chapter.
AAJA DC is also seeking members to step up to fill positions of treasurer, community liaison and member outreach.
This time next week, I’ll be on my way to Las Vegas for 5 days at the UNITY Journalists convention, a once-every-four-years joint conference among AAJA, NAHJ, NAJA and NLGJA.
My first UNITY was in 2008 in Chicago — I was still a student, looking for my next big internship, and scared as hell. UNITY is a large event and can be incredibly overwhelming.
So, with that in mind — here’s my two cents of advice to first-time convention goers:
* Talk to everyone—but be mindful of people’s time! If someone’s group of friends appears to be leaving them behind because they are still talking to you, exchange contact information and let them be on they’re way. On the flip side, if you’re a UNITY veteran and you meet a newbie who appears to not have arrived with an entourage, adopt him or her and introduce them to your crowd.
* Bring business cards, and lots of ‘em. Good places to pick them up for cheap are Vistaprint.com and Moo.com (the former is probably cheaper, though at this late date you’d have to pay rush shipping, I think; the latter creates beautiful photo-based cards and has integration with Facebook and can pull from your cover photos album to show) and pass them out like candy. Stay organized with the ones you receive.
* Dress professionally! My mentor, Benet Wilson, created a group “What to Wear at NABJ” board on Pinterest, which is a great resource for UNITY-goers. She also has a “What Not To Wear” board for folks who aren’t real clear on the line between classy and not-so-classy falls. Also, it’s usually freezing in conference rooms despite the blazing heat outside. Layers are key.
* Follow up quickly. If you meet a new contact that you hope to stay in touch with, shoot them an email to thank them for their time or ask a follow up question. If you meet someone who gave you great advice, invested a lot of time with you or helped you make another great connection, send them a thank you card. Yes, a real, cardstock, in-the-physical-post-office-mail thank you card.
* Socialize! If you’re young or new to one of the alliance organizations, the best thing you can do is meet people who are leaders, movers and shakers. Get to know folks “off the clock” and become part of the fold.
* Label your gear. A thousand tech-savvy and tech-dependent folks running around a small space for 5 days? Yeah, that’s a lot of iPads, iPhones and a sea of white chargers laying about. Put your name on yours.
* Pack snacks. If you’re watching your budget, one of the fastest ways these conferences can get expensive is by eating at the convention center every day. UNITY in Chicago was sort of isolated and there weren’t a ton of off-site, walkable lunch options. Throw some almonds or granola bars in your bag so you aren’t 100% reliant on $12-a-plate cafeteria lunches.
* Share the wealth! Not everyone can attend UNITY and once you’re there no one can attend all of the great sessions they’d love to. If you’re in a great panel, consider blogging or tweeting some of the insights you pick up (and share on the #UNITY12 hashtag, of course).
* Please, read this: How to Ask Questions at a Panel. It was floating around during SXSW this year and I hope we can apply it at UNITY. Ask questions at panels, contribute to the discussion, but please don’t waste people’s time by self-promoting or picking fights with the panelists.
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See you in Vegas!
Updated:
My thoughts on how AAJA can better connect with members via affinity groups.
Paul’s idea for creating “affinity groups” in AAJA is one of the big reasons I am supporting Paul’s campaign for AAJA national president. I believe this move is absolutely needed for AAJA to stay viable and forward looking. I’ve felt the tug myself as I have gotten more involved with the Online News Association and thought to myself, where are all these like-minded folks in AAJA?
For the past three years, I have been heavily involved with AAJA’s National Print and Online Mentorship program. We haven’t yet found the success of our sister-program, the AAJA Broadcast Mentorship program but I believe the affinity groups Paul is pitching would be instrumental in revamping the mentorship program at the national level.
Students and recent grads need to be able to find “their people” within the masses of AAJA. As a web journalist and social media editor, I’ve struggled in the early years of my career to find the right mentors and AAJA-ers who are on my same path. I think Paul’s proposed groups would eliminate that struggle for many of our members — especially as our industry continues to change so quickly.
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Today is the LAST day to cast your electronic vote for the AAJA National election. If you will NOT be at the UNITY conference in Las Vegas Aug 1-3, be sure to vote today.
You should have received an email from AAJA National with all of the instructions on how to vote early. You can vote online or fax your vote. The deadline to vote is TODAY, Monday, July 16 at 5 p.m. PDT.
I hope you’ll join me in supporting Paul Cheung for AAJA President.
I *LOVE* this Pinterest board idea from my kick-ass mentor, Benet Wilson! She’s pulled together a “what to wear” board for the NABJ 2012 convention in New Orleans.
Whether it’s just an inspiration board for herself or a gentle how-to guide for students looking to navigate the world of career wear for the first time, it’s a great resource and a fun use of Pinterest.
When I went to my first journalism conference (AAJA Miami, 2007), I honestly think I spent the most time worrying and asking questions about wardrobe.
Well done, Benet!
Why I’m supporting Paul Cheung for AAJA’s National President:
I’m very excited about Paul’s ideas to fill the gaps in AAJA’s current programming and the opportunities and support that can be developed for members who are between student programming but not ready for ELP or other mid-career programs.
I’ve been so impressed with Paul’s work on the 2012 UNITY programming this year for the Las Vegas and I believe his digital-forward focus will serve AAJA leadership and members will over the next few years.
Paul’s big picture vision for AAJA and where we will go next is inspiring. Paul talks about wanting to make sure AAJA’s pipeline is full of AAJA members that their best, at every stage in their career. I hope you’ll join me in supporting Paul’s work and his candidacy for AAJA National President.
Emma Carew Grovum
AAJA Minnesota co-president
Our industry is going through an exhilarating transformation. Our business model is changing at a rapid pace and the expectations of what it takes to be a journalist are being redefined. I believe this is the most innovative time in journalism.
Friends, I am excited by the tasks ahead of us….
5 ways young journalists can stay motivated, thrive in the newsroom | Poynter.
Just one of the great pieces of advice AAJA’s Tom Huang gives to young journalists in his open letter to us on Poynter.
It’s a great read and great advice to keep in mind.
A little more than a year ago, we started diversify.journalismwith.me as a way to encourage journalism conference and workshop organizers to diversify their panels.
We were inspired when Retha Hill asked, Why Are New Media Conferences Lacking In Minorities? in a blog on PBS Media Shift.
Since then, we’ve worked to curate more than 130 journalists from UNITY orgs, journalists from across disciplines who rock, and belong on panels and in “save journalism” conversations.
We’re always continuing to add to the list. Nominate yourself and others here.
So, if you’re planning a convention, if you’re up-voting in the ONA Session Selector (which closes soon!), if you’re pitching panels for UNITY, NABJ, Excellence in Journalism or a local convention, keep diversity in mind.
Change the conversation and make it better.
Great opportunities for student journalists from the Asian American Journalists Association. If you’ve been having trouble accessing our site (aaja.org) all of the application materials are here:
For more information:
Contact AAJA Student Coordinator Nao Vang at NaoV@aaja.org or call 415-346-2051, Ext. 102.
PROGRAMS: UNITY12 News Project, AAJA JCamp
UNITY 2012 Convention News Project
Eight of the most promising college students will be selected by AAJA and given the opportunity…
(via doristruong)
— AAJA 2011 convention co-chairs Ankur Dholakia and Frank Witsil, who welcome you to Detroit.
Register today! We’ll see you Aug. 10-13 in Motor City.
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Can’t wait for my first National chapter presidents’ meeting!
