Stories + Facts = Coverage

Meet Phil Kadner, Southtown Star columnist at our Making Media Connections Conference
 
“Every story has a human element, but human interest stories are always the best way for readers to understand a problem because you put a face on it,” Southtown Star columnist Phil Kadner says. “Usually the best way to pitch it is the human element.”

Kadner, winner of multiple Lisagor awards for exemplary journalism from the Chicago Headline Club, a 2002 Studs Terkel Community Media Awards and a presenter at this year’s Making Media Connections conference, notices how amazing people are at addressing dilemmas once they know where to go and who to reach out to: “If they’re given access to the right resources they can solve problems. People mobilize to the cause and can be very creative that way.”

Read Phil's advise on how to pitch the media or read more about Phil on our conference website.

Advocate + Communicate = Change Making Media Connections
June 10 and 11 at Columbia College Chicago

“Very informative sessions, I liked being able to hear what other professionals like me find that works.” - Cassina Sanders, Cabrini Connections
 
Join us June 10 and 11 to connect with dynamic panelists, trainers and others at the Making Media Connections conference. This year’s conference will focus on changes and trends in social media, the news and what it means for nonprofits. And for those new to the field, we’ll also have hands-on coaching sessions and introductory workshops on nonprofit communications. Best of all you can take advantage of our special early bird discount by registering before April 30. http://tinyurl.com/crrf22  

Making Media Connections Conference Badges If you’re attending or will be a presenter at our conference, show your support and showcase our growing tree conference badge on your website or blog!

Get the source code here and embed our badge!

back to top

“City Voices”
Sundays at 6:30 a.m. on WNUA 95.5FM
Listen to what’s in store for taxpayers as Gov. Quinn’s Chief of Staff, Jerry Stermer, discusses the state’s budget. Airs this Sunday. Listen to two new shows on our podcast now. 

“Community, Media and You”
Saturdays at 8 p.m. on CAN TV21
Hear Columbia College graduate students share why they – and others – are still pursuing advanced degrees in journalism despite the changing industry.  Also, hear how a local slam poet and a filmmaker are reaching out to young people and responding to youth violence.
Watch the videocast

back to top

Get the Guide
In this rapidly changing media landscape, the Community Media Workshop is doing our best to stay in the know. In TV, radio, and print media, there have been countless changes in the form of staff promotions, layoffs, and retirements. Despite that, we are pleased to offer you the most comprehensive and biggest Media Guide ever, with over 100 new outlets and 650 more contacts included. The 18.2 edition of Getting on the Air, Online & Into Print, the directory of Chicago and Midwest journalists, is updated as of December 1, 2008.

Even so, we've kept track of any changes since then. Visit www.nonprofitcommunicators.ning.com/forum to get a peek into those updates.

Order YOURS today at www.newstips.org/cart

back to top

Latest from Newstips

Andersonville Goes Green
Already widely noted for the charm and character of a thriving business district composed almost entirely of independent, locally-owned businesses, Andersonville may soon be known as a place for green businesses and socially-conscious shopping as well. Eco-Andersonville, a green business certification program which is being launched on Earth Day, is designed to reduce environmental impacts, increase community benefits, and appeal to the growing green customer base. Read More

Water District Inflates Disinfection Costs
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District says it would cost $1 billion over 20 years to disinfect waste water released into the Chicago River system — or maybe $2 billion. US EPA says it would cost much less. Read More

Latest posts from the Newstips blog
Quinn housing plan falls short
Food stamp, pantry use increases
May Day
Earth Day(s) in Oak Park
Pay day for Gutierrez
School closing report: incomplete
Solidarity in a newsroom

Read latest Newstips | Read Newstips Blog

Newstips is a grassroots news service providing journalists with stories and sources from Chicago-area nonprofits and community organizations. Journalists can receive Newstips via email or subscribe to this RSS feed.

Nonprofits can send their press releases and stories to Curtis Black, Newstip Editor via email at curtis@newstips.org.

back to top

See the Workshop at...
Get Your Message Out by Unleashing the Power of Story and Online Social Media
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30 in Lawrence, Mich.
Workshops are nearly full, registration closes this Friday; details and registration at tinyurl.com/tyslawrence. In partnership with Southwest Michigan Planning Commission.

Events & activities from our friends


Peter Lisagor Awards Banquet
5:30 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner and presentation, Friday, April 24 at the Union League Club of Chicago, 65, W. Jackson Blvd.
Join the Headline Club for the 32nd annual Peter Lisagor Awards Banquet for Exemplary Journalism. Felicia Middlebrooks of WBBM Newsradio 780 and Phil Ponce of WTTW11 will be hosting. Also, Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Andy Shaw, ABC 7 and Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times, will be honored. Prices vary, RSVP at http://headlineclub.org/

Creating Solidarity Conference
April 24 and 25 at the Schmitt Academic Center at Depaul University, 2320 N Kenmore Ave.
Sponserd by Women and Girls Collective Actionc Network and Depaul’s Women and Gender Studies Program, join panelists and speakers as they discuss coalition building and how our ideas of race, class and gender shape those communities. Event is FREE. More info at http://womenandgirlscan.org/
  
Oprah Winfrey, The Tycoon: Business, Race, Politics: Conglomerate Building in a Post-Civil Rights Age of Information
2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, April 25 at the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Pl.
Explore this self-made woman, her politics and philanthropy with lecturer and scholar, Dr. Juliet E. Walker. Reception follows presentation. Costs $10 to non-museum members, FREE for members. 
 
Spring Mixer
5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30 at the Metropolitan Club, 233 S. Wacker Dr.
Chicago Nonprofit is throwing their Spring Mixer and invites everyone interested in staying connected to Chicago’s philanthropic community. Tickets are $20 and event includes wine and appetizers. More info at http://chicagononprofit.org/page.asp?ID=54.

Building Community Capacity: Meet the Funders
Thursday, April 30 at The Better Boys Foundation, 1512 S. Pulaski Rd.
The Jasmine Group, Inc. in collaboration with Connect 2 Protect, Heaven Sent Image, LLC host a forum to provide emerging community organizations an opportunity to learn first hand about how foundations will approach funding during these difficult economic times. Representatives expected from Woods Fund of Chicago, Crossroads Fund, Wieboldt Foundation, Local Initiative Support Corporation, Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Presbytery, Illinois Department of Public Health, Chicago Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Human Services. Event is free but RSVP required to info@jasminegroupinc.com. Visit http://jasminegroupinc.com/Events.html for more information or call 773-933-7350.

Might you be hiring or seeking an intern soon? Have a drink and meet some of the best
Columbia College Industry Night networking event: Thursday, May 14
Last year, more than 500 professionals exchanged business cards, collected resumes, reviewed portfolios and made connections with graduating Columbia students at the school's first-ever Industry Night networking event. These events are great places to network and find top talent, and nonprofit professionals are specially invited to join in as even more are expected this year at eight different receptions highlighting students with skills and training in event promotion, writing, journalism public relations, graphic arts, advertising, film and video production and more. Receptions are scheduled starting as early as 4 p.m. and running till as late as 11 p.m. All are free. Learn more and RSVP at http://www.colum.edu
 
35 Under 35 Awards Ceremony
5:30 to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 16 at DePaul Egan Urban Center, 1 East Jackson Blvd, Lower Level
Community Renewal Society's 35 Under 35 highlights the importance of fresh voices in the fight to eliminate racism and poverty by recognizing emerging leaders. Come celebrate the winners! Costs $20. For more info, contact Jeanne Newman, 773-875-8556.
 
Forces for Good: Key Practices that Transform Organizations; Tenth Annual Symposium for Nonprofit Professionals and Volunteers
May 13 and 14, The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management at North Park University
Combining cutting-edge theory with the highly practical, the Symposium features 40 expert speakers and nonprofit leaders who will set the framework for transitioning from an organization with high hopes to one with high impact. Costs $180, group rates available. Register at www.northpark.edu/axelson.

back to top

Training Scholarships
Foundation Center
http://foundationcenter.org
The Foundation Center has scholarships available for under-resourced nonprofits with budgets under $1 million. They are offering 2 trainings in Chicago: Proposal Writing Seminar and Proposal Budgeting Workshop on May 12 and 13, respectively. Apply for the scholarship at http://foundationcenter.org

back to top

National Campaign Director & National Communications Director positions
Critical Resistance
Critical Resistance, a national grassroots organization working to end the prison industrial complex, is hiring two positions: a National Campaign Director and a National Communications Director. The National Communications Director will increase CR’s national impact and profile by working with CR members and allies to develop and implement communications plans and projects designed to end the prison industrial complex.  The Communications Director will increase CR’s national impact and profile by working with CR members and allies to develop and implement communications plans and projects. Both positions are full-time and offer a $40,000 salary with benefits. Full descriptions at http://www.criticalresistance.org/article.php?id=251

back to top

Tuesday, April 21, 2009
WHAT'S NEW?
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
BROADCAST SHOWS
2009 MEDIA GUIDE
NEWSTIPS
EVENTS AROUND TOWN
NEW ON THE WEB
COMMUNICATION JOBS

Chicago is the World!

Chicago is the World: A doorway to ethnic media in the American Heartland
Articles, Commentary, Resources and Links for Chicago's Ehtnic journalists and their communities. A blog by Steve Franklin.

Visit, read and subscribe to Chicago is the World blog.

Communicator Tips
Writing Letters to the Editor. Writing a letter to the editor is a great way to (1) correct a mistake, misquote, or distortion in a recent news story; (2) illuminate one or both sides of a controversy involving your profession; or (3) comment on how proposed regulations or policies may affect your clients. - David M. Freedman
Read the full article here.
Get More Tips

Nonprofit Communicators!
Find a place on the web for people like you! Join our nonprofit communicators ning social network.
Join the adventure!

Did You Get eNotes as a Forwarded Message? Subscribe to eNotes, the latest updates from Community Media Workshop. Subscribe Here

Tweet! Tweet!
Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/npcommunicator

NP Communicator Blog

The Nonprofit Communicator: more tips, resources and reflections for the nonprofit communicator. Latest Entries:

• Connecting Champaign & Chicago • DIY News • Framing 201, or why can’t I have a clone?

Visit, read and subscribe to the NP Communicator Blog.

"Community, Media & You" Videocast

“Community, Media, and You” Produced in cooperation with CAN TV Community Forum.
Latest Entries:

• Behind the Scenes of “Hollywood Jerome” • A journalism degree? Why bother?

Visit, read and subscribe to the "Community, Media & You" videocast.

Programming on Chicago Public Radio's "Chicago Amplified"

Listen to Community Media Workshop special events on "Chicago Amplified" at wbez.org. Select "Community Media Workshop" in the "View Event Archives By Partner" drop down menu.

Create a Better Press Alert
Create, preview & print a press release with our online newstips.org press release generator.

Are you on MySpace or Facebook?
The Workshop is! Network with us at www.myspace.com/newstips
www.facebook.com

Visit Our Websites
www.newstips.org
www.communitymediaworkhsop.org
Adventures in Nonprofit Communications

Columbia College Chicago
www.colum.edu