Chicago Journalism Town Hall
1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Hotel Allegro, 171 W. Randolph
After the 500th conversation on the topic with friends and acquaintances, Chicago Public Radio alumnus and longtime Chicago journalist and communicator Ken Davis decided to organize a bigger conversation on what changes in the news business mean for Chicago. He’s assembled a VIP panel to look at the question:

• Lee Bey, Chicago Central Area Committee
• John Callaway, WTTW
• Thom Clark, Community Media Workshop
• Geoff Dougherty, ChiTown Daily News
• Robert Feder, former Chicago Sun-Times media columnist
• Ben Goldberger, Huffington Post Chicago (tent)
• Carlos Hernandez-Gomez, CLTV
• Andrew Huff, Gapers Block
• Barbara Iverson, Columbia College Chicago
• Alex Kotlowitz, author, Northwestern Univ. professor
• Carol Marin, NBC5, Sun-Times columnist, Chicago Tonight
• Michael Miner, Chicago Reader
• Salim Muwakkil, In These Times, WVON
• Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune
• Ken Davis, moderator

The panel’s already garnered interesting news coverage and captured attention from across the city. Hear the panelists discuss the future of Chicago journalism.

While the event is free, seats are filling fast and a confirmed RSVP is necessary. The Workshop has secured 25 seats to the event which you can request by emailing lovette@newstips.org and placing "journalism town hall" in your subject line. You will receive a confirmation email soon after you have been placed on the list. Learn more at the event's website www.chijournalismtownhall.com.

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Source

Shhh… Silent auction at Studs Terkel Community Media Awards Benefit Wednesday, March 11 at the Chicago Cultural Center, G.A.R Hall

Place your bid at our silent auction for a chance to win rare finds. Up for grabs is a first edition, autographed copy of Studs’ oral histories Division Street, Hard Times and Great Divide. We are also auctioning off a rare autographed photo of Studs in his Uptown home. The Tribune’s Chris Walker captured the intimate portrait of the story-teller relaxing in his surroundings. For the movers and shakers, bid on a Chicago-themed prize like a family membership to the Chicago History Museum or a class at the Old Town School of Music. So come raise a glass, place your bids and celebrate community journalism!

Honoring Chicago journalists David Jackson of the Chicago Tribune, Scott Simon of National Public Radio, Alden Loury of the Chicago Reporter and CMW President Thom Clark. Join us as we celebrate outstanding journalism and 20 years of promoting news that matters.

Purchase tickets to our benefit at www.newtips.org or call Maggie at 312-369-6400.

Hear author and former Terkel winner Alex Kotlowitz remember Studs. Listen on our blog.

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This month, impress your boss with your marketing budget savvy by learning to use public service announcements, PSAs. Once you create effective PSA’s you can save your organization some money on paid media and bring added value to your skills.

Power of the PSA
9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, February 26
You will create effective and powerful public service announcements by learning to write PSA's and develop ideas for radio and television. Take advantage of this valuable and cost effective tool to further tell your organization's story. The training is taught by Chicago Public Radio producer. Tammy Terwelp. Register Today

Writing To Make The News
9 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 19
Are your press releases packing a punch? If they aren't than you need to learn how to communicate your story ideas to the media using clear and concise writing techniques. Join trainer Alton Miller, former press secretary for Mayor Harold Washington, as he shows you new skills on how to deliver your PR messages and strengthening your writing skills. Register Today

Scholarships are always available on a first come, first serve basis. Read our scholarship policy.

View all upcoming workshops

BROWN BAG: Only a Few Spots Left!
Community Media Workshop  and Freydesign Productions Present
USING VIDEO FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT – FREE TRAINING SESSION
ARE YOU MAKING A DIFFERENCE?
12:30 to 2 p.m Thursday March 19
A free workshop on maximizing your use of one of the most powerful and cost effective forms of communication available to you: Video.
Mike Ban, CEO Executive Director of Bookworm Angels
Cynthia Savage, Circle of Parents
Frey Hoffman, Director at Freydesign Productions
They’ll share their experiences creating video communications that have reached people in nationwide and around the globe; the workshop will be followed by an open question and answer session aimed at answering your specific questions.
Free, but registration required, first come first serve. Sign up today.

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Get your copy of the 2009 Getting on the Air, Online & into Print media guide

• Our current 18.2 version is the most updated release with 50 more pages and over 100 more contacts then last year and 600 new contacts, including expanded regional, community, online and ethnic media outlets.
  
• Includes our 2009 Making Media Connections Handbook with worksheets from our training, editorial features on the media lansdscape, and articles written by experts in the field.
  
• Our digital guide is also available as a download for your convenience, with included PDF resources.
  
• As a subscriber to our media guide, you’ll also get ongoing updates of major changes in the field.

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The Courier-News
Sun-Times Media Group
The Courier-News, a Sun-Times Media Group suburban outlet located in Elgin, launched their redesigned and reformatted paper Jan. 26. The paper is expanding local and hyper-local news coverage (no reporters were laid off), according to Tammy Chase of the Sun-Times Media Group. The Courier-News covers northern St. Charles, South Elgin, Elgin, Burlington, Hampshire, East and West Dundee, Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow, Gilberts, Pingree Grove and portions of Genoa, Bartlett, Streamwood, Huntley, Sycamore, Lake in the Hills and Algonquin. Visit them at www.couriernewsonline.com.

Find more outlets and peple to pitch from our 2009 Getting on the Air Online & Into Print Media Guide updated version 18.2.

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"The Future of Labor Organizing" guests on City Voices. Listen now.

"City Voices”
Sundays at 6:30 a.m. on WNUA 95.5FM
Hear labor organizers discuss the winning strategies behind Republic Windows and Doors and how it will shape the future of labor organizing. Listen on our podcast.
View the Archives | Subscribe to feed

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School Closings: 'There's No Plan'
Newstip Date: 02-09-2009
An investigation of the charges of CPS critics -- that without public oversight and accountability, the district's decisions on building, repairing, and closing school facilities are guided by favoritism rather than need.Read More

Latest from Newstips Blog
Stimulus follies. The Senate stimulus deal cuts the size of the package by about $100 billion. Dean Baker argues (according to TAPPED) that a better way of saying that is that it cuts 500,000 jobs from the stimulus. Read More

Meet the new TARP. The new TARP regime will tweak the old one, with taxpayers ponying up with incentives for private investors and buying up assets of little value — and still no requirement that banks actually use the money we’re giving them to lend. That won’t work, according to Krugman and Stiglitz. Read More

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.

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See CMW at…

In Times Like These: Best Practices and Resources for Nonprofit Leaders
8 a.m. registration, 8:30 to noon, program at Roosevelt University, Congress Lounge, 2nd Floor, 430 S. Michigan Ave.
Donors Forum, in partnership with NPO Assist management support organizations, convenes nonprofit leaders to discuss effective management and governance practices to apply during this distressed economy. Experienced nonprofit leaders from Arts & Business Council, Axelson Center, Community Media Workshop, Donors Forum, Executive Service Corps and Lumity will present top tips on:

• Governance
• Financial Management
• Communications
• Human Resources (staff and volunteer)
• Fundraising
• Advocacy

Free, but preregistration required, attendance limited to 2 people per organization and capped at 200 people, first come first serve. Send email containing name, organization, title, and phone and email address to: economy@donorsforum.org; contact Marissa Filippo at mfilippo@donorsforum.org with questions.

Upcoming events & activities from friends of the Workshop


CIRCA Pintig presents "Mr. and Mrs. LaQuesta go Dancing"
February 5 - March 1, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, James Downing Theatre, 6740 N Oliphant
Chicago.
Written by Noel Alumit, an LA-based an award-winning playwright and novelist famous for his coming-of-age novel Letters to Montgomery Clift, the play intimates hidden emotions about gender and the often hushed banter about AIDS, not your typical dinner table talk especially in Filipino American households. Music written by the Workshop's very own Demetrio Maguigad. For more information, visit www.pintig.org. Purchase tickets at brownpapertickets.com.

February NetTuesday Meet-up
Today, Tuesday February 10, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Hull House, 1030 W Van Buren.
Join us, so Chicago can grow more technology savvy social change organizations that benefit our local communities. Staff and volunteers of non-profits, web innovators, and any individuals pushing for change are encouraged to attend. Come tell us about your effort, your concerns, and what you need and want from a collective of like-minded individuals and organizations. RSVP at our Meetup.com site.

Successful Fundraising Efforts: A Time for New Approaches
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 24 at National Louis University, 122 S. Michigan Ave.
This year many arts groups are hoping for a small miracle with their annual fundraising efforts—and may need one if they plan to rely on the same formats to attract wary donors. With miracles in rare supply, it’s time to take stock, act smart and think creatively.

Panel includes fundraising experts and representatives from arts organizations experimenting with new ways to shore up their bottom lines: Molly Hansen, Director of Development, Northlight Theatre and former Vice President with The Alford Group and Ellen Wadey, Executive Director, The Guild Complex, and others.

They will share advice, new techniques and bold ideas to help you freshen up your fundraising efforts; initiate new, more strategically targeted special events; and utilize the talent within your organization to expand your list of potential donors, optimize your brand impact, further engage your most loyal patrons and raise needed funds. Cost is $40/$60, based on annual budget. To register, call Kristen Romans at 312-372-1876 x221 or email kromans@artsbiz-chicago.org.

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Call for Research!
Society for New Communications Research. http://sncr.org/
The Society for New Communications Research seeks papers for its peer-reviewed publication, the Journal of New Communications Research. Deadline is February 20, 2009. Submissions should be based on original empirical research, as well as pieces focusing on the latest developments in new media and communications; their effect on traditional media and business models, communications, culture and society. For a full description of guidelines, visit http://sncr.org.

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Communications Specialist
Women Employed
Working with the marketing team, the communications specialist will develop creative communications strategies to promote the organization’s mission. Responsibilities include drafting policy briefs, fact sheets, newsletters and opinion pieces; planning website content on social networking sites and executing media plans. Candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and two years professional communications or marketing experience. Position offers benefits package and a salary in the mid 30s. To apply, email cover letter and resume to info@womenemployed.org. Or mail to: Search Committee, Communications Associate, Women Employed, 111 N. Wabash, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60602. More info and a full description at http://www.womenemployed.org/index.php?id=17

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
WHAT'S NEW?
FEATURES
TRAINING
2009 MEDIA GUIDE
PEOPLE TO PITCH
BROADCASTS SHOWS
NEWSTIPS
EVENTS AROUND TOWN
NEW ON THE WEB
COMMUNICATION JOBS


Communicator Tips
From Pitching Bloggers: "Let the blogger know that you've read their site and what you think of it... But guard against wooden language, the hallmark of the hackneyed press release. Instead, imagine that you're writing to a friend. Be honest, open, and direct. "
-blogger Mike Doyle
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
More tips, resources and reflections for the nonprofit communicator. Latest Entries:

• Music to my ears • Women to Watch

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:

• Organizing in the Black Community • 2009 Studs Terkel Award Winners with Alden Loury

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.

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CMW is! Network with us at www.myspace.com/newstips
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Visit Our Websites
www.newstips.org
www.communitymediaworkhsop.org
Adventures in Nonprofit Communications