The Future of Chicago News
Will there be a Tribune or Sun-Times in five years? Find out where you may be getting your local news in the not–so–distant future on our latest “City Voices” radio show. As traditional media outlets shrink, who will keep an eye on government and ensure a healthy democracy? Host and CMW President Thom Clark discusses these issues with Geoff Dougherty of Chi-Town Daily News, Barbara Iverson of Chicago Talks and former Chicago Public Radio host Ken Davis.

Listen to the podcast now.

From left to right: Steve Rhodes of the Beachwood Reporter, journalist Sally Duros and journalist Neil Tesser at the. Photo by Karen Kring

Plus: View our list, in formation of Chicago online news sites and let us know what’s missing. Of course this will be going into next year’s media guide, but it is also one component of a study into the future of news in Chicago that the Workshop is undertaking for The Chicago Community Trust (more on that in the near future). If you weren't able to make it out to last Sunday's Chicago Journalism Townhall Meeting, you can read and comment on Gordon Mayer's recap of the event on the NP Communicator blog.

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Just two weeks left!
Studs Terkel Community Media Awards, Wednesday, March 11 at the Cultural Center
Honoring David Jackson of the Chicago Tribune, Alden Loury of the Chicago Reporter, Scott Simon of National Public Radio and Community Media Workshop President and co-founder, Thom Clark. Join as we celebrate community journalism and 20 years of promoting news that matters!

Read more and purchase tickets at newstips.org

The Community Media Workshop is pleased to award Columbia college student Hsin-Yin Sung the Studs Terkel Community News Scholarship, which comes with a $2,000 prize. Her short video, “Life Is Elsewhere” tells the story of a Chinese immigrant living in the suburbs while writing stories about Chicago for an audience of mostly young women in China.

From left to right: Studs Terkel, Thom Clark and Bill Kurtis at the 2002 Workshop Friend-Raiser at Kurtis Studios.

...And if that's not enough to get you through the door, Bill Kurtis will be mingling with the crowd and introducing his friend, Scott Simon.

Hear former Terkel winner Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune remember Studs. Listen on our podcast.

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Newstips Editor Curtis Black (left) and Chicago Sun-Times Columnist Mark Brown (right) providing helpful tips for participants of the 2009 Public Media Relations training at the Workshop.

Learn to tell your story at our Workshops

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR POWER OF THE PSA!
Power of the PSA, 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Feb. 26
Take advantage of public service announcements and use this powerful communications tool to elevate your organization’s visibility. Your boss will be impressed with your marketing budget savvy and you will be adding valuable skills to your job. Public service announcements are incredibly useful tools which are often under used because people aren't sure how to create and implement them. Trainer Tammy Terwelp, Chicago Public Radio producer will be sharing the secrets of creating a successful PSA’s for your organization. The training will include valuable PSA handouts!

To learn more and to sign up, visit: http://tinyurl.com/65eyqn

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

Sign up today at http://tinyurl.com/bx2ffy

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Get the Guide
Need a communications consultant? You might consider guide customer Diane Whiteley, a North Sider who has been using Getting On the Air, Online & Into Print since 2007. “You have done so much work gathering invaluable info and it is plain to see the various contacts in various areas so easily. Thank you for that,” she says. Reach Diane at whiteleyprod@aol.com.

Don't forget to get your copy of Chicago's most affordable, comprehensive, and up-to-date Media Guide. Updated as of Dec. 1, 2008, the Workshop's 2009 "Getting on the Air, Online & into Print" is a great resource in helping you tell your organization's story. Order your subscription now at a fraction of the cost of other for-profit media guides.

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Kay Manning and Chicago Tribune’s New Zoning
Source Editor Kay Manning coordinates content for Chicago Tribune's four zones (Zoning means customizing sections of the paper for the areas where it is distributed, but you knew that, right?). The zones are North (McHenry County east to Lake County and northern Cook suburbs), West (west and near west suburbs including DuPage and Kane counties), South (southwest suburbs), and City (which also includes south suburbs).

A new Chicagoland Extra section appears Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The section has a newsy focus. “In these sections we’re trying to capture the news as it relates to helping people understand their lives and governments,” Kay says. “We’re looking for bigger-picture stories such as transportation, building and development, education and health news stories.” Reach her at kmanning@tribune.com.

--Christopher Brinckerhoff

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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Latest from Newstips Blog
Concern over Medicare, Social Security. Advocates for retirees are “keeping a watchful eye” on tomorrow’s White House summit on fiscal responsibility, said Steve Pittman of the Illinois Alliance of Retired Americans. Read More

Journalism today - shoes, guns, cell phones. Muntadher al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist now on trial — and wildly popular — for throwing his shoes at President Bush, said his confession was elicited under torture, including electric shock, the Tribune reports. It’s not implausible. 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 the Community Media Workshop at…

Keep Genesee County Beautiful 5th annual Beautification Conference, Saturday, March 7 in Flint, Michigan.
Thom Clark leads a workshop and panel discussion on engaging and communicating with volunteers. For more information, phone 810-767-7184 or email Karen West at karenwest@umflint.edu.

Social Media and Marketing For Artists, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 12 at Chicago Cultural Center
1st Floor.
Workshop New Media Manager Demetrio Maguigad moderates a panel including Leah Jones, Founder, Natiiv Arts & Media; Katherine Raz, Community Manager, The House Theatre of Chicago; Rachel Thorne Germond, Founder, RTG Dance and C.C. Carter, Executive Director, Young Chicago Authors discussing how social networking can enhance the reach and quality of arts organizations’ relationship with their audience? Free!

Becoming Mainstreets 2.0 Conference, March 1 through the 4th at the Palmer House Hilton.
Demetrio Maguigad will also be the keynote speaker kicking of the 2009 national Becoming Manstreets 2.0 Conference. The conference will focus on the use of technology and social media to spring forward revitalization programs within the Main Street approach across the country.

Upcoming events & activities from friends of the Workshop

Training from the Chicago Headline Club: Ethical Journalism In A Digital World
How Can We Navigate? Poynter Points The Way…
Presented by the Chicago Headline Club; School of Communications, Loyola University Chicago and Loyola's SPJ Student Chapter
1 p.m., Saturday, March 14, at Loyola University, 820 N. Michigan Ave. (enter on Pearson)
Nationally known multimedia experts Bob Steele, Al Tompkins and top Chicago TV and radio news directors and metro daily editors will lead an audience of journalists, bloggers and students in an interactive workshop on ethics in the changing industry of journalism. Seating is limited. RSVP by March 10 to the Chicago Headline Club, 312-553-0393 or e-mail Kathy Catrambone, chc.kathy@gmail.com. Chicago Headline Club members, free; nonmembers, $25 (join at the door and get in free!); students, $5.
 
The Obama Factor: Covering Politicians of Color Then and Now 
6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26 at DePaul University, 2250 N. Sheffield, Rm. 314
Prominent journalists who have covered U.S. President Barack Obama's ascendancy to the White House assess the media's coverage of politicians of color in the halls of power and at the grassroots level. Panelists include Esther J. Cepeda, columnist and blogger, "600 Words;" Tom McNamee, editorial page editor, Chicago Sun-Times and Dorothy Tucker, reporter, WBBM-TV. Free.
 
Financial Responsibilities for Nonprofit Boards of Directors  
5 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4 at 134 North LaSalle, Ste. 775
Sponsored by ShoreBank. Costs $20 for ShoreBank customers, $40 for non-customers. To learn more or register, call 773-420-5143 or email shorebanknonprofitresources@sbk.com.
 
Great Lakes Urban Exchange Annual Conference
March 12 thru 14 in Milwaukee
Roughly 75 residents of at least a dozen cities from Buffalo to Minneapolis will convene to share stories, best practices and highest aspirations about living in older industrial cities. The conference seeks to connect constructive, entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented young leaders across the region and the conference is an invaluable opportunity for some real-life connecting, learning and planning. Prices vary, scholarships available. More info at www.gluespace.org.
 
Chicago Women in Trades Career Fair and Orientation
6 p.m., Thursday, March 5 at 4425 S. Western Ave.
A special job fair for “Jills of all trades.” For more information call Deanna Hodges, 312-942-1444. 

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AARP Women’s Scholarship Program
http://www.aarpfoundationwlc.org/
The Women's Scholarship Program provides scholarship funds to women 40 and over who seek new job skills, training and educational opportunities to support themselves and their families. There are 100 scholarships available and they range from $500 to $5,000, depending on financial need. The scholarship is available to women with moderate to lower incomes and limited financial resources. Application deadline is March 31, 2009 at 5 p.m. CST.

Established Filmmaker’s Production Grant
http://www.citf.org/productiongrant.htm
The Chicago Instructional Technology Foundation is looking for proposals from Chicago area filmmakers working on projects that could produce social change. CITF seeks to fund content that reflects the diversity of the human experience, advances under-represented points of view, compels public dialogue and produces social change. Several grants are available and range from $25,000 to $75,000. Nonfiction is encouraged but fiction has been funded in the past. Deadline is March 20, 2009.

Media Justice Grant
Crossroads Fund is the local partner with The Funding Exchange’s Media Justice Fund in granting support for organizations working in the areas of Net Neutrality, National Broadband Policy, Media Ownership and Public Media or other media justice-related projects. Apply by March 16; funding decisions will be made by June 30. For more information, contact Crossroads, 773-227-7676 or jane@crossroadsfund.org.

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Director of Product and Retail Sales
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and NW Indiana
The Girl Scouts seeks a director of product and retail sales who will be responsible for cookie and other product sales and overseeing the program and strategy development of council products. Other duties include developing marketing and promotional strategies. Successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree and 12 to 15 years of significant operational experience. Full description at http://npo.net/jobs/jobdetail.asp?xJobID=32284.

Executive Director
Center for Media and Democracy
The Center for Media and Democracy, an independent, nonprofit public interest organization located in Madison, Wisc., seeks an Executive Director to oversee, manage and grow the organization. The organization’s primary mission is promoting transparency and an informed debate by exposing corporate spin and government propaganda and by engaging the public in collaborative, accurate and fair online reporting. Proven hands-on success in attracting individual and foundation donors to commit significant resources to a successful nonprofit organization and passion for CMD’s mission is required. Full description at http://www.prwatch.org/ed_search.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
WHAT'S NEW?
FEATURES
TRAINING
2009 MEDIA GUIDE
PEOPLE TO PITCH
NEWSTIPS
EVENTS AROUND TOWN
NEW ON THE WEB
COMMUNICATION JOBS


Communicator Tips
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NP Communicator Blog
More tips, resources and reflections for the nonprofit communicator. Latest Entries:

• At the Chicago Journalism Town Hall today • Five Chicago Journalists and how to pitch them

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"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

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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.

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