The Workshop celebrates 20 years of coaching tomorrow and in June
Advocate+Communicate=Change
Making Media Connections
June 10 and 11 at Columbia College Chicago Film Row Cinema
If you’ve been to it, you know: Making Media Connections is the best, and most affordable, conference in the country to get training and learn from journalists and nonprofit communicators how to tell stories that advance your mission and strengthen your organization. Featuring this year:

• Social media strategy workshops by Beth Kanter & Arif Mamdani, and others
• Other workshops led by Laurie Glenn, SPIN Project, and more
• Thursday keynotes from Monica Davey of The New York Times and Chicago Tribune avatar Col. Tribune
• A reception to celebrate our 20th anniversary for conference participants, a joint session with Chicago’s NetTuesday nonprofit social medi-ologists, an interactive discussion on social media, the news business, the economy and what it means for nonprofits

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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! Online ticket sales close today, come pay at the door (we’ll be taking credit cards Wednesday evening)!
Last year Tom McNamee inspired us, Silvia Rivera illuminated us, and Rick Kogan scandalized Mike Miner… and ticket price ($115) includes open bar and hors d’oeuvres!
Read more at newstips.org

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More news about the Workshop:
Former Tribune journalist will work with ethnic news outlets
Steve Franklin started part-time with the Workshop on outreach to and support for Chicago’s 300 print, broadcast, and on-line ethnic news outlets. A past winner of our Studs Terkel Award for his labor and immigration reporting, Steve will lead an initiative supported by the McCormick Foundation to provide training and other services as requested by leaders from among Chicago’s most vibrant community journalism. Learn more about Steve at newstips.org or at www.mediamanagementcenter.org

If you have questions, reach him at 773-595-8667 or steve@newstips.org.

Future of Journalism
Watch last month’s Future of Journalism Town Hall meeting with panelists Carol Marin, Eric Zorn, Lee Bey, Thom Clark and others at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 29 on CAN TV21.

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Spring Workshops
Would you like writing tips from a master? This spring you can learn from Alton Miller, former press secretary to Mayor Harold Washington, author and Associate Dean of the School of Media Arts at Columbia College:
 
Writing To Make The News  - Thursday, March 19, 9 a.m. to noon
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. Alton will demonstrate new methods of delivering PR messages and strengthening your writing skills. Sign up today at http://tinyurl.com/bx2ffy
 
Websites: Make It Pretty, Make It Effective – Thursday, April 2, 9 a.m. to noon
Engage your audience with an effective website that stand out. In this workshop, website expert Emily Lonigro shows you essential concepts to master before you even get started. You will also learn the do's and don't of website design as well as integration of your website into a more comprehensive print and online program. Trainer Emily Lonigro is the owner of LimeRed Studio.  LimeRed is a firm that specializes in the conception and production of marketing and branding for creative community- and environmentally-focused organizations and businesses. Sign Up Today at http://tinyurl.com/bv7zuy
 
Webinar Workshop: Spokesperson Training – Thursday, April 2, 2 to 3:15 p.m.
Become a spokesperson superstar! When the media calls will you be ready to be your organization’s spokesperson? Media expert Thom Clark will show you how to stay on message and in control while being interviewed. Sign Up Today at http://www.newstips.org

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Get the Guide
In the past 2 months, over 25 people have left the Chicago Tribune. Stay on top of the rapidly changing media landscape with a subscription to the 2009 "Getting on the Air, Online & Into Print" Media Guide. With up-to-date Chicago Sun-Times and Tribune changes the media guide is an invaluable tool in ensuring that your organization knows who to contact to get your news heard.

Order your subscription today at www.newstips.org/cart

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Top Posts
NAACP and Prop 8. Amid the celebrations following last November’s election, gay rights supporters were bitterly disappointed by the success of Proposition 8 in California, which banned gay marriage in the state. Read More

Who’s in on health reform. The invitation of two single-payer advocates to the White House summit on health reform resulted from an intense grassroots campaign, according to Progressive Democrats of America. Read More

On Social Security: organize! Bloggers Glenn Greenwald and Ezra Klein are having a bloggish dispute over whether to use anonymous sources. But the subject at hand — the prospect of cuts to Social Security — is much larger. And the real question is the best approach for advocates of social change to the new political environment. 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 Workshop at…

Social Media and Marketing For Artists
6 to 7:30 p.m.,Thursday, March 12 at the Chicago Cultural Center 1st Flr. The Workshop’s 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 to discuss how social networking can enhance the reach and quality of arts organizations’ relationship with their audience. Free! Find more info at CAR (Chicago Artists Resource).

Civic Knowledge Project's "Meet the Press" 2009
Thom Clark keynotes and delivers a workshop for the South Side Arts and Humanities Project on Wednesday, March 18 at Little Black Pearl. Learn more at http://civicknowledge.uchicago.edu.
 
Face and Voice of Labor & Free Nonprofit Communications Meet-Up
March 26-28 at University of Illinois School of Labor & Employment Relations, 504 East Armory Avenue, Champaign
5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 27 Gordon Mayer from the Workshop invites central Illinois nonprofit folks to join him for a reception featuring what we’re learning about social media, news and nonprofits at the Wagner Education Center, University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. Free. RSVP or get more info by emailing him, Gordon@newstips.org.

The meetup is hosted by the university’s School of Labor Relations, presenting a conference blending social media with media relations, plus a bonus session on “The media as workers.” Cost of $220 includes food Thursday though Saturday. (Lodging is available at Illini Union Hotel for an additional fee). Download the flyer and registration form here http://www.myotherdrive.com/ or for more information contact Joe Berry, 217-333-2388 or joeberry@illinois.edu or Martha Kelley, 217-333-0980.

Upcoming events & activities from friends of the Workshop

What Nonprofit Employers Need to Know in a Tough Economy
9:15 a.m. sign-in, 9:30 to 11 a.m. workshop, Wednesday, March 11 at Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP, 225 W. Wacker
The economic downturn forces non-profit employers with already limited budgets to face even greater challenges, including possible staff reductions. David Weinstein from Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP will discuss Illinois and federal law governing nonprofit employers' labor-related rights and obligations. Hosted by Community Economic Law Development Project. Cost $35. Registration required at www.cedlp.org.

Save CAN TV!
Committee hearing 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 16 at City Hall Council Chamber, 121 N. LaSalle
Help save CANTV funding by attending City Hall committee hearing on the Stone/Burke Ordinance. If it passes, future CAN TV funding will be secure, but failure would cause significant service cuts.
 
Demystifying Federal Funding
March 20 at University of Illinois Forum
Illinois Resource Network, a new organization dedicated to helping nonprofits access federal support, brings speakers from federal funding clearhinghouse Grants.gov and other experts for a conference and series of workshops. Cost is $35. Learn more/register at http://tinyurl.com/b3mr4v
 
“CancerBitch” reading and party
7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, Women and Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark
Workshop trainer and author S.L. Wisenberg reads from her new book about surviving breast cancer. Party to follow. Free.
 
Third Annual eChicago Symposium
April 2 – 3, Dominican University, 7900 W. Division, River Forest
How are Chicago’s neighborhoods connecting to digital tools? At this year’s symposium, practitioners, policy makers and researchers exchange ideas to find ways to work together. Free, but registration required at echicago.illinois.edu.

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The Women’s Media Center: Progressive Women’s Voices Program Application Deadline
Deadline is March 10 (today!)
http://womensmediacenter.com
Progressive Women’s Voices seeks self-motivated women committed to serving as strong progressive voices in the media. Trainings to be held in New York: April 24-25, May 29-30 and June 26-27.  All travel expenses will be paid for by the WMC.

Arts Engagement Grants for Small Organizations
April 15 Deadline
http://www.cct.org/page10003923.cfm
The Chicago Community Trust and other collaborators are offering from $5,000 to $25,000 for arts organizations with operating revenues under $1 million for marketing productions, programs, exhibits, etc. planned for the 2009-2010 season. Full description and application procedures at http://www.cct.org/page10003923.cfm.
 
Change the Web Challenge
http://netsquared.org/changetheweb
Net Squared calls on innovators and creative thinkers to submit ideas for web-based technologies for social change. Three challenges running:
·      UC Berkeley Human Rights Center Mobile Challenge to encourage innovations for applying mobile technologies for human rights investigations and advocacy;
·      N2Y4 Mobile Challenge for how mobile applications can help citizens and others create a better world for everybody
·      Social Actions' Change the Web is about building innovative tools to help people find and share opportunities to take action on Web sites, blogs and social network sites.
 
Chicago Independent Radio Project Vinyl and CD Drive
CHIRP wants your old vinyl records and CDs for their Record Fair and Other Delights April 18-19 at Plumbers’ Hall 1340 W. Washington blvd. Email Michael Ardaiolo at mpardaiolo@gmail.com or learn more at http://www.chirprecordfair.com.

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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
WHAT'S NEW?
FEATURES
TRAINING
2009 MEDIA GUIDE
NEWSTIPS
EVENTS AROUND TOWN
NEW ON THE WEB


Communicator Tips
"Piggyback' on the news of the day. Be ready to issue comments about hot news events that bear some relationship to the community and the expertise of its organizations. Read more here.
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NP Communicator Blog
More tips, resources and reflections for the nonprofit communicator. Latest Entries:

• Vocalo has a blog Adding to their transparency (always good for a user-oriented service such as theirs, right?) the low power FM/livestreaming/use your cellphone as your microphone radio station Vocalo (aka the ‘hood-oriented arm of Chicago Public Radio) has started a new blog... more

• Are you stable, unstable, or losing ground? Sure, you know what you need to make you feel better in an economic crisis: capacity building... more

• Don’t be boring–4 tips from a fundraiser I was working at the Alternative Schools Network around 2003 when I first heard the phrase “case statement”– you know what that is, right? like an annual report only more so–more stories, more pictures... more

• after the journalism town hall
I hope Ken Davis is happy. Something really has come out of Sunday’s Journalism Town Hall thang. Maybe not what he imagined... more

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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Adventures in Nonprofit Communications