Why and How to Communicate Effectively Online—at The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 at North Park University Campus, 3225 W. Foster Ave.
We will range from basic web sites to new media tools, from function to audience to building on-line traffic using off-line methods. This is a HANDS-ON workshop – participants will be blogging, and if the facilities cooperate we will post on YouTube and practice some of the other tools that make the Web worthwhile. Cost is $150 including lunch. Learn more and register at http://www.northpark.edu/

Professional Media Relations
FIVE FRIDAYS: January 25 to February 22, 9 a.m. to noon, Trainers: Thom Clark, Gordon Mayer and Diana Pando, Cost: $395 includes media guide and SPIN handbook.
Plan a media campaign around one of your own stories while learning basic public relations skills. Register

Knock-Out Fundraisers & Special Events
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. to noon, Trainer Lennie Rose, Cost: $95
Create high-concept special events that drive interest, increase your supporter or client-base, and bring people in the door. Register

Online Communications
Thursday, March 6, 9 a.m. to noon, Trainer Christine Cupaiuolo, Cost: $95
Strategy and technology merge in this interactive session designed to help you craft an online communications plan and strengthen your organizations presence in the cyber-world. Hands on in the classroom and 10-workstation computer lab at Lumity, 29 East Madison Street, Suite 1005. Lunch provided. Register

Power Pitching: The Phone Call Worth A Thousand Words
Friday, March 14, 9 a.m. to noon, Trainer Suzan Erem, Cost: $95
Master the power of pitching to reporters with communications expert Suzan Erem. Register

Develop and Sharpen Your Message
Thursday, March 20, 9 a.m. to noon, Trainer Nora Ferrell, Cost: $95
Take a complicated message and sharpen it to get the most media attention through target audience research of values and concerns cultivate and strengthen public opinion of your organization. Register

Email Marketing
Thursday, March 27, 9 a.m. to noon, Trainer Gabi Fitz, Cost: $95
Planning, writing, technology come together in this workshop on email best practices as part of building a strong on-line community. Register

Crisis Communications
May 15, 9 a.m. to noon, Trainers Hope Daniels and Wynona Redmond, Cost: $95
Learn the secrets of successfully preparing a plan and managing a crisis to deal effectively with the media, the public and your employees and turn your crisis into an opportunity. Register

And save the date for the 2008 Making Media Connections Conference with more new media/technology offerings and the best journalists in the region June 11 & 12 at Columbia College Chicago Film Row Cinema. Read what people have to say about CMW's Making Media Connections Conference.

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Better Media Relations in 2008!

If one of your resolutions for the new year is to do better media relations (which it should be) – then we can help you! In addition to our communications workshops, give yourself the map & compass to Chicago area media: Getting on the Air Online and Into Print! Order the book & CD to maximize your potential for successful media campaigns. Make the most impact in 2008!

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People to Pitch

Curtis Black, Newstips
Nonprofits should not hesitate to send newsletters, news releases or just send an email, says Curtis Black, CMW’s own reporter for our nonprofit news section, Newstips, at www.newstips.org and www.npcommunicator.org. Especially, he adds, if it’s related to nonprofits and local community groups “working on issues in their neighborhoods…. It could be really local or just a group working on a little piece of a greater issue.” Reach him at curtis@newstips.org.

Find more "People to Pitch" in our 2008 Getting on Air, Online and Into Print media guide. Get it here

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Newstips Blog
by Curtis Black, newstips editor

Attention, action on toy safety
A Chicago Tribune series starting in May and subsequent Congressional hearings brought children’s product safety issues to national attention (in 2007) — and when Congress passed a 20 percent increase in the budget for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, it was a huge victory for a small Chicago-based nonprofit which has been hammering away at the issue for years. Read More

Candidates and Cities
Because rural states have monopolized the early presidential contests, urban issues have been marginalized in the national debate — despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans live in and around cities. Read More

Subscribe to the new Newstips v2.0 Blog
Visit the Newstips blog and tell us what you think.

Do you have a newstip? Contact Curtis Black.
curtis@newstips.org | phone: 312-344-6400 | fax: 312-344-6404

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Other Events Around Town

Cook County State's Attorney Candidates Forum
6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, First Congregational Baptist Church, 1613 W. Washington, Chicago
A panel of criminal justice experts will ask the seven confirmed candidates questions on reentry after prison, sentencing reform and public safety. RSVP, or get info at from Hann Willage, hannah@chicagohomeless.org or 312-435-4548 ext 239.

Community Organizing Training
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 16- 18, Community Renewal Society, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 500
Become a more effective leader, learn organizing principles and how values influence those principles at a three-day training hosted by the Community Renewal Society. Cost is $250 per person. For more info or to register, contact Call Ellen Ray, 312-427-4830 x3844 or visit http://www.communityrenewalsociety.org/

"Touch & Go" Studs Terkel Book Signing
2:00 p.m., Jan. 19, 1601 N. Clark Street, Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum is pleased to offer a special opportunity to meet Studs Terkel and have him sign his newest book, Touch and Go: A Memoir. This event is free and open to the public. Copies of the book will be available in the Museum Store. Terkel is the bestselling author of twelve books and the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential National Humanities Medal. Terkel is the Chicago History Museum’s Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence. Listen now to a special City Voices broadcast paying tribute to Studs Terkel and his new book "Touch and Go."

Writing an Effective Business Plan Workshop
10 to 11:30 a.m., Jan. 23, 100 N. LaSalle St. Ste. 600
Community Economic Development Law Project instructs nonprofits to create a business plan to ease filing for income tax exemption. Registration required, costs $35. Learn more at http://www.clccrul.org/ To register, contact Erica Spangler Raz at 312-939-3638 or espanglerraz@cedlp.org

Youth Journalism Conference
Saturday, January 26, 2008, 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Ackerman Student Union, UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, California
The Nation and Campus Progress are hosting a West Coast Youth Journalism Conference on January 26 in Los Angeles on the campus of UCLA. It's entirely free of charge and open to all student and aspiring journalists. Featured speakers include Naomi Klein, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Patricia J. Williams, Roberto Lovato, Robert Scheer,Marc Cooper, Jon Wiener, Tom Hayden, Abigail Goldman and many others. For more information visit www.campusprogress.org.

Communications Jobs

Development and Communications Assistant, Mikva Challenge
The Mikva Challenge Development and Communications Assistant will lead the organization in developing and communicating a clear and strong identity and case for support.  By producing compelling and well-written grant proposals and reports, written communications, solicitation letters and publicity materials, the Development and Communications Assistant will significantly increase awareness of the Mikva Challenge and financial support for our work in the larger Chicago community and in local and national philanthropic circles. Salary is $36,000 to $42,000 depending upon experience. Apply by Feb. 29 to Kate Eubank, Development Director, 25 E Washington, Ste 703, Chicago, IL 60602 or by email to kate@mikvachallenge.org; see full description at http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/256796-160.

United Way of Metro Chicago Director, Public Policy/Advocacy
The Director, Public Policy/Advocacy will lead the government affairs function for United Way of Illinois and UWMC to ensure an effective and coordinated approach to public policy and advocacy in the state of Illinois and within Metropolitan Chicago. Duties include coordinating issues with United Way executives and local volunteers to ensure United Ways have a single statewide voice and to coordinate and report to the UWI Board to establish and execute statewide public policy agenda. Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy or related field of study from four-year college or university, Master’s preferred and a minimum of 5 years of experience in community development or similar community based work required. Learn more at http://uw-mc.com/2007/12/director-public-policy-advocacy.

Outreach & Resource Specialist & Administrative Assistant, Unite Africans Organization
Under immediate supervision of the executive director, the Outreach & Resource Specialist organizes, develops and implements outreach and educational activities in the African immigrant and refugee community, including assisting African community-based organizations in the identification and definition of community needs and in the development of meaningful organizational capacity training programs. Qualifications include Bachelor's degree with at least a year work experience in social services and/or community organizing and advocacy and the ability to speak and write French at a colloquial skill level in carrying out position duties in conjunction with Francophone African immigrants and refugees. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The organization is also hiring an administrative assistant, who will provide proficient clerical/administrative support to the Executive Director and coordinates special projects as assigned. The Administrative Assistant serves as Receptionist, and as such has an important representative role. Deadline for both positions is Jan. 14; learn more about the agency at www.uniteafricans.org or get either full position announcement by emailing alie.kabba@uniteafricans.org.

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