SDSPJ named 'Chapter of the Year'

Chapter also receives communications award

Catherine Hockmuth accepts the national awards at the Chicago convention.

The San Diego professional chapter was recently named by the Society of Professional Journalists as the national large “Chapter of the Year.” The award recognizes chapters for overall excellence in supporting the society’s missions, members and the profession. Up to three large and three small professional chapters are selected each year for national recognition, with one in each category being chosen as the national Chapter of the Year.

But that's not all. The local pro chapter also received a national “Circle of Excellence Award” in the area of chapter communications. It was one of 10 recipients of the prestigious Circle of Excellence awards. Annually, SPJ recognizes chapters for outstanding work during the preceding year in five areas: First Amendment and Freedom of Information activity; campus relations and scholarship activities; activities promoting diversity among journalists; professional development and continuing education programs, and chapter communications. Awards are given for each category to one large (75 or more members) and one small (fewer than 75 members) professional chapter.

SPJ national lauded the local chapter for its quarterly newsletter mailed to all members that recaps events, publicizes upcoming opportunities and includes a column from the president. Articles are posted to the Web site, which was recently redesigned, and the chapter sends e-mail blasts to members to inform them of monthly events.

“These awards represent tireless hours of journalism advocacy, which is desperately needed right now,” said Christine Tatum, SPJ’s new national president. “We honor these chapters because they work incredibly hard to deliver top-notch professional training to journalists nationwide and to help the general public better understand the importance of how a free and fair press is vital to democracy.”

Winners were determined by SPJ volunteers who oversee chapter involvement, using filed annual reports as a guide. Awards were presented during the President's Installation Banquet at the 2006 SPJ Convention and National Journalism Conference in Chicago this past August. SD-SPJ Vice President Catherine Hockmuth accepted the awards on behalf of the chapter.