SPJ South Florida Pro Board Votes to Change Name and Expand Territory
At its August meeting, the South Florida Chapter of SPJ voted to change their name to the Florida Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists as well as amend their bylaws to include any areas in Florida not represented by another SPJ chapter.
By doing so, the newly created SPJ Florida would include areas such as Fort Myers and Naples in Southwest Florida, Jacksonville in Northwest Florida, the state capital Tallahassee, Pensacola in the Panhandle and Orlando in Central Florida. Currently, there are two other professional chapters in Florida: the Mid Florida Pro Chapter, covering the Tampa and St. Petersburg area, and the North Central Florida Pro Chapter, covering the Gainesville area.
“This is a logical step for SPJ South Florida. Our annual Sunshine State Awards already cover the entire state,” said Jason Parsley, president of SPJ South Florida Pro.
Lynn Walsh, Vice President of Programming added: “This business is tough and I joined SPJ because it is nice to have a support system from others who can feel your pain. I joined the board to help journalists by providing training opportunities and an outlet for them to turn to for advice and support. For me, it doesn’t matter where you live, I want to help. By expanding throughout Florida we will be able to help journalists throughout the state, hopefully filling the void some may feel without having a local chapter nearby.”
In addition, the board also voted to upgrade the student board member position from an appointed, non-voting member to an elected, voting member.
Before these changes become official, though, the South Florida SPJ membership must vote. Online voting will commence Friday, Sept 13 and end Saturday, Sept. 14 at midnight. Another email with voting instructions will be sent out next Wednesday, Sept. 11.
1. Motion to change our name from the “South Florida Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists” to the “Florida Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists” and to expand our current territory to cover all other areas of the state that are not covered by a professional chapter.
Current:
a) To upgrade and protect the journalistic profession and its core values in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and throughout Florida.
Proposed:
a) To upgrade and protect the journalistic profession and its core values in primarily Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as, offer support to journalists throughout Florida where no other professional chapter exists.
Current:
b) To assist Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach high schools in strengthening their classes and courses in journalism.
Proposed:
b) To assist high schools in strengthening their classes and courses in journalism in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and throughout Florida.
Current:
c) To cooperate with and assist colleges and universities in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in developing strong departments and schools of journalism.
Proposed:
c) To cooperate with and assist colleges and universities in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and throughout Florida in developing strong departments and schools of journalism.
Current:
d) To establish a scholarship fund for Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Proposed:
d) To establish a statewide scholarship fund for Florida.
Current:
Section I: “Chapter” as used herein shall refer to the South Florida professional chapter of the national Society located in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Proposed:
Section I: “Chapter” as used herein shall refer to the [Delete] Florida professional chapter of the national Society based in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, but also serving the entire state of Florida where no other professional chapter exists.
Current:
Section II: The name of the chapter shall be the South Florida Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Proposed:
Section II: The name of the chapter shall be the Florida Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
2. Motion to change the student board rep to an elected voting position.
Current:
Section VIII: If it deems fit, the board may also decide to add a non-voting student member. Term is for one year.
Proposed:
Section VIII: The board will also consist of one elected, voting student board member.
Current:
Section I: The legislative authority and general management, direction and planning of the Chapter shall rest with the board of directors, which shall consist of up to 13 dues-paying, current professional members of the local chapter. In addition, the board may appoint a non-voting student board member.
Proposed:
Section I: The legislative authority and general management, direction and planning of the Chapter shall rest with the board of directors, which shall consist of up to 13 dues-paying, current professional members of the local chapter, as well as, one elected, voting student board member.
Current:
Section I: There shall be five categories of membership: Professional and Retired Professional (sub-category of Household), Institutional (sub-category of Collegiate Institutional), Student, Post Graduate, and Fellow. A separate category exists for affiliates of the Society, known as Associates. Only members of professional and retired category shall be considered eligible members to vote on chapter business or for officers or board of directors members or to hold such positions, except that student members may vote for and hold the position of non-voting student member of the board of directors.
Proposed:
Section I: There shall be five categories of membership: Professional and Retired Professional (sub-category of Household), Institutional (sub-category of Collegiate Institutional), Student, Post Graduate, and Fellow. A separate category exists for affiliates of the Society, known as Associates. Only members of professional and retired category shall be considered eligible members to vote on chapter business or for officers or board of directors members or to hold such positions, except there will be one voting student member of the board.
Current:
Section IX: Associates, Student members, Household members and Institutional Members shall not vote, hold chapter office, be delegates to the national convention, nor be counted in determining the voting of the chapter. Appeals on eligibility can be made to the membership committee and then to the board of directors.
Proposed:
Section IX: Associates, Student members (except for the elected student member of the board), Household members and Institutional Members shall not vote, hold chapter office, be delegates to the national convention, nor be counted in determining the voting of the chapter. Appeals on eligibility can be made to the membership committee and then to the board of directors.
Current:
Section II: Among the 13 voting members of the board of directors, shall be a president, executive vice-president, immediate past president (a non-elected seat), vice-president for membership, vice-president for programming, secretary and treasurer and six other professional members who shall serve as directors-at-large. All members of the board of directors shall be elected for one-year terms at an annual election meeting as provided herein.
Proposed:
Section II: Among the 13 professional voting members of the board of directors, shall be a president, executive vice-president, immediate past president (a non-elected seat), vice-president for membership, vice-president for programming, secretary and treasurer and six other professional members who shall serve as directors-at-large. All members of the board of directors shall be elected for one-year terms at an annual election meeting as provided herein.