September 21, 2012 – Welcome to the first edition of the Deadline Club Insider, an email newsletter from the President. The idea for this newsletter—the most direct communication I can have with the Club’s members—has been hatching in my brain for months. Now it emerges into the Florida sun like a late afternoon cocktail, shaken not stirred. What better time and place to update the members about all of the good work the volunteers are doing on behalf of the Club and the Society than in the midst of the 2012 SPJ national convention in Fort Lauderdale—also known as the Excellence in Journaliam conference, and better known in the Twitterverse as #EIJ12. (Keep an eye out for that hashtag @deadlineclub this weekend.)
In this edition, you’ll find information about:
- New electronic voting for national SPJ officers
- Modernization at the old-school Deadline Club
- Memorial service for long-time board member Jo Anne Murphy
Bring Out the Vote! First Online SPJ Election Ends Saturday
This is an historic year for the Society of Professional Journalists. In the past, chapter delegates elected the national officers—until now. Delegates at the 2011 convention in New Orleans passed a landmark resolution, dubbed “one member one vote,” creating an electronic voting system. Current members received an email on Thursday with the necessary information to cast their ballots. Not sure who to vote for? Delegates steered clear of the beach Thursday to hear the candidates’ speeches. But you can watch the same speeches in the comfort of your own home at SPJ Election Central. Questions about the new voting process? Ask the experts by emailing elections@spj.org or calling (317) 721-8009. Ballots must be cast by 3:30pm Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday. Chapter delegates will still be able to propose and vote on resolutions from the convention floor at the Closing Business Session on Saturday. Stay tuned.
Changes afoot at The Deadline Club
Perhaps because it was founded in the Jazz Age, the Club has always struck me as rife with Old World charm. Although members are no longer inducted in robes, and it’s been a while since I’ve heard anyone refer to alcohol as “hooch,” changes tend to be gradual. Yet we’ve picked up the pace a bit this year. We elected many new members to the 2012 board. The Club converted to an all-electronic awards entry system, which among other benefits allows the judges to review all of the material entered in their categories before the judging night. You might also have noticed the new look to our website, www.deadlineclub.org. In the coming months, we’ll be updating the site with much more information about the Club. We’re planning to spiff up our social media, too. Not bad for a group that started when being socially “connected” meant knowing the password to the local gin joint.
Memorial for Jo Anne Murphy
Long-time board member Jo Anne Murphy was one of the sources of the Club’s charm. When we heard of her passing earlier this summer, there was an outpouring of affection on the board’s email list, including from many new board members who had very little time to get to know Jo Anne. She was an inspiration to us all. Even while battling health issues recently, Jo Anne rarely missed a board meeting or major event. She was a past Secretary and Awards Dinner Committee Chair, but more importantly, her quiet dignity and wise counsel helped us through many rough patches. We’ll miss her remarkable enthusiasm and joie de vivre. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, Sept. 22nd at the Salmagundi Club, which is at 47 Fifth Avenue on the corner of 12th Street, in the heart of Greenwich Village. Deadline Club members are welcome. No RSVP is necessary.
Regards,
J . Alex Tarquinio
President
The Deadline Club
Keep abreast of Deadline Club news on our new and improved website, www.deadlineclub.org. Follow us on Twitter: @deadlineclub.