As the national organization struggles with membership and finances, some Society of Professional Journalists chapters also face challenges in recruiting and retaining members.
Leaders and representatives from professional and collegiate SPJ chapters nationwide came together Saturday morning during #SPJ23 to discuss challenges and successes.
A common challenge for both the national organization and its chapters is the decline in membership recruitment and retention. Mechelle Hankerson, president of the Virginia Pro Chapter, said time commitments make it hard to recruit members and provide programming.
“It’s very difficult to have people who have a full-time job to ask them to give up the very little bit of personal time they might have,” Hankerson said.
Hankerson also explained that finances and membership dues are often barriers, especially for students and early career journalists.
“I think the bigger part is the cost,” Hankerson said. “It’s really hard to convince people to pay essentially ninety-some dollars to join a chapter that… we don’t do much, we’re not offering them much.”
Chapter members have to pay annual SPJ fees, which average around $78, according to the SPJ website, and chapter dues, which vary by state and region.
Kenneth (Kenny) Burns, president of the New Jersey Pro Chapter, added that the physical geography of states can be an obstacle. For example, Burns explained he is located in central New Jersey. The chapter’s vice president is located in the southern part of the state, causing issues in communication.
Despite these obstacles, chapters are finding ways to support members through fundraisers, events, skill-building sessions and by focusing on student chapters.
As the national organization struggles with membership and finances, some Society of Professional Journalists chapters also face challenges in recruiting and retaining members.
Leaders and representatives from professional and collegiate SPJ chapters nationwide came together Saturday morning during #SPJ23 to discuss challenges and successes.
A common challenge for both the national organization and its chapters is the decline in membership recruitment and retention. Mechelle Hankerson, president of the Virginia Pro Chapter, said time commitments make it hard to recruit members and provide programming.
“It’s very difficult to have people who have a full-time job to ask them to give up the very little bit of personal time they might have,” Hankerson said.
Hankerson also explained that finances and membership dues are often barriers, especially for students and early career journalists.
“I think the bigger part is the cost,” Hankerson said. “It’s really hard to convince people to pay essentially ninety-some dollars to join a chapter that… we don’t do much, we’re not offering them much.”
Chapter members have to pay annual SPJ fees, which average around $78, according to the SPJ website, and chapter dues, which vary by state and region.
Kenneth (Kenny) Burns, president of the New Jersey Pro Chapter, added that the physical geography of states can be an obstacle. For example, Burns explained he is located in central New Jersey. The chapter’s vice president is located in the southern part of the state, causing issues in communication.
Despite these obstacles, chapters are finding ways to support members through fundraisers, events, skill-building sessions and by focusing on student chapters.
Indiana pro chapter president Lisa Renze-Rhodes is looking at how student chapters in the state can work with organizations like the Associated Collegiate Press on skill building. Student chapters like the one at Jacksonville State University use fundraising events to support chapter efforts.
Burns and his team in New Jersey focus on providing press credential services, resources for students and fundraising efforts through competitions.
“ I realized for New Jersey to survive we (have to) have more people involved, I need to make sure our students are supported (so) that they might grow with the organization,” Burns said.
As the national organization struggles with membership and finances, some Society of Professional Journalists chapters also face challenges in recruiting and retaining members.
Leaders and representatives from professional and collegiate SPJ chapters nationwide came together Saturday morning during #SPJ23 to discuss challenges and successes.
A common challenge for both the national organization and its chapters is the decline in membership recruitment and retention. Mechelle Hankerson, president of the Virginia Pro Chapter, said time commitments make it hard to recruit members and provide programming.
“It’s very difficult to have people who have a full-time job to ask them to give up the very little bit of personal time they might have,” Hankerson said.
Hankerson also explained that finances and membership dues are often barriers, especially for students and early career journalists.
“I think the bigger part is the cost,” Hankerson said. “It’s really hard to convince people to pay essentially ninety-some dollars to join a chapter that… we don’t do much, we’re not offering them much.”
Chapter members have to pay annual SPJ fees, which average around $78, according to the SPJ website, and chapter dues, which vary by state and region.
Kenneth (Kenny) Burns, president of the New Jersey Pro Chapter, added that the physical geography of states can be an obstacle. For example, Burns explained he is located in central New Jersey. The chapter’s vice president is located in the southern part of the state, causing issues in communication.
Despite these obstacles, chapters are finding ways to support members through fundraisers, events, skill-building sessions and by focusing on student chapters.
Indiana pro chapter President Lisa Renze-Rhodes is looking at how student chapters in the state can work with organizations like the Associated Collegiate Press on skill building. Student chapters like the one at Jacksonville State University use fundraising events to support chapter efforts.
Burns and his team in New Jersey focus on providing press credential services, resources for students and fundraising efforts through competitions.
“ I realized for New Jersey to survive we (have to) have more people involved, I need to make sure our students are supported (so) that they might grow with the organization,” Burns said.
Burns and his team in New Jersey focus on providing press credential services, resources for students and fundraising efforts through competitions.
“ I realized for New Jersey to survive we (have to) have more people involved, I need to make sure our students are supported (so) that they might grow with the organization,” Burns said.