SPJ President-Elect Chris Vaccaro
Chris Vaccaro has been an active member of the Society of Professional Journalists for 15 years. Now, as the current Vice President and President-elect, he wants to utilize the journalistic work that’s being done at the local level of SPJ chapters.
“There are so many chapters doing so much good work across the country that I want to elevate their programming and tap it as national and use our marketing wing and marketing forces,” Vaccaro said.
Starting as soon as late October, Vaccaro said SPJ won’t only create new local programming, but new national programming as well. He said he wants to focus on national programming and launch a committee to elevate the local chapters.
“Volunteers that are very involved with SPJ across the country have been tapped to come in and help idea and execute and organize and work on some of the logistics”, he said.
Aside from SPJ, he was also the President of the Press Club of Long Island from 2014 to 2018. He said that the PCLI and the experiences he’s had in the past have grown his expertise as a leader. 
“My desire to be a leader, my desire to talk to as many people as possible, to hear what they like and dislike, and then to formulate plans to hopefully help make change in a positive way,” Vaccaro said.
He said that at every company and brand and nonprofit and organization he’s been a part of, he has used his skills, but none of them are the oldest and one of the most influential journalism organizations in the country — SPJ.
“That’s why this is so special, and that’s why this means the world to me as a longtime SPJ member,” he said.
Vaccaro said making an impact and ensuring that members feel fulfilled and proud of the organization will be his top priorities during his upcoming presidential term.
“Are they getting what they should as members? Are they being heard? Is the communication channel from national to local set up in a way that everybody knows what’s going on?” Vaccaro said.
As president-elect, Vaccaro is encouraging members to take an active role in shaping the organization’s future.
“Don’t be shy. Speak up. Get involved by saying, ‘Hey, I want to do something and be a part of something bigger than myself,’” Vaccaro said.
Vaccaro said members who bring creativity and initiative will have the most impact, whether at the local, national or campus level.
“Come with ideas,” he said. “The people that have ideas and that can execute on those ideas will be the most successful, and I love that. I will help amplify those messages. I will help put those people in the right positions. I will facilitate communication amongst different organizations and different people within the organization, but come prepared with ideas. This way, you can really help in a meaningful way.”
Tagged under: SPJ, SPJ News, mediafest