News

AAJA Sacramento Donates $25,000 to National


 

Sacramento Chapter co-Presidents Judy Lin and Pamela Wu Issue Challenge

To say that it’s been a tough time for AAJA feels like an understatement. We see it in the number of declining members and we see it in our national organization’s budget. But our little chapter in Sacramento has something for all of us to celebrate: Our chapter turns 25 years old this year!

Our group of 30 members is extremely proud of this milestone. Like so many other chapters, Sacramento has a long history of promoting Asian Americans in the newsroom. We routinely offer ourselves as a media resource for the local Asian American community. And we hand out scholarships to aspiring journalists while connecting students to prospective employers and internships.

For 25 years, we have been paving a brighter future and I’m happy to tell you we are still as active as ever. To celebrate our anniversary, AAJA Sacramento is proud to announce a $25,000 gift to AAJA’s national organization!

As part of this gift, AAJA Sacramento is challenging every chapter to make a donation to the national organization. It can be $1,000, $10,000 or better yet, match our gift!

The Sacramento chapter board last month unanimously approved the gift, designating $10,000 for operating costs, $7,500 for scholarships and $7,500 for professional development. We told Executive Director Kathy Chow that we want to help national close its deficit fast. And we wanted to do it without losing sight of AAJA’s vital missions: fostering young journalists and promoting mid-career Asian Americans in the newsroom.

Please, join us and give as much as you can to help us pave a brighter path for another 25 years.

AAJA/GANNETT FOUNDATION AWARD FOR INNOVATION IN WATCHDOG JOURNALISM

AAJA, in partnership with the Gannett Foundation, is offering an award, for current 2010 AAJA full members, which recognizes groundbreaking work by a journalist or a team that creatively uses digital tools in the role of being a community’s watchdog. Special consideration is given to journalism that helps a community understand and address important issues.
Criteria for evaluating innovation include interactivity, creation of new tools, innovative adaptation of existing tools, and creative use of any digital medium. An entry will consist of a single story, series or package on a single subject. Entries and supporting materials must be received by Monday, June 21, 2010.
The award prize is $5,000 and will be presented on August 7, 2010 at the Gala Scholarship & Awards Banquet during the AAJA convention in Los Angeles.
More information about the AAJA/Gannett Foundation Award and an application is located here: http://www.aaja.org/programs/awards/#gannett
This award is funded by a grant from the Gannett Foundation.

Apply for the AAJA & Sacramento Bee internship

In partnership with The Sacramento Bee, AAJA Sacramento is sponsoring a 12-week, internship program for aspiring print, photo, graphics and multimedia journalists. A stipend of $570 a week will be provided by AAJA Sacramento. The program begins in May or June 2010, depending on the intern’s availability.

To be considered, applicants must be enrolled in a college or university within the chapter’s membership area* OR have permanent addresses within those boundaries. Recent graduates who completed their studies in 2009 are also eligible to apply. All applicants must be student members of AAJA Sacramento. (Visit www.aaja.org to become a member.)

AAJA Sacramento will evaluate the initial pool of applicants and nominate two candidates for The Bee’s consideration. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for other internships at The Bee.

The internship recipient will be announced April 1, 2010. Deadline for applications is March 19, 2010.

In addition to the internship application form, the following is required:

  • A resume and cover letter.
  • A 300-word essay on why diversity still matters in America’s newsrooms. Your essay should also mention the qualities and accomplishments you would bring to The Bee and a career in journalism.
  • Five to seven writing clips or CDs of multimedia work.
  • Two letters of reference, at least one from a professor or faculty adviser on school letterhead.

The application form is available here.

2010 marks AAJA Sacramento’s 25th Anniversary

This year marks AAJA Sacramento chapter’s 25th anniversary. Watch for exciting announcements and events throughout the year. We’re planning everything from a student workshop to participating in community events. AAJA’s national convention will be held in Los Angeles this summer and watch out for our fall fundraiser.

It’s a bright new year! Keep checking in for updates.