A message from Phoenix SPJ Immediate Past President Mark Scarp:

In the 17 years I have served on the Valley of the Sun SPJ chapter board, I’ve seen many changes in both our national Society and our local chapter. Locally one of the biggest changes is the changing composition of our chapter board. People naturally come and go for a variety of reasons after their board service has ended. But as American journalism in the past two years has suffered greatly–and virtually none among us has been spared some form of suffering–so has the need to be there for the future of our profession. Journalism needs SPJ’s guiding principles and the eager hands and minds of its members more than ever.

Our Valley of the Sun chapter board has been hard hit by what has resulted from recently diminished ranks. We can’t put on the number of programs and services for journalists without enough of those hands and minds. We can’t properly represent the cause of a free press in the face of those who would deny us and the public access to information. We can’t do the job of honoring those among us who, despite all recently increased odds against them, are still fighting the fight to speak truth to power.

So I’m here to ask you, the members of our chapter, a chapter which in the 20 years I’ve been a member of it has been named National Chapter of the Year three times, to give some serious thought to doing something noble, something needed, and something fun: Become a member of our chapter board.

It’s a commitment of time and energy, but not an overwhelming one: You attend bi-monthly board meetings and chapter functions, take part in planning and strategy discussions, work to get fellow journalists to attend programs and bosses to give SPJ money to perform all of its acts of service. You also get to hang out with people who still believe in the importance of journalism, especially today. We’re an upbeat and dedicated bunch you might want to get to know. And we’d like to get to know you.

If you feel you cannot commit to a board position but would still like to offer your help, we’re always looking for volunteers to assist with our programs and events. Every warm body helps!

For further information, please contact our chapter president, Teri Carnicelli, at 602-277-2742 or write her at teri@phoenixspj.org.

Sincerely,
Mark J. Scarp
Immediate Past President, Valley of the Sun SPJ
602-810-8964
phoenixspj@cox.net