Pro bono PR help needed

This is from our friend Rick D'Elia:

The Welcome to America Project, a local non-profit in my pro bono stable of favorite local orgs is looking for some PR help.

"We are trying to build up our Communications Committee and Development Committee. They both meet once per month to connect on projects and efforts. We are pushing hard for fundraising efforts now. If you know anyone, I would love to contact them.

"WTAP is seeking a local celebrity to MC the Prom this year on February 19, 2011. Do you know anyone that might be able to help us in our search?"

If anyone is interested in helping, please contact Megan and tell her Rick sent you:

Megan O’Connor

Executive Director

The Welcome to America Project

602.490.0088 x1

Republic job opening

My source on the inside passed along another job opening at the Arizona Republic. Once again, I'm not sure if they're looking for external candidates, but it's always worth a shot if you are qualified and interested...

State agencies/politics reporter Casey Newton has given his notice, effective Nov. 3, to cover technology for the business desk at the San Francisco Chronicle. Casey is a tech savvy reporter who loves the Bay Area, so we are confident he will do well there.

Interested applicants should contact State Government and Politics Editor Christina Leonard.

We’re looking for an experienced state government/politics reporter who will serve as a watchdog over state government and write about how budget cuts and policy decisions impact residents. The coverage area includes a range of topics including the state budget, politics, health and social services, environment, prisons, elections and parks.

This reporter will focus primarily on enterprise and investigative work, but he or she will have to juggle breaking news and write for multiple platforms – Page One and Valley & State, azcentral.com, our political blog and Twitter and Facebook. The reporter must be a team player, willing to work closely with three other reporters who cover the state Legislature and the Governor’s Office.

The ideal candidate is a self starter who has a proven track record. He or she has shown good source development and beat management in previous beats, demonstrated a devotion to watchdog journalism and displayed strong writing skills. Previous experience covering state or local government is a plus.

Qualified candidates should e-mail state government and politics editor Christina Leonard at christina.leonard@arizonarepublic.com with links to no more than six stories in the past two years, a resume, three references, and a letter explaining why we should consider you. Deadline: Oct. 29.