Arizona Republic insider info

Wow, lots of movement going on at the Republic lately.

Megan Boehnke has resigned to take a job at the Knoxville News-Sentinel, so her beat covering Chandler and Tempe public safety is now open. Jahna Berry is joining the Business team as the jobs and workplace reporter, and will cover the legal profession as a sub-beat. However, her start date is on hold, because she's filling in as Phoenix City Hall reporter until a replacement is found for Scott Wong. Jahna was covering downtown and Phoenix Sky Harbor.

And John Yantis, former business editor at the East Valley Tribune, has joined the Republic as the defense /aerospace / technology/personal technology reporter. (Hope he likes multitasking).

Here's the posting for Megan's job. Not sure if it's only internal at this point, but no harm in poking around. Paul's e-mail is paul.maryniak@arizonarepublic.com.

The Chandler-Tempe public safety beat requires aggressive breaking news coverage in both cities, as well as watchdog and enterprise reporting, particularly for Chandler. Applicants should have experience writing for all platforms, including online, community Republics, Valley & State and A1. They also must be able to develop solid law enforcement and related sources for a beat that is largely proactive rather than reactive. While this beat involves generating traditional crime news, its greater mission is the production of solid enterprise reporting on the effectiveness of public safety efforts and trends in Chandler and Tempe, compelling profiles of leaders in law enforcement, major miscreants, and similar enterprise. The expectations include producing at least one Page 3 enterprise package and a cover centerpiece-related story for The Chandler Republic every five print days. An ability to read and translate data, working familiarity with state FOI laws, and a passion for law enforcement-related issues and topics are all essential for the reporter who fills this position.

If you are interested in applying, send a succinct note by Wednesday, May 7 to Southeast Valley Community Paul Maryniak, outlining your qualifications and specifics on how they would handle this beat. The beat will be structured around a Sunday-Thursday work week and applicants must be able to cover Mesa and Gilbert public safety when the other Southeast Valley public safety reporter is off.

The 60 Percent Poem

I created a vision statement, but it was blurry.

I was a team player, but the game was always changing.

I tried to think outside of the box, but I worked in a cube.

I thought I was on the same page, but my page was in a different book.

I’ve been downsized, outsourced, restructured, re-engineered and leveraged. I’ve done brain dumps and done more with less. I’ve gone the extra mile and stretched the envelope. I’ve cast my net, covered all my bases, run it up the flagpole and gotten my ducks in a row.

I talk the talk and walk the walk. I’ve added value, cut time to market and sung from the same hymn book.

I think it’s time for a paradigm shift. Maybe I should wipe the slate clean.

The ball is in my court now. It’s time to refocus my goals, broaden my horizons and get back on track.

Let’s touch base and look at this holistically. After all, this is my baby.

Going forward, I’m not giving 110 percent. You can have 60. Do I have your buy-in?

Potential Arizona Republic opening

SCOOP: The Arizona Republic will soon post for a Phoenix City Hall reporter.

The position requires an experienced reporter who has demonstrated strong government accountability work covering municipal government in a mid- to large-sized city. This reporter is expected to function as a watchdog, who not only knows how to hold elected leaders accountable, but can explain to readers what the actions taking place at city hall mean to them. An ability to identify and execute enterprise stories that take our readers beyond the day-to-day processes of city government is essential, as is an understanding of how to use public records and cultivate sources apart from the “usual suspects’’ to develop a beat that reflects the diverse mix of people, neighborhoods and issues that encompass the nation’s fifth largest city. The Phoenix City Hall reporter is member of the Phoenix reporting team writing stories for The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com and Phoenix community sections. Other required skills include: effective communication and collaboration with editors and fellow reporters who are not physically in the same location; ability to quickly turn stories for online posting; and consistent, frequent and relevant information posted on the Phoenix online blog.

Scottsdale/Phoenix Community Editor Chris Coppola will take internal applications until end of day, Monday, April 26 for the Phoenix City Hall opening. They also will be posting the job for external candidates.

SPJ Freedom of Information Awards

Contact: Teri Carnicelli
President, Valley of the Sun SPJ
602-410-1267, teri@phoenixspj.org

ARIZONA MEDIA PROFESSIONALS, STUDENTS AND CITIZENS HONORED FOR FIRST
AMENDMENT USE AND SUPPORT AT APRIL 17 RECEPTION

Phoenix, AZ—The Valley of the Sun Chapter, Society of Professional Journalist (SPJ) pays tribute to working journalists and others at its annual Arizona Freedom of Information Awards Reception, set for 1 p.m. Saturday, April 17. The event takes place in the Steele Auditorium of the Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave. Those being honored this year include (*detailed award descriptions on accompanying page):

First Amendment Award—Dennis Wagner, Arizona Republic, and Mark Flatten, Goldwater Institute.

Sunshine Award—Sarah Fenske, Phoenix New Times; students Vaughn Hillyard and Sophia Curran, educator Sheri Siwek, and David Bodney and Aaron Lockwood of Steptoe & Johnson LLP.

The Lloyd Clark “How It Made Print” Award—Russell Wiles, Arizona Republic.

The Phil Alvidrez Award for Excellence in Journalism—Kent Dana, formerly of Channel 12 (KPNX) and
Channel 5 (KPHO).

The Order of the Silver Key Society—Betty Beard, Arizona Republic; Dennis Lambert, KJZZ/KFYI; and Dave Munsey, Channel 10 (KSAZ).

The theme of this year’s event is “Media Wars: A New Hope,” with a humorous nod to that groundbreaking science fiction/action/adventure series spawned by George Lucas. Our keynote speaker is Vanessa Fox, Entrepreneur and Creator, Google’s Webmaster Central.

Tickets are $40 for SPJ members, $45 for non-members, and $35 for students. Please mail checks to the P.O. Box address listed below by no later than Tuesday, April 13. Tickets include a mixer with cash bar, the reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a memorable time honoring outstanding examples of the use of the First Amendment in shining a light on important public issues. More information is available on the chapter’s Web site, www.phoenixspj.org.

And as always, may the source be with you.…..

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Our Valley of the Sun chapter has been doing the same since 1958. For more information about SPJ in Phoenix, please visit www.phoenixspj.org. For more information about SPJ across the nation, please visit www.spj.org.

FOI when you're SOL

Doing FOI When You’re SOL*:
Strategies for Getting Public Records to Improve
Your Reporting, ASU Cronkite School, April 27

*SOL: “Straight Out of Luck.”

Event is part of “Access Across America” tour with SPJ FOI chair,
UA journalism professor David Cuillier

* * *

Just about anyone who has heard Dave Cuillier talk about the press and the public’s right of access to government via public records and open meetings quickly is led to believe he wrote the book on the subject. Well, he has. More on that in a moment.

Cuillier, a University of Arizona journalism professor and SPJ’s national Freedom of Information Committee chair, is embarking on a nationwide tour, called “Access Across America.” One of his first stops will be here in Phoenix, sponsored by the Valley of the Sun chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Cuillier will speak on “Doing FOI When You’re SOL*: Strategies for Getting Public Records to Improve Your Reporting,” 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, in Room 256, the azcentral.com classroom, on the second floor Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 555 N. Central Ave. (at Fillmore, two blocks north of Van Buren Street), Phoenix. Refreshments will be served. Visitor parking for a fee is available in an ASU lot and a private lot just north of the Cronkite building.

Cuillier said his presentation is designed to help journalists who are stretched thin with daily stories, Web postings and extra responsibilities as well as feel as if they can’t do the kind of depth reporting they want.

Here is what he’ll cover:
· Great ideas for document-based stories you can do in your community
· Strategies for effective records requests and overcoming denials
· Psychological skills for getting officials to give you what you need
· Tips for making records part of your daily routine
· Rousing inspiration for doing great journalism in tough times

Each participant will receive a binder filled with handouts.

And, oh, yes, the book: Cuillier and Charles Davis of the University of Missouri, Columbia, have written "The Art of Access: Strategies for Acquiring Public Records."

Cuillier is chairman of the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee and has been a FOI newsroom trainer for SPJ for five years. He is a former reporter and editor who teaches courses on access, and conducts research on access strategies

The tour is funded by the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation, a non-profit organization that aids SPJ and journalism initiatives, with assistance by the University of Arizona School of Journalism. -30-

* * * *
Mark J. Scarp
Immediate Past President, Valley of the Sun chapter,
Society of Professional Journalists
(602) 810-8964
phoenixspj@cox.net

Job opening in Montana

Thank you to Alan for this one.

OWAA SEARCHES FOR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . . . The Outdoor Writers Association of America, headquartered in Missoula, Mont., is seeking an executive director to manage and direct the day-to-day affairs of a professional organization of approximately 1,200 outdoor communicators. The opening is the result of the recently announced resignation of Executive Director Kevin Rhoades. For a complete list of responsibilities, a full job description and information about how to apply, visit:

http://owaa.org/ou/2010/03/job-owaa-executive-director/

Search engine secrets

Hannah Stevens speaks about Internet research

At Arizona Press Women lunch seminar April 15

Author Hannah Stevens speaks on “It’s a Digital World” for the monthly lunch seminar of Arizona Press Women, open to the public at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, April 15, at the Doubletree Guest Suites, 320 N. 44th St., Phoenix.

Learn how best to research for your fiction or nonfiction writing using the world of information via the Internet. Stevens has been an IT specialist for 15 years,writing prose at night while she wrote code for major companies including Intel, Charles Schwab and The Arizona Republic. She has two published books, “The President’s Wife” and the sequel, “Madam POTUS,” both about a fictional First Lady who divorces her husband while he is running for a second term. Stevens came to the Valley in 1973 from the San Francisco Bay area and lives in north central Phoenix. Her Web site is www.hannahstevensauthor.com

“My knowledge of IT gives me a better understanding of how Internet search engines work, and how to get the most out of them,” said Stevens

Reservations are requested by April 13 to apw.reservations@gmail.com or call 480-778-8776. The cost is $5 for nonmembers. Those attending will order individually from the no-host lunch menu.

Arizona Press Women is an organization of women and men who work as editors, writers, photographers, teachers and public relations specialists. APW sponsors regular meetings and workshops in Phoenix, Tucson and Payson, and an annual spring conference in May. For more information about membership, contact Joan Westlake at westwoman@aol.com.