Chapter on the WWWeb

The Cincinnati chapter's WWWeb site is in its "alpha" stage, and can be visited at http://www.iac.net/~jt/spj/

The idea for the site was born while I was at Syracuse University, studying newspaper at the Newhouse School. I was vice president of the student SPJ chapter, and thought it would be a good way to recruit new members and share information about SPJ.

I first heard about SPJ chapter WWWeb sites from the SPJ-L e-mail group on the Internet. SPJ-L is one way to network and share ideas with other SPJ members. The Syracuse student chapter, one of the society's largest, never did get on the Web ­ but the seed was planted.

When I moved to Cincinnati in May 1995 and started to get involved with the Cincinnati pro chapter, I saw a new opportunity to implement my plan. I've been writing HTML (the programming code for publishing on the WWWeb) for more than a year. It's been a labor of love, and an entirely self-taught discipline. Since last fall, I have been doing it professionally as Webmaster for the University of Cincinnati Real Estate Center. I've also freelanced, designing WWWeb pages for people on a contract basis.

I approached Felix Winternitz, the chapter president, with the idea of putting the chapter on the WWWeb. He suggested I make a proposal to the board. I proposed that the chapter establish a presence on the WWWeb, giving cost estimates and prospective benefits.

As it's currently configured, the site contains basic information about SPJ and the local chapter. It includes "hot links" to our Code of Ethics, a journalism jobs page, the Society's National home page, Quill Magazine Online, three other pro chapters with WWWeb sites and e-mail links to several local chapter members.

Ideas for improving the site include:

* A database of contact numbers, mailing addresses and e-mail addresses for all local media.

* Hot links to all local media with WWWeb sites.

* An "upcoming events" database.

Other pro chapters on the WWWeb:

http://www.ccrc.wustl.edu/spj/ St. Louis Pro Chapter

http://www.sandiego-online.com/spj/ San Diego Pro Chapter

http://www.sfgate.com/userpages/spj/ Northern California Pro Chapter.

SPJ-Online is a mailing list created as an information resource for journalists by the Society of Professional Journalists' New Information Technologies Committee. Discuss issues, share tips, communicate with headquarters and national leaders, find out about SPJ news, or whatever. You can subscribe to the SPJ-L listserv by sending mail to LISTSERV@PSUVM.PSU.EDU and in the body put Subscribe SPJ-L Your Name You will be sent a message that is confirming your address. Follow the reply instructions in that message.

Hall of famers

During the Cincinnati Chapter's annual banquet, three journalists will be inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame.

• Former Cincinnati Post sports writer Joe Quinn;
• Long-time radio newsman Don Herman; and
• Former Cincinnati Enquirer reporter and social editor Eleanor Adams.

More about the three will be printed in the July newsletter, which also will list the chapter's award winners.

Invitation

You are invited to the Cincinnati Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists Annual Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Inductions

Friday, July 12 at Union Terminal, Cincinnati -- Reception at 7 p.m. -- Dinner at 7:30 p.m

Keynote speaker: Paul Taylor

...a former reporter for the Washington Post and current director of the Free TV for Straight Talk Coalition, a group seeking to persuade the television networks to donate free air time to principal candidates for president for "talking head" presentations during prime time in the final month of the 1996 campaign.

Cost: $25 per person

Send your check to: Meghan Henterly, 7860 Stonegate Drive, No. 1005 Cincinnati, Ohio, 45255

Judges laud strength of contest entries

The contest was judged by the Knoxville, Tenn., SPJ chapter.

"You certainly have a journalistically blessed area," the Knoxville people said. "All of the judges have commented on the strength of the entries and the challenge of separating out the winners."

The winners will be announced at the chapter's annual banquet at 7 p.m. Friday, July 12.

A record number of contest entries were received ­ 448 entries; some categories hade as many as 44 entries, and most of the writing categories had almost 30 entries.

If there are any questions about the contest, call Sacha DeVroomen at 598-8348. For questions about the banquet on July 12, call Meghan Henterly at the Enquirer.

On Press is the monthly newsletter of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

For information on submissions to On Press, contact Marc Emral at 513-248-8600, ext. 238.