The St. Louis chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists provides resources, education and support for news-gathering in all forms of media. We invite you to join us as we strengthen our journalism community and improve our profession.
Among the reasons journalists should join: SPJ is one of the largest professional organizations in the country, with a rich and diverse membership spanning all forms of media and academia. With so many members, networking opportunities are ample, as are chances to learn and grow as a professional.
The St. Louis Chapter is one of the oldest SPJ chapters in the nation. We seek your help as a member and volunteer in the organization to foster our legacy and support SPJ’s missions. Please join one of our committees, volunteer to lead one or ask one of our board members how to be invited to join the board of directors.
To foster a spirit of community and promote networking and advancing our profession, the local chapter hosts gatherings throughout the year, including training programs and workshops, webinars, public programs, regional conferences and social opportunities.
When you are a member of SPJ, a national organization of professional and student journalists is there to guide you and has your back. SPJ fights on behalf of journalists everywhere and maintains a Legal Defense Fund to support them in First Amendment and Freedom of Information cases.
Members have resources such as job boards, training opportunities, FOI Tool Kits, and the Rainbow Sourcebook Guide to Finding Diverse Sources and Open Doors, a guide to using public records. Membership includes a subscription to Quill magazine and email newsletters.
If you are already an SPJ member, we encourage you to help us grow and encourage associates and coworkers to join and get involved. If your membership in SPJ has lapsed, or you may have relocated, we urge you to reactivate your membership with SPJ. Dues are just $75 per year for professional members, with discounts for multiple year memberships.
We know that the cost is sometimes a barrier. Retirees, students, and SPJ family members qualify for special rates. Some media organizations may provide funds to staff members who join professional organizations. Freelancers may be able to deduct the fee from taxes as a self-employment business expense. Also: you can opt to pay your membership dues in monthly installments. That could be as little as $5 a month!
Are you not currently earning at least half your salary from journalism, but want to pursue the opportunities of SPJ membership? Are you a non-journalist who supports the goals of SPJ in its efforts to promote responsible, ethical journalism and protect journalists and the First Amendment? Consider a supporting membership! It’s only $20 for the year, and provides an economic way to get involved.
Local dues are $15 per year payable through the SPJ web site, or by mailing a check (made out to St. Louis SPJ) to P.O. Box 741, Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Email: stlouisspj@gmail.com
Twitter: @stlspj
Facebook: St. Louis Pro