Founded in 1947, the association remains dedicated to the craft of opinion journalism through education, professional development, exploration of issues and vigorous advocacy within journalism.  AOJ is also committed to promoting a healthier civic culture by helping raise the quality of public discourse.

“Our mission is to protect our civic culture by advancing the art and science of making strong arguments with skill and creativity,” said AOJ president Froma Harrop about AOJ and its Civility Project.

ASNE’s headquarters were previously located in Reston, Va., before the organization began its multifaceted plan to ensure the organization remains at the forefront of leadership and innovation in the news industry. Though the process attracted many university candidates, Missouri emerged as the non-profit’s new partner. Leaders at the university are delighted to welcome ASNE.

”We at Missouri are delighted to work with the nation’s leading organization for news practitioners,” Dean Mills, dean of the Missouri School of Journalism, said, ”ASNE is a natural fit with the Reynolds Institute, which is also dedicated to strengthening journalism on behalf of citizens.”

The university will provide a variety of support services to ASNE in Columbia, as well as additional space in its National Press Building offices in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about the partnership, follow the link to ASNE’s announcement.

The following points were highlighted by the New York chapter in its proposal:

• The chapter has a strong base of local AAJA members who are excited to welcome a national convention in 2013. AAJA-New York is the largest of AAJA’s 21 chapters and has a wealth of experience in organizational leadership, including nationally recognized AAJA volunteers and several former national officers.
• The chapter has convention-hosting experience. AAJA-New York was responsible for a national convention in Times Square in 2000.
• Local news goes global. From 9/11 to Wall Street to Linsanity, what’s news in New York is news for everyone.
• The city is the media capital of the free world spanning 6 national broadcast networks, 10 local news stations, 78 cable networks, 6 international wire services, 4 of the 10 largest-circulation U.S. newspapers, 350 magazines and numerous journalism start-ups. Not only does New York have an array of news outlets, it’s a prime hunting ground for AAJA members seeking their next opportunity.

AAJA’s Governing Board has empowered AAJA Executive Director Kathy Chow to move forward with the New York chapter in the exploratory phase of securing a convention site. Details will be presented this summer at the UNITY12 journalism convention, Aug. 1-4 in Las Vegas.

To contact Kathy Chow or read more about the announcement, follow this link to AAJA’s webpage.

Legal analyst and host of a top-rated show on CNN’s Headline News, Nancy Grace will be headlining the event along with Charlotte Observer columnist Tommy Tomlinson, former CNN president and newspaper publisher Tom Johnson and Southern humorist Lauretta Hannon.

The conference’s earlybird rate has been extended until March 31, and registration will stay open all the way up to the day of the conference. Learn more about everything NSNC’s 36th annual conference has to offer and register for the event by following this link to their webpage.

The Casey Medals were created to recognize exemplary reporting on children and families. Winning stories offer a fresh take on a significant issue, show enterprise in research and reporting, and demonstrate masterful storytelling.

Entries must be received by 5 p.m. EST Friday, April 20, 2012. To learn more and to download an entry form, visit the JCCF website.

The scholarships can be used at accredited colleges, universities, seminaries or similar institutions.  Journalists can choose any religion, spirituality or ethics course. Scholarships cover tuition, books, registration fees, parking and other course-related costs. Online and travel classes are also eligible (as long as travel costs are part of the curriculum).

All full-time journalists working in the general circulation news media—including reporters, editors, designers, copy editors, editorial writers, news directors, researchers and producers—are eligible, regardless of their beat.

The next scholarship application deadline is June 15, 2012. Scholarships must be used within three academic quarters of their award date.

You can find more information and the application for the Lilly Scholarships in Religion Program on RNA’s website.

Photograph by Merrimack College: (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

This year NSNCEF dedicated its annual award to Jeff Zaslow. Zaslow, who died at 53 in an auto accident in Michigan, was a former board member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and addressed its annual conference nearly every year. Visit NSNC’s webpage to learn more about Zaslow and his support of NSNC.

The NSNCEF will award scholarships to three outstanding student newspaper columnists who write for U.S. college or university undergraduate newspapers. First prize is $1,000. Second prize is $500. Third prize is $250. In addition, the top winner will be the guest of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists at its 2012 conference in Macon, Ga., May 3-6.

Deadline for entering the 2012 contest is March 1, 2012. The contest is open to undergraduates (including seniors) who write bylined general interest, editorial page or Op-Ed page columns. Sports columns, movie reviews and other specialized columns are not eligible.

There is no entry fee to enter. One entry, consisting of three columns, for each student newspaper columnist is permitted. Magazine columnists are not eligible.

To enter NSNCEF’s competition or to view competition details visit NSNC’s webpage.

The convention is being held April 2-4 concurrently in the same hotel with the Newspaper Association of America’s annual MediaXChange. The two groups will come together for some joint programs, including two lunches and receptions, one of which will be a fun-filled, inspiring evening at the Newseum.

ASNE hopes to repeat its success in 2008 when presidential candidates like Barack Obama, John McCain and Hillary Clinton spoke. This year’s convention will embody its theme “What it Takes” by focusing on the leadership skills necessary to run a news organization in the digital age.

Special rates are being offered for rooms through the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. To learn more about the conference, head over to ASNE’s convention webpage.

Professional journalists and students alike are invited to take part in skill building workshops, sit in on panel discussions and learn how to best cover current health issues. A conversation with former President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter will be among the highlights at Health Journalism 2012.

The Center for Excellence in Health Journalism is producing the conference. The cost to register is $150 for professional journalists (plus $60 to join AHCJ) or $99 for students. To learn more about Health Journalism 2012 or to register, visit AHCJ’s conference webpage.

The National Society of Newspaper Columnists takes pride in seeking entries of published columns in all media: newspapers, magazines, online and blogs written in column style, as well as multimedia formats including video.

Deadline is March 1. See details at http://www.columnists.com/?p=12550. The submission consists of three columns published or posted during 2011.

Why enter? To have a fair opportunity for:

• Pride and satisfaction from being judged (by professionals) as tops among your peers
• A plaque for your wall
• A line of accomplishment for your website, byline, resume — or, with three bucks, it’ll get you a fine coffee

Finalists also receive a substantial discount to the annual conference of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, May 3–6 at in Macon, Ga., when the winners will be announced. Conference details at http://www.columnists.com/?cat=9. Finalists will be announced in early April.