Fall 2005
As the cold weather rolls in and we head toward the end of the year, the
AWJ board would like to catch you up on the major projects of the past
several months and let you know about a few upcoming events to mark on
your calendars.
We'd also like you to take a few moments and tell us how the organization
and its leadership can best serve your needs, both as a journalist and
as a woman in the workplace. AWJ is committed to fostering the development
of current and future female journalists. It is important for members
to let us know how we can do that most effectively and for members themselves
to get involved. To that end, you will find an invitation for suggestions
and leadership opportunities below.
Annual Banquet
The 2005 AWJ Awards and Scholarship Dinner raised more than $1,500 for
college scholarships!
The banquet took place June 10 at the beautiful Hackberry Creek Country
Club in Irving, with KDFW-TV's Lari Barager serving as emcee. Martha Boone
Mattia, author and former journalist, spoke about her experiences reporting
and writing the book Conversations with George Bush, and artist Junanne
Peck received this year's Courage Award for a sculpture exhibit that raised
funds for non-profit organizations providing services to breast cancer
patients. AWJ awarded four college scholarships worth $1,000 each, as
well a dozen Vivian Castleberry Awards for excellence in print and broadcast
journalism.
Thanks to those who donated and purchased items at this year's silent
auction, as that money will go directly to scholarships for college women
pursuing careers in journalism.
Holiday wrapping
Speaking of raising money, AWJ's annual holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser
is right around the corner. Just a few hours of your time wrapping gifts
at area Barnes & Noble Booksellers in December can help bring in significant
contributions toward next year's scholarships. (Plus, it's a great way
to check out the books you might add to your own wish list.) Time slots
will be available in Dallas, Fort Worth and North Richland Hills stores.
A sign-up list will be sent out the week after Thanksgiving.
SPJ Holiday Party
Once again, AWJ will "co-host" with the Society of Professional
Journalists a holiday party/children's book drive/"splendiferous"
raffle.
This year's shindig will take place Dec. 8 at the Coors Distributing Co.,
near I-35W and Meacham Blvd. in Fort Worth. Admission is $15 or $15 worth
of children's books. Check SPJ's web site at www.spjfw.org
for more information.
Social/Networking/Career development events
Look for invitations to a social event in January and a college seminar
in the spring, as well as other opportunities to network and get to know
your fellow AWJ members. And in the future you will receive e-mail from
AWJ's new account, awjdfw@gmail.com.
You may also send e-mails to that address as well.
The kinds of programming offered in 2006 will result from the suggestions
the board gets from members, so please take time to give us your input.
Which brings us to ...
Survey
In an effort to plan the future of AWJ, the board would like to learn
the members' professional needs, desires and level of commitment to the
organization. We're particularly looking for areas in which members would
like to get involved.
Please fill out the survey below and e-mail it back by Friday, Dec. 2.
Please send to awjdfw@gmail.com.
We welcome any additional comments and suggestions.
Thank you for taking the time to help shape AWJ, and we look forward to
seeing you soon at one of the upcoming events.
--AWJ board officers: Angela Brown and Jessamy Brown, co-presidents; Stephanie
Allmon, secretary; Beverly Horvit, treasurer
2005-06 AWJ Leadership Survey
1. What kind of AWJ events would you like to attend? Please rank these
in the order of interest to you. (1 being most important, 3 being least)
__A. Networking/social events
__B. Career development seminars
__C. Mentoring/outreach to college students
2. Which days of the week and times of day do you prefer for events?
3. Which city in the Metroplex do you prefer?
4. How much money would you be willing to spend to attend an AWJ event?
5. What issues do you see women facing in the workplace?
6. Would you be willing to help with any of the following? Please rank
your preferences.
__A. Membership
__B. Contest
__C. Banquet
__D. College outreach
__E. Programs
__F. Web site/newsletter
__G. Freelancers
__H. Fundraising
7. Are you a member of other professional journalism organizations, and
if so, which ones?
8. Other comments/suggestions:
Your name:
Title, company:
Phone number(s):
E-mail address:
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions. AWJ
values your feedback.
