By Ryan Gunterman
IHSPA Executive Director
Happy 2018-2019, IHSPA! Here are the items you need to plan for another great school year!
Membership
Much like last year, schools may submit membership information using either this PDF or this Google form.
Something that’s new for 18-19 is anyone who submitted membership data last year ONLY have to complete those portions that have changed from 17-18. If everything’s the same, then all I need from you would be school name and the number of memberships/Hoosier Star entries you’re purchasing. Those are the only required portions of the online form. THAT’S IT! Hopefully this helps streamline things for you and makes this task a little less intimidating.
*Please note that anyone who did not submit a membership last year still needs to complete those relevant parts of the form for the directory. And, again, you do NOT have to answer every question and can skip those sections that don’t apply to you!
Calendar
Those significant dates for all things IHSPA have been updated in this PDF and on the IHSPA site. However, I want to highlight a couple of changes, many of which were made due to membership feedback:
· The fall convention is moving to a one-day schedule (Friday, Oct. 19), and we will no longer have events Thursday night. It has just become too difficult for schools to commit to overnight field trips, and our first-day attendance has dwindled to a point where a two-day convention is not a wise use of resources. However, we will still provide information for lodging and local Thursday evening events/activities for those who travel from the far reaches of the state and stay overnight in Franklin or nearby.
· The David Adams Award will return to recognize those schools who produce and participate in a campaign of First Amendment awareness and advocacy. More information to come later, but start thinking about what you and your students can do to champion the First Amendment in your school and community.
· Newspaper Hoosier Star deadline has been moved from Jan. 31 to March 1. I heard from several of you that the January date was just too early, so hopefully this helps. Because of this, I have already started coordinating the Hoosier Star judging for both newspaper and yearbook to drastically improve the turnaround with returning critiques. I promise to have them back to you in a timely manner so they may serve as a valuable resource for your publication.
· The Pacers have agreed to host another sports media night, and we are adjusting the schedule to address the feedback from the previous year. The event will again be on the same day as the First Amendment Symposium, and I will notify everyone once that date is settled (have to coordinate it with a Pacers home game).
Convention Speakers
The IHSPA board has been hard at work planning the 2018 convention and would appreciate your help. Please read this quick note from IHSPA President Sam Hanley about our annual event:
Friends of IHSPA,
The IHSPA board of directors is seeking presenters for our annual convention, to be held at Franklin College on Friday, Oct. 19. In addition to our continuing mission to support high school journalism across the Hoosier state, this year’s convention celebrates journalism’s place in our national conversation, in our professional and personal lives–and beyond. The theme is “Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Journalism.”
Our Friday morning keynote is Kristina Smekens. A former high school English and journalism teacher in Michigan and Indiana, Smekens will speak about the key journalism skills that transcend the newsroom. If you haven’t seen her speak before, you (and your students) are in for a real treat!
We are seeking a well-rounded and diverse slate of speakers; we hope you can be part of the show! If you wish to present at the convention, please fill out this Google form. Deadline for speaker registration is Sept. 1, 2018.
Please contact IHSPA Executive Director Ryan Gunterman or Convention Chair Sam Hanley if you have any questions.
Sam Hanley
Southport High School
IHSPA President
Outreach
As always, please let me know if there’s anything you need. I would like to spend a little more time with membership outreach, so don’t hesitate to contact me if you find your program in need or if you know of a new adviser who could use a helping hand from time to time. It’s why I’m here.
I get that all of this is probably more information than what you need/want, so thank you for giving IHSPA a portion of your valuable time. Also, thank you for making this job a great one. I’m thrilled to get started with my second year working with you all!
Here’s to an amazing 2018-2019!
