By Ryan Gunterman
IHSPA Executive Director
Dear IHSPA family,
Unfortunately, we have decided to cancel the membership brunch due to a lack of participation. I still think this is a worthy idea and something we should try again next year. Event coordinators Lauren Wagner, Michelle Burress and Kimmy Turley did an excellent job planning an event that would have benefited all in attendance.
I didn’t do a good enough job getting the word out in a reasonable amount of time. I was overconfident about the turnaround and should have known how difficult it would be to make it work for you, especially considering current circumstances. I promise to do better, and I hope to see you all at Franklin College Friday, Jan. 28 for our more-traditional convention.
We’ll hold the annual board meeting virtually sometime in the next week or two, and I will share that date ASAP. The award winners we were going to recognize Saturday will be announced via the website and social media Monday, Nov. 1 (which is also the 2021 yearbook Hoosier Star submission deadline). Those awards will be mailed to recipients, and we will celebrate them again during the Jan. 28 convention.
I sincerely apologize for the changes. Please feel free to direct any questions and/or concerns my way. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
QUICK REMINDERS
1. A more-traditional version of the state convention will take place Friday, Jan. 28 at Franklin College. The day’s schedule will be similar to previous years with a few exceptions:
• There are two tracks of sessions from which students can pick — four 30-minute, intensive breakouts and three rounds of 70-minute, in-depth courses.
• Lunch in the student center dining hall is optional and available from noon to 2 p.m. Those wishing to eat on campus may purchase meal tickets when registering or pay with their own funds when there.
• There’s increased flexibility for those needing to leave early for transportation purposes. For example, students can experience four rounds of expert instruction and leave campus by 12:10 p.m.
• All activities will take place in four buildings at one end of campus in case of inclement weather.
Ready to register? Do so here: Journalism Convention Registration
2. A large number of those who completed the convention survey said “at-a-glance” student media critiques arranged by IHSPA would be useful, so I will begin scheduling those after Labor Day.
In the 30-minute critique, a judge provides constructive criticism using the Indiana journalism standards and IHSPA Hoosier Star Student Media Evaluation guidebooks, with specific strengths and challenges for improvement.
Judges are instructed to provide feedback in a constructive manner and not in a way that is deemed overly critical or unrealistic. Students and their advisers are encouraged to utilize the feedback during planning sessions and workshops to set high standards for their journalism program and better serve their audience.
Student media programs must provide electronic versions of the publication, website, or broadcast they wish to be the subject of the evaluation via a file sharing site (Google Drive, Dropbox), online distribution service (issuu.com), or direct hyperlink to content.
Critique availability windows: Sept.1-Oct. 31 & Jan. 1-Feb.28
Ready to register? Do so here: At-A-Glance Critique Registration
As always, never hesitate to let us know what IHSPA can do for you: ihspa@franklincollege.edu
