Live Reporting Contest

Here's a chance for Nebraska journalism students to win big bucks by doing what they do best - reporting and writing.
The Nebraska Press Association once again will sponsor the Tom Allan Memorial Writing Competition at its spring convention April 20-21 at the Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St. in Lincoln.
The live, on-site reporting and writing contest is open to all students of Nebraska collegiate journalism or mass communication programs. The contest begins at 1:30 p.m. April 20. Reporting must be completed by 4 p.m. and your story deadline is 5:45 p.m.
Two students from each college or university can participate. All reporters will be given the same assignment. Monetary prizes - NPA calls them "significant" but declines to reveal exactly how much - and plaques will be awarded.
Names of participating students must be submitted by April 1 to the NPA office, 945 S St., Lincoln, NE 68508-1226. The e-mail address is nebpress@nebpress.com. The NPA phone number is 800-369-2850.
Participating students should check in with the NPA registration desk to learn where to report at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
All writing will be done in a designated room. No Internet access will be allowed. All interviews for the story must be done in person.
Students should bring a laptop computer to write with as well as reporting notebooks, pens, etc. The laptops must have a USB port to download stories to a jump drive. Reporters should wear good walking shoes.
For more information, contact Convention Chairman Kent Warneke at editor@norfolkdailynews.com or call 877-371-1020.

The Gatekeeper

Bruce C. Swaffield of Regent University made these points about copy editors as the guards, guardians and gatekeepers of newspapers at the National College Media Convention in St. Louis, Mo. last fall:

Copy editors:

1. Protect the newspaper
2. Should avoid limiting themselves to editing only specific types of stories
3. Should use constructive criticism - pose questions
4. Should edit with an attitude
5. Are the readers' voice in the newsroom
6. Have broad knowledge, are masters of organization and write provocative headlines
7. Sell stories to readers

The Sporting Life

Every semester, at least a few news writing students groan at the prospect of learning how to write a sports story - or a new sports editor worries about how to plan and design a sports section. Now, there's a blog, created by Joe Gisondi, a former sports writer and a professor at Eastern Illinois University, devoted to helping students with those tasks. Check it out at www.onsportz.blogspot.com/

Making Staff Meetings Work

Jennifer Anderson of Northwestern State University shared information on how to conduct effective meetings at the National College Media Convention fall 2006 in St. Louis. Here are a few of her tips:

Guard against unproductive meetings that last a long time, develop frustrations and are disorganized by applying effective meeting techniques such as:

1. Only conduct a meeting if it's necessary. Have clear objectives.
2. Invite your adviser.
3. All meetings must have an agenda.
4. Start on time.
5. Someone should take notes.
6. Decisions must be documented.
7. Ask for feedback about new meeting organization.
8. Always know what time it is. End at a set time.
9. Remember the main reason for meeting.
10. Praise in public, criticize in private.
11. Avoid using meetings to ruin reputations.
12. Keep personal and business distinct.
13. Make meetings fun. Organize contests. Offer prizes.

If meetings are dominated by a few people, pass out pennies to those people. Each time they talk, they spend a penny.

Check out www.effectivemeetings.com

Welcome

To the Web site for the Nebraska Collegiate Media Association. Here you will find how to contact student media that are members of NCMA; a directory of advisers; a directory of print publications, Web sites and broadcast stations; examples of student work and the latest information on conferences and contests.