Thanks to the efforts of board member Betsy Model we have no less than four new openings to share with our members today. To learn about the latest openings, click on the “Jobs & Gigs” tab above, or on that phrase in the sidebar.

Betsy Model, interim membership chair, has announced that Kate Manchester is the newest member of SPJ and the New Mexico Chapter. Kate is publisher of Edible Santa Fe magazine, “The Story of Local Food, Albuquerque to Taos.” You can visit Kate’s website at this link.

By Joe Kolb, Interim Chairman

Through the convincing efforts of Staci Matlock, her colleague at the Santa Fe New Mexican, Julie Ann Grimm, has graciously volunteered to be interim treasurer for our chapter.

With Julie Ann’s guidance we will now be able to open a checking account for the chapter. In the coming days I will have contact information for Julie Ann so checks can be sent directly to her for deposit.

Please continue you efforts to have your outlets sponsor the chapter for $250 per year. This is an effective method of generating passive income for our chapter.

Thanks again for all of your efforts.

By David L. Brown, Communications Chair

I hope all New Mexico members will take time to participate in the upcoming “Top of the Rockies” media competition, sponsored by the Colorado Chapter of SPJ and open to all Region 9 members, including New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. You got an email alert about this, and now the complete entry rules and application form are posted on this site (go here). This is a great opportunity to “show your stuff,” and the first entry is FREE for SPJ members so there’s no excuse not to participate.

And the best part is that the competition can generate some revenue for our Chapter, since entry fees net of costs will be divided between the Region 9 Chapters pro-rated on the basis of the number of entries received. Examples of reportage, photography, blogging and opinion must have appeared between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009. The deadline for entries is December 4. Be sure to check out the details at the link, and direct any questions to John Ensslin, Region 9 Director, at damon_runyon@hotmail.com.

By Joe Kolb, Interim Chairma

Good news keeps flowing our way.

We learned from Staci Matlock last week that the Santa Fe New Mexican has offered to donate $500 to our burgeoning chapter. Combine this with the $250 from The Gallup Herald and ABQ Sports magazine, it appears our web-based annual sponsorships are beginning to pay off. Not too shabby for a brand new chapter to raise $1,000 before we even have a bank account. Staci and I are working on finding someone to serve as interim, hopefully, permanent treasurer so we can open the bank account. Any takers? All of the money at this point has been pledged. I don’t want to lose the momentum all of our hard work has garnered so far. Please continue to pursue such sponsorships with your publications. Remember, it is only $250 per year to have an ad and link on our chapter’s website.

Just think how cool it would be if we could sponsor the regional and national SPJ meetings in the near future. I know, I said “cool”. I’m very excited, as I know all of you must be at our progress. Additionally, the conference on covering crime in Native America that we will co-sponsor with John Jay College of Criminal Justice’s Center on Media, Crime and Justice appears to be a go for Albuquerque in the late spring or early summer. Stay tuned. This will be another opportunity to promote our chapter while aligning us with such an esteemed institution.

There is a new listing on our Jobs & Gigs page. KRQE-TV is looking for an assistant news director in Albuquerque. For details, click on the Jobs & Gigs tab above, or on the link in the sidebar.

TO: All SPJ, NM Chapter members

Hope all is well. Things are moving quite quickly. Do we have any volunteers for interim treasurer? I would like to start our chapter bank account ASAP so we can generate income and not lose interested sponsors. I would prefer to open the account at a Wells Fargo since they are all over the place and will make it easier for future treasurers. In addition to the Gallup Herald, the Santa Fe New Mexican, and ABQ Sports Magazine are interested in website sponsorships. This is extremely exciting and vital. The treasurer will be the primary and I will be the secondary signer until the permanent board is sworn in. Please continue to push the $250 annual opportunity with your publications. Thank you. Please let me know.

Joe Kolb, Interim Chairman

gallupherald@hotmail.com

Joe Kolb, interim board chairman, has posted a new message on his “Chairman’s Corner” page, here. You can comment or respond to this message on this page, using the “Comment” button at upper right.

KRQE News 13, an aggressive and growing news organization in Albuquerque seeks a dynamic and talented individual with on-air Meteorologist experience. Responsibilities include preparation of weather forecasts to present in various news programs. For details, go to the Jobs & Gigs page here.