Media Groups And You

Today’s organization: Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

About the organization:

The Society of Environmental Journalists is the only North-American membership association of professional journalists dedicated to more and better coverage of environment-related issues. SEJ’s mission is to strengthen the quality, reach and viability of journalism across all media to advance  public understanding of environmental issues.  

Number of members: 1,500

To join, you must:
SEJ membership is open to working journalists, students, and faculty.

You’ll get:
Weekly story tipsheet
Members-only listserv
Mentoring program

And for that, you’ll pay:
$20 for the first year
$45 for one year renewal; $35 students
$85 for two year renewal; $65 students
$120 for three year renewal; $90 students

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.

Today’s organization: Society of Business Editors and Writers (SABEW)

About the organization:

Members of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers Inc. have joined together in the common pursuit of the highest standards of economic journalism, through both individual and collective efforts. Recognizing that economic freedom is inextricably linked to political freedom and that an informed citizenry can ensure that these freedoms are sustained, it is the Society’s mission as an independent, not-for-profit organization to encourage comprehensive reporting of economic events without fear or favoritism.

Number of members: 3,300

To join, you must:
“Membership in SABEW shall be restricted to persons for whom a significant part of their occupation involves writing, reporting, editing or overseeing business, financial or economic news for newspapers, magazines, newsletters, journals, books, press or syndicated services, radio or television, online publications, or other media approved by the SABEW board of governors and to teachers and students of business journalism or business media subjects at recognized colleges or universities or other organizations approved by the Society’s board.”

You’ll get:
Annual conference
Resume Bank
Access to SABEW awards/contests

And for that, you’ll pay:
Regular Membership – $50
Student Membership – $10

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.

Today’s organization: Society for Technical Communication (STC)

About the organization:

STC is an … organization dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of technical communication. It is the largest organization of its type in the world.

Number of members: 14,000

To join, you must:
Members include “technical writers and editors, content developers, documentation specialists, technical illustrators, instructional designers, academics, information architects, usability and human factors professionals, visual designers, Web designers and developers, and translators – anyone whose work makes technical information available to those who need it.”

You’ll get:
Networking
Job database
Discounts on health insurance
Free seminars

And for that, you’ll pay:
Classic Membership – $100
E-Membership – $90
Student Membership – $50
Retired Membership – $90

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.

Today’s organization: Small Publishers Association Of North America (SPAN)

About the organization:
SPAN’s mission is to “advance the image and profits of independent publishers and authors through education and marketing opportunities.” Members are authors as well as publishers with hundreds of books in print.

Number of members: 1,000

To join, you must:
Be involved in independent publishing.

You’ll get:
Production, shipping and distribution discounts
Online networking
Discounts on PR services, and more

And for that, you’ll pay:
Regular Membership $75 (+one-time $14 processing fee)
Partner Membership (for members of ASJA, other publishing organizations, etc) $60
Associate Membership – $150

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.

Today’s organization: Romance Writers of America (RWA)

About the organization:

Romance Writers of America is dedicated to advancing the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy.

Number of members: 10,000

To join, you must:
“All individuals who have attained the age of 18 and who agree to accept the purposes of RWA and to faithfully observe and be bound by the Bylaws of RWA shall be eligible to apply for membership.” “General Members” must be “seriously pursuing a romance fiction writing career” while associate members can be editors, agents, other publishing industry employees or other interested parties.

You’ll get:
Romance Writers Report
Contests and Conferences
Subscriptions and Discounts
More

And for that, you’ll pay:
Membership including periodical-rate postage of RWA’s newsletters: $110
Membership including first-class postage of RWA’s newsletters: $125

There is a one-time $25 processing fee.

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.

Today’s organization: Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)

About the organization:
The Public Relations Student Society of America is PRSA’s student arm, dedicated to “cultivat[ing] a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners.”

Number of members: 9,000

To join, you must:
Be a student at a college or university with a PRSSA chapter, or start a chapter at a qualifying school.

You’ll get:
Scholarships
Annual student conference
More

And for that, you’ll pay:
$50 a year

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.

Today’s organization: Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

About the organization:

The Public Relations Society of America, based in New York City, is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals…PRSA’s primary objectives are to advance the standards of the public relations profession and to provide members with professional development opportunities through continuing education programs, information exchange forums and research projects conducted on the national and local levels.

Number of members: 32,000

To join, you must:
“Devote a substantial portion of time to the paid professional practice of public relations or to the teaching or administration of a public relations curriculum in an Accredited college or university, and adhere to the  Member Code of Ethics. If you are currently unemployed, a position held within the last five years must meet this criteria.”

You’ll get:
Networking
Knowledge base
Health insurance discounts
More

And for that, you’ll pay:
Regular Member – $225
Associate Member (up to 1 year experience) – $115
Associate Member (1-2 years experience) – $155
Associate Member, PRSSA Graduate – $60
Associate Member, Graduate Student – $60
Retired Member – $50

There is a one-time initiation fee for regular members of $65.

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.

Today’s organization: Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)

About the organization:

The Native American Journalists Association serves and empowers Native journalists through programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures.

NAJA recognizes Native Americans as distinct peoples based on tradition and culture. In this spirit, NAJA educates and unifies its membership through journalism programs that promote diversity and defends challenges to free press, speech and expression. NAJA is committed to increase the representation of Native journalists in mainstream media. NAJA encourages both mainstream and tribal media to attain the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and responsibility.

To join, you must:
Be a media professional. Non-Native journalists can join but cannot vote on NAJA issues.

You’ll get:
Workshops
Fellowship opportunities
Paid internship opportunities
More

And for that, you’ll pay:
Individual: $55
Student: $20
High school teacher/advisor: $25
High school student: $10

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.

Today’s organization: National Writers Union (NWU)

About the organization:

The National Writers Union is the trade union for freelance and contract writers: journalists, book authors, business and technical writers, web content providers, and poets. With the combined strength of nearly 2,000 members in 16 chapters nationwide, and with the support of the United Automobile Workers (UAW), the Union works to defend the rights and improve the economic and working conditions of all writers.

Number of members:2,000

To join, you must:

You are eligible for membership if you have published a book, a play, three articles, five poems, a short story, or an equal amount of newsletter, publicity, technical, commercial, government, or institutional copy. You are also eligible for membership if you have written an equal amount of unpublished material and are actively writing and attempting to publish your work.

You do not have to live in the United States or be a U.S. citizen to join the NWU. If you write for U.S. publishers, publications, employers, or clients, the NWU welcomes you.

You’ll get:
Contract advice
Job Hotline
Grievance Assistance
More

And for that, you’ll pay:
Based on your writing income:
Less than $5,000 = Full Year $120 or $67.50 half year
$5,001 – 15,000 = Full Year $195 or $105 half year
$15,001 – 30,000 = Full Year $265 or $140 half year
$30,001 – $45,000 = Full Year $315 or $165 half year
$45,001 and above = Full Year $340 or $177.50 half year

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.

Today’s organization: National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)

About the organization:

Founded in 1946, The NPPA continues to attract the best in news photography, video and multimedia. It is this professional diversity that sets the NPPA apart from other organizations. As a member, you will have the opportunity to be part of an organization renowned for its expertise, ethics, and ideals as well as an organization dedicated to advancing this profession into the rapidly changing 21st century.

Number of members:9,000

To join, you must:

Professional membership in the NPPA is open to all individuals who are working or aspiring towards working in the field of visual journalism. This includes those who work or freelance in photography, multimedia, audio, video, design, editing, producing, teaching, writing, reporting, or visual journalism on the Web. Members of the NPPA may work for an organization or institution, or be self-employed.

You’ll get:
Access to the NPPA job bank
Mentoring
Free critiques
More

And for that, you’ll pay:
Professional – $110 annually
Family – $60 annually
Student – $65 annually
Retired – $65 annually
International – $180 annually (airmail) $125 annually (surface mail)

We’ve compiled as many professional organizations as we can find in all the disciplines that mediabistro visitors work in, and will be featuring one a day til we run out. We’re going in alphabetical order so nobody feels slighted, but if we skipped your favorite group by mistake, please let us know.