Upcoming Workshops & Events
Oct. 1 | 10 a.m. | Virtual
Census Data Workshop for Reporters and Editors
Make sense of the latest Census data during a virtual event on Friday, Oct. 1, from 10-11 a.m.
From Press Kits to Population Estimates, this introduction to the census.gov website will give you an overview of how to utilize ongoing data releases from the Census Bureau to tell stories about your community. Among the topics covered are:
- Understand Data Releases i.e. Where and when survey data are released (Newsroom)
- Generate Stories from Census Data i.e. Where to find pitches, tip sheets, and news releases & Census Bureau Embargo policy
- Use Census Data to Support News Stories i.e. How to access and use Data.census.gov
- Learn the difference between Decennial Census Data and the American Community Survey (ACS) plus more++
- Support Positions in Presentations and Speeches and Other Communication Mediums with Census Data i.e. How to cite US Census Bureau data
This training will be conducted by Ileana C. Serrano, Data Dissemination Specialist in the Customer Liaison & Marketing Services Office/Data Dissemination and Training Branch of the U.S. Census Bureau.
There is no cost to attend, but you must RSVP no later than Sept. 28.
This event is open to SCPA, SCBA and AP members.
Oct. 1
News Contest rules available, site live
Our annual News Contest recognizes excellence in daily and weekly newspaper journalism. We also have an Associate and Individual member division, and a Collegiate Contest. The 2021 News Contest will go live on Oct. 1, and the entry deadline will be Dec. 3. More details coming soon!
Oct. 3-9
National Newspaper Week
The Newspaper Association Managers (NAM) and The Relevance Project have started releasing promotional materials in the National Newspaper Week content kit.
National Newspaper Week will be observed Oct. 3-9 and “Community Forum” is this year’s theme.
The content kit contains promotional ads, editorials and the like, all suitable for you to publish in celebration of National Newspaper Week.
Additionally, Relevance Project resources will also be available to to help each newspaper become the “Community Forum” in their community.
NAM will continue to update the kit with additional materials including editorials and editorial cartoons.
SCPA will also have a local column and house ad available early next week on the S.C. News Exchange.
Oct. 7 | 2-3 p.m. | Virtual
Google Advanced Search Training
Work smarter, not harder, with these fundamental Google tools for journalists
Using Google’s specialized search engines to find sources, data and fact-checks. This session will teach reporters and editors how to search smarter. We’ll explore search modifiers, and then go beyond Google’s standard web search into specialized search engines, such as Google Scholar, Dataset Search and Fact Check Explorer.
There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend this event or the entire Google tool series (Oct. 7: Advanced Search | Oct. 14: Google Trends | Oct. 21: Google Pinpoint).
Meet the Trainer:
Mary Nahorniak is Google News Lab’s U.S. teaching fellow, focused on collaborating with journalists and entrepreneurs to drive innovation in news. She was previously part of USA TODAY’s leadership team as the director of audience, responsible for the organization’s digital platforms and a 24/7 team of nearly 30 editors. Mary was one of the first journalists pioneering how newsrooms can directly connect with audiences through social platforms, beginning at The Baltimore Sun in the mid-2000s. She’s also an ACC-certified leadership coach and has helped clients at ESPN, Harvard Business Review and the U.S. Department of Justice define and realize their goals. Mary believes in empathetic leadership, audience-centered strategy and strong coffee.
Oct. 14 | 2-3 p.m. | Virtual
Google Trends Training
Work smarter, not harder, with these fundamental Google tools for journalists
Using Google Trends to stay ahead of the curve. This session is for Google Trends newbies and veterans alike. We’ll uncover search trends, term comparisons, Trends resources, and do a live demo, all with a focus on finding new stories and understanding local digital audiences.
There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend this event or the entire Google tool series (Oct. 7: Advanced Search | Oct. 14: Google Trends | Oct. 21: Google Pinpoint).
Meet the Trainer:
Mary Nahorniak is Google News Lab’s U.S. teaching fellow, focused on collaborating with journalists and entrepreneurs to drive innovation in news. She was previously part of USA TODAY’s leadership team as the director of audience, responsible for the organization’s digital platforms and a 24/7 team of nearly 30 editors. Mary was one of the first journalists pioneering how newsrooms can directly connect with audiences through social platforms, beginning at The Baltimore Sun in the mid-2000s. She’s also an ACC-certified leadership coach and has helped clients at ESPN, Harvard Business Review and the U.S. Department of Justice define and realize their goals. Mary believes in empathetic leadership, audience-centered strategy and strong coffee.
Oct. 15 | 11 a.m. | Zoom
Executive Committee Budget Meeting
A virtual meeting of SCPA’s Executive Committee to discuss financial and budget matters. Agenda and details coming soon!
Oct. 21 | 2-3 p.m. | Virtual
Google Pinpoint Training
Work smarter, not harder, with these fundamental Google tools for journalists
Using Google’s Pinpoint to analyze documents and transcribe audio. Learn about Google’s newest tool built specifically with reporters in mind. We’ll explore public collections, as well as learn how to upload your own document sets to examine through powerful search functionality. And we’ll show you how to use Pinpoint to transcribe audio files, such as interviews.
There is no cost to attend. Please RSVP if you’d like to attend this event or the entire Google tool series (Oct. 7: Advanced Search | Oct. 14: Google Trends | Oct. 21: Google Pinpoint).
Meet the Trainer:
Mary Nahorniak is Google News Lab’s U.S. teaching fellow, focused on collaborating with journalists and entrepreneurs to drive innovation in news. She was previously part of USA TODAY’s leadership team as the director of audience, responsible for the organization’s digital platforms and a 24/7 team of nearly 30 editors. Mary was one of the first journalists pioneering how newsrooms can directly connect with audiences through social platforms, beginning at The Baltimore Sun in the mid-2000s. She’s also an ACC-certified leadership coach and has helped clients at ESPN, Harvard Business Review and the U.S. Department of Justice define and realize their goals. Mary believes in empathetic leadership, audience-centered strategy and strong coffee.
Oct. 27-29 | Daily at 4 p.m.
2020 News Contest Virtual Awards Presentation
Due to COVID-19, the S.C. Press Association will present 2020 News Contest awards virtually on Oct. 27-29.
All plaques, certificates, President’s Cups and cash prizes will be shipped to member newspapers in October.
Awards will be streamed on Facebook Live each day at 4 p.m. Directly following the presentation, a recording will be available.
Collegiate Awards Presentation: Wednesday, Oct. 27
Weekly & Associate/Individual Awards Presentation: Thursday, Oct. 28
Daily Awards Presentation: Friday, Oct. 29
More details coming soon!
Save the Date for our in-person 2022 Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation: March 11-13, 2022, at The Marina Inn in Myrtle Beach!
Nov. 4 | 10 a.m. | Zoom
SCPA Diversity Committee Meeting
A virtual meeting of SCPA’s Diversity Committee. All S.C. journalists are welcome to join this standing committee. Contact us for more details.
Nov. 5 | 11 a.m. | Zoom
Executive Committee Meeting
A virtual meeting of SCPA’s Executive Committee to discuss various matters including Membership, FOI, Legal, Lobbying, Advertising, New/Old Business, President’s Report and Co-Executive Director’s Report Agenda and details coming soon!
Nov. 25-26
Happy Thanksgiving!
SCPA and SCNN Offices Closed
Dec. 3
News Contest entry deadline
Our annual News Contest recognizes excellence in daily and weekly newspaper journalism. We also have an Associate and Individual member division, and a Collegiate Contest. The 2021 News Contest will go live on Oct. 1, and the entry deadline will be Dec. 3. More details coming soon!
Dec. 3
Hall of fame nomination deadline
The S.C. Journalism Hall of Fame was established in 1973 to recognize and honor men and women who have excelled in their craft and made significant contributions to journalism and their communities. Only 74 newspaper journalists – from Colonial and Civil War days to the present – have been chosen by their peers for recognition.
The S.C. Hall of Fame began in 1972 when SCPA President William L. Kinney Jr., of Bennettsville, acting on a suggestion from Secretary-Manager Reid H. Montgomery, set in motion activities that led to the establishment of a S.C. Press Association Hall of Fame. The first Hall of Fame inductees were presented at the SCPA Winter Meeting in 1973.
Eligibility Requirements
Requirements for admission specify that a nominee must have made his or her journalistic reputation in South Carolina. If the reputation reflects achievements outside the state, the nominee must have been a native of South Carolina. Nominees must have been deceased for four or more years.
Nominations may be made by anyone now or previously employed by or associated with a South Carolina newspaper. Nominations not elected are carried over from year to year and considered along with new nominees. Nominations are received and acted upon by a Hall of Fame Selections Committee, appointed by the president of the S.C. Press Association.
Applications should include:
- Nominee’s date of birth and death
- Principal newspaper positions held by nominee
- Major achievements and honors in journalism
- Published works and other honors outside journalism
Citation required:
Nominator should prepare a 300-500 word citation suitable for use if nominee is chosen for the S.C. Press Association Hall of Fame. A photo should be included.
If you’d like to nominate someone for the 2022 Hall of Fame, materials must be submitted to Jen Madden by Dec. 3, 2021.
Dec. 9 | 2-2:30 p.m. | Zoom
SCPA New Member Orientation
Are you a news organization leader who is new to SCPA?
If you are a key leader at your news organization, we invite you to learn more about SCPA’s member services, legal/FOI Hotline, SLED Checks, lobbying, training, contests, communications, resources and ad representation. This will be an informal space to get information and ask questions.
Please let Jen Madden know if you’d like to attend and we’ll send you the link.
Dec. 24
Happy Holidays!
SCPA and SCNN Offices Closed
Jan. 1, 2022
Happy New Year!
SCPA and SCNN Offices Closed
March 11-13, 2022
SCPA Annual Meeting & Awards
The Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach
Join us for a LONG overdue celebration as we gather together again in person at The Marina Inn in Myrtle Beach! In addition to networking and educational sessions, our 2022 Annual Meeting & Awards will honor winners from the 2021 News, Associate/Individual and Collegiate Contests. We’ll also induct our 2020, 2021 and 2022 honorees into the S.C. Journalism Hall of Fame. More details coming soon!
Contests & Awards
SCPA recognizes the best in South Carolina journalism through our annual contests. Our prestigious awards programs are open to SCPA members only. Each year, nearly 4,000 entries are received in SCPA’s News, Advertising and Collegiate Contests.
- Our annual News Contest recognizes excellence in daily and weekly newspaper journalism. We also have an Associate and Individual member division, and a Collegiate Contest. 2020 Awards will be presented virtually Oct. 27-29, 2021. The 2021 News Contest will go live on Oct. 1, 2021 and the entry deadline will be Dec. 3, 2021.
- The PALMY Advertising Awards recognize the Palmetto State’s best, brightest and most enterprising advertising professionals and advertisers, and the impact they have made in their communities! The 2021 awards were presented virtually on July 23, 2021. Check out the winners!
Other Training Opportunities
- SCPA now offers free, individualized virtual training on legal and FOI topics for member newspapers. Learn more.
- SCPA members can attend Local Media Association webinars for $29 because our state is a Media Association Partner. Check out LMA’s webinar offerings.
- Poynter’s News University offers more than 100 interactive on-demand journalism courses. Several courses are free thanks to grant funding.