One-Stop Shop: Program and Fundraising Ideas

Does your chapter need simple, cost-efficient programs to draw in members or just have fun? Are you looking for ways to raise more cash for your coffers? If so, we can help! This page includes a treasure trove of program and fundraising ideas — many pulled from chapters' most recent annual reports.

Guides for SPJ chapter and regional leaders

Finances
– Pro chapter finance rules
– Campus chapter finance rules
– Regional fund oversight

Best practices and tips
– Openness and Accountability Best Practices Guide
– Social Media Guidelines
– SPJ Webinar: Leaders Need to Know

How to Start a Chapter

SPJ's chapters are the backbone of the Society. If you're interested in establishing or expanding an SPJ chapter, these guidelines will help get you started on either the professional or campus levels.

The Society of Professional Journalists is a professional organization. It is not honorary in nature, nor is it any longer a fraternity. In function and membership requirements it is concerned only with the field of journalism and the free flow of information to the public at large.

SPJ's professional chapter expansion policy establishes requirements that embrace the highest standards of professionalism. The professional chapter encourages and assists members in carrying out common objectives. It is through the chapter that individual members join in freedom of the press issues, learn of ethical problems and professional standards and enjoy fellowship of common purpose.

Before the Society's board of directors will consider chartering a new professional chapter of the Society, several requirements must be met and several steps taken. If you're interested in establishing or expanding an SPJ chapter, these guidelines will help get you started on either the professional or campus levels.

SPJ board policy manual

The SPJ board unanimously approved the policies in this manual, directing staff to post it in a convenient place and share it with SPJ board members annually after each election.