Membership

2,010 in 2010: Stronger. Juntos.

You are important to NAHJ! Juntos we are Stronger! Juntos, we challenged ourselves in difficult times and forged ahead. Staying active and becoming involved helps us all work more effectively to increase opportunities for Latino journalists in newsrooms or who are working independently.

And as our NAHJ family gets bigger, our collective voice becomes louder as we push for fair coverage of our Hispanic communities.

Despite the challenges in 2009, we still provided vital resources for our members. Here are some highlights from 2009 that you made possible:

San Juan Convention. NAHJ turned its Annual Convention into a true multimedia journalism experience. Thirty-three sessions – more than half of the convention’s offerings – were multimedia skills training or online related sessions.

Educational Programs. NAHJ awarded $91,000 in new scholarships in 2009 to 31 students pursuing a career in journalism. In addition, NAHJ brought 40 students and 30 mentors to San Juan to participate in the first truly converged multimedia training project. More than 550 students have received more than $1.6 million since NAHJ cut its first scholarship check in 1988.

Online Career Center. Members can now upload their resumes and view listings for jobs, fellowships and internships. Our new fully-searchable Career Center also makes it easier for employers to promote freelancing opportunities and jobs, and for NAHJ to promote its members to those seeking Latino journalists as experts or for work.

Parity Project. Through our flagship program, we have established closer ties between the media and the Latino communities in 25 cities, boosting the number of Latinos in newsrooms while ensuring that the community was part of the process.

Media Advocacy. NAHJ signed on with a movement urging President Obama and the new Administration to fulfill its promises of an open media system, supporting the principles of net neutrality and universal access to affordable broadband. Also NAHJ called on the media to be fair and prudent when covering the spread of swine flu, and resist the portrayal of Mexican immigrants as scapegoats for the possible pandemic. And coverage of immigration will be a prime topic next year as discussion of immigration reform heats up.

We are very optimistic that 2010 will bring new beginnings for everyone. In 2010, we plan to give $115,000 more in scholarships; train hundreds more in multimedia journalism in six cities in the winter and at our next convention in Denver; bring the Parity Project to more cities; launch a new, interactive website; find ways to help colleagues striking out on their own; and keep fighting for fair coverage of our community.

Without your participation and involvement we would not have achieved all that was done in 2009. And there is so much more in store for all of us in 2010. If you are new to the organization, come on board, become active. If you are a longtime member, stay active.

Remember, Juntos we are Stronger!

Sincerely,

 Paulo Luizaga

 NAHJ Membership Coordinator

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