Pulitzer Winner to Speak at SPJ Awards Program on June 6; Sign Up Now!

Now is the time to RSVP for the annual SPJ Awards banquet and social set for Saturday, June 6, in Albany, Ore.

In addition to announcing regional journalism award winners, this year's banquet will feature a keynote address by Nigel Jaquiss, Pulitzer Prize winner at Willamette Week, who will talk about his role in covering the story of John Kitzhaber and Cylvia Hayes that ultimately led to the resignation of Oregon's governor and multiple state and federal investigations.

This year's program is moving south -- to the campus of Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., just a few minutes off I-5. And the price is only $25 per person.

Please send  reservations to Oregon Territory SPJ Chapter President Hannah Hoffman at hannah.k.hoffman@gmail.com.

Nominate Your Rookie of the Year, First Freedom Award Candidates

There's still time to send your nominations for the Rookie of the Year and the First Freedom Award.

Rookie of the Year: This award goes to a journalist who had her or his first full-time reporting job during 2014. Internships do not count, but nominees can have been hired full-time at any point during the year.

Editors (or other co-workers) should submit a letter of recommendation and three clips. Submissions should be mailed to Hannah Hoffman, 4159 River Road N., Keizer, OR 97303.

The deadline for submissions is May 29.

The winner receives a $500 cash award.

First Freedom Award: This award goes to a nonjournalist who has worked to push for more open records and government in Oregon.

Examples in the past have included district attorneys, nonprofit groups and citizen bloggers. Nominations should demonstrate a tangible impact of some kind and should be submitted to the address listed above. Deadline also is May 29.

Journalists from Oregon and Southwest Washington are excited to re-energize the area's SPJ chapter. The program on June 6 is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with the journalism community, to share stories and to appreciate each other and the important work we do.

Please forward this notice to anyone in your newsrooms who may be interested in either nominating someone for an award or attending this event in June.

Contact: Hannah Hoffman, hannah.k.hoffman@gmail.com

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