1. Gator Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists General Body Meeting October 17, 2012

2. Guest Speaker: Wesley Lowery Attended the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. Reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Previously worked with the Boston Globe and the Wall Street Journal. NABJ Student Representative. It’s his job to talk to student chapters, help chapters form and help out with the convention. Also in charge of recruiting members and making sure members know about scholarship/internship deadlines. NABJ member for about 6-7 years.

3. Q & A With Wesley Q: What did you do while you were in college to set you up for a fellowship program with the LA Times ?A: I always wanted to do print. I got involved with my college newspaper really early. I became the Editor my senior year. My first internship was unpaid. Journalism is a trade - the more you practice it, the better you get at it. Q: What is it that you do while interning to make the best out of the internship?A: Take it slow. Pour everything into the little things. If you do well with the little things then you’ll be able to do better with the bigger things. If you prove yourself they’ll keep giving you more responsibility. Q: What was your favorite thing to cover?A: As a college reporter - Ohio University, the biggest party school, would throw a huge block party called Fest. Last year a house went on fire and I got to cover it. Professionally - the Obama rallies, speeches and politics. Q: How would you encourage students to go to the 2013 Convention in Orlando?A: It’s life changing. If you miss it you’ll be missing out on the best thing ever. Think of every black journalist you’ve ever heard of. All of those people will be at the convention. In this business, being a black journalist is a very small world. There are awesome panels. A job/internship fair. Basically, it’s the biggest party of the year.

4. Q: How do you deal with party conflicts in politics?A: It’s always hard to restrain yourself. Some journalists don’t always do a good job of that. Keep a little bit of distance between yourself and the people you know working for campaigns. Objectivity is extremely important. Q: How important are internships?A: People want to see your work and see what you’ve done. We can all do great work at the college level, but most professional organizations write this off. It’s really, really important Now is the time to start working or looking for internships for next summer. Q:What about the cost of taking an internship or job in a different city?A: Made it work. Budget your money. Q: Is networking and internships more important than grades?A: Only once have I been asked about my grades. I’ve applied for hundreds of places. Internships is number one. Networking is number two. Networking is especially important in the black journalism world. Q: Is a master’s necessary in this industry? A: I’m going to get a master’s eventually because it is important. Not necessarily something that you have to do at first. Going to do political science, african american studies, MBA - something to make you more marketable. Never take away options for yourself, give yourself more options. Don’t get your grad degree in journalism unless it’s like a specialized degree program Follow: @WesleyLowery and @nabjstudents on Twitter

5. Social Media Branding Profile Pictures Facebook Statuses How to utilize twitter as a communications major.

6. Start with the basics - who are you, who do you want to be? Show that you can write. NO spelling or grammar mistakes! Always consider your audience. DON’T be cute, be professional. Don’t distract from the goal. Have an acceptable photo and twitter handle. Use Twitter handles for organizations and institutions and hashtags for keywords and topics that can help your bio appear in various and broad searches. Link your professional website to your twitter. Keep it updated. Herbert Lowe Tips How to write a Twitter Bio For more information check out: http://www.poynter.org/how- tos/journalism-education/187145/how-to-write-a-twesume-aka-twitter-bio- thatll-make-you-stand-out-as-a-journalist/http://www.poynter.org/how- tos/journalism-education/187145/how-to-write-a-twesume-aka-twitter-bio- thatll-make-you-stand-out-as-a-journalist/

7. Blogging Basics Headlines: Should accurately represent the content of the blog post. Links: Should add value to your posts. Find a good link, but don’t post any link for the sake of having one. Focus: Get to the point! Paragraphs: Write short paragraphs. Images: A nice photo may attract people to read your story. But be aware of copyright laws. Tags and Categories: Use them to keep your blog organized. Read more about blogging at: http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2012/blogging-basics-for-journalism- students/

8. Treasurer Update Balance: $794.19 Latest Concession Numbers: $184.69 Please turn in dues ($15) and t-shirt money ($10) as soon as possible. T-shirts are HERE!

9. Fundraising There are only three more dates to volunteer for concessions: 11/3, 11/10 and 11/17. If you would like to volunteer please contact our Treasurer Shaneece Dixon by the Monday before the game at sdixon19@ufl.edu. sdixon19@ufl.edu

10. A Plus UF NABJ volunteers with the A Plus program at Williston High School. It is a free college and career readiness program for students in grades 8 through 12.the A Plus pro http://aplususa.org/index.html Topics for next A Plus session: quality not quantity, volunteer outside of your school, scholarships/financial aid, being well rounded but not overwhelmed, DON’T rely on FASA (fastweb.com), college essays, starting college applications early and waivers for SATs/college applications.

11. Upcoming Events Via Mr. HArris The Cultural Arts Coalition is in need of promotions and marketing personnel. Some of the programs they work on include the 34th Annual Arts Festival, an Environmental Youth Summit and Girl Power. If you are interested in working with this non profit, let us know. Get your career management questions answered every Sunday morning on “Your Career Is Calling” Radio Show with Rod Colon and Frank Kovacs. Time: 8:00 AM (EST) Listen online: www.1077TheBronc.comwww.1077TheBronc.com

12. REBIRTH: UF NABJ Week Monday Oct. 29, Portfolio Workshop at 6:30 p.m. in Weimer 2066. Tuesday Oct. 30, The Color of Media Forum at 6:30 p.m. in Weimer 3032. Wednesday Oct. 31, Faculty and Staff Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Weimer 3032. Thursday Nov. 1, Magazine Release Party. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the party begins at 7 p.m. There will be music, food and performances. Dress to impress in you finest cocktail attire. Friday Nov. 2, Zion Magazine Staff Retreat Game Night at 6:30 p.m. in Gainesville Place. If you need a ride or directions, please contact an E-Board member.

13. Hot Topics Race-based student goals: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-10-11/news/fl- minority-standards-20121010_1_white-students-black- students-asian-students http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-10-11/news/fl- minority-standards-20121010_1_white-students-black- students-asian-students Rethink affirmative action: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/14/sunday- review/rethinking-affirmative- action.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2& http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/14/sunday- review/rethinking-affirmative- action.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2& Amanda Todd & Bullying: http://abcnews.go.com/US/bullied-teen-amanda-todds- death- investigation/story?id=17489034#.UH53OM1Yxgo

14. Zion We are in the process of putting the magazine together. Please get your articles and other content to your committee heads as soon as possible!