TBABJ chapter meeting at 11 a,.m. Saturday in Tampa

Members and friends of the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists

I know it has been a while. But we're holding the first of our last two meeting of 2009 and we would really like for you to join us.

We have a few really important things to discuss.

1) Elections. I'm planning on stepping down as chapter president, and we need to get a new election process started. we have other people who may want to shift or end their work as chapter officers, so we need as many people as possible who are interested in leading the chapter to step up.

2) Next year's events. We need to start taking about what we will do in 2010. Will we hold another Griot Drum Awards ceremony? Will we just hold the scholarship contest? If we're doing journalism awards, we will need to start in early 2010, so this is no idle matter.

3) Xmas party. Nicole Hutcheson has been pulling together plans for an Xmas party for the chapter as a reward to everyone's hard work on the convention this year. We'll be spending some money on the event, so we need to go over plans and make sure we're handling everything as cost effectively as we can. We also need to know if people would rather get together Dec. 10 or Dec. 17. please join us so you can have a voice.

Here's details on the meeting --

The next meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 at
Perkins Restaurant, 12650 N. Dale Mabry in Carrollwood. We have a room
reserved until 2 p.m. There's no cost as long as we come hungry and
order something. (FYI, for the St. Pete/South Tampa folks, I tried the
Perkins closer to I-275, but they wanted to charge us a fee).

Hope to see you there!

Eric Deggans
President, Tampa Bay Assoc. of Black Journalists
Chair, NABJ Media Monitoring Committee
TV/Media Critic, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
(727) 893-8521
www.TBABJ.com

Discount for NABJ membership effective today and tomorrow

This message, from the National Association of Black Journalists:

Today and tomorrow, NABJ is offering a SALE to reclaim its Members. This a special discount for lapsed Members who maybe did not come to Tampa this year, forgot to renew or who in some cases, let their membership expire as their job outlook changed. This does not apply to everyone on this email, but if you know someone who has wanted to join or come back to NABJ - this is the week to do it.

Full membership is just $85 instead of $100 if you call the national office and mention this deal. There is $15 off for Student and Associate Members as well. The number is 301-445-7100.

One perk of the sale is that this will take care of your membership fee through the 2010 San Diego Convention and it will help to spread out the costs of heading to the West Coast next year. Our programming committee is already working on next year's theme and events.

So please consider this a homecoming message. And call the office to secure the best rate in at least three years!

Thanks Deirdre
NABJ VPPrint