Sharon Pian Chan

unity12convention:

Did you miss the early-bird cutoff? Not to worry!

You can still be a part of the most diverse journalism convention this year. Pre-register by June 29. Members of AAJA, NAHJ, NAJA or NLGJA pay only $400 for professionals, $225 for students.

Join us Aug. 1-4 in Vegas for outstanding programming that keeps you on the cutting edge of 24/7 journalism.

unity12convention:

If you weren’t able to make our UNITY mixer in Seattle, here’s a virtual recreation of the event.  

We had a crowd of about 20 journalists of all backgrounds at Lucid Lounge in the U. District: Asian American, Latina, white, gay, student, professor, digital, TV, radio, nonprofit, ex- and job-seeking journalists. 

While everyone was ordering their happy hour drinks and mingling, we projected the #UNITY12 Twitter stream up on a screen and UNITY and alliance presidents Joanna Hernandez, David Steinberg, Doris Truong, Rhonda LeValdo all joined us via Twitter. UNITY Programming Co-Chairs Paul Cheung and Robert Hernandez also joined in the event via Twitter. Here’s a photo via AAJA Seattle President Sona Patel.

We showed this music video of Playing for Change performing “Stand By Me,” which we think captures the spirit of UNITY. 

UNITY VP Sharon Chan did a short slideshow about why you should think about coming to UNITY. Here is the slideshow:

Why You Should Come to UNITY Convention 2012

We closed the presentation with this “One Love” video, again by Playing for Change. (This one has Asians in it.)

AAJA Seattle President Sona Patel announced a convention grant the chapter will award to help a laid-off journalist attend UNITY. She also highlighted the Northwest Journalists of Color scholarships, deadline April 15. This year the winner will receive a grant to attend the convention as well. Former scholarship winner Peter Sessum spoke about how the scholarships changed his life.

We raffled off two “J” pins and a $50 gift card to Lucid Lounge. Congratulations to the three winners, all students at the University of Washington. Thank you to Lucid for donating the gift card. If you haven’t been to Lucid lately, they have a new elevated stage and a great digital presentation setup (they handed Sharon an iPad to run the slideshow).

Don’t you wish you had been there? You have the chance to relive this UNITY experience… in Las Vegas at the convention on August 1-4! 

The early-bird registration rate for UNITY 2012 convention ends on March 16! The early bird rate is $325 for members, $150 for student members, $500 for non-members and $250 for student non-members. After March 16, rates go up $75!

Register now at unityconvention.org.

This deal is right up there with the $17 mirrored console table (originally $179.99) I recently scored at Marshalls. 

unity12convention:

Sign up by Friday to get the best rate: $325 for professionals who are members of any of the alliance associations (AAJA, NAHJ, NAJA or NLGJA).

Does $325 sound like a lot for journalism training?

Well, consider that you’ll have nearly four full days of forward-looking, information-packed sessions designed for the 24/7 digital journalist. That makes the price about $80 a day. And, with about eight hours of diverse programming to choose from each day, that’s just $10 an hour.

Break it down like that, and you can’t afford not to come to UNITY12, right?

UNITY Journalists Seattle Mixer

It’s been four years. Let’s connect! The UNITY 2012 convention is happening in Las Vegas, Aug. 1-4. Here is your chance to meet up with your fellow UNITY journalists who will be going! Please join us in welcoming the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association to the UNITY alliance! We now represent NLGJA, the Asian American Journalists Association, National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Native American Journalists Association. We invite all journalists, including National Association of Black Journalists members, to join us for drinks.

Details:

Tuesday, March 13

6pm to 8pm

Lucid Lounge, 5241 University Way Northeast, Seattle

Cash bar

RSVP to schan@seattletimes.com

The early-bird registration rate for UNITY 2012 convention ends on March 16! The early bird rate is $325 for members, $150 for student members, $500 for non-members and $250 for student non-members. After March 16, rates go up $75!

Register now at www.unityconvention.org.

Questions about the UNITY mixer? Contact Sharon Chan, UNITY vice president at schan@seattletimes.com or 206-464-2598.

Check out these multimedia sessions at #UNITY12. I’m always borrowing Webby interactive ideas from other newsrooms.

Oh, and what I love most about UNITY is the diversity of the journalists featured in the panels. I just moved from reporting to online producing six months ago and what I’ve noticed is we need more diversity in digital journalism. Like right now. And I know I’m going to find my new tribe in Vegas. You coming?

P.S. Don’t forget about the Seattle UNITY mixer, Tuesday 3/13, at 6p at Lucid Lounge in the U District. 

unity12convention:

Did you see our session teases earlier this week? Here are a few more other multimedia programs you won’t want to miss!

Be sure to register for UNITY12 by next Friday for the best rate.

Map-Making for Non-Developers
You don’t have to be a programmer to make beautiful data-driven maps for your newsroom. You can map road closures, potholes, campaign contributions and music venues –- all using free tools. It’s so easy, we’ll make one during the session, and you’ll walk out with the skills and resources to do it yourself.

Audio Slideshow for Non-Radio Broadcasters
Pictures are worth a thousand words. Adding audio can give make those images more powerful. This workshop will teach you how to marry pictures and sound to create dynamic stories.

One-Man Band When You’re a Woman
The days of the reporter/photographer duo are gone. Women carry cameras, tripods and gear — and have to look TV-ready while doing it. From lighting, shooting, multitasking and sporting a practical wardrobe, our experts can help you find success. While the challenges of female OMBs will be addressed, anyone is welcome to attend. You’ll walk away with an attitude that being an OMB is a benefit, not a burden.

Journalism is more than 140 characters at #UNITY12. I still remember hearing about  Alex Tomas Tizon’s (former Seattle Times, now at LA Times) narrative writing session at UNITY in Seattle.

At UNITY 2004 in DC, I picked up tips on how to run a great presentation from Sewell Chan (New York Times’ deputy editorial editor) that I use every day now at our 10a news meeting. 

I can’t wait to see what I learn in Vegas this August at UNITY12. Here are some sessions I’m saving for later under the tag “journalism that matters.” (A concept I am borrowing from former Seattle Times editor at large Mike Fancher.)

Oh, and don’t forget about our Seattle UNITY mixer on Tuesday at Lucid Lounge in the U. District at 6p. 

unity12convention:

Have you been editing yourself to fit into tweets? Check out these great sessions to revive the narrative journalist in you.

Register by Friday for the best rate on UNITY12. We’ll see you Aug. 1-4 in Las Vegas.

Resurgence of Long-Form Writing
Long-form journalism was thought to be a thing of the past, but with the rise of tablets and e-readers, many journalists are discovering that people still like to read. This workshop will give journalists the pointers they need in developing the long-form story into a great nonfiction narrative. We’ll discuss how a journalist can produce a well-developed piece that will have an impact on readers.

Strengthening Investigative Journalism
This workshop explores techniques needed to tackle an investigative report from gaining confidential sources to meshing the information together into a focused story. Investigative pieces can take months, even years, to research. We’ll discuss records analysis, public records databases and how to scrutinize government and business practices. We’ll also talk about researching social and legal issues, getting the most of subscription research sources such as LexisNexis and how to handle on-the-record, and anonymous, interviews. The Freedom of Information Act, both federal and state, will also be discussed.

For a look at other UNITY12 programming that will take your journalism to the next level, go here.

Even after going to these conventions for 10 years, I always pick up great tips and ideas to bring back to the newsroom. Just as important: I love going to training  where I know the trainers will be diverse — that’s inspiration in and of itself.  

unity12convention:

Just a sampling of the great sessions you’ll find Aug. 1-4 during our convention in Las Vegas. Have you registered? The early-bird rate is only good till next Friday.

Making Every Conversation Count
Networking and sourcing are critical skills to becoming a good journalist and having a successful career. Learn how to effectively use these skills for work and to advance your future.

Retool Your Career With a Fellowship
Turbo-charge your career with a fellowship. Hear from Fellows who have done it. Learn how to apply and why you should.

Going International
Becoming a foreign correspondent is still possible even in this age of decreased travel budgets. Learn creative ways to bring home international stories, fund travel and how sell your editors on these ideas.

Commercializing Your Story
How to turn a daily report into a book, script or documentary, and own the entire process. You’ll learn how to identify a great story then how to build it out and retain ownership of the process.