NABJ : Regions

Updated: Thursday, September 18, 2008
Published: Thursday, October 28, 2004

Becoming a NABJ Student Chapter

NABJ student chapters are comprised primarily of black students enrolled in colleges or universities who are pursuing careers in journalism. A organization with at least five NABJ student members and has as its advisor a full member of NABJ or a full-time professor who is an associate member of NABJ, may seek affiliation as a student chapter.

Interest groups desiring to obtain NABJ chapter affiliation must apply for affiliate status with one of two naming options. The group's name may be either NABJ-[city, state or region] or [city, state or region] Association of Black Journalists (for professional chapters) and NABJ-[college or university] or [college or university] Association of Black Journalists (for student chapters).

NABJ supports and recognizes that longstanding and potential affiliate chapters have developed independently and often have unique characteristics. But to maintain its integrity and mission, NABJ has developed membership and affiliation standards.

The following requirements must be met at the time of application:

An affiliate application form.

A letter from the respective regional director supporting candidacy for affiliation.

A nomination letter from the student chapter advisor, who must be a full-time journalism professor, a full member of NABJ, or a professor who is an associate member of NABJ.

A letter from the chapter's president briefly stating its history and its goals and purpose.

A nomination letter from the local NABJ professional chapter, if one is in close proximity. (When possible, the organization should have the support and assistance of a local professional NABJ chapter.)

A copy of the chapters constitution and bylaws, which must be consistent with NABJ's mission and approved by the NABJ Constitution/Operating Procedures Committee.

A chapter membership roster that lists each members school classification and major.

A copy of the schools newspaper.

At the time of application -- and upon annual renewal -- the organization must submit to NABJ a local membership roster showing that two-thirds of the affiliate members are eligible for NABJ membership as student members.

Candidates for chapter president and/or board chairman and vice president(s) must be student members of NABJ. The student chapter advisor, must be a full-time journalism professor, a full member of NABJ, or a professor who is an associate member of NABJ.

An outline of three initiatives (programs, membership drives, fund raisers, community service projects, etc.) for the school year.

Proper chapter name. As of August, 2004, NABJ guidelines require all new NABJ professional chapters to be known as NABJ-[city, state or region] or [city, state or region] Association of Black Journalists, and that all new NABJ student chapters be known as NABJ-[college or university] or [college or university] Association of Black Journalists.

All affiliation applications must be received by the NABJ national office. Each application will be forwarded to the NABJ membership committee for review and then be presented by the respective regional director at a NABJ Board of Directors meeting for consideration. Board meetings are typically held every January, April, August and October. The Board decides whether to grant affiliate status.

The national office must receive all application materials by March 1 for review at the April board meeting and Sept. 1 for review at the October board meeting.

NOTE: Once a chapter earns student affiliate status, it must complete and submit an annual student chapter audit (in two phases) to the national office to keep affiliate status.