Hi Everyone:
The Tool, Training and Professional Development team meets today from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. in the boardroom.
The main purpose of today's meeting is to prioritize ideas staff have brought to us. We'd likely be looking at a Top Five list of what we'd like to accomplish.
Give our list a read and if you have the time, email Carmelina Prete which ideas you find most valuable. It'll help us decide our priorities.
Everyone is welcome to join the meeting.
- IDEAS ABOUT NEWSROOM TOOLS, TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Create a reference guide that include a definition of journalism tools, descriptions of what valuable information it can offer and a how-to summary. Everything from the newsroom specific: Two-way radios and how to use them to how to cover night cops, to the valuable general stuff such as searching for property searches, bankruptcy, etc. We envision it online, perhaps on our blog or intranet site as well as a book on every reporter's desk.
- Train the Trainer. FOI database, etc. details to follow.
- Mentoring program: Human Resources gives new employees a tour of the building. Maybe the same kind of set-up for newsroom employees about things they need to know. From who do we call for a cab to how do we use the two-way to where are the important buildings in the city.
- Portfolio review for reporters. Constructive feedback, suggestions that are part of our professional development growth and not a part of performance review.
- Cross training opportunities for staff. Reporters get a taste of the assignment desk. Copy editors switching with reporters for short-term cycles.
- public speaking opportunities/radio/tv partnerships to increase the profile of journalists
- professional development opportunities internally. E.g. Jon Wells to teach narrative writing like he did in Guelph
- reach out to the public somehow for ideas, or invite public to send ideas and news tips/bring in public for idea generation/create newsline/email/internet location for readers to suggest story ideas. Not just tips but "what story would you like to see in the paper": Reader Advisory committee.
- designated idea day for staff to generate ideas all day
- feedback on daily newsnote
- give a "thinking day" given regularly, everyone gets a day to cruise internet, wander downtown, whatever.
- regular ongoing professional training: anything from learning software programs, such as Excel, to monthly brown-bag lunch sessions where we learn a specific tool, e.g. how to do property searches, how to get a lawsuit from the courts, etc.
- get the Contact database up and running.
- 'Why didn't anybody tell me?' A regular communication containing tips for newsroom staff of great websites, interesting articles, etc.
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