As a member, you’ll not only be supporting the goals and values of the Asian American Journalists Association, you’ll also be getting some great discounts on future events.(Joining is as easy as filling out an online form. See here.) So what’s the bottom line?
1. The first reason is the East-West Center’s International Media Conference in Seoul from June 22 to 24.
AAJA-Asia is working with the group to help put together the big conference, which will look at “How New Media is Shaping Stories in Asia and the Pacific.”
2. Discounted registration to the second annual journalism conference in Hong Kong in the spring.
The regional conference was a big hit in 2011, with several exciting speakers (see last year’s program).
3. AAJA members in Beijing, Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo host regular networking events
where old friends can meet new faces (see here for some of last year’s events).
4. Be the first to know about job openings.
AAJA-Asia members are well-connected and always keep an eye out for postings that could help fellow AAJA-ers. Alerts include openings for scholarships, fellowships and training programs too (see last year’s listings).
5. Students get 60% off the full membership price – that’s only US$25.
But really, you can’t put a price on networking and mentoring opportunities – not to mention all the student programs that AAJA offers.
6. You don’t have to be a full-time journalist or a journalism student to be a member.
Former journalists, public or community affairs representatives of bona-fide news companies, and non-journalists who have particular expertise or services they can offer AAJA can join at the associate level. Non-journalist members must be approved by the chapter or recommended by at least one board member.
(Side note: Freelancers are welcome too! As well as those who are between jobs. They can join at the full membership level.)
7. AAJA’s support system includes…
a mentorship program for journalists in print, broadcast and online; an executive leadership program; and even legal counseling – members can get a free 30-minute phone consultation with AAJA’s legal counsel, Don K. Tamaki and Dale Minami of Minami Tamaki LLP.
8. It’s a new era, and staying connected with journalists like yourself is more important now than ever before.
Economic times can be tough on news organizations, but couple that with the excitement of social media and the burgeoning influence of Asia on the world stage … and it can be a lot to handle.
AAJA-Asia members are all for supporting growth and learning new ideas. (Case in point: In December, AAJA member Yuri Kageyama put together a well-received special lecture in Tokyo by Twitter pioneer/journalist Daisuke Tsuda, pictured right.)
9. AAJA members get discounted registration for the quadrennial UNITY conference in Las Vegas in August.
It’s a rare meeting of journalists of color in the U.S. that’s not to be missed.