By Jaden Perry<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NABJ leaders say higher dues and a shorter convention would bring the organization more in line with its peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how does NABJ actually stack up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week, the Strategic Planning Committee proposed a number of changes aimed at strengthening the organization\u2019s finances, including raising membership dues and shortening its annual convention. Committee Chair Dr. Sheila Brooks pointed to other national organizations in making the case for change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou do that service in your Greek organizations, in your Mason organizations. Why can’t you do it in the National Association of Black Journalists?\u201d Brooks said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But among the national journalism organizations NABJ News examined, NABJ already has the highest annual membership dues. Its five-day convention, meanwhile, is among the longest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though a specific price for due increases were not given, Roland Martin, the vice president of digital, said he hopes to see the changes implemented as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever the costs may be, some attendees are willing to open their pocket books if it means the organization can survive its financial hardships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think $200 is pretty reasonable,\u201d Bryce Davis, a senior at Morehouse College said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avery Hill, a recent graduate of Penn State University, wasn\u2019t sure about the rise in dues, believing it would limit opportunities for those who can\u2019t pay up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His attendance at the convention was sponsored this year, but next year, he will have to pay his own way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think for those that don’t get those opportunities, they’re kind of already set back at the general price,\u201d Hill said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Olivia Brooks, a recent graduate of North Carolina A&T, set a hard limit of $150 for membership dues. Anything greater than that, she said, might cause her not to renew her membership. Shorter conventions were also an uneasy decision for Brooks to get behind, believing attendees will be sold short on the full NABJ experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Brooks, the committee chair, suggested a more efficient convention to make up for fewer days, comparing NABJ to other trade organizations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe cannot continue to be a five- to six-day convention,\u201d Dr. Brooks said at Tuesday\u2019s board meeting. \u201cNobody has those conventions anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NABJ Monitor compared NABJ\u2019s dues and convention length with six other national journalism organizations: the Society of Professional Journalists, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Online News Association, the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, the Asian American Journalists Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the committee also pointed to Greek organizations as a model for member contributions, we calculated the average annual dues among the nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations, commonly known as the Divine Nine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"