Labour Party Conference demo

Very poor turnout for the Jobs Education Peace demo on Sunday 27 September. The NUJ banner carriers estimated that about eight NUJ members were on the march, including two from Brighton Branch : Melita Dennett (pictured) and Fred Pipes (who took the picture).

Minutes and demonstration

For those of you who aren't yet aware, the Labour Party conference is taking place in Brighton... The NUJ is supporting a demonstration on September 27 on the theme of jobs, education and peace. According to the NUJ website, "Protestors will demand the government spends public money on preserving employment and public services – rather than war and bankers’ bonuses."
Protestors will be assembling at 12.30pm on Sunday 27 September at Madeira Drive, Brighton, with a rally at 2pm at the Peace Statue, Kings Road, Hove Seafront. http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=1333

Thanks for all those who attended the last branch meeting. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 12 November at the Mitre Tavern on Baker Street, off London Road.

Minutes 16 September 2009

1. Present: Tim Norman, John Thompson, Alan Pipes, Melita Dennett, Peter Knight, Phil Mellows, Su Quinn, Rachael Glazier

2. New members: Ruth Hayhurst, Rod Addy and Laura Ellis

3. Nicola Tann has resigned as treasurer. Phil Mellows was nominated to take over the post, and the attendees unanimously agreed to this. Action: RG to get account details from Nic and contact the bank to make Phil a signatory and remove Nic.

4. Phil asked if the demonstration on 27 Sept could be advertised. RG to email members along with minutes of meeting.

5. ADM delegates: Phil Mellows and Su Quinn will be going to ADM. The meeting discussed which motions the delegates will be voting on and how they would like them to vote. It was agreed that motion 85 should be voted against by the delegates (RG argued that there are money issues in the NUJ and funds should therefore be spent on journalism), and that 72 be voted for (with an amendment proposed by Phil Mellows: Delete all after "investigate", replace with "how new media and social networking in all its forms might facilitate more active participation, both real and virtual, by members in the work of branches.")
It was also agreed that the branch would pay £370 towards a student going to the ADM, as requested by head office.
RG to send the amendment and delegate forms to head office, and sort out cheque for student delegate.

The next meeting is before the ADM so there will be another chance for members to instruct delegates as to how to vote. To read the preliminary agenda containing the motions, go to: http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=1316 and download the file.

6. The next meeting is on Thursday 12 November. It will be held in the Mitre Tavern following complaints that the Eagle is too noisy. The Mitre is easily reached from the main station, has disabled access and, importantly, a good selection of beer.

Is anyone interested in this?

Dear all

Please do forward onto anyone you think may be interested.

Creative Partnerships, Sussex and Surrey is seeking a new Creative Agent to work in East Sussex schools to develop creative learning partnerships between teachers, young people and organisations from the creative and cultural sector.

Creative Agents work as critical friends to schools to support the planning, delivery and review of creative learning programmes over a period of a year. They also have a broader role in supporting and contributing to the overall development of Creative Partnerships.

We are looking for creative thinkers with an understanding of schools, a broad knowledge of creative and cultural practice and a commitment to developing creative learning in education. Experience of partnership working, budget management and excellent negotiations skills will also be of benefit.

Whatever part of the creative industries or education sector you work in, you may be the person we are looking for. Contracts are designed to ensure that you can remain connected to your professional practice.

This contract is for 38.5 days and covers work in two Change Schools (September 09- March 2010) and two Enquiry Schools (September 09 – June 2010). The fee is £225 per day (inclusive of VAT). There is a possibility of further work in West Sussex from April 2010.

For more information and an application pack please email:cpsussexandsurrey@cceengland.org or call: 01424 719634

Website: www.creative-partnerships.com

Application Deadline: Friday 21st August by 5pm

Interviews: Thursday 3 September in Hastings

Please note: Successful applicants would need to attend training on 10 September and be available on 15 September for the launch of the East Sussex Enquiry Schools programme.

Best wishes

Kristina Sekyere

Programme Coordinator

Creative Partnerships, Sussex and Surrey

12 Claremont

Hastings

TN34 1HA

T 01424 719634

F 01424 719345

E kristina.sekyere@cceengland.org

W www.creative-partnerships.com

Jobs summit - London

Just got this and thought it ought to be shared:

Interest in the summit has far exceeded the capacity of NUJ headquarters, so it will now take place at:

The School of Pharmacy
29-39 Brunswick Square
London
WC1N 1AX

You can download a map at:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=530349&Y=182356&A=Y&Z=110

It is about five minutes walk from the NUJ’s offices. The nearest tube stations are Russell Square, Euston and Kings Cross.

The event will start at 11am on Saturday, with coffee and registration available from 10.30am. A full agenda for the day is now available here:
http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=1037

Your place at the summit is confirmed and I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

If any of your friends who are NUJ members want to attend they can register by emailing campaigns@nuj.org.uk or just by turning up on the day.

There will be forms available for people to join up on the day.

Miles Barter

An opportunity for East Sussex / Brighton based writers

Creative Partners required at Eastbourne Technology College, Brodrick Road, Eastbourne, BN22 9RQ (www.etc.sch.com)
Under the umbrella theme of raising confidence and standards through creative learning, ETC is looking for creative practitioners to work alongside staff in the planning and delivery of two projects. We are looking for exciting and innovative responses to these deliberately open, challenging briefs.
Can you contribute to this process and support staff and students in the challenges of developing a more creative curriculum? Do you have the skills and vision to develop these ideas?
Project 1 will involve a creative practitioner working with one or two teachers to plan and deliver a cross-curricular project with a group of Year 7 students which will serve as an opportunity to explore ideas and techniques in preparation for the proposed re-design of the entire Key Stage 3 curriculum, in line with a more project-based, creative model of curriculum delivery. Practitioners in all artforms are invited to respond to this brief.
Project 2 initially involves a media arts practitioner working with teachers of Media, ICT and Technology to develop the creative use of technology within the school. It is envisaged that the focus of this work would be the creation of a web-based resource, focussed on the local community, which has the potential to serve as an archive of student work as well as providing cross-curricular teaching resources. Early ideas for this include an interactive map of Eastbourne seafront which could incorporate elements of History, Art, Geography, English etc.
Both projects are due to commence by late February /early March and completed by July 2009. The commitment is in the region of 15 days, to be negotiated with the school. The fee is £200 per day.
How to apply
Please respond in writing, stating what attracts you to the brief and how it relates to your skills and experience to Julia Roberts (See details below). Examples of your work (signposts to websites etc) would also be appreciated.
Enquiries
Please contact Julia should you have any queries relating to this brief.
Julia Roberts, Creative Agent, 33 Stanmer Park Road, Brighton BN1 7JL
Email: juliarobertsbrighton@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 07808 317603
Deadline for submissions: Thursday 22nd January 2009 , 5pm
Interviews at Eastbourne Technology College: Wednesday 28th January 2009

Maria Reveals Publishing Secrets

Three cheers for author, Maria McCarthy, who gave the Brighton NUJ a truly inspirational speech on book publishing this October. Maria, who wrote A Girls’ Guide to Losing Her ‘L’ Plates (a very funny read, and recommended stocking filler for any learner driver), braved Brighton seaside hurricanes to speak at the Iron Duke, where she spilled the magic beans on the publishing industry.

What is the mysterious secret winking language authors must learn to win a publishing contract? Do agents really spontaneously combust in sunlight? Which way should authors turn at the reeking swamp, or should they brave the rotten bridge and proceed directly to the lair of Pantone Hair, the cover elf?

Maria revealed all these secrets and more, and also gave us a sneak preview of her new title out this year: A Girls’ Guide to Driving. For this insider knowledge, and for being a truly fascinating and funny guest, we thank her. Come back again any time, Maria, you will be most welcome!

We're still here!

Hello, and let me start out by saying how sorry I am that we've not posted on here for so long. I'm afraid we got all excited by our Web 2.0 presence (go on, be our FaceBook friend) and forgotten this humble blog for a few months now. Looking back to the previous entry, one thing occurs immediately: it certainly isn't summer any more.

Anyway, many thanks for those of you who attended our AGM at the Iron Duke, though whether the opportunity to re-elect the officers (which you did, and we are suitably honoured) or Maria McCarthy's excellent and engaging talk on getting your first book out there was the main draw I'll leave unmentioned. OK, it was her!

Incidentally for those of you who missed the event looking for tips let me know, as we have some edited highlights of the event, though in this Stalinist post-Brand/Ross era we do have to be careful. Not that there were any prank calls.

Our next meeting is the Christmas Party, so stay tuned for more news on that.

Party

Don't forget the summer party is tomorrow night (Thursday), 7.30pm on Hove Lawns by the Peace Statue. Drinks are sponsored by Tuaca and we'll also be providing food as well as non-tuaca booze, and of course non-alcoholic drink.
Call Rachael on 07939 258 172 if you get lost.

NUJ structure review update

To all NUJ councils, committees, branches and chapels,

The review of the NUJ’s structure has now entered a second phase.

A report summarising the suggested changes received so far was made available at this year’s ADM and has been posted online at http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=853

Before anyone starts drafting rule change motions for ADM 2009, members are being asked to have a look at these proposals – and then comment again, by September 5th.

A working group – comprised of members of the Development Committee – will then prepare further draft proposals which will, in their turn, be sent back to members, chapels, branches, councils and committees for further discussion and comment.

Putting back the next ADM until November 2009 has allowed more time for the consultation process than had originally been anticipated. Consequently, the timetable has been extended – and there will be further opportunities for comments.

§ Responses to First Draft: September 5th
§ Report to Development Committee: for 19th September meeting
§ Drafting proposals for Development Committee: For 28th November meeting
§ Next consultation period: Close by 1st February 2009
§ Review of responses: By end February 2009
§ Further consultation period: Close Friday 20th April 2009
§ Final proposals to NEC: Papers out May 1st for meeting 8th May 2009
§ Close of Motions: 17th July 2009

If you want to make additional proposals, please put the suggestion in the first sentence and then following it with brief reasons or explanation, as – like all ADM proposals – each change will have to be costed and assessed for practicality.

Again, comments and proposals do not have to come formally from “tabling bodies”, the branches, councils and committees which carry out the union’s business. Suggestions from individual members continue to be very welcome.

The working party members – Adam Christie, Tom Davies and Donnacha Delong – are also will to come to branch, chapel or other meetings to talk through the process and answer other questions.

A detailed paper discussion Virtual Branches and meetings is available on request. Also, we will endeavour to answer questions as quickly as we can.

Suggestions, comments and questions can be sent to structure@nuj.org.uk or by post to:
Structure Review
National Union of Journalists
Headland House
308-312 Gray’s Inn Road
London WC1A 8DP

Yours sincerely,


Adam Christie
for the Development Committee working group.

Union structure - your views wanted

Structuring the Future: Building our Democratic Strength is a report by the Union’s Development Committee looking at ways to structure the union in the future.

The report is based on comments received by members, committees and branches across the union and a second report based on further feedback will be produced in April 2009. There's a pdf report here http://www.nuj.org.uk/getfile.php?id=604 and email any comments to structure@nuj.org.uk.

Nick Davis meeting podcast

Our erratically timed meeting podcast number two – Nick Davies talking about his book Flat Earth News and answering our insightful questions - is finally available for download.
Click here to visit the page.
It should also be possible to subscribe via iTunes though to be honest I've yet to suss it out myself...

BBC World Service offshore outsourcing

Email from the NUJ:

Many of you will know that we are currently campaigning at the BBC World Service to fight plans to offshore more than 50% of production effort overseas.

One of the BBC's strengths has been its ability to produce a world beating service from the UK, impartial, free from editorial interference, working in the regulatory framework of the UK rather than that of overseas governments. What is being planned in the World Service threatens to undermine the BBC's position abroad, and by association, in the UK.

We are meeting management of BBC World Service later this week as part of our negotiations and the local representatives would like the support of as many NUJ members as possible. They have put together a model letter, outlining some of their concerns and asking NUJ members to write letters of support. As well as passing on this letter please ask your members to pass on any messages of support to arjumwajid@aol.co.uk.

For more information on the campaign visit www.nuj.org.uk and click on the Save BBC World Service button.

NUJ ADM Report

It was an exciting conference this year, with two main issues in the spotlight; firstly the Drog (CK) agreement which goes to the root and branch of how agreements with employers are made as well as the touch photographers/journalists divide, and secondly the possibility of the Republic of Ireland rejoining the British Commonwealth. No, really.

Admittedly the latter isn’t significant in any serious sense, but was perhaps the best in a long line of “fun” debates stemming from London Central branch’s playful side. Well aware of the NUJ’s Anglo-Irish nature when submitting Motion 35, they knew exactly what kind of debate they were kicking off. I’ll leave it to your imagination, suffice to say that the motion was well on its way to being defeated until the proposing branch shot themselves further in the foot.

Fighting the podium for attention was the internal debate between London Freelance members but the words that drifted across the hall were “the meeting this was proposed wasn’t quorate anyway.” The motion and all others from the branch were rulled out of order automatically. A reason not to have meetings in the pub?

On a more serious note, Drogheda has been a subject of debate all year since the Drogheda Independent’s chapel made and agreement that effectively allowed reporters to carry cameras. Motions were put forward against agreements made without the approval of various bodies, but these were generally seen as impractical (many only meet once every 2 months, and negotiators do not need their hands tied).

Looking at it with my New Media Industrial Council (NMIC) hat, Drogheda is seen as a moving-with-the-times issue, and I think that resistance to this kind of practice puts the Union in a difficult position, effectively ruling out potential members who work in mixed environments. Since these are commonplace in the New Media world, I think the right result was reached, though there were some stirring remarks from the Photographers. One quote that stood out was “How would you feel if a Photographer was sent on a 2-day writing course and replaced you?”

Outside the motions, Alan Johnston taking the stage with Naim Toubassi, President of the Palestinian Journalist’s Syndicate that did so much to help secure his release was perhaps the highlight of the 4-day event. Naim’s obvious enthusiasm and sombre translator made a great comic pairing, but learning how Alan owes his freedom to Palestinian journalists and kept the will to live thanks to them and the NUJ’s campaign which he heard on the BBC world service was genuinely moving. It might even have affected Jeremy Dear.

At the other end of the scale, the revue was written by some of the finest names in Journalism. Not that it showed. Still, Peep Show makes you laugh and cringe at the same time and that’s on its 4th series; you can’t argue with tradition.

Oh, and one more thing: The General Secretary’s opening speech was 40 minutes long. I know because I won the sweepstake!

Adam

From the NUJ active newsletter

Are you covering the Beijing Olympics?
Amnesty International is running a training workshop on Thursday 8 May 10am to 12.30pm designed for UK-based journalists interested in updating their knowledge on China. Experts will provide an overview of the situation in China, with workshops addressing journalists’ rights and responsibilities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will also brief on their guidance to journalists. We have 50 tickets to this free event, first come first served, contact campaigns@nuj.org.uk to secure yours.

Free freelance listing

Did you get this? I'll put it up anyway

The all-new NUJ Freelance Directory is almost ready to launch upon the world. Full entries are *free* to freelance NUJ members, including up to three sample photos and an extended text describing yourself, with design - I just pasted in a sample article, with an extra photo in it, and was surprised how nicely it came out.

It's easy to give yourself an entry in the new Freelance Directory. And it works - see below.

1) Go to the 'temporary' address www.nuj-rechord.co.uk

2) Check whether you already have an entry - click "Search the Directory" in the menu, and put your name, in quotes, in the last search field, and click "Search". * If you see yourself, then click "Help" in the menu and go to the instructions on "Updating your entry from the old directory" (If you have already updated it, thank you!) * If you don't, then click "Register as a new member" in the menu, then:

3) Fill in your basic details, and give yourself a password. It is important to get your membership number right. The directory wants the version printed on your (white) Membership Card. The one on press cards may have too many or too few zeros at the start. The new Directory does not show your email address to anyone -instead, people can send you messages by typing into a box in the Directory. So if you get (more) spam, it's nothing to do with the directory. Feel confident to use your main email address.

4) You will get an email from the Directory. Click the link in the email, which it takes you to a page where you enter your skills and specialist subjects. Then you go on to add an extended description/plug and three sample photos, if you want. The reason for this rigmarole is to make sure that you are you and that the email you typed actually works.

5) On May Day we will throw the switch so that everyone visiting www.freelancedirectory.org comes to the new Directory.

Mike Holderness PS: Those members who do not regard "geek" as an insult, in particular, may notice a few remaining odd behaviours. That's why we've given members several weeks to prod and pummel the directory before unleashing it on editors and the world.