|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTSScope and Contents of the Collection |
Society of Professional Journalists (Austin Professional Chapter) RecordsAn Inventory of the Collection
Administrative HistoryThe activities of the Austin Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi are represented from 1961 to 2009. The national organization, founded as Sigma Delta Chi in 1909, officially changed its name in 1988 to the Society of Professional Journalists. During the years represented in the papers, the Austin chapter energetically raised funds on behalf of several different causes, establishing the Dewitt Reddick First Amendment fund in 1979; the Stuart Long scholarship fund in 1978 to provide scholarships for undergraduate students committed to the study of journalism at the University of Texas, Austin; and the John Rogers Fund for investigative journalism in 1987. The group also donated funds to promote the study of journalism at the high school level in Austin, notably by presenting LBJ High School with media laboratory equipment, as well as providing money for students to travel to journalism conferences. The Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi also sought to further a number of first amendment causes, such as the Texas Open Meetings Act, filing briefs of Amicus Curiae in cases heard before the Supreme Court of Texas and the Travis County Court. The Gridiron Show, an annual production spoofing notable news stories of the previous year, was a significant source of funds raised by the Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi. Notable figures include Stuart Long, president from 1967-1968; and Lee Jones, president from 1980-1981 and treasurer from 1981-2002. The Austin Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists was disbanded in 2009. Presidents:
Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Contents of the CollectionMinutes, correspondence, annual reports, meeting minutes, financial documents, membership lists, manuscripts, newsletters, legal documents and video recordings illuminate the activities of the Austin chapter the Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi, from 1961 to 2009 [bulk 1978-2000]. Arranged in three series which retain the order given the documents by their custodian, Lee Jones, they consist of Organizational Records, Financial Records, and Gridiron records. The Organizational records (1966-2009) clarify the specific nature of the Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi's involvement in First Amendment rights issues by virtue of the Amicus Curiae briefs contained therein (see the cases of Austin American-Statesman v. AISD, 1984; and Charles M. Acker v. Texas Water Commission, 1987 and 1989). They also shed light on the internal processes of the organization through meeting minutes and annual reports. In addition, these records document the relationship between the local Austin chapter and the national organization, especially regarding tensions in 1999-2000 over closed door sessions of the national Board of Directors. The Financial records (1961-2009) further elucidate in great detail the operations of the Austin chapter as a fundraising organization. The Gridiron records (1978-2007) vividly illuminate the energy with which the Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi undertook their fundraising activities, in addition to presenting a humorous commentary on local, regional and national politics. In addition to the textual materials there are forty-nine video recordings (3/4" U-matic) that appear to be raw footage of the "Gridiron Shows" produced by the Society of Professional Journalists at the Paramount Theatre. The footage, along with the scripts from the show, includes political skits and songs poking fun at local and national politicians and events (e.g. Davey Crockett, Alamo Skit, Ode to City Hall). The Austin Professional Journalist and the Newshound (newsletters) and The Capitol Griddle (an annual newspaper related to the Gridiron show), originally part of this collection, were separated to other collections (see Separated Material). Return to the Table of Contents
Return to the Table of Contents RestrictionsRestrictions on AccessNone. Restrictions on UseNone. Return to the Table of Contents
Return to the Table of Contents Related Material
Return to the Table of Contents Separated Material
Return to the Table of Contents Administrative InformationCustodial HistoryDonated by members of organization. Preferred CitationSociety of Professional Journalists (Austin Professional Chapter) Records (AR.2004.022). Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Texas. Acquisition InformationDonor #: DO/1991/003, DO/1999/012. Donation Date: 1999, 2004, 2012. Processing InformationInitial Inventory and Preliminary Processing by Kathleen Mullen and Rick Taylor on 2004-11-30. Final Processing and Finding Aid by Kathleen Mullen and Rick Taylor on 2004-11-30. Additional processing by Scott Jordan on 2007-01-04. Additional materials donated on 2012-07-20. Materials were processed and finding aid was updated and encoded by Rebecca Herscowitz on 2013-01-08. Several framed award certificates were not separated, but were removed from their frames and added to the Organizational records series in the appropriate year folders. Return to the Table of Contents Detailed Description of the CollectionThe following section contains a detailed listing and description of the materials in the collection. Return to the Table of Contents Return to the Table of Contents Return to the Table of Contents |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||