The Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) was chartered in 1946 as a non-profit organization. Like the national organization to which it belongs, the Fort Worth Chapter espouses two main goals. These are to encourage the field of journalism as a career by providing scholarships and other support to students, and to promote the rights of journalists to a free and unbiased press.
Originally the Society of Professional Journalists, the parent organization, was known as the Sigma Delta Chi. It started in 1909 as a journalism fraternity at DePauw University. Over the years it became, first, the Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi, and, finally, just the Society of Professional Journalists. These records reflect these name changes.
The fundraising arm of the Fort Worth Chapter of the SPJ is the Texas Gridiron Club (TGC), which was formed in 1947 as a non-profit subsidiary. The main purpose of the TGC is the annual production of the Gridiron Show and Dinner, a spoof of politics and politicians. A newspaper, the
Many hundreds of volunteer man-hours are needed to produce the Gridiron Show, dinner, and newspaper every year. These volunteers do everything from writing the scripts to casting the actors, from finding reliable caterers to selling tickets. At the same time, they are performing the myriad tasks involved in publishing a newspaper, including soliciting ads.
The work doesn't stop with the production of the show. Organizers immediately begin to make next year's event even better. Research is begun in various ways. Formal surveys are taken, people are interviewed, and letters written soliciting feedback and suggestions for improvement. All of this requires enormous dedication and commitment from all involved.
This huge investment of time and energy has paid off over the years. Since its inception, the Fort Worth Chapter of the SPJ has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to further the education of those interested in a career in journalism. All of this money was raised by the Gridiron Show productions and the publication of the
In addition to providing scholarships to deserving individuals, the organization has been active with other programs designed to enhance the field of journalism. It has twice in recent years, 1990 and 1994, won national awards of excellence. Although the officers and members have changed over the years, the group has remained an active voice in Texas to this day.
These records consist of material relating to the operations of the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, as well as its fundraising arm, the Texas Gridiron Club. Included are correspondence, the local newsletter, bank statements, financial statements, tax records, the
Series I contains the organizational records of the group. This material is mainly concerned with the actual running of the organization. It includes policies and by-laws, correspondence, minutes and agendas, membership rosters, information about the scholarships given and other projects.
Series II consists of material pertaining to the annual fundraiser, the Gridiron Dinner and Show. In addition to meeting reports and minutes, correspondence, and planning data, it contains information about the writing of the shows. There are fourteen folders of the
Series III contains the financial records of the organization from 1981 to 1995. Bank statements, financial statements, ledger pages, and tax records are located here.
Series IV is concerned with the Press Club of Fort Worth, a nonprofit association of journalists. It was formed to promote fellowship, encourage the highest standards of independence and professional integrity in journalists, and maintain clubrooms where members could meet. This series consists of three folders containing corporate records and minutes for a short period of time. Because they had similar interests and members, these records have become intermingled with those of the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Series V contains the personal correspondence of Ann Owens Gilliland. Ms. Gilliland was an active member and officer of the Fort Worth Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Series VI is audio-visual material, part of which is organized in 2 subseries: Home Video Format and Professional Video Format. It contains recordings of the annual Gridiron Dinner and Show on professional and home video tape, and reel to reel tape. It also includes slides, photographs, and negatives.
Series VII consists of two wall plaques. One is the Circle of Excellence Award and the other is for outstanding contribution to the Society and to the profession in general. Both awards were given by the Society of Professional Journalists.
Much of the records are concerned with the production of the annual Gridiron Dinner and Show and its accompanying publication, the
The near complete collection of the
Open for research.
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.
Gift,
Accessioned as number 96-40.
The Society of Professional Journalists Records, Fort Worth Chapter, were donated by Ann Gilliland to The University of Texas at Arlington Library Special Collections.
Society of Professional Journalists Records, Fort Worth Chapter, AR392, Box Number, Folder Number, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library.
Unprocessed mss. 97-35: Society of Professional Journalists, Fort Worth Chapter, Records (1991-1997)
The records are organized in seven series:
Series I. Organizational Records, 1982-1996. 0.25 linear ft. (0.6 document box, 13 folders)
Series II. Gridiron Show, 1950-1993. 0.75 linear ft. (1.8 document boxes, 22 folders)
Series III. Financial Records, 1981-1995. 0.375 linear ft. (0.75 document box, 11 folders)
Series IV. The Press Club of Fort Worth, 1969-1979. 0.04 linear ft. (0.1 document box, 3 folders)
Series V. Ann Owens Gilliland Correspondence, 1989-1990. 0.125 linear ft. (0.3 document box, 2 folders)
Series VI. Audio-Visual Material, 1956-1996. 1.82 linear ft. (1.2 document boxes, 1 record center box, 3 folders)
Series VII. Artifacts, 1990-1994. 0.25 linear ft. (1 oversize box)
The processing archivist determined the series order.
Discarded material included the following: canceled checks, check stubs, unused checks, duplicates of material, invoices, expense chits, and receipts.
The older copies of the
These materials are indexed under the following headings in the catalog of The University of Texas at Arlington Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically. Material includes Board of Directors meeting agendas and minutes; bylaws and policy information; annual reports made to parent organization; local newsletter; general correspondence; programs for general meetings; membership rosters; scholarships and other projects.
Standard report forms that each chapter filled out and submitted to the national organization reporting chapter activities for the year.
List of topics to be covered in each Board of Directors meeting--several months and years missing.
Standard meeting minutes with the years 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, most of 1989, 1990 and 1993 missing. Includes the proposal (undated) for reorganization of the Texas Gridiron Club.
Association by-laws adopted in January 1982 and revised at unknown time.
The newsletter for the local chapter, many issues missing.
Letters of a general nature concerning the Society of Professional Journalists, Fort Worth Chapter, and the Texas Gridiron Club.
Program planning for monthly membership meetings, most are missing.
Membership rosters.
Computer print out of membership roster.
Computer print out of membership roster and miscellaneous membership information.
Includes such policy-making information as the national Code of Ethics and Membership Eligibility Guide.
Information about projects sponsored by the Fort Worth Chapter of the SPJ, such as Journalism Writing Contest, Project Watchdog, and Newsmaker of the Year Awards.
Letters to institutions and students about scholarship money and thank you letters from scholarship recipients.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically. Contains meeting reports and minutes; planning and presentation items; scripts, rough drafts of scripts, and ideas for scripts; correspondence; ticket sales; one issue of the
One issue with front page photograph of Gridiron Show personalities. Inside picture of Ray Finney, the winner of the Leather Medal, an honor given by the Gridiron Club.
Letters requesting people to either be in the Gridiron Show or to attend the show.
Organizational meetings for the Gridiron Show.
Suggestions for ways to improve the Gridiron Show, correspondence from caterers and other suppliers, samples of tickets and show programs.
Pre and post show survey results, including verbatim comments from people who attended.
Brainstorming ideas, parts of scripts, skit outlines.
Lists of people who purchased tickets, many lists undated.
The annual newspaper, published in conjunction with the Gridiron Show and Dinner, spoofing local and national politics and politicians. Missing issues 1954, 1956.
Same as above.
Same as above.
Same as above.
Same as above.
Same as above.
Same as above.
Same as above.
Same as above.
Same as above. 1980 issue missing.
Same as above. 1983 issue missing. Beginning in 1984 some of the
Same as above.
Same as above. 1989 and 1991 issues are missing.
Same as above.
Information about the sale of ad space. Consists of invoices, correspondence, lists of revenue and expenses.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically. Bank statements; financial statements; ledger pages; tax records.
Statements of banking transactions, October 1989 and February 1990, are missing.
Same as above.
Some are monthly statements and some are annual. Many monthly statements are missing as well as all of 1986 and 1987.
Only one year is available. It shows bank deposits for eight months, dues paid, and secretary expenses.
Statement of interest income from bank for 1991, 1992, 1993.
Statements of banking transactions, February 1990 is missing, plus paid corporate loans.
Same as above.
Monthly and annual reports.
One set of ledger sheets labeled 1982-1985, a second, different set of ledger sheets labeled 1982-1988.
Photocopies of ledger sheets.
The taxpayers copy of Federal Income Tax Returns for 1989-1994, interest statements from banks, new taxpayer federal identification number, notice of a $15,375 penalty from the IRS. Only one 1995 item.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically. Material includes corporate records; Board of Directors meeting minutes; membership meeting minutes.
Minutes of the meetings; a few are missing.
Includes bylaws and amendments to the charter.
Record of proceedings at the regular meetings.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically. Material consists of letters sent to travel editors of various publications submitting articles and the replies of those editors.
Letters received from travel editors of various publications either accepting or rejecting submitted articles.
Letters submitted to the above travel editors concerning proposed articles.
Folders arranged alphabetically, video tapes and reel to reel audio tapes are numbered. Contains recordings of the Gridiron Dinner and Show on professional video tape, home video tape, and reel to reel audio tape.
Unidentified, except for Gridiron, 1977.
Jack Tinsley, Jack Brown and a proof sheet of unidentified individuals.
Unidentified.
Two wall plaques received from the Society of Professional Journalists for excellence and achievement.
Circle of Excellence Award given by the Society of Professional Journalists for outstanding contributions in the field of campus relations.
Outstanding Large Professional Chapter Award - Region 8, for contributions to the Society and to the profession in general.