The Online News Association USFSP is the University of South Florida St. Petersburg chapter of the Online News Association, a well-respected, international journalism organization. We accept all USFSP students from all majors. Students join for free on PeteSync. Non-students cannot join. (But there is likely an ONA Local group for the Tampa Bay Area.)
We, ONA USFSP, operate as a collection of groups led by members and driven by member interests. (In other words, whatever your interest in the communications, we either have a group for that or can start one.)
Students can engage at any level:
- Sign up- It helps us if you sign up on PetSync, even if you never make it to a meeting. (You can also honestly claim membership in the organization on your resume.)
- Participate- The more involved you are, the more you’ll get out of the experience. Sign up on PeteSync. Show up at the occasional meeting. Come to an event.
- Join in- Find a group that’s doing something that you’re interested in, get in contact with the leader, attend regular meetings and expand your current level of awesomeness.
- Lead- If we don’t have a group that’s doing something that you’re interested in or if the leader position becomes available, take it on or take it over. Leaders work closely with the board and get first dibs on limited opportunities. They know about upcoming opportunities and developments before general members. Leaders develop closer relationships with partners–professionals and organizations who work with us.
- Run it (like fire)- If a board position is available and you have leadership talent (or want leadership skills), take the position. There is no discernible end to your potential for greatness as a board member. The board finds and develops opportunities for members, and doing so puts board members in close relationships with partners–professionals and organizations from campus, local, and even national and international communities. These partners will see your talents and abilities and work. These opportunities extend far beyond what most students experience in the general course of study.
Executive board (5-10 hours per week)
The executive board (president, vice president, treasurer and secretary) performs the primary leadership functions for the organization:
- recruiting leadership and members
- approving groups, projects and events
- promoting the organization and member interests
- identifying and collaborating with partners on campus and in the community
- determining member and partner needs and working to meet those needs
- finding and facilitating opportunities for students (i.e. internships, volunteer opportunities)
- recruiting professionals from the communications field to speak to, teach or mentor students
- informing all stakeholders of all plans and activities (advisers, ONA national, USFSP, the journalism department, leaders, partner organizations and members)
- planning and scheduling board and general meetings
Group leaders (2-3 hours per week)
Group leaders perform the primary leadership functions for their groups with the support and assistance of the executive board:
- recruiting existing and new members for their particular group
- submitting plans for meetings, projects and/or events
- presenting group and member needs to board
- informing board and members of all plans and activities
- promoting their group’s meetings, work and activities
- identifying and collaborating with partners on campus and in the community
- informing the board about any opportunities for students
- recruiting professionals from the communications field to speak to, teach or mentor students
- planning and scheduling group meetings
Members (0-? hours per week)
- communicating needs and wants to leadership
- staying informed about engagement opportunities
- attending when interest intersects with schedule
Are you a current student who wants to join our ranks? Join us on PeteSync.
Are you a professional or organization who would like to work with us? Contact us.