One of the reasons I started a career in community journalism is the community. I have always loved that the community newspaper was the hub, center point, and gathering place for all things community. From supporting non-profits and promoting local events to local government, all things community can be found in the community newspaper. As I have gotten older and my career has stretched over the years, I have become focused and deeply involved in different aspects. For example, I love writing crime stories, stories that show the community the outstanding work of our first responders, police departments, and sheriff ’s offices. Several years ago, when my children were in school, my focus lived on the campus, covering all aspects from kindergarten fingerpainting projects to high school band and football. I loved school coverage, but when my children graduated, my focus evolved to city government, and then a little later to police coverage and first responders. It is common to see slight favoritism in community newspapers; each writer has different degrees of interest. Some writers love to produce stories about football, while others prefer the local garden club or social event. That is why you will find a diverse group of writers and many different types of stories in the community newspaper. However, all the writers and contributors to a community newspaper make up the essential ingredient of a community newspaper, and that is the community part. This article concerns the need for more community members to contribute to The Light and Champion. We are looking for what is referred to in the biz as “Stringers.” Stringers cover a wide variety of stories from local government to high school sports, and as The Light and Champion grows, it takes more and more stories to fill the pages that, once combined, will be the equivalent of a fantastic community newspaper. Oh, and the Light and Champion will pay you for your help. If you are interested in representing your community and have free time, we can teach you how to make a few extra dollars and contribute to your community newspaper. I know what you’re thinking, “I have never written anything for a newspaper,” and that might be the case. But with a little direction, we can get you up and running contributing to the newspaper. You get to earn extra money, and your neighbors will think you are cool, too. Currently, we are looking for school coverage—all the Shelby County area schools, school board meetings, promotions, and all sorts of school coverage. We are also looking for local government coverage for several cities. There is plenty to do; we just need your help to get it all done. If interested, call Dennis Phillips at 979-250-2733, and we can discuss how you can contribute to The Light and Champion. Or you can email me at dennis@ lightandchampion. com.
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