We're still waiting to hear back from Frank Edwards, former editor of Chi Town Daily News, whether the neighborhood volunteer program will continue operating in the hands of another online news organization or at all. Mike mentioned the online news site on his blog and their recent decision to go for-profit.
I joined as a volunteer reporter at the beginning of August as part of a rather unique program that uses volunteers of all ages, journalistic experience, and addresses to report on stories going on right on their city block.
I met its founder, Geoff, editor, Frank, and staff writers during weekly meetings. It wasn't hard to tell that funds weren't flowing. The office was one big room, sparsely furnished with a few messy desks, mini fridge, coffeemaker, and projector. The most expensive things in the room were a new-looking mac computer and Geoff's laptop, which he used to give lectures on his journalistic ground rules. Yet even in the short time I was part of it, every meeting I walked away totally impressed by their dedication to grassroots journalism, evidenced by their willingness to answer any question we had no matter how basic, and a genuine faith in regular people driving real news coverage.
I was also impressed by the glorious array of breakfast foods provided each meeting. Only truly awesome people buy fresh strawberries, bananas, green tea and bagels on top of the usual Dunkin' Donuts fare for a room full of strangers every Saturday morning.
According to a statement by Geoff, they are looking for another online news group dedicated to citizen journalism to take-over the neighborhood volunteer reporter program. Fingers crossed.
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