Events and Training » Events » 2012 Columbus Election Watchdog Workshop

Events and Training

2012 Columbus Election Watchdog Workshop

Host: Kiplinger Program/The Ohio State University

IRE is bringing its highly rated Election Watchdog Workshop to Columbus.

Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to cover the campaign.  Get in-depth tips and strategies for following the campaign cash and helping your audience track the behind-the-scenes battle for influence, backgrounding candidates, making sense of the new world of super-PACs and "independent" nonprofit advocacy groups, and much more.  

These sessions are designed for reporters, editors and producers from small, midsize and large publications, TV and radio stations and Web-only news sites and news blogs.  Join a group of campagin coverage veterans for our Election Watchdog Workshop on August 25 (Saturday).  Start your training off with an extra half day of hands-on computer-assisted reporting training focused on campaign finance on August 24 (Friday) for those who are interested.

Expected speakers include: Bill Allison, Sunlight Foundation; Paul Beck, The Ohio State University; Russ Choma, Center for Responsive Politics; Megan Luther, IRE; Derrel Rowland, Columbus Dispatch and Derek Willis, The New York Times. More speakers will be added as they are confirmed.

Optional Computer-Assisted Reporting Training 

Fri., Aug. 24, 1 - 4:30 p.m.

Attend this hands-on workshop and learn how to use Excel, a powerful electronic spreadsheet for deadline and beat reporting on budgets, salaries, and election data.  

Also, learn how to dig deeper using the Internet and find valuable datasets for your stories.  

Class size is limited; register early to reserve a seat on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Parking Information

Parking will be available in the lots adjacent to the student union at a fee.  

Recommended Hotels

The Blackwell (located on campus) http://www.theblackwell.com/

Holiday Inn Express & Suites OSU (about one mile from campus) http://www.stayholidayosu.com/

University Plaza Hotel & Conference Center (about 1/2 mile from campus) http://www.universityplazaosu.com/

PDF Registration

Use this PDF registration form to send credit card orders by fax (573-882-5431), or mail the form with your check or credit card payment to IRE, 141 Neff Annex, MO School of Journalism, Columbia, MO 65211. On-site registrations are accepted if space is available: bring completed registration form and payment.

Please note: You must be a current IRE member to register online. If you are not a current IRE member, please register via the PDF registration form.

 

 

 


Time and place

Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 - Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012

The Ohio State University
1739 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43210


Registration information

Registration for this event is open! Click here to begin.

Hurry! Registration closes on Thursday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m..


Schedule details

  • Hands-on

    2012 Columbus Election Watchdog Workshop CAR Training

    Optional Computer-Assisted Reporting Training 

    Attend this hands-on workshop and learn how to use Excel, a powerful electronic spreadsheet for deadline and beat reporting on budgets, salaries, and election data.  

    Also, learn how to dig deeper using the Internet and find valuable datasets for your stories.  

    Class size is limited; register early to reserve a seat on a first-come, first-served basis.  

     

    NOTE: Registration is required for this session. Click here to sign up.

    The Ohio Union - 3rd Floor Digital Lab

    1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

  • Panel

    Welcome and overview of the workshop

    The Ohio Union - Cartoon Room

    9 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.

  • Panel

    From super PACs to nonprofits: Understanding the new landscape

    The Ohio Union - Cartoon Room

    9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

  • Panel

    Campaign finance: Tools you can use

    Plenty of tools are readily available to help you obtain and make sense of campaign finance data. This session will help you understand how to put those tools to use.

    The Ohio Union - Cartoon Room

    10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

  • Panel

    Backgrounding candidates

    Learn the skills to thoroughly background politicians. Beyond the basics, this session will help you understand how to dig deeper with property records and more.

    The Ohio Union - Cartoon Room

    11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

  • Panel

    Follow the money - How campaign money is spent in your state

    There are several ways that political funds can play a role in Florida or other key states, especially during an election year. You'll see how to trace money that comes from outside sources to state-based political groups, and how to follow the path of expenditures from the ground game to the air wars.

    The Ohio Union - Cartoon Room

    1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

  • Panel

    What's trending

    This session will highlight the trends in this year's races. Learn story ideas for this  election cycle: what's different, pitfalls, what to watch for and influential players behind the scenes

    The Ohio Union - Cartoon Room

    3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

  • Panel

    Digging in on state and local campaigns

    What to look for when covering state-wide and local elections. This session will help you tackle state campaign finance and watchdog stories for smaller elections

    The Ohio Union - Cartoon Room

    4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

  • Panel

    Wrapup/closing remarks

    The Ohio Union - Cartoon Room

    5:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.