QUALIFICATIONS:

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Membership in the Tennessee Outdoor Writers Association is open to individuals, businesses and organizations who share our interests in the outdoors and have a desire to share in and support TOWA’s ideals, programs and activities. 

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An Active Member must:

1.   Be compensated for his/her work communications work.
3.   Work in one or more of the following media categories: newspaper, magazine, book author/publishing, newsletter, writer/editor,  public relations, radio, television, photography, electronic,/digital media or film/video.
4.   Have as the focus of his/her work outdoor recreation (defined as any recreational activity or pursuit which is dependent upon natural resources and where enjoyment or preservation of same is the primary motivation for the activity or pursuit), travel or environmental/conservation issues. 
5.   Upon applying for TOWA membership, submit copies of his/her work to a Screening Committee appointed by the president, if requested to do so.
6.   Meet the minimum requirements in one of the following Professional Standards categories or in a combination of those categories.

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ALL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS, regardless of category, must be sponsored by an active, active-retired or honored lifetime member of TOWA. 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:

1. Newspaper – A minimum of 12 published pieces per 12-month period as a columnist, staff writer, editor, feature writer or free-lance writer.
2. Magazine – A minimum of three published pieces per 12-month period as a full-time employee, editor, staff member or free-lance writer
3. Public Information – Minimum contingent upon the needs or requirements of the federal or state agency or nonprofit organization that employs the applicant.
4. Newsletter Editor – Minimum of three published issues per 12-month period
5. Book – Minimum of one book per 24-month period as an author or editor.
6. Electronic Publishing – Minimum of six published pieces per 12-month period.
 
Photographic:

1. Still Photographer – Minimum of 10 published photographs per 12-month period.
2. Motion Picture – Minimum of one feature (10 or more minutes in length) per 24-month period or two shorts per 12-month period.
 
Broadcast:

1. Radio – Minimum of 6 broadcasts per 12-month period.
2. Television – Minimum of 6broadcasts per 12-month period.

3. Podcast: Minimum of 6 podcasts per 12-month period
 
Artistic: 

1. Artist – Minimum of three works exhibited or sold per 12-month period.
2. Cartoonist – Minimum of three published cartoons per 12-month period.
3. Illustrator – Minimum of three published illustrations per 12-month period. 

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