- Awarded to the religion reporter of the year for small publications.
- Entry fee: $25 for members / $50 for non-members
- Deadline: Feb. 1, 2010 Extended to Feb. 5, 2010
- 1st place: $1,000 and citation
- 2nd place: $250 and citation
- 3rd place: $100 and citation
- Submit three articles on religion written by one person and printed in the calendar year prior to the contest (ie: enter stories published in 2009 for the 2010 contest).
- Stories from the printed publication or its online adjunct are allowed. Stories may include the main text, infographics and charts. All materials must be published on the same date and reported and written by the same author. No photos or audio allowed.
- Stories should be submitted in an anonymous fashion; No bylines, photo credits or other identifying information allowed.
- No multiple bylines.
- No sidebars.
- Publications with weekday circulations of 50,000 or less.
- RNA reserves the right to limit the presentation of awards for insufficient entry numbers.
- Prepare your stories in one of these formats: Microsoft Word, PDF or text-only (txt) documents.
- Use
the
online form to submit your stories and entry fee. If your entries were
received properly, you'll receive an e-mail confirmation.
- Entries must be submitted by Feb. 1, 2010 Extended to
Feb. 5, 2010
- Our online entry form includes a payment page. There, you can pay with a credit card (individual entries only),
or you can choose "Bill Me" at checkout to pay by check.
- We accept personal or company checks (made payable to RNA), and most major credit cards (VISA, MC, DISC, AMEX).
- If paying for multiple entries with the same check: choose "Bill me" when completing our online form. Then, generate a check (made payable to RNA) and include with it a list of all the people and contests
the check covers to make certain proper credit is issued. Submit checks to our business office: RNA, PO Box 2037, Westerville, OH
43086-2037.
- Canadian entrants: credit card payment is preferred. If paying by check, use dollars for currency.
- Receipts will be sent via e-mail.
It
is the intent of the Religion Newswriters Association annual contests
to recognize journalism excellence in general circulation newspapers,
news magazines, news wire services, radio and television. The contests
are designed to measure a journalist's grasp on a diversity of religion
issues. Religious media, including media whose goal is to support or
promote a particular religion, faith community or religious group, are
not eligible to participate in RNA contests.
In addition:
- All journalists who work for general circulation/audience media outlets are eligible to enter.
- RNA membership is NOT required for entry.
- RNA's president and vice presidents are not eligible to enter individual contests.
- See individual contest pages for further eligibility rules
The Cassels Award for the religion reporter of the year at small newspapers was named in 1974 following Louis Cassels’ death earlier that year. Cassels was an accomplished author as well as a journalist. He was the United Press International senior editor and a religion columnist. In addition to his journalistic duties, he also served on an Episcopal Church committee that famously decided how to deal with "heresy” charges within that denomination in 1967.
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Entry preparation & payment questions
Can I submit hard copies?
We only accept online submissions.
What should be included with my submissions?
The text of your story and its publication date. They can also include headlines/subheads, datelines and informational graphics.
May I submit more or less than three stories?
You may submit up to three stories, however, most entries are comprised of the full three stories.
Should I include sidebars with my entry?
No. Sidebars aren’t allowed in the Cassels contest.
May I submit a story with more than one byline?
No. Cassels allows only one byline (one author) per entry.
What is the publishing date range to enter stories in the 2010 RNA contests?
Stories published Jan. 1, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2009 are eligible for the 2010 Cassels contest.
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Eligibility Questions
What constitutes a "small” newspaper?
For the Cassels contest, papers with weekday circulations of 50,000 or less are eligible.
May full-time students (high school, undergrad or graduate) enter Cassels?
Yes, full-time students may enter Cassels. However, full-time students many not enter both Cassels and Chandler in the same contest year. Cassels entries from students must be from a general circulation publication (articles from student media are not allowed in Cassels).
Do I have to be a member of RNA to enter?
No, but we welcome you to look over our membership benefits and encourage you to join. Plus, members are eligible for highly discounted contest and conference registration fees.
Do I have to be a religion beat reporter to submit an entry?
No. Any journalist may enter provided the stories were published in an eligible publication.
I’m a columnist who writes about religion. May I enter Cassels?
Yes. If your column is syndicated, its total circulation should not exceed 50,000. Syndicated columnists may also enter Supple and Religion Reporter of the Year.
I work for a newspaper outside North America. May I enter RNA’s contests?
No, only U.S. and Canadian outlets are eligible to enter RNA’s contests.
Are religious publications eligible to enter Cassels?
No. Religious media, including media whose goal is to support or promote a particular religion, faith community or religious group, are not eligible to participate in RNA contests.
I’m a freelancer. May I submit articles from more than one outlet?
Yes. You must list all the outlets included in your entry on your entry form. If you’re entering Cassels as a freelancer, make sure all the outlets meet the circulation requirements (weekday circulation of 50,000 or less).
Are broadcast outlets or online-only outlets eligible to enter Cassels?
Cassels is for print-primary publications. However, articles that also appeared on a newspaper’s Web site are eligible as well.
Why would an entry be disqualified, and what is the process for disqualification?
An entry is only disqualified if the entrant doesn't make our eligibility requirements. The contest chairperson contacts the entrant to let him/her know their entry is disqualified and why. The entry fee is then returned.
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General Questions
May I submit more than one entry for the same award?
Yes. You may enter an award as many times as you like, so long as you submit different stories for each entry and pay the entry fee for each set.
May I submit entries for other awards too?
Yes. You may enter as many RNA awards as you wish, provided you meet the eligibility requirements for each one.
Will I receive confirmation that RNA received my entry?
Yes! When you submit your entry properly, you'll receive a confirmation via e-mail (be sure to check your spam folder too).
Who judges the contest?
Judges include former contest winners, religion writers or others with specialized knowledge of religion reporting. Judges are not allowed to judge contests in which they may have a conflict of interest.
How many finalists/winners will the judges choose?
Judges generally select 10 finalists and three top winners, depending on the number of entries.
When will I know if I’m a finalist?
RNA posts the finalists on its Web site, www.RNA.org, by May 15. The list is also published in the RNA e-newsletter.
When will I know if I’m a winner?
The contest chairman will contact winners in June. Winners are revealed to the general public at the fall Awards Banquet at RNA’s Annual Conference.
Do I have to collect my prize in person to receive it?
No. Most winners do try to attend the Awards Banquet, however, because the event is so enjoyable. There is no cost to you and one guest to attend the banquet. If winners are unable to attend the banquet, we mail them their check and plaque.
May I get a copy of the judges’ comments about my entry?
Only winners receive judges’ comments, if the judges provide them.
Do you publish past entries?
At www.RNA.org, we link to stories from the first, second and third place entries in each writing contest (when possible).
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