Society of Professional Journalists Minnesota Professional Chapter

Board of Directors Meeting

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2000

Members Present
Judy Borger, President; Mike Knaak, treasurer; Gary Hill, past president; board members Dave Aeikens, Rick Kupchella, Jeff Kummer, Craig Lincoln and James Walsh.

Thanks to Rick Kupchella and KARE-TV for hosting the meeting and providing food.

Minnesota Daily and basketball credentials
Craig Lincoln talked with Josh Linehan, Minnesota Daily columnist and University of Minnesota officials Brad Ruiter and Bill Crumley about policies for issuing press credentials. There is no written policy but the University officials said they would not deny credentials based on coverage. The University is researching a written policy and would like to wait until June for finish one.

Board members discussed possible action including pressing the University for a written policy. James Walsh suggested that the best way to handle these incidents is to bring attention to them. Getting the issue out in the open helps educate people on both sides of the issue. Judy Borger argued for continuing to press the University to write a policy so that there is a record for the future.

Dave Aeikens moved and Borger seconded that the board write a letter to University officials, Minnesota Daily editors and the coaches restating our position, the University’s acknowledgement of it and putting them on notice that we will be watching what happens in the future. The letter will be shared with the public. Passed unanimously.

Meeting with the Minnesota Daily staff
Jeff Kummer met with the editorial staff of the Minnesota Daily staff to talk about recent leadership and management conflicts. The meeting also included professionals who are Daily alumni. There are internal problems as well as problems with the board of directors. Kummer offered the chapter’s help in resolving issues relating to professional development, ethics and journalism. The board is not interested in getting involved in the Daily’s internal management and financial issues. Walsh and Aeikens suggested having a student journalist liaison to concentrate on First Amendment and ethics issues. Board members will research how this position would work. It will be discussed a the next meeting.

Apple Valley police shooting
After a recent incident where an Apple Valley police officer shot a 17-year-old male, the Apple Valley police department refused to release any substantive information in a timely manner. The board discussed what could be done to force compliance with the Data Practices Act and discussed educational options with law enforcement leaders. Borger will call the Apple Valley chief to arrange a meeting to talk about this specific incident.

Walsh, Kupchella and Gary Hill volunteered to plan educational sessions with law enforcement associations about timely and accurate release of incident data.

Great Lakes Aquarium
Lincoln backgrounded the board about an environmental columnist for the Duluth News-Tribune who wrote about a Minnesota Power and Light power line proposal. The Great Lakes Aquarium also employed him. After criticism from the utility company, which also was an aquarium sponsor, the columnist resigned from the aquarium. A Minnesota Power leader asserted that the columnist’s off-the-job free speech could not be separated from his on-the-job speech. The board discussed what its proper role should be in this case. The board agreed to make this event part of a column to publicize incidents where the First Amendment has been trampled. As a part of her next President’s Column, Borger will ask readers to submit incidents that could be used in a First Amendment scorecard.

Internship night
The internship night at WCCO-TV was a big success again. More than 130 students attended the event. Borger moved and Walsh seconded that Caroline Lowe be congratulated for her work on this event. The motion passed unanimously.

Blom and election panels
Participation and attendance was less than we had hoped. The discussions were great but the attendance was poor. Aeikens suggested doing mailings to members and media to promote the events. Board members also discussed event times and locations and content for successful programs. The board discussed program focus: social, professional development or training. Borger listed the major projects the chapter is working on and our need to publicize those efforts. Regarding the FOI public servant award, the board discussed making it apart of a report on the First Amendment. The board delayed a final decision until more board members could discuss it.

FOI program in Duluth
Walsh reported on the FOI and NATAS program in Duluth. About 25 people attended the workshop to hear information on the Data Practices Act, computer assisted reporting and storytelling. Walsh suggested future programs in Rochester or Austin, southwestern and central Minnesota. The board chose Rochester as the location for the next workshop.

SPJ Mixer
Duchesne Drew will host the party on Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.

Regional plans
Aeikens reported on the regional conference plans. The committee hopes to have the program planned and the registration mailed by mid-February. Convergence has been suggested as the theme.

National Conference
Borger reported on the SPJ national conference in Columbus. We won the Outstanding Large Chapter Award and the Freedom of Information Award for the FOI audit and the chapter’s support of the cable TV journalists who were kicked out of a meeting. The chapter has won the FOI award for three years in a row. Hill participated in two panels and explained our FOI audit and statement on the Tom Lyden case. Borger made contact with a Florida member who will exchange contest entries for judging.

Treasurer’s Report
The checking account balance is $8,051.34. We also have $5,000 on deposit in a six-month certificate of deposit. The board discussed possible future expenses including programming and educational expenses and future fundraising efforts. The board will discuss at the next meeting a long-term budget and a possible scholarship fund. Mike Knaak was directed to prepare some background information on the budget.

Page One
The board discussed possible speakers for the Page One banquet and for contest planning. Borger will follow up with Drew.

Other business
Hill reported on his trip to Croatia. He was invited because of his SPJ participation. He also submitted a column to the Quill on television journalists’ election night ethics and the failure to act independently in calling the presidential race.

Kupchella visited Northwestern University for a First Amendment Center panel and talked about better access to the federal courts.

Next meeting
The next meeting will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001, at the Star Tribune.

Mike Knaak

November 29, 2000