Minnesota Pro SPJ Chapter
Board meeting minutes.
6:30 p.m. Aug. 27, 2007.
Minnesota Public Radio offices, St. Paul.
Society of Professional Journalists
Minnesota Pro Chapter
Board of Directors meeting
Aug. 27, 2007
Minnesota Public Radio offices, St. Paul
Members present: Joan Gilbertson, president; Dave Beal, treasurer; Scott Theisen, secretary; Jane Kirtley, Amanda Lutz, Jeff Achen, Don Davis, Karen Lundegaard, Andy Tellijohn, Alyssa Ford, directors; Art Hughes, past president.
I. Introductions. The meeting opened with the welcoming of the new board members followed by introductions of new and previous members. Updated contact lists were provided by Gilbertson.
II. Treasurer’s Report. The chapter has $32,463 total in three Wells Fargo accounts: $16,921 in savings; $10,514 in a CD; $5,028 in checking. Beal reported that Garrison-Sprenger estimated the total amount was down from about $38,000 -39,000 at this time last year. The decline was attributed to a significant decrease in income from Page One entries and a decrease in funding for the regional conference.
Refunds totaling $160 for Page One entry fees were paid to three local television stations- $80 to KSTP, $40 to KARE and $40 to WCCO. Refunds were given due to judging oversights made by SPJ’s Seattle chapter in handling entries from those stations.
A reimbursement to Hughes is the only outstanding bill.
III. National Convention. Gilbertson asked that the reimbursement for board members attending the national convention be raised from $400 to $500 to cover the added expense of this year’s convention. Kirtley made a motion seconded by Lutz to reimburse representing members for half of their expenses up to $500. $1,000 must be spent to receive the maximum reimbursement of $500. The motion passed 10-0. A motion to amend the previous motion was made by Kirtley and seconded by Lutz to reimburse up to four board members for half of their expenses up $500. The motion passed 10-0. The national convention is scheduled for Oct. 4-7.
Gilbertson asked about providing reimbursements to the Minnesota student chapters sending members to the national convention. The discussion and decision were left pending upon verification of the reimbursement amount given to each attending chapter last year.
IV. Committees. Gilbertson outlined the committees and their roles with discussion from board members currently serving on those committees.
Committee assignments:
-FOI committee: Kirtley, Davis and Lundegaard.
The committee will monitor and report to the board on FOI issues.
-Programs committee: Beal, Ford, Lutz, Theisen, Lundegaard, Tellijohn and Bauer.
The committee will plan the chapter’s monthly programs and events.
-Membership/Outreach committee: Hughes and Garrison-Sprenger.
The committee will try to attract new members and work with members to build a stronger membership. A membership survey may be sent out in the future.
-Fundraising committee: Gilbertson, Hughes and Lutz.
The committee will raise funding for the regional conference.
-Page One Event committee: Bauer, Ford.
The committee will lead the board in planning of the Page One banquet.
-Page One Judging: Hughes and others to be named later.
The committee will organize the judging of Page One award contest.
-Technology committee: Theisen and Achen.
The committee will maintain and update the chapter’s web site and moderate the board’s e-mail list serve and online files.
-Student Chapter liaisons: Lutz and Tellijohn.
The liaisons will be in contact with the Minnesota student chapters to maintain a close relationship between the chapters.
The liaisons will contact the student chapters about applying for reimbursements for members traveling to the national convention Oct. 4-7.
V. Programs.
September program: Beal reported that the “How-to-Write-a-Book” program is scheduled for Sept. 25 at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul and the Historical Society will be a co-sponsor of the event. Bill Swanson, Larry Millett and Peg Meier have agreed to be panelists. A fourth panelist, possibly from the publishing side is being sought. Judy Borger has agreed to be the moderator.
The board will ask Bauer to work on an event publicity flyer that will be distributed via e-mail and Theisen will update the chapter web site with an event announcement.
Intern Night: Gilbertson will try to schedule Intern Night to take place at WCCO-TV one evening between Oct. 15-19. Plans need to be confirmed.
Silha Lecture: Kirtley reported that the Silha Lecture will take place Oct. 1.
SPJ National grant: Gilbertson reported that the deadline for applying for program grant money from SPJ National is Sept. 28.
Other: Hughes reported that the Walker Art Center is interested in the chapter participating in a November lecture series as part of their Brave New Worlds Exhibit. The chapter may be asked to help find a panelist and lend our name the event.
VI. FOI/Ethics update: Kirtley reported that the push for cameras in the courts is continuing at a slow pace. Attorney Mark Anfinson will testify on the matter Sept. 24.
Amendment to FOI/Ethics update (8/30/07)
Mark Anfinson will testify on cameras in the courts on Sept. 21. not Sept. 24 as reported incorrectly by the media.
VII. Other business: The board briefly discussed putting out a quarterly newsletter in either print or electronic form. A question to the membership as to which form they prefer may be included in a future member survey.
Next meeting: The next meeting is planned for Sept. 17 at KSTP-TV in St. Paul at 6:30 p.m.
The board adjourned the meeting on a motion by Lutz seconded by Beal.