Minutes

 

Board Meeting

June 10, 2004

 

 

The board met at The Bull Dog, 1715 Main Street, Kansas City, MO, for dinner and then adjourned to the conference room of The Pitch for the business meeting.  The following members were present:  Fivecoat-Campbell, LaMartina, Nelson, Rupert, Ventimiglia, Ortega, McGuire, Carter, Maslin.

 

President Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell called the meeting to order.

 

The Secretary’s report was read.  Nelson moved approval; LaMartina seconded.  Approved on voice vote.

 

The Treasurer’s report was read.  The Treasurer reported balances in the Press Club account of  $7192.89 for the local chapter, and $5073.47 for Region 7.  LaMartina moved approval; Nelson seconded.  Approved on voice vote.

 

The President said she had asked LaMartina to look at the Press Club bylaws to make recommendations re: changing the name of the organization, reducing the number of board members, and changing the requirement that the vice president serve as chair of the program committee.

 

There was a discussion of the name change.  Fivecoat-Campbell said that some area on-line and broadcast journalists thought that the word “Press” in the name tended to exclude non-print journalists.  Other members noted the long history of the name and argued against a change.  Ventimiglia moved to leave the name as it is; Ortega seconded.  The motion was approved on a voice vote.

 

Following the vote, Ortega suggested that the Club attempt to reach out to broadcast and print journalists to make sure they don’t feel, because of the name, that they are excluded.  Ventimiglia suggested that one way to do this would be more categories in the awards competition.

 

As to the question of reducing the number of board members, LaMartina suggested reducing the number to nine (from 13).  After some discussion, McGuire moved to table the motion; Ventimiglia seconded.  The proposal was tabled on a voice vote.

 

The board discussed the standing committees and whether some of them should be combined.  Among the suggestions:

 

·        Combine the Awards and Programs committees.  LaMartina argued that these two involve a lot of work and should be kept separate.

·        Leave ethics as the sole responsibility of a committee to emphasize its importance.

·        Combine Freedom of Information and First Amendment committees.

·        Add standing committees for bylaws and education.

 

McGuire moved to table the suggestions; Ortega seconded.  Tabled on voice vote.

 

Fivecoat-Campbell reported that she had asked the Membership committee to examine membership and ideas for increasing it.  The committee reported that similar groups held monthly happy hours, which attracted younger members.  Some of these are sponsored by news organizations.  Another possibility would be to combine our Meet the Media Nights with a happy hour.  The board discussed various ideas and Fivecoat-Campbell indicated that she would refer the matter back to the Membership committee for further study.  The committee also suggested waiving the local membership dues for a period of time—from July 22 to Oct. 21.  Nelson moved that the Press Club offer a $75 membership -- combined national ($72) and local from Aug. 22 to Oct. 21.  In other words, the local dues would be reduced to $3 during this period.  McGuire seconded.  Approved on voice vote.

 

Rupert reported that the FOI committee will consider whether the Press Club should take a position on the proposed shield law in Kansas and will report back later. 

 

McGuire reported that there were 89 reservations for the awards banquet June 12; 81 paid.

 

In old business, Fivecoat-Campbell reminded board members that the next Meet the Media Night would be July 22 at The Bull Dog.  The program is not yet set.  It may be a meet-the-author program with happy hour.  Ortega moved to make it a social hour and look into whether The Bull Dog would offer a drink special.  LaMartina seconded.  Approved on voice vote.

 

Fivecoat-Campbell reported that the political forum would be held Oct. 21.  We are trying to arrange a debate with candidates in the Kansas 3rd Congressional district.  Ventimiglia suggested a debate among candidates in the Missouri 6th Congressional district.

 

Fivecoat-Campbell reported that the national SPJ convention will be Sept. 8 in New York.  Nelson moved that the Press club pay for the expenses of our official delegate up to $1,000.  Ventimiglia seconded.  Approved on voice vote.

 

Fivecoat-Campbell said she would like to conduct more board votes by email and suggested that when members reply they “reply to all” so that all board members can see the replies.  McGuire suggested that when email votes are conducted there be a discussion period before the votes are returned.

 

LaMartina reported that he will apply for non-profit status for the Press Club before the next board meeting. 

 

Maslin moved to adjourn; LaMartina seconded.  Adjourned on voice vote.