Dec 14 2009 board meeting minutes
Dec. 14, 2009 board meeting minutes
Attendance: Jennifer Monnin, Jane Beathard, Robin Hepler, Chuck Nelson, Kevin Kemper, Sarah Mills Bacha, Mike Lorz, Sharon West, Julanne Hohbach, Beth Gianforcaro
President Kevin Kemper called the meeting to order at noon with a quorum present.
Minutes of the Nov. 9 meeting were amended and approved.
Robin Hepler provided the treasurer’s report. The balance in the checking account was $4,091.88 as of Nov. 19.
Payments from Oct. 20:
Transfer to Vanguard account — $2,300
Transfer to Vanguard account — $2,300
Airfare from Orlando (Bary event) — $296.40
Ohio State Bar Association sponsorship — $76.23
Worthington Inn (deposit for Bary event) — $150
Reimbursement to Amy Edwards (Bary event) for airfare from Atlanta — $371
Pending transactions:
Airfare change fee (Bary event) — $35
Worthington Inn (balance due) — $398.40
Hampton Inn (Bary event) — $197.31
Dues received from the national organization: $247.50
Currently, there also is $173.97 in the PayPal account
November event summary — $1,448.11
Possible revenue — $500 (SPJ grant)
Air Tran refund — $73.46
Programming
Katy Waters reported the diversity event regarding Rifqa Bary controversy went well with about 20 people attending. However, there was too much food left over. She suggested the chapter keep an eye on orders for the next event held at Worthington Inn. That might be the “Meet the Kips” night in conjunction with OSU.
Membership
Julanne Hohbach said a new member is transferring to central Ohio from the Cincinnati chapter. She asked if the member must handle her own transfer. Kemper said he would look into it.
Old Business
Jane Beathard, Sharon West and Beth Gianforcaro will co-chair the statewide SPJ awards program in fall 2010. The venue must be booked in the near future. Suggestions included the new Ohio Union at OSU, Ohio Stadium, Franklin Park Conservatory, Ohio Statehouse, Columbus Museum of Art, Nationwide Insurance and the Ohio Theatre.
Bab James suggested a speaker topic for the program could be “Pay-to-Play Publications.”
Kemper again said the board needs a minority member to fill the seat being vacated by Ismail Turay. A number of names were discussed. Waters also suggested the board seek a member from broadcast media.
New Business
Kemper said it’s time to consider a speaker for the annual Founders Day program. Suggestions include the post-primary candidates for governor, U.S. Senate and Ohio Attorney General.
Phil Ruddel has volunteered to help with the Founders Day auction.
Gianforcaro suggested the chapter initiate an award on Founders Day that recognizes news coverage of a dedicated topic over a certain period of time by a working journalist. This award would be in addition to the current statewide awards. She said the award would highlight what outstanding wwork is being done in central Ohio.
James asked what criteria would be used. How would broadcast coverage compare with print coverage? Hohbach suggested another sPJ chapter judge the entries.
Gianforcaro said she would develop a proposal for the award that would include the necessary criteria.
Jeremy Steele needs volunteers to judge another chapter’s editorial contest.
The Cleveland chapter is seeking support for its opposition to legislation that would block media access to 911 tapes. Gianforcaro volunteered to look into the subject.
The meeting adjourned at 1 p.m.