Board Minutes – 03/2007 (2)

CHICAGO HEADLINE CLUB
Board of directors meeting
March 21, 2007

President Jason Jedlinski called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.

Present: Jason, Howard Dubin, Meg Tebo, Michelle Stevens, Milbert Brown, Kristen McQueary, Brian Wellner, Jon Seidel, Deb Cohen, Abdon Palasch, Jacqueline Fitzgerald and Susan S. Stevens. Kristen, Brian, Jon and Deb were on speakerphone.

Lisagor: Kristen said Peter Kovacs, managing editor of the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, might be the speaker.
Meg said she will be in charge of selecting the Watchdog Award winner but will not vote. Board members are asked to recruit volunteers to judge. About 35 entered last year.
BPI didn’t’ get any Ethics Award entries. Jason said we need to publicize the award in a different way, perhaps have former winners address it.

High school contest: Jason said we need to get back to working on it in the fall. Since Art Menke left Chicago, we haven’t found the right person to run it.

Executive Director: Jason said an executive director is necessary and a small price to pay for our members. He said Kathy Catrambone will get us back to doing what members want, provide administrative management and organizational leadership. Hiring her was approved unanimously. Jason, Kristen and Kathy will meet Monday. Jon Duncan is reviewing a contract with her.

SPJ Regional Convention: Jason said Regional Director Richard Roth asked CHC for $500 to help fund the conference in Louisville. Howard moved that we agree on the condition that Roth represent CHC. Motion carried unanimously.

Scholarships: Howard said the CHC Foundation gives them, $9,000 last year, but they are always funded by HC. He asked CHC to provide $5,000. About $5,000 more will come from CHC programs with PR Newswire. Motion to give CHC Foundation $5,000 passed unanimously.
Board discussed naming an internship for former WBEZ intern Danielle Baker, who was killed in a traffic accident. It was deferred until the next meeting. Meanwhile, Meg volunteered herself and Deb to check on our arrangement with WBEZ for internships.

Slating Committee: Kathy will work on forming a slating committee to nominate board members and officers for the year beginning July 1. Meg, Milbert and Abdon volunteered to be on the committee. Everyone should send names of suggested nominees to Kathy. kcatrambone@hotmail.com

Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan S. Stevens
Secretary