CHICAGO HEADLINE CLUB
Board meeting Sept. 26, 2006
President Jason Jedlinski called the conference call meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
Present: Suzanne McBride, Howard Dubin, Jon Seidel, Julia McEvoy, Fuzz Hogan, Richard Brust, Jacqueline Fitzgerald, Howard Schlossberg, Bonnie McGrath and Susan S. Stevens
PR-media series: Jackie said a great turnout of 40 people attended that day’s event, on targeting younger demographics. Profits go to the CHC Foundation (internship-scholarship funds). Checks should be sent to Pat Flynn.
Jamie Kalven event: Meg Tebo and Brian Wellner are working on getting prosecutors to join the panel. It is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at Columbia College. If it is held then, a board meeting will be either before or after.
Jason notes we should mark our calendars for the First Amendment Forum at noon Oct. 19 at Loyola University’s downtown Rubloff Auditorium. About 100 people attend most years.
Suzanne reported firmed-up plans for a discussion about homeless youth at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Columbia College. Jason noted it is an excellent opportunity to open the dialogue and engage the community.
Nov. 2 board meeting will look at Book Bash and Lisagor.
For the Book Bash, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Galleria Marchetti, Ilyce Glink has rounded up terrific authors, including Ald. Ed Burke. PR is being organized by Amy Falk, a professional publicist, but Jason emphasized person-to-person PR works best. See holidaybookbash.org for more information and tickets.
Lifetime Achievement Awards dinner was delayed until Jan. 26 due to the SPJ convention and Book Bash. It will be our fifth annual, and always loses money. The awards committee’s nominees will be reviewed at the Oct. 10 board meeting
Jason said Today’s Chicago Woman called SPJ in Indianapolis to say it wanted to do an article on prominent Chicago women. Bonnie will handle.
Lisagor: April 27 will be the 30th annual Peter Lisagor Awards presentation. On Steve Rynkiewicz’s calendar for the second week of October is “shape up entry form.” Officers will meet with Pat Kosar on October 12 will work on that. Any feedback from last year? Pat would like someone to take on a leadership role.
Ald. Dorothy Tillman: Jason said Brian Wellner, who was not able to be present on the conference call, reported she again denied one of his reporters access to a ward meeting. Tillman did not respond to Jason’s letter. Suzanne plans to send a couple of Columbia College journalism students with the community news service to the next meeting. Suzanne offered to ask Terry Mutchler in the Illinois attorney general’s office about strategies to use. Rich said he would talk with Brian in the next day or so and perhaps contact Scott Sievers, who is more accessible than Mutchler. He said he would let Suzanne know before the next meeting.
Jason’s priorities list:
–Book Bash — remember it is not a separate entity, but CHC’s foundation and the means to raise money for scholarships and internships.
–Lisagor — volunteers are needed for this competition which has higher name recognition than CHC itself.
— Ethics in Journalism — we want to do a lot more, for one thing generating an ethics dialogue. Also, look for candidates for the ethics awards.
— High schools — we need a replacement for Art Menke, who moved to Kansas City.
— Think of ways to reward our members. Perhaps a field trip to Springfield and the Lincoln Museum? Ideas don’t have to be big or ambitious. Participation by 15-20 is fine.
Aug. 17 minutes: approved.
Burger Nites — Jason would like a commitment from a core group to be there before we resume meeting at Billy Goat’s first Fridays of each month. Perhaps something similar can be tried near the Daily Herald and Southtown. Jason will consult Karen Cullotta.
Next meeting: Oct. 11.
Adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan S. Stevens
Secretary