CHC-minutes62610
Chicago Headline Club board of directors meeting
June 26, 2010
Manny’s Cafeteria and Deli, 1141 S. Jefferson St., Chicago
Start time 9:22 a.m.
In attendance: Susan S. Stevens, Alden Loury, Ken Davis, Kathy Catrambone, George Garties, Howard Dubin, Jon Seidel, Steve Franklin, Suzanne McBride, Aimee DeBat, Hilary Fosdal, Steve Fosdal, Kristen Schorsch, Tony Noce, Randi Belisomo, Brian Pitts, Brandon Copple, Abdon Pallasch, Adrienne Samuels Gibbs
The club unanimously approved giving $5,000 to the Ethics AdviceLine.
Web update per Hilary: Our site crashed after recent hacking. The new Web site went live on June 23 with most of the basic functions of the previous site, including the JobFile and the calendar. We will be able to send e-blasts once again and post news and announcements. The digital media committee will lead further site development. The Club lost $400 to AxisHost because our balance was non-refundable. Our new service provider is BlueHost, which will cost $85 for a year. We need to hire someone to filter our content database and to try to salvage the content from our former site.
The club deferred voting on the May meeting minutes.
The club has about $13,000 remaining from the Driehaus Foundation to support watchdog journalism. Then board approved giving a $3,000 watchdog grant to Steve Rhodes of the Beachwood Reporter for an investigation involving Chicago police. Suzanne McBride abstained from voting.
The club is on track to receive $40,000 for the McCormick Foundation survey about public information access. Beth Konrad has volunteered to oversee the project.
Suzanne McBride reported that a $2,500 national SPJ grant she and Steve Franklin were awarded for the Club will be used for programs this year in Albany Park and Austin to talk to the public about how media covers those communities. The money is expected to pay for rental costs, speaker fees and technical assistance, if needed. Howard Dubin will look into a possible third program on the South Side.
Sue Stevens reported that Chicago police are trying to get an ordinance proposed at City Council about police credentials for the press.
Sue also reported that public employee reviews could become exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.
Steve Franklin updated the Club about various musicians who are expected to play at the July 1 fundraiser at the Heartland Café in Rogers Park for out-of-work journalists. Tickets will cost $10 at the door, $5 for students. The money likely will be distributed in small amounts, such as for a class or equipment. Franklin said this fundraiser also has been done in Detroit and New Orleans.
Board meetings will continue to take place this coming year at 9 a.m. the second Friday of every month. Club members are invited to attend.
Kathy Catrambone provided an update on Lisagor costs. The club made at least $2,500 more than last year, and two news stations still owe us money. Entries were up 12 percent compared to last year.
Meeting concluded at 10:30 a.m.
— Kristen Schorsch