CHICAGO HEADLINE CLUB
Board of Directors meeting
Corrected minutes
Fri. Dec. 1, 2017
President Ben Meyerson called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Also present: Stan Zoller, Rob Elder, Patrick Boylan, Jason Martin, Dann Gire, Flynn McRoberts, Suzanne McBride, Susan S. Stevens, and by phone Britt Julious, Kristen Schorch, Alejandra Cancino, Mike Ewing, Richelle Rogers and Brandis Friedman.
Minutes of the November meeting were approved as submitted.
President’s report: Ben said November was a busy month, with a lot done. He encouraged all to further publicize and attend “Obit.”
Programs: Alejandra plans a pro development session in mid- or late-January on interviewing skills and job-hunting. It will be aimed toward DNAinfo and Chicagoist former employees. Sheila Solomon will be a panelist.
FOI: Stan said Kimbriell Kelly of the Washington Post, a former Chicagoan, will be the keynote speaker at FOIAFest Feb. 24.
He detailed scholastic press rights in the Evanston High School case, where officials say emails can be withheld. A complaint might be filed with the Illinois attorney general, or a lawsuit filed.
Lisagor: Ben said the entry form is in the mail. Notify him if you see it. All the categories are online. Login via headlineclub.org to be sure everything is OK. The contest is now open, with a hard launch to come.
We need to screen entries to be certain no “advocacy” groups are entered.
Watchdog: Board approved at Alejandra’s request a $2,500 grant from the Driehaus fund for a Chicago State University investigation. The money will be used for finishing costs, such as equipment rental. No other applications are pending. She will be promoting Watchdog Award entries.
Website: Mike added Google Analytics to start tracking.
Scholarship-Internships: Dann has already received three inquiries about the Brownlee Scholarship.
Treasurer: Patrick said the 990 tax form has been reviewed by Howard Dubin and two other officers, and has been mailed.
We spent $5,387 last month. The treasury contains $85,778. He emailed us a full statement.
CHC Foundation: Stan said we will soon start promoting the scholarship, using Twitter and Facebook for the first time.
Journalism Education Foundation: Stan said it will be here Nov. 1-4 next year. He’d like $5,000 for stipends for teacher-advisers. Also needs speakers (Dann has already stepped forward.) More later.
Bowling League: Ben said there are 16 media teams, mostly younger journalists. Stop by Fireside Bowl in Logan Square at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
Regional conference: Here April 6-7. Friday afternoon at Northwestern’s downtown campus, Saturday at DePaul University. Ben said Sheila Solomon will be the lead coordinator. Rob, Mike, Britt, Evan Moore and Susan will help.
Discussion of sexual harassment program. Will be discussed further by email. Adjournment at 10:20 a.m. Next meeting: Fri. Jan. 5
Respectfully submitted,
Susan S. Stevens, secretary