B O A R D M I N U T E S
Chicago Headline Club
Board of Directors Meeting
June 15, 2004
President Ben Bradley called the meeting to order.
Present: Ben, Michelle Stevens, Jason Jedlinski, Anupy Singla, Deborah Cohen, Paula Brien, John Camden, Casey Bukro, Andy Dunning, Howard Dubin, Rob Olmstead, Kristen McQueary, Diane Carbonara, Bob Roberts, Barbara Iverson and Susan S. Stevens.
Ben welcomed new board members and thanked old ones for their faithful service.
He has finished the annual report and said we accomplished a lot this year.
Discussion of Chicago Journalist on-line and occasional print newsletter. Howard said the SPJ Press Notes, which is e-mailed, is a great thing and we should have something similar. He urged everyone to get on the national list.
Treasurer’s report: Howard said on May 28, we had $105,000 in our accounts and the Headline Club Foundation had $17,000. The fiscal year ends June 30. He’s still waiting for Lisagor checks from Acteva.
Ethics: Casey reported nice feedback from the media on the Ethics in Journalism Awards. The Gary Gilson event drew only 38 people. He gave us some real good pointers. See headlineclub.org for more. The SDX Foundation awarded a $23,000 grant to AdviceLine, and new ways to improve it will be sought with some of the money. It has received more than 300 calls since its inception.
FOI: At the board’s request, Bob will draft a letter joining the opposition to a bill seeking a 60-day limit for journalists to legally challenge rejection of FOI requests. There should not be a limit. Bob also will write a letter opposing a bill that would allow free air time for “public interest,” for political candidates.
Ben said Wally Wakefield’s lawyer sent thanks for our donation to defray the daily fines he faces.
Programs: Ben will choose a date for a member night. He also suggests a County Jail field trip.
Anupy said the Asian American Journalists Association seeks co-hosts for a proposed U.S. Senate candidate debate. Board passed a motion in support. She also said everyone was welcome at an AAJA meeting Tuesday at Crain’s.
Ben asked everyone for ideas about programs for the Brownlee Series in October. He also noted the PRNewswire series is ongoing.
Ben also asked each board member to come up with a program idea for Andy. E-mail Andy, cc Ben. Andy said he hopes to schedule at least one suburban program.
Students: Paula said she had a bunch of applications for internships and scholarships. She asked for judges. Several responded.
Slate: Board voted for Meg Tebo of American Bar Association as vice president. Phil Kadner of the Daily Southtown and Phil Potempa of The Times were voted back on board. Lawrence Holmes has declined to be a director.
Ben will schedule a membership meeting for the election of the full slate of officers and directors.
Ben encouraged members to attend the national convention in New York.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan S. Stevens
Secretary