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SPJ/SDX Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
April 30, 2000 - Phoenix, Ariz.

SPJ/SDX Combined Meeting Minutes
SPJ Board > Minutes Archive > SPJ/SDX April 30, 2000

April 30, 2000 - Phoenix, Ariz.

Meeting Date: April 30, 2000, 9:05 a.m.
Meeting Place: The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Phoenix, Ariz.

Roll Call:

SPJ Staff Members Present: 4

Jim Gray, Executive Director
Julie Grimes, Communications Director
Catherine Davis, Finance Director
Traci Christler, Membership & Awards Director

Others Present:

Bob Lystad, SPJ legal counsel, Baker & Hostetler

Call to Order:

SPJ President Kyle Niederpruem called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. SPJ Secretary/Treasurer Al Cross called the roll. A quorum was present with both groups.

Legal Briefing

SPJ’s legal counsel gave a briefing concerning litigation issues.

Following the discussion, the group took a break at 10:10 a.m. and reconvened at 10:20 a.m.

Funding Requests

SDX Foundation Treasurer Howard Dubin clarified that based on current earnings, there is $175,00 in the Pulliam General Fund. Of that, $115,000 is already committed, leaving $60,000 to give in new grants under the current investment policy. There are $281,000 in requests today including one grant that would be divided over three years. The committed $115,000 includes $80,000 for the development position, $15,000 for the Associated Student Press and $20,000 for hardware for Quill magazine production.

National Freedom of Information Coalition

The National Freedom of Information Coalition is seeking a $150,000 grant over three years. NFOIC will then distribute those funds to FOI Coalitions and states interested in starting groups. NFOIC typically gives grants of $5,000 to $15,000 to these groups.

NFOIC’s purposes regarding FOI magnify and further the purposes of the Society and the Foundation. Board members discussed whether it was a good idea to -- in essence -- subcontract out the work of providing grants to FOI-related causes. Niederpruem pointed out that NFOIC had an extensive system in place to reach the groups that needed these funds, and the NFOIC was not competing with SPJ but was helping SPJ.

The NFOIC grant was moved to the bottom of the agenda to be discussed after other grants were examined.

Journalism Education Association

The Journalism Education Association is seeking funding to develop a manual to help high school student media staffs cover tragedy or violence in their schools, and to create an award recognizing student media staffs who have shown superior work in times of crisis.

The board discussed the proposal and whether the idea could be better implemented as a Web-based information package.

Motion by Dave Carlson that the SPJ board not recommend funding of the proposal by the SDX Foundation. Second by Robert Leger. The motion carried with the note that approval by the SPJ board is not necessary if the SDX board chooses to fund a particular project.

SDX Foundation President Paul Steinle will contact the JEA and provide feedback from this meeting and suggest possible revisions for future funding.

International Journalism Committee Proposal

The Society’s International Journalism Committee is seeking $10,000 to publish the Journalists’ Guide to the Geneva Conventions, a handbook to help writers and editors accurately explain war crimes and how international treaties address them. Board members agreed that this was a necessary and valuable endeavor.

Motion by David Carlson that the SPJ board endorse this proposal and send it forward to the SDX board for approval of funding. Second by Oren Campbell. The motion carried.

Legal Defense Fund Request Committee Request

Jim Gray provided a summary of a request from the Society of Professional Journalists Legal Defense Fund committee. The grant request was not included in the board packet but was distributed later after the packets were printed. The proposal involves a publicity campaign for the Legal Defense Fund. The campaign will use posters tailored to broadcast, print and online media as well as student media. Total cost is $14,400.

Motion by Robert Leger that the SPJ board recommend to the SDX board the funding of this request including the increased amount ($14,400). Second by Patrick McKeand. Motion carried unanimously.

Board members pointed out that in addition to encouraging applications to the fund, the posters should also encourage contributions. Gray mentioned that was included, and anyone with content suggestions should contact Committee Chair Christine Tatum. The posters must have a distribution beyond SPJ’s chapters and members.

Student Press Law Center

The Student Press Law Center is seeking $11,000 to print the third edition of Covering Campus Crime. This is a publication SPJ has supported since its inception in 1990. SPJ will receive 500 copies of the book as part of the grant. Paul McMasters spoke on behalf of this publication saying it was essential to student media, and no organization that he works with stretches a dollar further than this organization.

Motion by Irwin Gratz that the SPJ board recommend that the SDX board approve this funding request. Second by Oren. Motion carried unanimously.

NFOIC Proposal

Motion by David Carlson that the SPJ board recommend to the SDX board the funding of this request. Second by Pat McKeand. Motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment

SDX Foundation President Paul Steinle announced that the SDX board would reconvene at 11:45 a.m. The joint meeting was adjourned.

Actions to be Taken

By Staff: None
By Board Members: None