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MINUTES
MEETING OF THE OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
BY TELECONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2005

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

With President Irwin Gratz presiding, a conference call of the Society of Professional Journalists Executive Committee was called to order at 2 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005.

ROLL CALL

In addition to Gratz, the following were in attendance: President-elect David Carlson; Secretary/Treasurer Christine Tatum; Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs Jim Highland; Immediate Past President Mac McKerral; Director At Large Jim Parker; and Region 3 Director Holly Fisher. Executive Director Terry Harper, Deputy Executive Director Julie Grimes, Director of Programs Chris Vachon, and Sigma Delta Chi Foundation Vic President Betsy Ashton also were in attendance.

STAFF ORGANIZATION

Upon a proper motion and second by Highland and McKerral, the Executive Committee approved the staff realignments as outlined by Harper.

The following staffing changes were made:

• Deputy Executive Director position was eliminated
• Director of Programs position title was changed to Associate Executive Director of SPJ
• Development Director position title was changed to Associated Executive Director of the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation

REPORTER'S PRIVILEGE RESOLUTION

The committee discussed a resolution to be presented to convention delegates concerning a federal shield law and the issue of reporter's privilege. The resolution was referred to the Resolutions Committee for preparation prior to the Oct. 16 convention. The resolution should be distributed to delegates prior to the convention.

KOREAN DELEGATION DONATION

Gratz reported that the delegation of visiting journalists from Korea had made a donation to SPJ to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. Harper will research appropriate distribution of the funds.

THE JOURNALIST

Upon a proper motion and second by Parker and Carlson, the Executive Committee voted to proceed with a 2006 publication of The Journalist.

The vote was a roll call vote with the following votes noted: McKerral, no; Carlson, yes; Highland, no; Parker, yes; Tatum, yes; Fisher, no; Gratz, yes.

ADJOURNMENT

President Gratz thanked all attendees for their time and participation. The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m. ET.