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MINUTES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
JULY 29, 2008
VIA CONFERENCE CALL

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
With President Clint Brewer presiding, the meeting of the board of directors of the Society of Professional Journalists was called to order at 2:02 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, via a telephonic conference call.

ROLL CALL
In addition to Brewer, the following board members were present: President-Elect Dave Aeikens; Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Smith; Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs Neil Ralston; Immediate Past President Christine Tatum; Director at Large Bill McCloskey; Campus Chapter Advisers at Large Sue Kopen Katcef and Mead Loop; Student Representatives Melissa Patterson and Taylor Rausch; and Regional Directors Carolyn James, Ann Augherton, Darcie Lunsford, Jeremy Steele, Liz Hansen, Gordon Govier, Ron Sylvester, Travis Poling, Deb Hurley, Scott Maben, Sonya Smith and Sonny Albarado.

Staff members present included Executive Director Terry Harper; Associate Executive Director Chris Vachon; Editor Joe Skeel; Programs Coordinator Heather Porter; and Controller Jake Koenig

PURPOSE OF MEETING
Brewer explained that the primary purpose of the meeting was to review and approve the Society’s operating budget for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2009. He noted that the board’s action today would include a three percent salary increase for the executive director. Brewer explained that the team evaluating the executive director in May did not think it prudent to recommend a compensation increase at that time in the absence of a budget.

Harper provided an overview of the budget, noting that, on a cash basis, a surplus of $2,255.79 was projected. Projected revenue in FY2009 is $1.68 million vs. $1.84 million in the prior year. Less revenue in the form of contributions and grants, as well as lowered advertising sales expectations were the primary reasons for reduced revenue in the coming year. A slight increase in membership was projected based on current trends.

Projected expenses in FY2009 are $1.74 million compared to $1.83 million in the prior year.

Harper noted that SPJ is once again increasing its emphasis and focus on training and professional development. New programs and staff have been added to bolster current offerings.

BUDGET AND SALARY INCREASE APPROVED
Upon proper motion and second by McCloskey and Kevin Smith, respectively, the board approved as presented the Society’s operating budget for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2009, including a three percent salary increase for the executive director.

The budget is attached to these minutes as Exhibit A. Complete details are available upon request from the executive director.

NEW BUSINESS: 401(K) PLAN
Upon proper motion and second by McCloskey and Ralston, respectively, the board unanimously directed Harper to explore the impact of increasing SPJ’s employer match. Currently, the Society matches 100 percent of employee contributions up to a maximum of six percent of the employee’s salary.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the board, Brewer declared the meeting adjourned at 2:26 p.m. on Tuesday July 29, 2008.