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MINUTES
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 20, 2009
VIA CONFERENCE CALL

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
With President Dave Aeikens presiding, the meeting of the executive committee of the Society of Professional Journalists was called to order at 10:06 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2009, via a telephone conference call.

ROLL CALL
In addition to President Aeikens, the following were present for all or a portion of the meeting: President-Elect Kevin Smith; Secretary-Treasurer Hagit Limor; Vice President, Campus Chapter Affairs Neil Ralston; Immediate Past President Clint Brewer; Region 3 Director Darcie Lunsford; Director-at-Large Bill McCloskey; and Associate Executive Directors Chris Vachon and Joe Skeel. Director-at-Large Michael Koretzky was also present.

2010 CONVENTION
President Aeikens updated the group on the status of conducting a joint conference with RTNDA. RTNDA has decided it is not ready to move forward with 2010 but is willing to discuss 2011. The board will receive a recommendation on a location for the 2010 conference at its April meeting.

HELIUM
The committee discussed the possibility of a partnership with Helium. Helium.com is a writing community and an online publisher. The partnership would promote SPJ to the Helium community and provide benefits to SPJ members.

Upon proper motion and second by Limor and McCloskey, respectively, the executive committee authorized the staff to negotiate a partnership with Helium.

AUSTIN PRO CHAPTER
The defunct Austin Pro Chapter, which has $7,000 in its bank account, contacted headquarters and requested that the money be turned over to the Society since the chapter is no longer operational.

Upon proper motion and second by Ralston and Limor, respectively, the executive committee voted to place the Austin Pro Chapter’s $7,000 into the Society’s general operating fund as allowed by the organization’s by-laws.

CENTENNIAL BOOK
President Aeikens provided an overview of the centennial book development to date. Due to money and time constraints the committee felt the project would be difficult to complete on time.

Upon proper motion and second by Smith and Lunsford, respectively, the executive committee voted to stop the book project and come up with an alternative plan.

President Aeikens provided an idea, in place of the book, to the committee so that important historical data will be documented and preserved.

Upon proper motion and second by Smith and Limor, respectively, the executive committee voted to develop a print and online product that will continue to trace the 100-year history of SPJ. It shall update all the officers, vice presidents, regional directors, executive directors, board members, Quill editors, Wells Key winners, fellows, award winners (chapter and individual), national convention sites with key speakers and votes, historic sites in journalism and committee chairs. The lists should be accessible in some way for the attendees at the 2009 national convention.

NEW BUSINESS
Neil Ralston informed the group about a Kentucky student press bill and asked if SPJ could be listed as a supporter. President Aeikens agreed to list the organization as a supporter of the bill.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the committee, Aeikens declared the meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.