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MINUTES
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
DECEMBER 22, 2011
CONFERENCE CALL

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
With President John Ensslin presiding, the meeting of the board of directors of the Society of Professional Journalists was called to order at 2:05 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, via conference call.

In addition to Ensslin, the following were present: President-Elect Sonny Albarado; Secretary-Treasurer David Cuillier; Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs Neil Ralston; Director at-Large Bill McCloskey; Director at-Large Lauren Bartlett, Campus Advisers at-Large Kym Fox and George Daniels; Student Representatives Taylor Mirfendereski and Gideon Grudo; Regional Directors Luther Turmelle, Michael Koretzky, Brian Eckert, James Pilcher, Liz Hansen, Amanda Theisen and Don Meyers. Staff members present for the meeting were Executive Director Joe Skeel, Associate Executive Director Chris Vachon and Director of Events Heather Porter.

CONVENTION 2013 LOCATION
President Ensslin welcomed board members to the call and turned the floor over to Vachon.

Vachon shared that SPJ used an outside firm to help solicit proposals from hotels around the United States. The Society’s top considerations when choosing a property are: meeting space, room rate and dates.

The three options presented by staff to the board for consideration were:
— Anaheim, Calif. — Marriott (Aug. 25-27)
— Anaheim, Calif. — Disneyland Hotel (Sept. 8-10)
— Minneapolis — Hilton (Sept. 23-25)

Ensslin offered each board member an opportunity to share his/her top choice and the rationale behind that choice.

Upon proper motion and second by McCloskey and Albarado, respectively, the board voted that Excellence in Journalism 2013 be held at the Anaheim Marriott. Turmelle and Daniels voted against the motion due to the date.

FEBRUARY VIRTUAL MEETING
Ensslin said he plans to conduct a virtual board meeting, tentatively set for Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. EST. The purpose is to test a virtual option for future meetings. The topic has yet to be decided.

ADJOURNMENT
Upon proper motion and second by Bartlett and Pilcher, respectively, the board adjourned at 2:56 p.m. EST on Dec. 22, 2011.