Attending:

Kent Flanagan

Frank Gibson

Milt Capps

Bill Lewis

Jennifer Peebles

Pat Embry

Bill Lewis

Amy Smith

Absent: Sandy Dickerson, Sharon Fitzgerald, Gary Cunningham, Clint Brewer

OTHER BOARD MEETINGS

Minutes of the May 3, 2001 board meeting

Held at 11:30 a.m. at the offices of The Tennessean, 1100 Broadway.

Kent Flanagan opened meeting.

Flanagan presented an update on the Regional Writers/Editors Workshops in New Orleans he attended last month. He gave a brief report on the speakers and a short discussion followed regarding inviting someone of this type to Nashville for a professional development session.

Minutes of February 15, 2001 meeting were presented and approved.

Milt Capps suggested including action items on the minutes. Flanagan stated that board approval was not necessary; so action items will be included in the board meeting minutes.

Amy Smith presented the financial reports for the two checking accounts -- year 2000 and year 2001 year-to-date. Capps made a motion to approve and Bill Lewis seconded the motion.

Frank Gibson opened a discussion about the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation capital fundraising campaign in Indianapolis. He asked if the chapter could make a donation to the campaign. A motion was made by Pat Embry and seconded by Bill Lewis to make a $1,000 donation from the Middle Tennessee Chapter.

The upcoming Duffers Golf Tournament was discussed. Gibson will get the date from Duren Cheek and ask him to write a blurb for the newsletter and website.

Flanagan mentioned that the deadline for the next issue of the newsletter is Monday, May 7, at 5 p.m.

A motion was made by Capps and seconded by Jennifer Peebles to commend David Eason for the April 9 meeting. A reception and death penalty panel discussion was held at MTSU in Murfreesboro.It was well received by all in attendance.

The breakfast meeting with Governor Sundquist was a success and discussion was made to continue that format on a yearly basis with the governor. It was mentioned that in situations such as this with the governor that questions be given to the moderator prior to an open question and answer period. Flanagan will take that initiative in future sessions.

Capps reported on programs planning. He has contacted Ava Filson regarding having the Mayor for a luncheon meeting on the day prior to the State of Metro Address on May 24. Gibson will follow up to get this accomplished.

A discussion ensued regarding hosting a writing workshop in reference to a professional development session. Flanagan suggested someone like Bruce De Silva, who is the Director of AP News Features, and in charge of the national writing corps.

Possibilities include a half-day session with lunch and evening program, and having it on a Friday/Saturday. Embry suggested including high school and college people. He suggested having it as a complement to the book weekend in October.

Capps believes it should be self-contained and not affiliated with the book weekend. Gibson suggested expanding this and see what we all can do. He stated this could be used as a member recruitment tool. Capps suggested the last weekend in September -- he will check out the dates. Flanagan will investigate further and assign a committee to head this up.

National convention will be held in Seattle October 4-6. Gibson plans to attend.

Gridiron discussion: Capps proposed having a special tribute to Drue Smith in place of a regular Gridiron show. Gibson seconded. A discussion of dates was held, with November 6 being tentative. Embry stated he has old footage from previous shows in his attic and that footage could be edited to be included in the tribute. Capps stated that if we discontinue Gridiron that we make a final 'swan song" and do a Gridiron finale show in 2002.

Capps proposed having a program this year focusing on public education and reporting education. Perhaps team up with the League of Women Voters. Capps will rough out his ideas and get back to us in a couple of weeks. This proposal was met with much enthusiasm.

Smith handed out copies of our current membership list. The list from National had 55 members. The list from Sharon Fitzgerald had approximately 150 past and present members. She suggested we follow up with all individuals on both lists to encourage them to renew their memberships and bring them up to date on current events with our chapter. Flanagan will draft a letter to be sent to all people on both lists. He also suggested we do a canvas as a follow-up to the letter.

Jennifer Peebles said that approximately 250 people had visited our website during the first two months of this year.

Next scheduled meeting is tentatively set for May 24.

Flanagan entertained a motion to adjourn, which was made, seconded and passed.

Posted July 4, 2001