Attending

Jennifer Peebles

Frank Gibson

Kent Flanagan

Bill Lewis

Sharon Fitzgerald (via speakerphone)

Amy Smith

Sandy Dickerson

Absent

Milt Capps

Gary Cunningham

Pat Embry

Gene Policinski

Joe Morris

Larry Burriss

Amber McDowell

OTHER BOARD MEETINGS

Minutes of the Sept. 17, 2003 chapter board meeting

Held at 12 noon in The Tennessean's Board Room.

Jennifer Peebles called the meeting to order.

Minutes were approved of May 7, 2003 board minutes—move by Sharon Fitzgerald to approve; Kent Flanagan seconded.

Minutes of August 13 board meeting were approved—move by Frank Gibson to approve; Kent Flanagan seconded.

Peebles thanked Sandy Dickerson for press release on SPJ officer announcement.

Amy Smith provided handouts of the chapter’s financial report. The balance is currently $34,800.31 in the Gridiron checking account. The balance in the chapter’s account is $2,505.91.

Peebles noted that she provided a National Convention Report by email to the board.

Peebles said that no one has come forward as yet regarding the theft of MTSU’s student newspapers. Frank Gibson said that the national office of SPJ has sent a letter to MTSU’s president as follow-up to a letter that Peebles had sent earlier.

Gibson asked Sharon Fitzgerald if there is any SPJ activity on the MTSU campus. Sharon said she will follow-up and provide a later report on activity. Gibson also suggested that she check with Jenny Crouch.

Fitzgerald reported that board member Larry Burriss is recuperating from surgery.

Peebles said a committee is needed for organization of the SPJ Regional 2004 Conference, which will be held in April or May. Clint Brewer had reported that approx. 120 attended the one in Little Rock. Those agreeing to serve on committee: Kent Flanagan, Sandy Dickerson, Sharon Fitzgerald, and Amy Smith. Amy Smith will talk to hotels to book space for the Regional, which will possibly be held on a Friday and all day Saturday.

Peebles suggested that IRE do a watchdog workshop at the Regional. Gibson suggested that Peebles check with SPJ National on this matter—perhaps they can contribute $5,000 from a $50,000 fund they have for putting on such programs.

Peebles named a committee for the Drue Smith Scholarship Award. Bill Lewis will chair. Sandy Dickerson will serve. Kent Flanagan will guide the committee through next year.

Flanagan will also obtain confirmation information regarding the re-enrollment of current scholarship winner: Tara Grant at MTSU. Peebles suggested that Tara be a guest at an upcoming meeting; Fitzgerald volunteered to bring her.

Discussion of which charitable organization should oversee the Drue Smith scholarship funds is tabled until information is obtained from the National Community Foundation on its numbers from the past five years. Flanagan moved to table; Lewis seconded. Both Gibson and Peebles will try to obtain the needed financial information.

Update on the Duffers’ Golf Tournament. Peebles said she wants to appoint a committee to work with Duren Cheek for future tournaments. Gibson mentioned that Frank Sutherland is the main person behind the tournament. Fitzgerald and Smith volunteered to work with Cheek. Peebles will chair. Sutherland will be on this standing committee. Voting can be by email, conference call or “smoke signal.” Gibson suggested that committee work outside board meetings and also that perhaps a social be attached to include more people.

No update on programs was given—Milt Capps was absent.

Peebles said that the quality of programs regularly increases membership, according to facts presented at the National Convention. She also noted that she recently sent out a mass mailing of letters to recruit membership.

Gibson mentioned that the chapter still needs to do a program on ethics. Gibson will query Mike Cutler, Dave Green and Fred Brown (recently retired from Denver Post) about participating on such a program.

Fitzgerald asked if she should do a newsletter without an already scheduled meeting. Gibson suggested waiting a few days until a program is scheduled. Flanagan suggested having a hyperlink for the newsletter to the chapter website.

Peebles gave an update on the membership drive and said the Chapter just received $60 for dues. Amy Smith emphasized that all money for dues (local and national) should go to the national office. The membership form can be printed out online. The national office can also accept payment by credit card.

Peebles announced the newest board member is Joe Morris of the Nashville Business Journal.

Peebles also announced that the National Chapter has recently published a new brochure, and said she will get copies for the local chapter.

Gibson presented a report on TCOG. He said the 501-C3 application went out in the mail August 18, and that a response should be forthcoming in mid-December. They are currently trying to set up an October meeting. Flanagan chairs the committee on public records compliance audit. On the day of this board meeting, Flanagan is emailing a pre-audit information request with six questions—obtaining names of local contacts at local media for FOI issues. Citizens will be involved as well as journalists. He hopes to get pre-audit information for building database in two weeks. All 95 counties are being surveyed. Dorothy Bowles is co-chairing committee. Gibson said volunteers will be needed to pull information from some counties and suggested that students might be helpful in this regard.

Peebles gave an update on potential board members. Sandy Campbell of GCA Publishing has agreed to serve. Gibson officially nominated Campbell; Flanagan seconded. His seat will expire in 2005. Call for discussion. No opposition.

Fitzgerald asked Brian Courtney, formerly of Nashville Post, to join. He’s now with Caterpillar Financial.

Gibson asked if any decision has been made on FOI donation. Total check to local chapter in neighborhood of $4,800. He suggested offering $500 to East Tennessee Chapter as seed money; their board voted to contribute their portion to TCOG. Call for discussion. Lewis so moved that the money be donated to TCOG. Sandy Dickerson seconded. Gibson and Flanagan abstained.

Peebles reported that two donations were made to the Legal Defense Fund ($25—for bag & T-Shirt) to donate to auction. Peebles is working on getting a printing plate donation of The Tennessean’s front page story on Johnny Cash’s death.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15 at 12 noon at The Tennessean.

Flanagan distributed copies of the Memphis Commercial Appeal op-ed piece by Tony Harris, saying the Patriot Act does not violate Bill of Rights.

The meeting was adjourned.