Held at 11:30 a.m. May 21, 2003, at Amerigo restaurant in Nashville
Attending
  • Jennifer Peebles
  • Pat Embry
  • Sharon Fitzgerald
  • Larry Burriss
  • Bill Lewis
  • Milt Capps
  • Frank Gibson
  • Bill Lewis
Absent
  • Gary Cunningham
  • Sandra Dickerson
  • Kent Flanagan

OTHER BOARD MEETINGS

December 2000 meeting

Minutes of the May 21, 2003 board meeting

The meeting was held immediately prior to the regular chapter meeting at 12 noon.
Meeting was called to order by Peebles. Peebles said stated purpose of meeting was to take care of some election details and to discuss the Gridiron cabaret.
Peebles said the first order of business was to elect certain officers who, according to the chapter bylaws, are elected directly by the board of directors. She read the slate of candidates for those offices: Frank Gibson, treasurer; Sandy Dickerson, secretary; Sharon Fitzgerald, newsletter editor; Jennifer Peebles, Web editor; and Kent Flanagan, immediate past president.
Peebles opened the floor to motions. Pat Embry made a motion to elect the panel as read. Bill Lewis seconded the motion and asked for a vote. Peebles closed the floor to further nominations.
Burriss then asked, what happens to the two chapter offices for which there were not any nominations this year (vice president/FOI and vice president/membership)? Peebles said she thought that if there were no nominations by the time of the election, then the board could appoint someone to fill the seat.
Frank Gibson then volunteered to serve as VP/FOI, and his name was added to the slate of candidates to be approved later in the meeting. The other seat, for VP/membership, would have to be left vacant for now if there were no takers, Peebles said.
Peebles called for a voice vote. The five officers were approved by acclamation.
Peebles then called for a vote to approve the amended slate of candidates for the chapter-wide election later that day. She said the slate of candidates, including terms of office, had been sent around to all the board members in an e-mail several days before. They were:
  • President: Jennifer Peebles
  • President-Elect: Vacant
  • Vice President/Programs: Milt Capps
  • Vice President/FOI: Frank Gibson
  • Vice President/Membership: Vacant
  • Board members and terms of office:
  • Pat Embry, The Rage (2004)
  • Gary Cunningham, GCA News (2004)
  • Gene Policinski, First Amendment Center (2006)
  • Larry Burriss, Middle Tennessee State University (2005)
  • Bill Lewis, The Tennessean (2005)
  • Amber McDowell, the Associated Press (2006)
  • Karen Loew, Williamson A.M., The Tennessean (2004)
  • Vacancy, (2004)
  • Vacancy, (2005)
  • Vacancy, (2006)
Bill Lewis moved to approve the amended slate of candidates. Gibson seconded the motion. Peebles then asked for votes, with everyone in favor saying “aye.” The vote was unanimous in favor of the new slate.
Peebles then opened discussion on the Gridiron cabaret and Milt Capps’ resolution on it. Gibson called for a summary of Capps’ motion, which had been distributed to the board members earlier via e-mail. Capps read his resolution aloud:
The Board of Directors of the Middle Tennessee Professional Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, finds that it is in the best interest of the profession of journalism, this Chapter and the region we serve that the proud tradition and public service of the SPJ Gridiron Show be sustained. The Board does therefore resolve to undertake as a goal for calendar year 2004 to create and stage an excellent Gridiron production. Toward that end, the Board does invite and encourage current and potential Chapter members, news media throughout the region, and members of the community-at-large to support this effort, the proceeds of which are dedicated to underwriting the Chapter's award of the Drue Smith Scholarships in Journalism, in a manner consistent with the spirit and service so long associated with the beloved namesake of these awards.
Gibson moved to adopt the resolution. Lewis seconded it. Fitzgerald asked, if she voted no, would that cause problems? Peebles said no, everyone is free to vote no. Capps said everyone should be free to vote their conscience.
Fitzgerald restated her question by asking if there would still be a quorum for the meeting if she voted no. Peebles said there was definitely a quorum, and that anyone should vote no if they feel like it.
Capps called for more discussion. Lewis asked if he understood correctly that the resolution called for no Gridiron in 2003. Peebles said that was correct. Lewis said that would give the chapter a year to see if Gridiron could be pulled off. Capps said yes, that was the key, that the resolution was merely a statement of intent to put on an excellent Gridiron, and that the chapter would not be contractually bound to execute a bad one.
Embry and Gibson agreed with Capps. Lewis said he felt the resolution would be a good way to gauge support from the chapter membership, and if there were no support, then the chapter would not be required to put on a Gridiron. Capps said he would try to come up an initial assessment for support before the July board meeting.
Burriss called the question. Peebles asked that everyone in favor say yea. All said yea. There were no nays. Peebles said the resolution was adopted. Capps suggested telling the chapter membership later that day about the resolution. Peebles agreed to do so. Peebles adjourned the meeting.