Minutes from the Dec. 10 board meeting

SPJ Pro Board Meeting, Dec. 10. 2009

Outgoing president Jenn Rowell called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, at Mellow Mushroom in Prattville. Members present were: Dennis Pillion, David Joyner, Jill Nolin, Meredith Cummings, George Daniels, and Jenn Rowell. Not present were: Abigail Morrow and Matt Stanley.

The Board elected officers by unanimous vote:

Dennis Pillion, President
David Joyner, President-Elect
Jill Nolin, Treasurer
Meredith Cummings, Secretary

Rowell said she would send information to the board about accessing the SPJ Pro Web site, as well as other social media information.

Rowell asked for the board to submit names for a student representative to serve on the board.

Rowell talked about upcoming programming and took ideas for programs. Some of the programming money is from a grant for chapter programming given by the national SPJ Board.

The Regional Conference will be held March 19-20 in Orlando, Fla., hosted by the University of Central Florida.

Rowell passed out information about the SPJ Green Eyeshade Awards. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 19, 2010.

Rowell reminded the board that Steve York, president of the Louisville (Kentucky) Pro Chapter, is looking for competition judges.

Rowell discussed the new 2010 initiative for recruiting and membership and encouraged board members to help sign up new members.

The board discussed a possible FOI traveling information session to talk to reporters around the state about freedom of information and first amendment issues.

Rowell reminded the board that the Regional Conference would most likely be held in Alabama in March of 2011, so planning a site for the Convention should be a priority.

The first week in June is the Scripps Leadership Institute. President Dennis Pillion will attend.

The Board scheduled a conference call meeting for January 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Meredith Cummings, Secretary, on Dec. 14, 2009