Web Produced by: Brian Duerring

Members present: Hagit Limor, Aiesha Little, Monica Dias, Tony
Mastrioni, Alex Coolidge, Josh Rinaldi, Taelonnda Sewell, Emil Dansker,
Scott Aiken

1) Meeting called to order at 11:46 a.m.

2) Approval of February minutes. Tony moves, Josh seconds.

3) Old business
I. Bylaws discussion - Monica
Hagit: Monica has been working very hard.
Monica: Old bylaws were really confusing. You read them and you couldn't
even tell how many board members we were supposed to have. The board
discussed bylaw changes, which will be looked at and discussed more in
Apri at which time the board will vote to support or oppose changes
before an email vote of our membership approves/disapproves them. Items
brought up during bylaw discussion:
-Hagit: lets add language to say voting may take place electronically
-The Bylaws will not define counties.
-look at article 3 section 5. Quorum will be discussed more in April.

II. Directors' Insurance discussion - Monica
-Tabled because we're still gathering information.

III. Clergy Board - Emil
Emil talked with a rabbi and a representative of the Muslim community
about the clergy board. He thinks we don't necessarily have to have a
board. Perhaps, the focus should be a program that would bring together
representatives of the various religious communities. Still in progress.

IV. Student Contest committee - Jon
- Jon has put together a lot of information, but we are running out of
time. Suggested deadline is April 15. A later deadline would cramp for
time. Do we want to wait until next year?
- Hagit said it seems like there are a lot of questions still up in the
air.
- Monica said that waiting could make it seem like the board was sitting
on money.
- The best solution may be to call for entries in fall, deadline in
january, award in spring, honor at banquet in fall. Board chooses to
follow this plan.

V. Banquet - Amanda
- No banquet report aside from choosing between two dates.
- Josh moves to book Sept. 12, Alex seconds passes.

4) New Business
I. Treasurer's Report - Alex
- $4,641 in primary account. Recent transcations include checks for
reimbursements to Tony for February program, web services to Brian, and
conference reimbursements to Hagit.
- Closed out state contest account. They will send us $1,000 for
scholarship account.
-For the first time we'll file taxes this year. Alex will inquire with
Columbus and Cleveland as to who will claim the contest account.

II. Secretary's Report - Josh
- Taelonnda is taking over duties as editor of the E-Newsletter. Her
first one will be out in April.

III. President's Report - Hagit
a) We now have 105 members.
b) We will get a form out now regarding the Hall of Fame. Scott will
shepherd it along. Criteria: someone who has contributed significantly
to journalism in this region.
c) Convention recap. It was really great. Basically it was about where
all of our jobs are going and how much everyone is doing on the internet
and that's part of our job now.
d) Programming
-Discussion of future programming and programming chair.
-Hagit moves to install Aiesha as co-chair. Tony seconds. Passes.
Upcoming events:
Wednesday, March 26 6 PM - "Law and Media Day" - Cincinnati Bar
Association, 225 E. Sixth Street: panel including attorneys and judges
will tackle current media issues and decisions. RSVP to
jkborths@cincybar.org
Monday, April 7 - "War on News" - Miami University - Ken Paulson of USA
Today and other national notables from publications such as The New York
Times and Washington Post discuss the challenges facing journalism as an
independent Fourth Estate. This is a forum no journalist should miss; it
was a huge hit at the National SPJ Convention. SPJ Contact: - Patricia
Gallagher Newberry newberpg@muohio.edu

- Josh said he often gets comments from his coworkers who would like
events further north.
-June 20 or 21 board members will have dinner with the National Board.
- Josh suggests a sports reporting program in the fall, which is a big
time for sports with football, basketball, etc.
e) Contest is posted on Web site. April 15 is the deadline. Hagit thinks
it will be smaller this year. Banquet, not contest, will be the big
fundraiser.
f) Wrapping up Knoxville judging.
g) Vote to approve state contest expenditures. Tony moves. Alex seconds.
The event made about $16,000. Will take some amount to seed next year's
contest and split the remainder among the chapters.

III. Indianapolis said they sent three boxes of contest entries to
Felix's business address but haven't gottent hem back. We knew nothing
of this so assume the new Cincinnati Press Club is judging it. Monica
said we need to send them an email and let them know.

Meeting adjourned at 1:12 p.m.