Minutes of NINA Board of Directors Meeting
Members present (13): Colin O'Donnell (president), Greg Rivara (1st VP), Roger Ruthhart, Sharon Boehlefeld, Pam Lannom, Jim Killam (communications coordinator), Lois Self (executive secretary), Pete Nenni, John Etheredge, Rick Nagel, Penny Wiegert, Wally Haas, Lonny Cain.
Members absent (4): Joe Corrado (past president), Jim Slonoff (treasurer), Jay Dickerson, Randy Swikle.
Guest present: Steve Ralston, chair, NIU department of communication
O'Donnell called the meeting to order at 10 a.m.
Minutes of the March 24 board meeting were approved. (the June 23 meeting did not have a quorum).
Treasurer's report:
No report (Slonoff absent).
Executive secretary's report:
Contest entries this year totaled 821. Totals for the past even years are:
2006: 821
2005: 904
2004: 951
2003: 883
2002: 845
2001: 784
2000: 754
Self said the winners certificates are being redesigned this year.
Also, NIU if offering 4 continuing professional development units (CPDUs)
for the Sept. 29 high school advisers workshops.
Steve Ralston added that journalism faculty member Bill Cassidy has joined
NIU this fall semester, and another faculty search is ongoing.
President's Report
O'Donnell read a letter of resignation from board member and second vice
president Rich Rostron. Rich has accepted a new job outside of journalism.
The board accepted the resignation with regret.
That leaves four vacancies on the board. Several names of potential new
members were suggested, and O'Donnell encouraged anyone with nominations
to contact him.
Program Committee Report:
Rivara gave details of the Oct. 27 Fall Convention program. The topic is
"Making our Communities Better Places to Live: A How-To Guide to partner
with community groups to improve our neighborhoods."
The program will consist of 4 parts:
o Newspaper representatives talking about how their effort was identified
and accomplished, including strategies for success and tips to overcome
challenges.
o Community group representatives talking about their experiences, including
how partnering with the newspaper exceeded their expectations and how it
could be made better.
o A speaker to talk about a newspaper's responsibility to the community
to undertake in-depth, investigative and project reporting and how such
initiatives can be accomplished.
o The same speaker to offer brief inspirational remarks at the luncheon.
Plans will be finalized and speakers scheduled in the next week.
Discussion also occurred about the NINA contest's public service category, and whether it should be redefined and/or renamed. The Resource Committee will propose new language and potential other changes by the end of this year.
Education Committee Report:
Etheredge asked Killam to add a question to next year's high-school scholarship
entry form: "How did you find out about us?" He would like to
track responses.
Membership Committee Report:
No report.
Resource Committee / Communication Coordinator Report:
Killam said the fall newsletter needs to be finished in the next week to
10 days.
Also, the Sept. 29 high school advisers workshops are planned for two sites:
The Daily Herald and the Rockford Register Star. Killam asked board members
to alert the high school journalism teachers in their areas.
Old Business
None.
New Business
None.
Next board meeting: Thursday evening, Oct. 26, 2006, in Sycamore for dinner.
Meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Minutes submitted by Jim Killam, communications
coordinator, 9-11-06.
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