Minutes of NINA Board Meeting
Oct. 26, 2000
Sophie's restaurant, Sycamore

Attending: Owen Phelps, Lois Self, Jan Larsen, Jim Slonoff, Pam Lannon, Rich Nagel, Roger Ruthhart, Lonny Cain, Kim Kubiak, Nick Pullia, Jim Killam, John Etheredge.
Meeting called to order at 6:55 p.m. Cain moved to accept minutes and Kubiak seconded; unanimous.
Education: Etheredge reports that the Best of Press is done for college student newspapers. Fewer entries tis year. May want to piggyback contest with IPA or other college contest next year?
Membership: Southtown has joined, Larsen reports. For new board members, we're looking at contacting Colin O'Donnell at Arlington Heights DH, Phil Angelo at Kankakee Daily Journal.
Program: Cain said we will have 92 for lunch. Two winners are coming from the clips contest he threw together. (How many entries?) Entries were top knotch, he said. It was difficult to judge. Writing was excellent. NINA lost $145 and NIU lost $145 on it, but it was worth it. Speakers will be at no cost at tomorrow's fall conference. There is a halfway decent turnout, considering low number of entries.
Owens: Suggests we turn more to individual writing contests as there are fewer and fewer newspaper chains. Maybe have distinct categories like best of IHSA playoffs coverage. Perhaps awards could be sponsored by other groups than us.
Treasurer's report: "We're fine," said Slonoff, but could not provide an ending balance at this time. There is a couple of thousand in treasury at year's end, membership dues did come in pretty strongly this year. He will give a complete expenses vs. revenue at December board meeting. Nagel moved and Ruthart seconded to accept treasurer's report. (An additional note: apparently Richard Christianson's limo to 1999 fall conference was paid twice, by NINA and by NIU.)
Bylaws: Nagel reported that some changes have been made. One change is some chairs of specific committees, ie vice president will be in charge of membership, not second vp. There will be some cleanup and bylaws will be voted on Friday at beginning of lunch. Ruthhart moved to accept bylaw changes and Larsen seconded. Passed unanimously.
New business: Cain talked about the annual "The Mentor" award. Ruthhart moved to establish a specific committee chaired by Lonny Cain. Nagel seconded. Passed unanimously. Self asked if we should announce this program tomorrow and the answer was yes.
New business: Larsen was given Rhino award from Pullia. Cain gave gifts from board to Nagel, outgoing prez.. Baert and Pullia bid tearful farewells.
Next meeting is Dec. 1, 9 am. For executive committee, 10 a.m. for full board. Slate of new board members and officers will be discussed then.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Larsen, outgoing secretary