March 4, 2019
SPJ/LA Board of Directors
Monday, March 4, 2019
Louise’s Trattoria
10645 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Present: Penny Arevalo, Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins, Stephanie Bluestein, Jason Lewis,Kathryn Mora, Frank Mottek, Lori Streifler, Alice Walton,David Zahniser, JoelBellman, Elizabeth Marcellino, Richard Saxton, Tom Bray, Lori Streifler, NatalieWindsor, Navid Nonahal, Sarah Favot
Meeting called to order at 7:12 p.m.
I. Approval of minutes.
II. President’s report – Bluestein is making progress on reaching out to other journalism organizations. Has been in contact with the NABJ for an event in late March.
III. Treasurer’s report – Marcellino
Blaize-Hopkins moved to receive the treasurer's report. Saxton seconded. Approved.
IV. Standing/Ad Hoc Committees
a. Awards – Streifler and Wick
b. Banquet – Walton
Banquet- Wednesday March 20th at the Omni Hotel in downtown. Tom putting together the program. Walton encouraged board members to sell program ads. She will circulate ad rates.
c. Courts - Marcellino
d. Diversity – Lewis- Nathan Solis is leading the way on a panel discussion about how newsrooms should cover Donald Trump’s presidency. JuliaWick has also been involved in planning. The NABJ has agreed to partner for this discussion. Date and location is still being worked out.
e. Ethics - Bellman
f. FOI – Zahniser
Still working with the San Diego Chapter on the statement on SB 615 regarding the police record. San Diego Chapter still hasn’t done it. Their board meeting is March 5. It looks like it’s going to go forward.
g. Generation J – Blaize-Hopkins - KCRW newsroom tour on Friday April26, 11 a.m. Meet and greet with journalist. April 17 SMC’s Bundy campus, co-sponsoring with ONA-LA. Discussion about online bullying.
h. Membership – Nonahal
i. Nominations – Bray
j. Scholarships – Saxton
Release goes out in May, deadline is in June. Bluestein proposes that we do a reception.
V. Old Business
a. Possible response from chapter regarding UCLA’s continued delay of our CPRA requests. Motion by Bellman that we write a letter to UC board of Regents. Second by Nonahal. Approved.
b. Update on proposed scholarship funding from non-profit organization.We’re a 501c6, not a 501c3. They’re a 501c3. According to a tax attorney, we can accept a grant, but it will not be tax deductible. So there will be tax implications. Bluestein does not want us to pay the expenses. She will speak to a non-profit attorney.
VI. New Business-Approval of travel expenses for chapter president to attend SPJ region 11 conference March 29-31. $65 for the admission, airfare is $373.96. Bluestein has offered to pay half of the flight. Golden Nugget is $268.94.$520.92 total. Bellman moved to approve the expenses., seconded by Favot. Motion passes.
VII. Adjournment at 8:12 p.m. in memory of Jeanne Lisker Bellman, DavidHorowitz, Irwin Tallerico.Zahniser moved to adjourn. Favot seconded. Approved.
Next meeting: Monday, April 1 at Louise’s Trattoria