May 6, 2019
SPJ/LA Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, May 6, 2019
7 p.m.
Louise’s Trattoria
10645 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Present: Penny Arevalo, Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins, Joel Bellman, Stephanie Bluestein, SarahFavot, Richard Hendrickson, Elizabeth Marcellino, Kathryn Mora, Navid Nonahal, AliceWalton, Roberta Wax, Nathan Solis and David Zahniser
Bluestein called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.
I. Approval of minutes from April 1 meeting
II. Presidents’ report – Bluestein
On April 29, Bluestein, Bellman, Windsor plus two board members from the Press Photographers Association met with Michael DeDora, Washington advocacy manager at the Committee to Protect Journalistsw ho leads CPJ's efforts to advance press freedom around the world with the U.S.government and other policymakers in Washington, D.C. De Dora was in town for an event and reached out to introduce himself to us. In another matter, Bluestein updated the board that AB700 was pulled from consideration for this legislative assembly session. Bellman notified the board of AB992 which would allow open meetings to be conducted through social media platforms by KevinMullen from San Mateo. In addition, the chapter has joined an amicus brief in support of the Palisades News in a defamation lawsuit. The brief was filed by theReporters Committee For Freedom of the Press on behalf of the newspaper and two of its editors, who have been sued by cannabis entrepreneur StephanieSmith for alleged defamation. An email vote was conducted on April 16 by th eboard, which unanimously agreed to sign on. Bluestein reported the SPJexecutive director has resigned. The D.C. chapter drafted a letter calling out the national office about how the news was announced and reached out to different chapter presidents about their concerns. Nine boards and 13 individuals, including Bluestein, signed on. Bellman says there will be an interim person, but it’s not clear who will be in that position.
III. Treasurer’s report
a. Marcellino said all the activity this month was related to the banquet. Except for reimbursement for Bluestein’s travel to the regional conference and thePenAmerica event food
b. Nonahal reported that the chapter received a bill from the IRS for approximately $2,000 for tax year 2015. Our CPA called the IRS on our behalf and asked for the penalty to be waived. The invoice has been forwarded to the chapter’s CPA office, who is looking into it. Motion to receive report - Favot moved. Nonahal seconded. Approved.
IV. Standing/Ad Hoc Committees
a. Awards
No report
b. Banquet – Walton
No report
c. Courts
Marcellino reported the L.A. Superior Courts has a new communications person, Ann Donlan, in who has a background in journalism.
d. Diversity
Solis reported a panel has been finalized for the May 18 racism panel at the SAG/AFTRA headquarters.
e. Ethics – Bellman updated the board that UCLA complied with a records request for a visit by Steve Mnuchin. It’s the same six emails other organizations, that also made a CPRA request, received from the same week in February 2018. It appears UCLA had a misunderstanding with the DOJ about posting video from that meeting. UCLA relented. Bellman said we now have some type of closure and he will write up a summary on the SPJ/LA website and link to previous posts. The response took 14 months.
f. FOI – Zahniser
No report
g. Generation J – Blaize-Hopkins
No report
h. Membership – Nonahal said membership is down to 101 for the national roster. She followed up in emails to those who lapsed and is willing to set up for a recruitment drive aiming for December. Nonahal encouraged everyone to recruit three members. It was suggested that the lapsed list should be circulated so those members can be nudged, but some board members said they would feel uncomfortable nudging friends and colleagues.
i. Nominations
No report
j. Scholarship
Saxton discussed the new Hendrickson memorial scholarship, in honor of our chapter’s late treasurer. It is designated specifically for a text/print journalist, per his widow, Carol, who requested the amount be$2,000. Based on the donations that have already been received for this new scholarship, we should be able to give a scholarship in his name for the next10 years. Discussion then ensued about increasing the amount of our existing four scholarships from $1,000 each to $1,500 each. Bluestein said if the board commits to bring in $2,000 more for the banquet ads or something in that area we would have the scholarships rise in costs covered. Walton added that profits generated from the banquet depends on who are the honorees and income from the banquet is inconsistent and would take a commitment from board. A news release will go out soon and it will be emailed to colleges, high schools with j-programs in L.A., Orange and Ventura counties. The deadline is June 15 and the winners will be decided at the July board meeting. Carol, Richard’s widow, wants to be part of the notification process for the Hendrickson scholarship.Motion to raise the scholarships offered from $1,000 to $1,500 for the four scholarships. Marcellino moved. Blaize-Hopkins seconded. Motion approved.Motion to set The Richard D. Hendrickson Memorial Scholarship at $2,000.Nonahal moved. Zahniser seconded. Motion approved.
V. Old business
a. Debriefing on Pen America training session – Blaize-Hopkins said thePenAmerica event was successful. Approximately 60 people attended and all the journalists responded well to the reception.
b. Debriefing on the KCRW tour on April 26– Blaize-Hopkins said 11 students toured the studio and sat in on a new show taping and they met with the on-air talent.
c. California Public Records Act Request of UCLA – Bellman already covered in president’s report.d. Journalism Leadership Dinner update – Bluestein and Favot met for a dinner on April 11 with leaders of the local journalism organizations. About 20 people were in attendance, representing about 12 local journalism groups.The purpose of the dinner was to begin to form a stronger connection and bond with the other groups.
VI. New Business
a . Richard Hendrickson Memorial Scholarship – approved under Scholarships
b. Annual summer Mega Mixer tentatively set for July 10. Saxton will organize.c. Search for new board meeting location – Bellman, Wax and Bluestein will scout of new locations.
VII. Adjournment at 8:58 p.m. Marcellino moved. Favot seconded. Approved.