November 5, 2018

SPJ/LA Board of Directors Meeting MinutesMonday, Nov. 5, 20187 p.m.Louise’s Trattoria10645 W. Pico Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90064Present: David Zahniser, Stephanie Bluestein, Sarah Favot, Roberta Wax, Frank Mottek, Alice Walton, Julia Wick, Lori Streifler, Kathryn Mora, Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins, Richard SaxtonBluestein called the meeting to order at 7:16 pm.I. Approval of minutes from Oct. 1 meeting. Zahniser moved to approve minutes. Favot seconded. Bluestein, Walton, Streifler, Blaize-Hopkins abstained from the approval of minutes because they were not present. All others voted in favor.II. President’s report –Bluestein said that she wrote a letter on behalf of the local chapter addressed to the task force that is considering changes in sponsorship. This task force is supposed to bring something to the national SPJ board by December 1. A dinner will be held on Thursday 11/8 at Taix with Carol Hendrickson, the widow of Dick Hendrickson, our board member and treasurer who died in July. There were some issues with the delivery of checks from the 2017 scholarships. The group is tentatively planning on January 26, 2019 for next year’s retreat.III. Treasurer’s report – Marcellino reported on the bank balance as of Nov. 1. We are using our PayPal account and bank account to accept donations for the Hendrickson scholarship. There are about $300 in fees through the PayPal donations. Zahniser made a motion to cover the PayPal fees. Walton moved to second. All voted in favor. Marcellino also circulated an amended Oct. 1 report because of a check that came through the day before the Oct. meeting and was therefore not included in the report. Marcellino also detailed some things about the Morgan Stanley account. Zahniser made a motion to approve the document requested by Marcellino in order to have two people have access to the Morgan Stanley account. Wick seconded. Marcellino abstained. All others voted in favor. Saxton moved to receive the treasurer’s report, Favot seconded. All voted in favor.IV. Standing/Ad Hoc Committeesa. Awards –Streifler said that the committee will be meeting on November 16 to come up with a slate to vote on.b. Banquet – Walton had no update.c. Courts – Marcellino provided an update about the OC courts transparency issue.d. Diversity – Lopez was not present.e. Ethics – Bellman not present.f. FOI – Zahniser had no update.g. Generation J – Blaize-Hopkins is planning a social media mobile journalism panel in the spring.h. Membership – Marcellino showed a sample mug and the group felt that it did, in fact, meet the requirements of a theoretical SPJ/LA mug. Marcellino is happy to store the mugs at her house.i. Nominations – Bray was not present. He asked Bluestein to share that he is gathering candidates for the board and asked the board to share information on anyone he or she thinks is a good candidate. The election will be in December sometime.j. Scholarships – Saxton had nothing to report.V. Old Businessa. 180/360 VR workshop on Oct. 30 – Blaize-Hopkins said that the workshop was very interesting. There were about 15 people there.b. Gender Gap Panel on Nov. 13 – LopezVI. New Businessa. Dick Hendrickson Memorial Scholarship Fund – Bluestein and Saxtonb. Board election in December – Brayc. Holiday Party– Mottek said that the holiday party will be on Wednesday, December 5. Xian, the Chinese place in Beverly Hills that was previously under consideration, will not be big enough. The party will therefore be held at El Floridita, “ a nice little Cuban restaurant in a strip plaza.” There is parking there. Armando Jr., who runs the restaurant, is a great guy and Mottek has known Armando Jr. since Armando Jr.’s father, Armando Sr., ran the place. Journalist Jennifer York can do music for the party. Mottek made a motion to hire Jennifer York for the holiday party for $300. Mora seconded. All voted in favor.d. Favot plans for a PIO panel on January 22 at the Association. Elena Stern from LA Public Works and Nicole Nishida from the Sheriff’s Department are confirmed.VII. AdjournmentMarcellino moved to adjourn at 9:04 pm. Wax seconded, all others voted in favor.Next meeting: 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 at Louise’s Trattoria