1497
MINUTES – ASNE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS – APRIL 2 and 6, 2001 JW Marriott Hotel, Washington
The ASNE board, staff and legal counsel met preceding the 2001 convention in Washington. During the day, the following were present.
Board members attending:
Richard A. Oppel, editor, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, President Tim J. McGuire, editor, Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Vice President Diane H. McFarlin, publisher, Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune, Secretary – Convention Program , co-chair Peter K. Bhatia, executive editor, The Oregonian, Portland, Treasurer – Ethics and Values Gilbert Bailon, executive editor, The Dallas Morning News Jennie Buckner, editor, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer – Leadership Kenneth F. Bunting, executive editor, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Susan C. Deans, assistant managing editor/Sunday, Denver Rocky Mountain News Frank M. Denton, editor, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison Karla Garrett Harshaw, editor, Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun Pamela J. Johnson, executive editor, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Edward W. Jones, editor, The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va. Wanda S. Lloyd, executive director, The Freedom Forum Institute for Newsroom Diversity, Nashville, Tenn. Gregory L. Moore, managing editor, The Boston Globe – Membership Rick Rodriguez, executive editor, The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee – International Paul C. Tash, editor and president, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times David A. Zeeck, executive editor, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.
Committee chairs attending:
Scott B. Anderson, Director of Shared Programming, Tribune Interactive, Chicago – Interactive Media Susan Bischoff, deputy managing editor, Houston Chronicle – Education for Journalism Joe Distelheim, editor, The Huntsville (Ala.) Times – Small Newspapers Anders Gyllenhaal, executive editor, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C. – Freedom of Information Charlotte H. Hall, managing editor, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. – Diversity Carole Leigh Hutton, managing editor, Detroit Free Press – Design and Presentation Earl R. Maucker, editor, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale – Convention Program , co-chair Christopher Peck, editor, The Spokesman Review, Spokane, Wash. – The American Editor, co-chair Rena M. Pederson, editorial page editor, The Dallas Morning News – The American Editor, co-chair Cynthia A. Tucker, editorial page editor, The Atlanta Constitution – ASNE Awards
Incoming committee chairs attending:
Joann Byrd, editor, editorial page, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Byron E. Calame, deputy managing editor, The Wall Street Journal, New York Will F. Corbin, editor, Daily Press, Newport News, Va. Carolina Garcia, managing editor, San Antonio Express-News Deborah Howell, editor, Newhouse News Service, Washington
1498
Pamela K. Luecke, editor, Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader Tony W. Pederson, executive editor, Houston Chronicle Gil Thelen, executive editor, The Tampa (Fla.) Tribune N. Don Wycliff, editorial page editor, Chicago Tribune
Others attending:
Andrew E. Barnes, chairman and CEO, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, NAA Chairman J. Scott Bosley, ASNE executive director LaBarbara Bowman, ASNE diversity director Kevin M. Goldberg, Cohn and Marks, ASNE legal counsel Diana Mitsu Klos, ASNE senior project director Richard M. Schmidt Jr., Cohn and Marks, ASNE legal counsel Edward L. Seaton, editor-in-chief, The Manhattan (Kan.) Mercury, ASNEF President John F. Sturm, president and CEO, Newspaper Association of America, Vienna, Va. Kevin Wilcox, ASNE communications director Cristal Williams, ASNE project director
Not attending:
N. Christian Anderson III, publisher and chief executive officer, The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, Calif., ex-officio Richard Aregood, editorial page editor, The Star-Ledger, Newark, N.J. Debra Flemming, editor, The Free Press, Mankato, Minn. Hunter T. George, executive editor, The Birmingham (Ala.) News Thomas H. Greer, senior vice president, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland – Nominations Robert G. McGruder, executive editor, Detroit Free Press – Readership Jane E. Sutter, executive editor, Star-Gazette, Elmira, N.Y. – Marketing and Circulation Janet S. Weaver, executive editor, Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune – Partnerships and Diversification
President Oppel convened board members, staff and legal counsel in executive session at Noon.
In his report, Mr. Oppel thanked everyone for their hard work this year. Mr. Oppel stated that the newsroom employment census numbers would be released on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. He spoke briefly about the Readership Initiative and the extensive work that has been put into this project by all. He also directed those in attendance to the reports that were produced by the 2000-01 committees for release at the convention.
Mr. Bosley stated that this year’s committees produced considerable good works including the Leadership Conference, the Readership Initiative, the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center project, and the Credibility Handbook.
Mr. Seaton reported that the ASNE Foundation currently has assets totaling $1.6 million. He noted that the larger grants that the Foundation receives to operate projects are not included in this total. Mr. Seaton noted that there is $100,000 set aside to fund committee work and projects in 2001-02.
Mr. Seaton said that a proposal to explore the viability of an endowment campaign would go before the ASNE Foundation Board of Directors at their meeting on Tuesday.
Mr. Seaton noted that the Foundation received 123 individual contributions and that all of the board members and Foundation board members had contributed this year.
1499
Vice president McGuire announced he had established a new committee for his year as President. It will be Creating Newspapers’ Future in Tough Times and will be headed by Peter Bhatia. Mr. McGuire also announced his recommendation for beginning an ASNE award for editorial leadership. He noted that for the time being there will be no monetary award given with the hopes that it may be funded in the future.
Mr. McGuire announced a decision of the executive committee that David Laventhol would continue to be a member of the ASNE Awards Board as long as he chose to do so, instead of serving a standard three-year term and being re-elected every third year.
Reporting as Secretary, Ms. McFarlin noted that ASNE membership is suffering this year due to the economic downturn of the industry.
Ms. McFarlin said there were 35 applicants for membership. The Membership Review Committee recommended acceptance of 33 of those who were clearly eligible. The two questionable applicants were Victoria Graham, managing editor, Women’s Enews, and Cratis Hippocrates, group editorial learning and development manager, John Fairfax Holdings, Australia. Ms. McFarlin said the Membership Review Committee did not feel that Ms. Graham was eligible according to the membership guidelines. The board rejected the Graham application. Hippocrates’ application involved two concerns: the organization’s location outside the Americas and whether he qualified as a directing editor. After some discussion, the application was tabled until the next board meeting and the Membership Review Committee was asked to obtain additional information.
Ms. McFarlin asked for permission from the board to allow Pam Johnson and Wanda Lloyd, both of whom have moved out of newsroom roles into journalism allied positions, to remain on the ASNE board until the completion of their terms. The board approved this motion.
The following secretary’s report was approved.
Since the board met in September, there have been three deaths and 32 resignations and ineligibilities. Ten members have requested transfer to the retired rolls. Four members paid 2000 dues after the September meeting and have been reinstated. Thirty-three applicants were elected; seven are former members. Membership is now 850; 650 active, 17 distinguished service, and 183 retired. This compares to 914 at the same time last year.
Reinstatements (four, 2000 dues received after being dropped on fall report) John Costello Jr., editor, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Raul Kraiselburd, editor, El Dia, Buenos Aires, Argentina Robert Unger, executive editor, Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa. (then resigned after second 2001 dues notice sent, see below) Werner Veit, retired, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Membership applications (33) Scott Anderson, editor-in-chief, Ottawa (Ontario) Citizen Dean Baquet, managing editor, Los Angeles Times Anthony Barbieri, managing editor, The Sun, Baltimore Louis Brancaccio, editor, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash. (former member) Lorraine Branham, assistant to the publisher/assistant editorial director, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (former member) Kevin Convey, editor in chief, Community Newspaper Co., Needham, Mass. John Dye, editor, Observer-Dispatch, Utica, N.Y. Deborah Fisher, editor, Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times Henry Freeman, editor and vice president/news, The Journal News, White Plains, N.Y. (former member)
1500
Lamar Graham, managing editor, Parade Magazine, New York Terry Headlee, executive editor, The Herald-Mail, Hagerstown, Md. James Hill, managing editor, The Washington Post Writers Group (former member) Kevin Keane, editor, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Bruce Kyse, vice president news/new media, The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group, Tampa, Fla. (former member) Karen Magnuson, editor, Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle Sherrie Marshall, executive editor, The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph James McGarvey, editor, North Jersey Herald & News, West Paterson Thomas O’Hara, managing editor, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland James O’Shea, managing editor, Chicago Tribune Larry Olmstead, assistant vice president/news, Knight Ridder, San Jose, Calif. Michael Oreskes, assistant managing editor, electronic news, The New York Times, Washington Rebecca Pierce, editor, Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette Don Ray, editor, The Daily Press, Victorville, Calif. Douglas Ray, executive editor, The Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News (former member) Dana Robbins, editor-in-chief, The Hamilton (Ontario) Spectator Michael Ruby, editorial page editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Katje Sabin, associate editor, The Davis (Calif.) Enterprise Susan Scantlin, editor, Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Springdale Ernest Schreiber, editor, Lancaster (Pa.) New Era Kathy Spurlock, executive editor, The News-Star, Monroe, La. George Stanley, managing editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Calvin Stovall, managing editor, The Indianapolis Star (former member) John Walcott, news editor, Knight Ridder, Washington
Deaths (three) Katherine Fanning, retired, Boston John Paulson, retired, Fargo, N.D. James Russell Wiggins, retired, Brooklin, Maine
Resignations and ineligibilities (32): Morris Ambrose, director of editorial policy, Scripps Howard Newspapers, Washington; resigned, says he is “far removed from editing a newspaper these days” Karen Baker, senior editor, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.; dropped, left paper for position with health care company, no longer eligible Catherine Barnett, executive editor, The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, Calif.; dropped, elected to membership April 2000, dues/initiation never paid Thomas Bell, editor and publisher, The Salina (Kan.) Journal; resigned, budget considerations Margaret Bellows, editor, Herald & Review, Decatur, Ill.; dropped, elected April 2000, dues never paid, apparently no longer at paper Arthur Brisbane, president and publisher, The Kansas City Star; resigned, “. . no complaints. . . just that the Star already has two other members . . . and my focus has changed.” Jeffrey Burkhead, executive editor, The Emporia (Kan.) Gazette; resigned, now executive director of the Kansas Press Association, no longer eligible William Burleigh, chairman and CEO, The E.W. Scripps Co., Cincinnati; resigned, retired and does not want to continue Charles Dunagin, editor and publisher, Enterprise-Journal, McComb, Miss.; resigned, retired and does not want to continue John Foreman, editor, The News-Gazette, Champaign, Ill.; resigned, no reason given Gerald Garcia, left editor, The San Bernardino County (Calif.) Sun; dropped, could not get forwarding address Gloria George, executive editor, The Herald-Mail, Hagerstown, Md.; dropped, became page designer in Sarasota, no longer eligible
1501
Jorge Giannareas, managing editor, La Prensa, El Dorado, Panama; dropped, elected April 2000, 2000 dues never paid, mail is being returned, unable to contact Jonathan Glass, newspaper liaison, Palm Beach Interactive, West Palm Beach, Fla.; resigned, “…like many dot-coms the scope of our business has changed. We’re less news-oriented now so the membership seemed less essential.” C. Donald Hatfield, retired, Tucson, Ariz.; resigned, now Vice President for Corporations and Foundations for the University of Arizona Foundation, which involved marketing and public relations, “ . . . seems only logical that I relinquish my ASNE membership.” David Hoff, editor-in-chief, The Maui News, Wailuku, Hawaii; resigned, “Changes in ownership here have brought other changes as well.” Thomas Jobson, retired, St. Michael’s, Md.; resigned, says he actually resigned a year ago, apparently after one of the flag-burning emails John Johnson Sr., editor and publisher, Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times; resigned, no longer active at newspaper because of deteriorating health Kirk LaPointe, editor-in-chief and associate publisher, The Hamilton (Ontario) Spectator; dropped, left paper and no forwarding address, replacement has applied for membership Carl Leubsdorf, bureau chief, The Dallas Morning News, Washington; resigned, “I think ASNE is a wonderful organization but the issues I deal with as a Washington bureau chief are mainly quite different from most of those you deal with. The cost is high, and The Dallas Morning News is already well represented . . .” William Long, editor, Gloucester County Times, Woodbury, N.J.; resigned, paper was sold and he became vice president for news, MediaNews Group, working from Woodbury, corporate doesn’t want him to continue Robert Lott, editor, Waco (Texas) Tribune-Herald; resigned, “thought for quite a while that it might be better to not be a member at all than to be an inactive member” Terry Quinn, senior vice president, reader and product development, Thomson Newspapers, Stamford, Conn.; resigned, now doing business as a readership consultant, not old enough for retired membership, no longer eligible Linda Rawls, editor, Palm Beach (Fla.) Daily News; resigned, now columnist and reporter, The Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach, Fla., no longer eligible Irby Simpkins Jr., retired, Nashville, Tenn.; resigned, says he is no longer employed by the newspaper industry Les Simpson, assistant general manager, The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle; dropped, elected to membership April 2000 while executive editor, Athens (Ga.) Daily News and Banner-Herald, dues never paid and no response to letters Watson Sims, retired, Asheville, N.C.; resigned, “now fully retired and unlikely to be involved in current journalism matters” Steven Smith, Editor, Statesman Journal, Salem, Ore.; resigned, “My ASNE dues and travel to the convention did not survive the 2001 budgeting process.” Virgil Tipton, deputy editor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; dropped, now director of development, NewsEngin, no longer eligible Robert Unger, executive editor, Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa.; resigned, budget considerations Timothy White, publisher, San Francisco Examiner; dropped, indefinite leave of absence from paper, no forwarding address Jeffrey Zeringue, executive editor, Daily Comet, Thibodaux, La.; resigned, “got caught in a budget crunch”
Transfers to retired rolls (10): William Barnard, director of public affairs, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland Jim Gatti, editor, The Honolulu Advertiser Michael Getler, executive editor, International Herald Tribune, Paris; now self-employed, under contract as ombudsman, The Washington Post John Haile, editor, Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel Tom Koenninger, editor, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.
1502
John Lee, director of editorial development, The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group Walter Mears, vice president and columnist, Associated Press, Washington (DS member) Vikki Porter, director, Western Knight Center for Specialized Journalism, University of Southern California, from DS membership Larry Smith, managing editor, PARADE Magazine, New York Jack Tinsley, vice president/community affairs, Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram
Transfers to other papers/title changes: Gloria Brown Anderson, president/editor-in-chief, The New York Times Syndicate, to vice president, international & editorial development, The New York Times News Services Division John Arthur, managing editor, regional editions and sports, to assistant managing editor, Los Angeles Times Lawrence Beaupre, general news executive, Gannett Co., Inc., to managing editor, The Scranton (Pa.) Times and The Tribune Cecil Bentley, executive editor, The Telegraph, Macon, Ga., to executive editor, Athens (Ga.) Daily News and Banner-Herald Mary Kay Blake, vice president/partnerships and initiatives to senior vice president, The Freedom Forum (DS member) Charles Broadwell, editor to editor and publisher, The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer Philip Bronstein, executive editor, San Francisco Examiner, to executive editor, San Francisco Chronicle Thomas Callinan, editor and vice president/news, Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle, to editor, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Michael Chihak, executive editor to editor and publisher, Tucson (Ariz.) Citizen Marty Claus, vice president/news to director/newsroom recruiting and training, Knight Ridder, San Jose, Calif. Tom Conner, editor, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, to publisher, The Porterville (Calif.) Recorder John Costello Jr., editor to vice president of news, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Terry Eberle, executive editor, News-Press, Fort Myers, Fla., to editor, The Indianapolis Star Gregory Favre, vice president/news, The McClatchy Co., Sacramento, Calif., to faculty, The Poynter Institute, St. Petersburg, Fla. John Flanagan, editor and publisher to editor in chief, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, during first quarter 2001 worked for Oahu Publications which purchased paper in mid-March Timothy Franklin, executive editor, The Indianapolis Star, to editor, Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel Thomas Greer, senior editor to senior vice president, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland Barrie Hartman, editor to editor of the editorial page, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo. Jane Healy, managing editor to editorial page editor, Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel Robert Jodon, editor and publisher, The Daily Reporter, Coldwater, Mich., to editor and publisher, Ironton (Ohio) Tribune Pam Johnson, executive editor, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, to faculty, The Poynter Institute, St. Petersburg, Fla. James Kelly, managing editor to executive editor, The Honolulu Advertiser William Ketter, retired member, chairman, journalism department, Boston University, returns to active membership as vice president/community relations and assistant to the publisher, The Boston Globe Saundra Keyes, managing editor, The Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., to editor, The Honolulu Advertiser John Kirkpatrick III, editor and publisher to president, publisher and editor, The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pa. Ann Marie Lipinski, executive editor to editor, Chicago Tribune Wanda Lloyd, managing editor, features, administration and planning, The Greenville (S.C.) News, to executive director, Institute for Newsroom Diversity, The Freedom Forum, Nashville Jack Loftis, editor to associate publisher and editor, Houston Chronicle
1503
Pam Luecke, editor, Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader, leaves in May for position at Washington & Lee University (transfer to DS membership) Robert McKinney, editor-in-chief to publisher, The Santa Fe New Mexican Steven Newhouse, editor-in-chief, The Jersey Journal, Jersey City, N.J., adds title of president, advance.net, works out of New York office John Oppedahl, publisher, president and CEO, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, to publisher, chairman and CEO, San Francisco Chronicle Allen Parsons, publisher, Santa Barbara (Calif.) News-Press, to director of editorial development, The New York Times Regional Newspaper Group, Tampa, Fla., to executive editor and associate publisher, Morning Star, Wilmington, N.C. Robert Ritter, editor and vice president of news, The Journal News, White Plains, N.Y., to president and publisher, The Olympian, Olympia, Wash. George Rodrigue, executive editor, The Press-Enterprise, Riverside, Calif., to Vice President/Washington bureau, Belo Sharon Rosenhause, managing editor/news, San Francisco Examiner, to editor of PM Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, then to managing editor, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale Pamela Scott, managing editor, San Francisco Examiner, to operations director, San Francisco Chronicle Charles Scripps, chairman, executive committee to director, The E.W. Scripps Co., Cincinnati Thomas Silvestri, director of news synergy and Newsbank editor to vice president, community newspapers, Media General, Richmond, Va. Ellen Soeteber, managing editor, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, to editor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Ray Sullivan, editor, The Lima (Ohio) News, to senior publisher, Freedom Newspapers of New Mexico, Clovis Larry Tarleton, assistant publisher and chief operating officer to publisher and chief operating officer, The Post and Courier, Charleston, S.C. Howard Tyner, editor, Chicago Tribune, to vice president/editorial, Tribune Co., Chicago Vivian Waixel, editor, The Record, Hackensack, N.J., to executive editor, The Record, Hackensack, N.J., and the North Jersey Herald & News, West Paterson Julia Wallace, managing editor, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, to managing editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Warren Watson, associate director to director of extended learning, American Press Institute, Reston, Va. (DS member) Howard Weaver, editor of the editorial page, The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee, to vice president of news, The McClatchy Co., Sacramento Vickey Williams, editorial consultant to director of editorial services, Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc., Birmingham, Ala. Matthew Wilson, executive editor to executive vice president/news, San Francisco Chronicle Leo Wolinsky, executive editor to deputy managing editor, Los Angeles Times Wendy Zomparelli, general manager to president and publisher, The Roanoke (Va.) Times
Unemployed/status pending William Ahearn, left executive editor, Associated Press, New York Sue Byrne, left managing editor, React Magazine, New York, magazine closed Cole Campbell, left editor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Poynter fellow for six months beginning May 2000, not old enough for retired membership Gary Clark, left managing editor, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland Brian Cooper, executive editor, Telegraph Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, on special assignment for year Jay Harris, resigned as chairman and publisher, San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News (01 dues paid) James Jennings, left editorial director, Thomson Newspapers (01 dues paid) Diana Loevy, left editorial director, United Media, New York
1504
Maryanne McNellis, left president, national edition, Los Angeles Times Mary Jo Meisner, left editor and vice chairman, Community Newspaper Co., Needham, Mass. (01 dues paid) Eric Newton, left news historian, The Newseum, Arlington, Va. (DS member, 01 dues paid) David Offer, left Stars and Stripes, Washington Susan Patterson, left editor and publisher, The Union-Recorder, Milledgeville, Ga. Richard Petersen, left new ventures director, The San Diego Union-Tribune Dorothy Reinhold, left executive editor, San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, West Covina, Calif. William Rood, left vice president for editorial, Fox Valley Press, Inc./Copley Newspapers, Aurora, Ill. Ruby Scott, left director/diversity recruiting, Tribune Company, Chicago Michael Tonos, left executive editor, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Karen Wada, left assistant managing editor, Los Angeles Times (01 dues paid) Richard Wagner, left executive editor, The Daily Press, Victorville, Calif. Peter Young, left executive editor, Monterey County (Calif.) Herald
Mr. Bhatia gave the report of the treasurer. He said that sponsorships for this year’s convention had been determined based largely upon the sponsors continuing from the previous year.
The board adopted the following report of the treasurer, including the 2001-02 budget.
2001-02 Proposed Budget Comparison to 2000-01 actual through 2/28/01 and Projected Year-End A B C D E 2000-01 2000-01 thru Projected 1999-00 2001-02 Income BUDGET 2/28/01 2000-01 ACTUAL BUDGET
Dues 360,500 315,950 355,000 360,385 346,500 Initiation fees 18,000 7,350 10,500 18,450 10,500 Interest/dividends 25,000 14,891 22,500 23,107 22,500 Program reimbursements 288,500 186,000 336,000 243,500 307,500 Convention 497,000 136,090 400,000 458,684 484,500 American Editor 14,000 10,939 14,500 18,112 11,500 Publications 1,500 1,550 2,000 1,979 1,500 Miscellaneous 1,500 1,490 2,000 1,718 1,500
TOTAL INCOME 1,206,000 674,260 1,142,500 1,125,935 1,186,000
Expenses
Salaries 480,500 255,801 469,000 492,577 507,500 Payroll taxes 35,000 16,520 34,500 35,654 37,500 Group insurance 28,500 9,830 24,500 37,566 33,500 Pension contributions 30,500 12,886 30,000 35,049 39,000 Legal counsel 97,000 47,038 97,000 89,000 100,000 Auditing services 4,500 4,116 4,000 3,728 4,500 Convention 251,500 10,690 232,500 215,711 243,000 Board/committee meetings 12,500 6,497 9,500 13,757 10,000 American Editor 43,000 24,612 37,000 39,973 41,000 Proceedings 10,500 6,994 11,500 11,070 11,500 Editors' Exchange ------914 -- Dues/subscriptions 1,500 1,219 2,000 1,031 2,000 Rent 25,500 18,987 25,500 21,340 31,500 Office expenses 28,000 21,835 28,000 26,639 25,000
1505
Equipment/maintenance 15,000 2,175 9,500 12,137 10,000 Postage 28,000 15,187 24,500 22,376 26,000 Telephone 23,500 11,439 20,500 16,921 21,500 Travel 19,500 8,540 20,500 23,726 20,000 Insurance 7,500 4,915 7,000 7,907 7,500 Miscellaneous 14,000 11,836 19,500 17,032 15,000 TOTAL EXPENSES 1,156,000 491,117 1,106,500 1,124,108 1,186,000
Profit (loss) 50,000 183,143 36,000 1,827 --
FAF - income ------13,176 -- FAF - expenses ------11,332 --
FAF - profit (loss) ------1,844 --
* First Amendment Fund became non-existent in Jan. 2000. ASNE Foundation covered the 99-00 actual deficit. From 00-01 budget on, legal counsel expenses previously covered by FAF are included in line 14. Other FAF expenses will be assumed by ASNEF.
Mr. Bhatia noted that convention registration fees for 2002 would decrease slightly. However, to make up for lost revenue, meal tickets will be sold separately, rather than being included with the registration fee as they have been in the past.
Mr. Tash reported that the site for the 2011 convention would be San Diego. ASNE staff will make a site visit and a hotel will be recommended at the fall board meeting.
Staff and legal counsel were excused while the board met in executive session.
Mr. Oppel reconvened the board meeting with the committee chairs and staff present. He then introduced NAA President/CEO John Sturm and Chairman Andy Barnes. Mr. Sturm said that NAA has an industry development committee that has been looking into the future to determine what newspaper conditions may be. Mr. Sturm introduced Randy Bennett, who gave a brief presentation about NAA’s Horizon Watching project. The mission of the project is to understand the marketplace forces that will have an impact on the newspaper industry in the long term. The three major goals of the project are: (1) to find the major trends and themes that are shaping the media marketplace; (2) to identify early indicators that will help publishers discern how their own markets might evolve over time; and (3) to create a framework to help newspapers build a strategic planning process in their own markets.
After discussion among board members and the NAA representatives, Mr. Oppel thanked Messrs. Sturm, Barnes and Bennett.
Mr. Peck and Ms. Pederson gave The American Editor Committee report. Mr. Peck noted that they started the feature Pages Across America, which shows what newspapers are offering readers. Ms. Pederson said another addition was Dr. Ink, a column that answers questions from editors. Both co-editors thanked board members and committee chairs for their contributions to the magazine.
Ms. Bischoff reported for the Education for Journalism Committee. She said there has been enormous response to the High School Initiative, and that during the convention Knight Foundation would announce a $4.5 million grant to continue it for the next three years. Ms. Bischoff also reported that Knight Foundation committed another $1 million for a three-year extension to the Institute for Journalism Excellence.
1506
The International Committee report was presented by Mr. Rodriguez, who said that the mid- year trip to Mexico, which occurred during the elections, was very successful and included meetings with all major presidential candidates.
Reporting for the Ethics and Values Committee, Mr. Bhatia displayed “The Newspaper Credibility Handbook,” the final piece of the four-year credibility project. All of the data collected throughout the project, and links to credibility work by other organizations, will be on the ASNE website.
Ms. Buckner reported that the Leadership Committee had a very productive year that included leadership research and a conference held at Cantigny. The conference, supported by the McCormack Tribune Foundation, brought together editors, publishers and others in the newspaper industry to discuss how to improve leadership in newsrooms. The committee’s report, “A Call to Leadership,” presents the conference proceedings and research findings.
Mr. Anderson spoke on behalf of the Interactive Media Committee. He said that the committee’s goal for the year was to weave more interactive media into ASNE activities. He also noted that attempts were being made to bring more online editors into ASNE’s membership.
Mr. Oppel said that Mr. McGruder, chair of the Readership Committee, could not be present at the board meeting due to an illness. He noted all of Mr. McGruder’s hard work in shaping the Readership Initiative in its beginning stages. Mr. Denton presented “The Local News Toolkit,” a companion to “The Local News Handbook,” which was produced last year.
Mr. Gyllenhaal said the Freedom of Information Committee was in the middle of a two-year project that is examining how to shape FOI principles in the electronic era. This year, a research project, done in cooperation with The Freedom Forum, examined public and press attitudes on public records and privacy issues. Information gained in that process will help shape a strategy to guide editors in the future.
Legal Counsel Goldberg spoke about the issue of privacy and related bills that have been introduced to Congress. He said he and Mr. Schmidt would keep the ASNE membership informed regarding legislation and policies on this important issue.
Mr. Maucker and Ms. McFarlin gave the report of the Convention Program Committee. Mr. Maucker said that the program began earlier this morning with National Security Day at the Pentagon and CIA buildings. He noted that seven heads of state were invited to this year’s convention. President Bush was the only one to accept the invitation. Mr. Maucker and Ms. McFarlin expressed their gratitude to both the convention program committee and other committee chairs for all their hard work on this year’s program.
Mr. Moore gave the report of the Membership Committee. He said that the current economy and budget cuts have taken a toll on the ASNE membership which was 850 at this time, compared to 914 at the time of last year’s convention. Mr. Moore also thanked Chris Schmitt and Hunter George for all of their hard work throughout the year.
Ms. Hall, chair of the Diversity Committee, reported on the Latino Seminar and eight job fairs held earlier this year. She said that the number of minorities in newspapers has declined since last year, according to ASNE’s annual newsroom employment census. Ms. Hall recommended that the board undertake a multi-year initiative to study newsroom management and practices as they relate to retention. The first step would be to conduct quantitative research this year to establish whether or not certain actions and behaviors by top and middle managers can create a working environment more conducive to attracting and retaining minorities.
1507
Mr. McGuire made the motion that ASNE launch a multi-year initiative to study newsroom retention and management practices and how they relate to retention. The motion was seconded and passed.
Mr. Bailon gave the Partnerships and Diversification Committee report on behalf of chair Janet Weaver. He thanked Gil Thelen and The Tampa Tribune for hosting the convergence seminar last Fall.
Ms. Tucker, chair of the ASNE Awards Board, said the new photojournalism category drew 56 entries, but that number is expected to increase each year. Ms. Tucker said that the award judges were concerned that the length of some entries made them difficult to read in the allotted time. The rotating category proposed for next year will be short writing.
Mr. Distelheim said the Small Newspapers Committee cooperated with the Diversity Committee on the Latino Seminar. ASNE will work with The Freedom Forum’s Institute for Newsroom Diversity to develop a community-based pipeline for small newspapers.
Ms. Hutton spoke on behalf of the Design and Presentation Committee. She noted that the committee’s report was based mainly on tips and utilitarian items to help editors with the design of their newspapers.
In her senior project director’s report, Ms. Klos noted that the High School project has taken off and flourished due to the enthusiasm and cooperation of ASNE members. She turned the board’s attention to the segment on Wednesday devoted to the High School Initiative. She said that the segment would look at the Hazelwood ruling and would involve high school journalism students.
Ms. Bowman directed the board to a few points from the Diversity Director’s report. She said that the convention newspaper was running smoothly and off to a good start. She also noted that the dates for the upcoming minority journalists conventions were included in the board books.
Mr. Oppel noted that chairs for both the Marketing and Circulation and the Nominations Committee were unable to attend the meeting, but that committee reports were contained in the board books.
The results of the 2001 American Society of Newspaper Editors board of directors election: No. of votes Five directors were elected for three-year terms: Gregory L. Moore, The Boston Globe 151 Jennie Buckner, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer 151 Edward W. Jones, The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va. 145 Robert G. McGruder, Detroit Free Press 125 Gilbert Bailon, The Dallas Morning News 121
One director was elected for a two-year term:
Charlotte H. Hall, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. 107
Other finishers were:
Susan Bischoff, Houston Chronicle 104 Joe Distelheim, The Huntsville (Ala.) Times 104 Douglas C. Clifton, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland 93 Gil Thelen, The Tampa (Fla.) Tribune 91
1508
Rena M. Pederson, The Dallas Morning News 88 Byron E. Calame, The Wall Street Journal, New York 70
There were a total of 227 valid ballots, including 33 absentee. There were eight invalid ballots and 12 write-in votes.
Meetings April 6, 2001
The newly constituted board met briefly to elect officers for the coming year. Elected were Tim J. McGuire, editor, Star Tribune, Minneapolis, president; Diane H. McFarlin, publisher, Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune, vice president; Peter K. Bhatia, executive editor, The Oregonian, Portland, secretary; and Karla Garrett Harshaw, editor, Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun, treasurer.
Following the convention’s closing luncheon, the 2001-02 board and committee chairs assembled to review plans for the coming year.
Board members attending: Tim J. McGuire, editor, Star Tribune, Minneapolis, President Diane H. McFarlin, publisher, Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune, Vice President Peter K. Bhatia, executive editor, The Oregonian, Portland, Secretary Karla Garrett Harshaw, editor, Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun, Treasurer Richard Aregood, editorial page editor, The Star-Ledger, Newark, N.J. Gilbert Bailon, executive editor, The Dallas Morning News – Partnerships and Diversification Jennie Buckner, editor, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer Kenneth F. Bunting, executive editor, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Frank M. Denton, editor, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison Charlotte Hall, managing editor, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. Pamela J. Johnson, executive editor, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Edward W. Jones, editor, The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va. Wanda S. Lloyd, executive director, Institute for Newsroom Diversity, Nashville, Tenn. Richard A. Oppel, editor, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, ex-officio Rick Rodriguez, executive editor, The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee – Readership Issues Paul C. Tash, editor and president, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times David A. Zeeck, executive editor, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. – Convention Program
Committee chairs attending: Susan Bischoff, deputy managing editor, Houston Chronicle – Education for Journalism Joann Byrd, editor, editorial page, Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Ethics and Values Byron E. Calame, deputy managing editor, The Wall Street Journal, New York – Craft Development Will F. Corbin, editor, Daily Press, Newport News, Va. – American Editor, co-chair Debra Flemming, editor, The Free Press, Mankato, Minn. – Small Newspapers Carolina Garcia, managing editor, San Antonio Express-News – Diversity Anders Gyllenhaal, executive editor, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C. – Freedom of Information Deborah Howell, editor, Newhouse News Service, Washington – Nominations Pamela K. Luecke, editor, Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader – American Editor, co-chair Tony W. Pederson, executive editor, Houston Chronicle – International
1509
Gil Thelen, executive editor, The Tampa (Fla.) Tribune – Interactive Media N. Don Wycliff, public editor, Chicago Tribune – ASNE Awards
Others attending: Scott Bosley, ASNE executive director LaBarbara Bowman, ASNE diversity director Kevin M. Goldberg, Cohn and Marks, ASNE legal counsel Diana Mitsu Klos, ASNE senior project director Richard M. Schmidt Jr., Cohn and Marks, ASNE legal counsel Edward L. Seaton, editor-in-chief, The Manhattan (Kan.) Mercury, ASNEF President Kevin Wilcox, ASNE communication director Cristal Williams, ASNE project director
Not attending: Susan C. Deans, assistant managing editor/Sunday, Denver Rocky Mountain News Hunter T. George, executive editor, The Birmingham (Ala.) News – Membership Robert G. McGruder, executive editor, Detroit Free Press Gregory L. Moore, managing editor, The Boston Globe
President McGuire called the meeting to order at 2:50 p.m. Mr. McGuire thanked Mr. Oppel for his leadership during the past year and Ms. McFarlin and Mr. Maucker for their planning and execution of the just-completed convention. The following banking resolution was approved:
Resolved that Fidelity, Merrill Lynch, Scudder, and United Bank are hereby designated as depositories for the funds of this Society and that said banks are hereby authorized and directed to pay checks and other orders for the payment of money drawn in the name of this Society when signed by either Tim J. McGuire, president; Karla Garrett Harshaw, treasurer; or J. Scott Bosley, executive director. And that said banks shall not be required to make inquiry respecting the application of any instrument executed in virtue of this resolution or of the proceeds therefrom, nor be under any obligation to see to the application of such instrument or proceeds.
Mr. McGuire appointed Peter Bhatia, Hunter George and Ken Bunting to the Membership Review Committee. One outstanding matter was referred to the committee for review: the application of Cratis Hippocrates, group editorial learning and development manager, John Fairfax Holdings, Sydney, Australia.
The board unanimously approved the following resolution from ASNE Foundation:
Be it resolved that the Board of Directors of the American Society of Newspaper Editors gives its endorsement to the ASNE Foundation’s intent to begin the first stage of a potential endowment campaign.
The purpose of the endowment is to assure the strength and vitality of ASNE as an independent voice for journalism.
Following is a compilation of proposed committee activities for the upcoming year:
The American Editor. The magazine serves as a forum for newspaper editors to trade ideas and offer solutions to newsroom problems. Work of the ASNE committees is showcased.
Awards Board. The appointed board members select winners for the ASNE Awards and Jesse Laventhol Prizes. The contest categories for the ASNE Awards are photojournalism,
1510 commentary writing, editorial writing, nondeadline writing and a rotating category. The Laventhol Prizes honor deadline news reporting by an individual and by a team.
Convention Program. The 2002 convention will be held April 9-12 at the JW Marriott in Washington. The committee organizes a challenging, innovative, lively and meaningful conference that gives registrants their money’s worth. ASNE’s major initiatives and committee work are spotlighted; critical issues are debated; and newsmakers are invited to make their cases.
Craft Development. Goals include preparation of templates for in-house training programs that are ambitious but practical in the areas of copyediting, writing and photography. A plan for mentoring or tutoring less experienced copy editors will be developed, as well as directories for editors that show them the best outside experts, Web sites, and other training resources that are available.
Creating Newspapers’ Future in Tough Times. The committee’s focus is on how to help editors cope with current tough times and how to deal with a changed future. Ideas to be explored include tips and guidance on handling budget cuts; ways to cope with stress; and how to retain staff. With the use of the Web, this discussion will become a real-time communication among members. Diversity. ASNE’s mission is to increase the number of minority journalists working in newsrooms at daily newspapers. Since 1978, we have conducted an annual census to measure progress. After growing slowly, this year the percentage actually declined. Retention is a major problem. The committee will explore the retention issue and offer solutions, while continuing core programs to increase the pipeline of minority journalists. This includes support of the Knight High School Project and Freedom Forum’s program to place minority journalists at small newspapers.
Education for Journalism. The committee is responsible for oversight and implementation of two major projects funded by the Knight Foundation. Through partnerships between newspapers and high schools; six university-based summer programs for high school journalism advisors of at-risk school newspapers; and an interactive Web site, the High School Project’s goal is to increase the pool and quality of future newspaper journalists. The summer Institute for Journalism Excellence places college faculty at newspapers so they can share recent realistic journalism experience with their students.
Ethics and Values. Building on the just-completed Journalism Credibility Project, the committee will produce articles for The American Editor on how to utilize The Newspaper Credibility Handbook. Templates will be developed to facilitate ethical decision-making by newsroom staffers.
Freedom of Information. A summit will convene in September in Washington to find ways to strengthen FOI in the digital era. Drawing on earlier research, the committee will make recommendations on government/public records policies, newspapers and their FOI approaches, newspaper Web sites, commercial records industries and newspapers and their role as advocates for free flow of information. The FOI committee also works closely with ASNE’s legal counsel to pursue ongoing national FOI issues and keep members apprised.
Interactive Media. The committee will guide editors of small and mid-size newspapers in the process of learning about their online audience. It will help online journalists and print newsrooms figure out the best ways to work together to serve their communities.
International. The International Committee oversees the Freedom Forum International Journalism Exchange where editors from developing nations come to the U.S. for a six- week internship to learn how a free press operates. This year, the committee will also organize a trip, likely to Venezuela in late October; explore the agendas of international
1511 journalism organizations to see how we might effectively work together; identify areas of the U.S. with dramatic demographic changes and see how editors are serving these new immigrant communities.
Leadership. An ASNE prize will be established to reward outstanding leadership. The committee will also work with The Poynter Institute to develop national leadership workshops and a book will be produced that recounts great examples of leadership.
Membership. The committee will work to increase membership numbers so that ASNE remains a well-represented, effective voice in the journalism community.
Nominations. The annual committee meeting to select members to run for the board of directors will be held at The Poynter Institute in January 2002.
Partnerships and Diversification. Convergence pervades media. Through research, the committee will examine how ethics and principles transfer across media to protect the journalism of all news delivered by newspaper companies. Readership Issues. Serving as liaison to the Readership Institute, the committee will hold regional readership conferences where editors can study readership solutions and examine responses, with particular attention paid to feature writing and local content.
Small Newspapers. Addressing special needs of newspapers under 50,000 circulation, this year the committee will focus on improving content. A listserve will allow small newspaper editors to share ideas and seek advice from their colleagues. The committee also serves as liaison to The Freedom Forum project placing minority journalists at small newspapers.
Mr. McGuire indicated that the new committee on Creating Newspapers’ Future in Tough Times and others are in need of a more effective real-time Internet capability with dedicated members- only access and that a priority is developing this capacity quickly on the ASNE Web site.
Scott Bosley, executive director, reminded committee chairs to check dates for potential meetings and events with the ASNE office in order to avoid conflicts where possible. Mr. Bosley also asked committee members to share additions or deletions to their committee rosters with the office so that updated lists and the ASNE listserves for each committee could be maintained.
Don Wycliff said the Awards Board was considering a recommendation that “short writing” be the revolving category for the 2002 contest. The award would be made for the best writing under 1,000 words, excepting commentary and editorials.
Though a number favored this idea, a question was raised on whether diversity, which had been the revolving category for the past two years, should be continued. After discussion, Mr. McGuire appointed a committee of Frank Denton, Charlotte Hall, Wanda Lloyd, and Gilbert Bailon to work with Mr. Wycliff on the issue. Mr. Wycliff will then make a recommendation to Mr. McGuire for action by the executive committee in a conference call. This matter needs to be resolved by August as contest materials need to mailed out in the early Fall.
Mr. McGuire said he was pleased with the ambitious plans of the committees and excited about getting started. He reminded board members and committee chairs of plans for the mid-year board meeting in Minneapolis September 20-22.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
1512
______Diane H. McFarlin, Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune ASNE Secretary