Official Minutes (approved 7-0 in Denver, April 17, 2015)

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES Nov. 7, 2014, Washington, D.C.

The Journalism Education Association general membership meeting was held at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, in Maryland A at the Marriott Wardman Park.

I. President Mark Newton called the meeting to order.

II. Roll call — Connie Fulkerson

(board members)
Mark Newton, president; Sarah Nichols, vice president; Candace Perkins Bowen, past president; Stan Zoller, director-at-large; Carrie Faust, director-at-large; Megan Fromm, educational initiatives director; John Bowen, scholastic press rights director.

(staff)
Kelly Furnas, executive director; Connie Fulkerson, secretary/administrative assistant

III. Approval of minutes — Mark Newton

Motion: Carrie Faust. Second: Megan Fromm

IV. Reports
A. Summary of board action — Connie Fulkerson
B. Conventions — Kelly Furnas
Furnas reported this was the second largest JEA/NSPA convention of all time. Upcoming conventions: Denver (April 2015) and just approved Chicago (Nov. 1-4, 2018)
C. Financial reports
Furnas reported the net assets stand at $1.4 million, and for the first time the investments have reached $1 million.
D. Items of concern, attention, update — officers, directors, chairs
• Linda Barrington said there are six new mentors and 85 mentees. Several new mentees have already been found at this convention. She said with the Yellow Chair funding, long-distance mentoring can be arranged now.
• Evelyn Lauer encouraged people to write about “what you do when you’re not teaching.”
• Carrie Faust said she will chair a committee exploring outreach to principals.
• Stan Zoller gave an overview of the new diversity committee he will chair.
• Kim Green said 26 people will be taking certification tests at this convention.
• Jonathan Rogers said his committee is working to make inroads with professional organizations.
• Sarah Nichols said the curriculum leaders are constantly updating the curriculum initiative site and would appreciated any input from members. She said she would like to see the online chats improve and would like people to share what works.
• Joe Humphrey gave a shout out to Vicki Brennan for going into Florida schools to share curriculum
• Peggy Gregory said the curriculum was helpful for mentoring. The mentees love it.
• John Bowen reminded members of the Dec. 15 deadline for the First Amendment Press Freedom Award.
Fulkerson said Dec. 15 also is the deadline for Diversity Award, Rising Star Award and Teacher Inspiration Award, as well as the Denver program proposals.
• Mark Newton mentioned the motion the board passed on the JEA/NSPA joint-operating-agreement and explained the details. One major change is that JEA will retain 60 percent of the shared revenue from the fall conventions, with 40 percent going to NSPA, with this exception: Net revenue from sponsorships, exhibits and advertising from the fall conventions remains at a 50-50 split. The NSPA board of directors also must approve this agreement, which would go into effect beginning in fall 2018.

V. New business
A. Matters introduced by members

Tracy Sena was concerned there weren’t enough details in the statistics released at the last JEA election and that several candidates received less than a majority to win. In the event no candidate surpassed 50 percent of the vote, a runoff should be held.
• Elections: Moved: Tracy Sena. Seconded: Linda Barrington.
Move to look at the current voting procedure so it is fair, open and transparent. All board members shall receive a majority of the vote. (passed)

• JEA Advisers Institute location. It will be in Las Vegas in 2015, but Furnas is looking at other locations. Advantage to Las Vegas is it’s economical for housing and airfare. Disadvantage: Some school administrators won’t approve teacher travel to Las Vegas.

• Material about covering elections would be helpful. Fromm said she is working with other organizations to get a crossover into other areas of the curriculum.

• Recognized local convention committee in Washington, D.C.
Moved: Linda Barrington, Seconded: Multiple seconds.
Move to commend the Washington, D.C., convention’s local committee on hosting an outstanding convention. (passed)

• Denver convention committee representatives invited members to Denver, where the theme will be “Stories Elevated.”

• Newton mentioned looking at the spring convention model with convention co-sponsor NSPA. As of 2019, what will the changes be? Will they be sustainable?

• Joe Humphrey invited members to Orlando next fall for “Media Magic.”

• Newton said he was appreciative to everyone who helps with this organization. He listed five ongoing projects for JEA: higher education research, partnerships with other professional organizations, examining the spring convention model, continuing support for the First Amendment and administrative outreach.

VI. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn: Carrie Faust. Second: Kim Green. Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m.

The next meeting of the general membership will be April 17, 2015, at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.