Nov. 28, 2009 — Board room, San Mateo Daily Journal. The meeting was called to order at 7:23 p.m.

Present: Jon Mays, Micki Carter, Marshall Wilson, Melissa McRobbie, Jamie Casini, Darryl Compton. Absent: Dave Price, Jack Russell, Peter Cleaveland and Ed Remitz. Guest: Antonia Ehlers

Minutes of October were approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report: Darryl reported that the club’s taxes have been filed and we paid $480 to have them prepared. Micki suggested that it’s time to take the savings out of United American Bank since they are paying very little. She and Darryl will go together since she’s on the signature card. Darryl also noted that the Examiner still hasn’t paid for the June banquet and he still hasn’t gotten information from our 2009 scholarship winners on where to send their checks. The report was approved.

New Director: Antonia Ehlers, communications manager for Serra High School, was introduced. Antonia is interested in becoming a board member. The board agreed to place both Antonia and Kristy Blackburn, advisor for the Gunn High School Oracle, on the December ballot. There are two open slots since Jack Russell has agreed to accept Director Emeritus status. We will make that change official at the Annual Meeting.

Town Hall Meeting: Nothing to report.

Professional Development Workshop: Marshall reported that 21 people, mostly working journalists, attended the seminar on city and school district budgets on Nov. 9. It was well-received by all. Darryl has a DVD on the session available to any member who might want one. The board agreed to do another one in the spring, perhaps on math for journalists or public records searches. It was suggested that we get Jim Wagstaffe to do a roundtable on media law as well.

High School Project:Jon suggested that we consider a date in the spring for inviting high school newspaper staffs to gather for critiques. Micki noted that she visited Sequoia High School earlier on that day to critique their paper and offer suggestions on newswriting and design. The group will discuss the best format for those critiques at a future meeting.

Jon also said that he had met with Scott Lawrence of the San Mateo Unified High School District who said he is interested in formulating a journalism program for the entire district. He said he is gathering the advisors from all the schools to form a curriculum council. Jon told them that the Press Club is eager to provide any support they might need. Lawrence said that the council should have something to report in the spring.

Holiday Party and Annual Meeting: The event will take place from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the home of Micki Carter and Mike Venturino, 2303 Wooster Ave., Belmont. E-mail Micki to RSVP.

Dick Fogel Memorial: Melissa and Darryl reported on the memorial for Fogel, the founder of Bay City News. Melissa will send Micki information for the newsletter.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. in memory of George Golding, a co-founder of the Press Club who died Nov. 14. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday Nov. 21 at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Burlingame.

Respectfully submitted,
Micki Carter
Secretary