At the San Mateo Daily News

Board Members Present: Micki Carter, John Kane, Dave Price
Also Present: PPC Executive Director Darryl Compton, Member Peter Cleveland
Absent: Aimee Lewis, Jon Mays, Ed Remitz, Jack Russell, Bill Workman.

President Carter called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m.

Compton presented the Treasurer’s report, but no action was taken due to the lack of a quorum

Except for some noise and food-serving problems resulting from the long line at the bar (because there was only one bartender), the review of the Annual Awards competition was mostly favorable. Carter pointed out that the Awards program was over by 9:35 p.m. Despite the slow service and noise form a fifth-grade graduation next door, the Board expressed hope that these problems can be addressed and next year’s event can again be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Foster City. Darryl will work with Aimee Lewis to see if we can be reimbursed for the five meals that were never served.

Several ideas were advanced for improving the program. Compton suggested that awards be announced by category, rather than by division. That way, the entire room will be continuously involved in the awards. Carter, the MC, also suggested that past years’ monologue script be abandoned in favor of a looser, screen-oriented format.

It was also advanced that it should not be necessary to remove bylines from entries, as our remote judges don’t know local entries.

Referring to the report on entries prepared by Compton, Price praised the board for a “great achievement” by attracting a greater number of entries in each of the past few years. Compton reported that a new source for plaques reduced the cost of plaques from about $4,000 in the past to about $1,500 this year, a great savings for the PPC.

Carter reported that, at the awards dinner, three members expressed interest in joining the PPC board. They are long-time radio industry executive Cleveland, a former PPC president; Jamie Cassini of the Examiner; and Jay Thorwaldson of the Palo Alto Weekly. The board will consider new board members at its next meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the San Mateo Daily News. There will be no board meeting in July.

Tentative date for the annual PPC picnic was set for Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Belmont home of Micki Carter and Mike Venturino.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.