Arizona Press Club 1999 Minutes

Arizona Press Club 1999 Minutes

July 17, 1999, La Cocina, Tucson

Sept. 11, 1999, Cafe Boa, Ahwatukee, Ariz.

July 17, 1999, La Cocina, Tucson

Board members in attendance: Bryn Bailer (Az. Daily Star), James Hibberd (New Times), Maureen OP2Connell (Tucson Monthly), Amy Silverman (New Times), Tim Konski (Az Daily Star), Mark Evans (Northwest Explorer), Sonda Andersson Pappan (New Times), Chris Fiscus (Az Republic), Mary Vandeviere (Mesa Tribune), Jill Jorden Spitz (Az Daily Star), Rick Wiley (Mesa Tribune) and Stephanie Innes (Tucson Citizen).

I. Minutes.
No new minutes to approve.

II. New Members
The board voted in the new members in attendance - James Hibberd, Tim Konski, Mark Evans, Sonda Andersson Pappan and Mary Vandeveire.

The following board members were elected in absentia:

Penny Overton - Mesa Tribune
Tammy Leitner - Mesa Tribune
Jodie Snyder - Arizona Republic
Lisa Miller- Arizona Daily Sun
Robert Stieve - Phoenix Magazine
Angela Gonzales - Phoenix Business Journal
Jon Higuera - Tucson Citizen
Dennis Joyce - Arizona Daily Star
Sarah Prall - Arizona Daily Star
Ruthann Hogue - Arizona Daily Star
Ric Volante - Arizona Daily Star
Jeremy Voas - Phoenix New Times
Patti Epler - Phoenix New Times
Russ Hemphill - Arizona Republic

III. New Officers

President: Stephanie Innes
Vice President: Amy Silverman
Treasurer: Chris Fiscus
Secretary: Mo OConnell

Meeting dates: October 9 for the Flagstaff mixer, Sept. 11 in Phoenix for our next meeting.
Chris Fiscus and Lisa Miller are in charge of the Flag mixer.

Banquet: James Hibberd

Contest Chair: Jill Jorden Spitz, co chair: Tim Konski

Photo chair: Rick Wiley, co-chair is Sarah Prall

Contest tab designer: Sonda Andersson Pappan

IV. Contest

We may need a new certificate person Amy wants a global list of all editorial email addresses so we can do mass mail-outs. Chris Fiscus will do this for the Republic, Bryn for the Star and Stephanie for the Citizen.
Rick was happy with the guy in Phoenix who did the trophies; suggested we get someone here in Tucson to do the awards certificates Fiscus said we had a problem with the checks at the last awards banquet. We voted (unanimous) to mail the checks to award winners next year: on the contest form we will have a place to fill out address where the checks should be sent
Amy suggested doing something other than just the contest, perhaps a seminar or workshop for journalists on the day of the banquet, featuring a lunch with a keynote speaker who would appeal to reporters, editors, designers, photogs etc.
Chris Fiscus suggested having two people from the board doing the seminar Mark Evans from the Northwest Explorer will handle the seminar, with help from Jon Higuera from the Citizen
James Hibberd, who is in charge of the Banquet, will keep a seminar in mind when he looks for a site. He will try to find a place with meeting rooms i.e. the San Marcos in Chandler
We dedided that last year P2s photographer and journalist of the year - Mona Reeder and Terry Greene-Sterling should speak at the seminar.
Mark Evans will give a report at our September meeting about the seminar. James will give us banquet site options in September
Rick Wiley reminded us that less hassle with the seminar and banquet will mean higher attendance
we need to do mailers to other papers, and start talking to people now about speakers and getting a keynote speaker
Amy said we don't need big names for break-out workshops, we just need a big name for the keynote, such as someone from Salon or Slate
We have to bring our ideas to the next meeting
We all liked the idea of having the team from the Rocky Mountain News who covered Columbine shooting - that would include an editor, reporters, photographers, page designers etc. as our keynote
We voted Mark Evans as chairman of the Brick Wall award

Motion to adjourn: 2:10 p.m. passed unanimously

Reminder: Tentative dates for meetings

Sept. 11, at Cafe Boa in Ahwatukee

Oct. 9-10 Flagstaff mixer and meeting

Nov. 13, important contest meeting at La Cocina in Tucson to get our judges assignments.

The banquet will be in late April or early May.

Sept. 11, 1999
Cafe Boa, Ahwatukee, Ariz.
Noon

In attendance: Amy Silverman, Sonda Andersson Pappan, Patti Epler, James Hibberd (Phoenix New Times); Sarah Prall, Jill Jorden Spitz, Bryn Bailer, Tim Konski (The Arizona Daily Star); Rick Wiley, Tammy Leitner, Penny Overton, Mary Vandeveire (Tribune Newspapers); Chris Fiscus, Jodie Snyder (Arizona Republic); Mark Evans (Northwest Explorer); Angela Gonzales (Phoenix Business Journal); Bruce Christian (Echo Magazine.) *

Absent: Stephanie Innes, Jonathan Higuera (Tucson Citizen); Maureen O'Connell, Enric Volante, RuthAnn Hogue (The Arizona Daily Star); Andy McInnis (Prescott Newspapers, Inc.); Lisa Miller (Arizona Daily Sun); Margaret Regan (Tucson Weekly); Robert Stieve (Phoenix Magazine); Jeremy Voas (Phoenix New Times); Russ Hemphill (Arizona Republic.)

I. Minutes
Minutes from the July 17 meeting were approved.

II. Membership *
The board voted in Bruce Christian (Echo Magazine) as a new member of the APC board of directors. Members were notified that Dennis Joyce (The Arizona Daily Star) will not be able to continue with the board due to other responsibilities.

III. Banquet
1. James Hibberd announced that the annual awards banquet/ journalism conference will be held April 29, 2000 at the new Phoenix Central Library. Dinner will start at 7 p.m. Caterer TBA.
2. The board discussed potential keynote speakers for the event. No decision was rendered. Mark Evans will continue researching.

III. Outreach activities
Chris Fiscus announced that the Flagstaff mixer/resume and writing critique event will be held Oct. 9 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Board members were encouraged to attend.

IV. Web site matters
1. Amy Silverman noted that the APC web site is active, but that there is not much content posted. She urged posting last year's winning photo entries, and the board suggested other uses for the site, including posting of:

upcoming contest rules,
last years' Virg Hill winner's articles,
minutes of board of directors' meetings,
job openings around the state.

2. The board voted to disallow future sale of APC members' e-mail addresses.

V. Contest changes
Contest chairwoman Jill Jorden Spitz chaired a discussion of rules updates for the 1999 APC Writing and Photography Contest. Sonda Andersson Pappan suggested the addition of a graphic detailing entry-preparation procedures for Art/Design categories. Sarah Prall suggested the same for the photography category. Both suggestions were noted.

Rule changes approved by the board are as follows:

1. On Page 1, under the Fees category: Sentence was amended to read "Unpaid entries and improperly prepared entries will be disqualified."

2. Page 1, under Fees: Contest entry fees were amended as follows:
a. For A and B categories, fee is $20 per person for first entry, $10 each additional entry.
b. For C categories, entry fee is $30 per person for first entry, and $10 for each additional entry.
c. For Virg Hill, Photographer of Year and Community Journalist of the Year: entry is $25 if submitted along with additional entries; if Virg, POY or CJY entry is the journalist's only entry, it is $45 for Virg Hill and POY, and $35 for CJY.

3. On Page 2, under Category F: Layout and Design: Sentence was edited to read: "A regularly printed newspaper supplement with a magazine format may be entered in the newspaper or magazine layout categories."

4. Page 3, Category A: The board added a new category for Business Writing. The description shall read: "A single piece and any sidebars, published on the side day dealing with business or financial issues. Judged for impact, balance, clarity and completeness."

5. Page 3, Category B: The board added a new category for Business Writing. The description will read the same as for the new category above.

6. Page 3, Category C, News: The board eliminated the Spotlight Award category.

7. Page 4, Entry C6 (Sustained/Beat Reporting): The board amended category description to read: "Up to 10 pieces, and their sidebars, demonstrating sustained coverage by a single reporter of a single subject of high public concern. Judged forNL" etc.

8. Page 4, Category C, News: The board added a new category called The John Kolbe Politics and Government Reporting Award. "A single story and any sidebars published on the same day dealing with politics, government and public affairs. Judged for balance, completeness, and the writer's ability to clearly explain the issues and impact on the community."

9. Page 4, Category C, News: The board added a new category called Team Reporting. A single piece and any sidebars, or a project or series conceived, reported and prepared by a team of reporters, editors, photographers, graphic artists and page designers. Can be a deadline effort or preconceived idea. Judged for completeness, continuity, depth and singularity of voice.

10. Page 4, Category C: The board voted to standardize descriptions for categories C5 through C21 by including in each a story designation plus the phrase "and any sidebarsNL"

11. Page 4, Category C16 (Feature Writing, Short Form) and C17 (Feature writing, long form): The board renamed these categories: Lifestyle Reporting, Short Form and Lifestyle Reporting, Long Form. Proposed category descriptions are:

Lifestyle Reporting, short form: One or two pieces on a single subject, and any sidebars, published the same day and totaling less than 1,500 words. Entries must not be tied to a specific event or issue in the news, but rather focus on individuals or families and their lifestyles, philosophies, problems and activities. Can include such topics as health, food, fashion and consumer issues. Judged for creativity, creativity and flair.

Lifestyle Reporting, Long form: One or two pieces on a single subject, and any sidebars, published the same day and totaling more than 1,500 words NL etc. (Same as above.)

12. Page 4, Category C, News: The board created two new categories, called:

News Feature Writing, Long Form, and

News Feature Writing, Short Form.

Proposed category descriptions are:

Newsfeature writing, short form: Feature coverage of a specific event or an issue in the news from a features rather than a news perspective. Entry must be one or two pieces, and any sidebars, published in the same issue, totaling less than 1,500 words. Judged for creativity, clarity and flair.

Newsfeature writing, long form: Feature coverage of a specific event or an issue in the news from a features rather than a news perspective. Entry must be one or two pieces, and any sidebars, published in the same issue, totaling more than 1,500 words. NL etc.

13. Page 4, Category C21: Board eliminated the Lifestyle Reporting Category.

14. Page 4, Category D1 (Graphics): Description was amended to read: "Any information graphics, such as maps, charts, graphs or tables, designed to tell a story or illustrate information in a story. Judged for NL" etc.

15. Page 5, Category D, Art: The board added a new category called "Black and White or One-Color Illustration." Any art or illustration other than photographs, using only black and white or a single other color to augment an article's impact. Judged for creativity and artistic merit. Include the story with the illustration.

16. Page 5, Category F4 (Special Sections): Description amended to read, "Any special section NOT produced by advertising personnel.. Judged for NL" etc.

17. Page 4, Category F (Newspaper/Magazine Design): The board discussed two new categories:

"Online Presentation." Proposed category description: Overall appearance of a web site tied to a newspaper, magazine or other publication that qualifies for membership in the Arizona Press Club. Judged for ease of use, visual appeal and clarity. (The board may only have discussed the above category, not created a new award.)

"Design Portfolio." Proposed category description: Up to six examples of a designer's work, one of which can be a multiple-page design ora project or series. Body of work judged for content, usefulness, structure and organization, storytelling, clarity, creativity, impact, detail and use of resources.

18. Additional: The board created a new category for "Computer-Assisted Reporting." Patti Epler will submit a proposed category description to Jill Jorden Spitz.

19. Page 6, Virg Hill Journalist of the Year: The board discussed opening the category to double-byline or multiple-byline entries. Eventually, it voted to amend part of the category description to read: "Entries shall include at least eight and no more than 12 main stories (sidebars to those stories may be entered and do not count as part of the total.) Three stories may have a double or multiple byline. All others must have a single byline."

20. Page 7, Arizona Photographer of the Year: The board amended part of the description to read, "A portfolio consists of up to 14 entriesNL" etc.

21. Page 8, First Amendment Disservice Award: The board renamed it The Brick Wall Award.

New categories created: 9 or 10, depending on the fate of issue 17A (above). Categories eliminated: 2. Increased cost to Press Club: About $1,225 in additional prize money.

Board members voted to approve above changes in a single, all-issues vote. The Virg Hill category was voted on separately.

VI. New business
The next meeting of the Arizona Press Club will be Nov. 13. Location TBA. (Judge assignments will be handed out at this meeting.) Meeting adjourned about 3:15 p.m.

Minutes submitted by: Bryn Bailer