SPJ: Phoenix, Arizona Chapter

Minutes

Meeting of the Society of Professional Journalists, Valley of the Sun Pro Chapter

P.O. Box 1488, Phoenix, AZ 85001-1488

. May 17, 2026, 10 a.m.

Meeting called to order: 10:09 a.m.

Attendees: Tim Eigo (President), Mark Scarp (Secretary), Nicole Greason (Vice President), Kerry Fehr-Snyder (Treasurer), Deb Krol (Board Member). Absent: None.

NOTE: Board actions, either votes or assigned tasks, are in italicized type.

Opening

  • Secretary’s report/approval of minutes from March 15, 2026, meeting – Board action: Moved (Mark) and seconded (Debra). Unanimously approved.
  • Treasurer’s report – Kerry reports our investments with Russell Life Points/Northwestern Mutual as of March 12 gained $1,071.29 in the past quarter, to $23,001.26. Our checking account as of the same date contained $987.61, compared to $1,204.94 on March 12, 2026. The savings account contained $2,300.25 on May 15, compared to $2,000.21 on March 12.
  • Mark’s Mighty Minute – Nothing this meeting.

Old Business

  • SPJ Hosting 2026 SPJ Region 11 Conference, Friday, April 10 – We expected to lose money, maybe $2,000, but thanks to generous sponsorships and a decent (though not stellar) turnout, we made about $1,300, closer to $1,800 if we amortize expenses for pens, mugs and bags to just the cost of those used for the conference.
    • Board action: Moved (Mark) and seconded (Nicole) to forward $500 to SPJ to return a portion of the $1,300 SPJ/Kiplinger grant made to support the conference. Board approved the motion unanimously.
    • Board action: Moved (Mark) and seconded (Tim) to move $800 from the Northwestern Mutual to cover upcoming events costs. Board approved the motion unanimously.

New Business

  • Update on 2026 Valley Publicity Summit – Mark and Tim met with Phoenix PRSA President Julie Kurth, followed by Mark’s appearance May 11 before the Phoenix PRSA board, to propose SPJ’s and PRSA’s Phoenix chapters co-presenting the Valley Publicity Summit starting Sept. 26, 2026. The Phoenix PRSA board agreed to the partnership. A committee of SPJ and PRSA members will first meet in mid-June.
    • Quick description of deal: SPJ will handle registration, food/beverage and chair/table rental. Both groups will share in venue-related matters and promotion/social media.
  • Don Bolles 50th anniversary commemoration, June 2, 2026, at Baseline Flowers, 3801 E. Baseline Road, Phoenix – We have about eight or nine definite RSVPs and about 12 people saying they are interested. Nicole will prepare charcuterie boards and salads and iced tea and bottled water. Mark will contribute about a case each of beer and hard seltzers left over from his recent birthday party. Mark said he sent out an e-blast, an announcement to the other media membership organizations and several social media posts, which will continue. Tim will include information about the event in the next chapter newsletter. Nicole said the event will be included in the next ALMA newsletter going out the week of May 18. Panelists Jeremy Duda, Richard Ruelas and George Weisz will work with Mark, the moderator, on questions and answers. Jeremy is donating a copy of his new book on Bolles to be given away as a door prize.
  • Decision on Summer Solstice Event and Elections, late June 2026 —  Tim had spoken to a PR group about joining with us, but they have been unresponsive. For now, it’s us sponsoring it alone. It’s also our annual elections – Mark will prepare language for it for our websiteand e-blast. Kerry will return to board member status next year, so there is an opening for treasurer.
    • Board action: Moved (Tim) and seconded (Debra) to hold this year’s Summer Solstice Soiree at Arizona Wilderness Miracle Mile 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16. Board approved motion unanimously.
  • Chapter Annual Report Due to HQ on July 30, 2026 (for May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026) – Tim and Kerry will prepare our report.
  • SPJ National Conference, Oct. 1-4, 2026, Columbus, Ohio – Any board members who would like to attend should contact Tim so we can figure out reimbursement amounts. https://spj26.org/
  • Announcement, SPJ Leadership Institute: Nicole will attend the 2026 SPJ Leadership Institute in Indianapolis in July to make up for the 2023 event she was unable to attend due to a death in her family at that time. Tim and Mark will write letters of recommendation that SPJ has requested. Deadline for Nicole to submit her online application form (still required) to SPJ is June 8. SPJ pays for expenses but if chapter can pitch in for transportation.

Adjourned: 11:02 a.m. (53 minutes) —  NEXT BOARD MEETING: 10 a.m., Sunday, July 12, 2026.

Respectfully submitted,

Mark J. Scarp, Chapter Secretary