SPJ: Phoenix, Arizona Chapter

Minutes

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

Sept. 10, 2023, 10 a.m.

Started: 10:05 a.m.

Attendees: Tim Eigo, Mark Scarp, Nicole Greason, Teri Carnicelli, Deb Krol. Absent: None.

Opening

  • Big announcement: Valley of the Sun SPJ wins 2023 SPJ Circle of Excellence Award for Professional Development, Small Chapters —The Valley Publicity Summit, freelancing workshop and State of Arizona Media 2023 presentation were cited as noteworthy examples of our chapter’s praised efforts in continuing education, networking and professional development.
  • Secretary’s report/approval of minutes from July 9, 2023 – Board action: Moved (Nicole) and seconded (Teri) — unanimously approved with change of date under “Update on Valley Publicity Summit” in New Business to Oct. 21, 2023.
  • Treasurer’s report – Teri reports our investments with Russell Life Points/Northwestern Mutual as of Sept. 9 lost $90.69 in the past quarter, to $17,975.64. Our checking account as of the same date contained $2,892.01, compared to $3,722.67 on July 9, 2023.
  • Mark’s Mighty Minute! – Mark spoke with Morgan Loew of Arizona’s Family, president of the First Amendment Coalition. They discussed limitations on the First Amendment Center at the ASU law school regarding services to journalists, and that because of conflicts of interest or already representing certain media, finding another local law firm to take over the FAC hotline is, at least in the near term, not likely. They agreed that in the near term there will be no hotline for public records requests, but that the name of the FAC can be kept alive for some time as it has about $4,000 in the bank. Morgan said could be used for access to government training sessions, such as the one SPJ and the Arizona Latino Media Association are presenting Oct. 14 at the ASU Cronkite School (more on that below).

Old Business

  • Website refresh – We solicited comments from board members and talked about it; no clock on it, but we should move forward at some point. We need to identify a member or friend of SPJ who knows WordPress to help. We have some money (but not market rate) to help us.
  • Chapter annual award nominations – To be given out either at SPJ/ALMA public records workshop Oct. 14 (see New Business below) or at Arizona Media Association’s “Story of the Year” event via Zoom on Oct. 1.
  • SPJ annual report filed July 13, 2023 – Tim said this year he was more effusive about our programs and activities, which may have helped encourage SPJ to honor us this year with a Circle of Excellence Award.
  • PEN America book launch event July 11, 2023, Palabras Bookstore, central Phoenix – Went well; we discovered that this would be an excellent space for a small program as they can seat 25 or so people comfortably.

New Business

  • Don Bolles Memorial bill background and proposed board action – We have been asked by Rep. Jen Longdon (who is opening a folder for a bill) to be the fiscal agent for receiving donations to build the memorial if the bill to allow it passes the Arizona Legislature in 2024. Board members discussed creating a coalition to supervise the solicitation effort. Deb said we need to contact Greg Burton, the editor of the Arizona Republic, to solicit their involvement. Teri pointed out that the chapter is a 501(c)(6) non-profit business organization, not a charity, which is 501(c)(3). Mark suggested talking with SPJ Foundation leaders while we are in Las Vegas later this month for the SPJ convention. Nicole said that at the appropriate time she will check with ALMA, which is a 501 (c)(3). Tim said we won’t vote today but will take up these and other suggestions and continue to reach out toward finding an agent and participating in the lobbying for passage of the bill.
  • SPJ annual convention, Sept. 28-30 – Tim, Nicole and Mark are representing the chapter. Tim and Mark are driving to Las Vegas together. Nicole is going to drive there with her husband.
  • SPJ seeks feedback on proposed Participatory Standards at SPJ events – An information session will be held via Zoom at 5 p.m. MST on Thursday, Sept. 14.
  • Joint ALMA/SPJ public records/open meetings training session, Oct. 14 at ASU Cronkite School – Tim, Mark and ALMA’s Al Macias are planning it. We will try to find a panel of about three journalists who had recent successful stories based on vigorous public records use. Tim will also look at someone knowledgeable about rules of reporting from courtrooms.
  • Update on Valley Publicity Summit, Oct. 14 at ASU Tempe campus – All is proceeding according to plan, Mark said, however, we were still having some difficulty with locating TV media. Registrations were proceeding well for that point in the process.
  • ASU Cronkite student organization night, Sept. 5 (Mark attended) – Mark attended and solidified ASU SPJ and ASU PRSSA chapters sending volunteers to the Publicity Summit. He also met with the PRSSA adviser and offered Cronkite Agency students three or four free admissions as PR attendees at the Summit. Mark is waiting
  • Region 11 conference, Nov. 20-21, Campus Center at University of Hawaii at Manoa – So far there is no publicity for this event. The expectation is that few if anyone outside of Hawaii will attend.
  • Ideas for a November mixer or student event – Board members agreed that in November we will host another “Beer for Bylines,” to be set up quickly and simply. As a possible early 2024 event, Nicole talked to the Arizona Democracy Resilience Network (former PBJ Publisher Don Henninger and former U.S. Rep. Ron Barber), which is trying to push back on incivility in political discourse, election results deniers, etc. Affiliated with the Carter Center, they are trying to get out in the community to promote civil discourse, access to the ballot, regenerating confidence in our elections process. Nicole also offered to talk to Don and Ron further about this. Also, Nicole will find out more about holding an event with Barrett/Cronkite School students meeting the leaders of the Valley’s media membership organizations.
  • Holiday Mixer, preference on date (Dec. 5, 6 or 7?) and location (FEZ in downtown Phoenix?) – Tim will ask to reserve FEZ for this year’s event, as it was a very good location last year.
  • Chapter scholarship: Essay question to be publicized soon, responses due by Nov. 1, award(s) given at our Holiday Mixer. Proposed question: Among the challenges facing the journalism profession today is the rollout of artificial intelligence. AI tools and software have grown tremendously in effectiveness, even over the past six months, and have implications for reporters and newsrooms. (For example, read: Benjamin Mullin & Nico Grant, Google tests AI tool that is able to write news articles, N.Y. Times, July 19, 2023, available at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/19/business/google-artificial-intelligence-news-articles.html). In your own essay of 300 to 500 words, explore this topic by beginning with one of the following sentences: “I believe AI poses substantial negative risks to journalism and democracy, which I will explain in this essay” OR “I believe AI presents substantial positive opportunities to journalism and democracy, which I will explain in this essay.” You may not use AI to assist with your response.
  • Questions needed for “meet the SPJ candidates/debate” events via Zoom on Sept. 14 for RC candidates, Sept. 20 for board candidates, both 2 p.m. MST – Tim, who was chair of the national Nominations Committee this past year, informed the board of these two candidate events, and needs questions for them. Please let him know ASAP.

PROPOSED NEXT MEETING: Sunday, November 19, 2023, 10 a.m.


Adjourned: 12:20 p.m. (135 minutes)

Respectfully submitted,

Mark J. Scarp, Chapter Secretary