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Meeting minutes
January 28, 2007
The Commonplace

Convened: 8:00p.m.

Present:

Kaitlyn Johnston

Anna Goth

Todd Kyser

Lauren McDermott

Brandon Gill

Rose Huber

Eli Lee

Landon Garside

Bill Harder

Liz Gaffron

Jared Stout

Steve Catanese

James Taylor

Becky Walsh

Erica Fontana

David Loomis

Rachael Parker

Business

• Indy Week in Review - There will be an open workshop for those interested in learning the ropes of the radio show on Sunday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to noon (regular Indy Week time slot).

•  Bring ideas for shows! Suggestions thus far included a Patrick Barnacle update (Is he doing what he said he would?), an update on the cops and guns issue, the environmental implications of cleaning up the Kovalchick scrap yard, the Crimson Hawks and the changing trash laws.

•  The old format was that a show would focus most of its hour on an issue. A new format could include multiple stories that take up that much time.

•  Remember, it's discussion-based. Stories can be taped beforehand.

• Committees Reports – The following are committees announcements and ideas:

•  Finances and Fundraising

•  One of their ideas is having a concert, and we talked about possible locations. If it was on university property, we'd have to pay for security. The Brown Hotel was also thrown out as a possibility, but it would either have to be held in the afternoon or as an over 21 show.

•  They'd also like to make journalism department tee shirts.

•  Publications

•  Programs and Workshops

•  Terri Hening, general counsel of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association is coming on Feb. 20 for a workshop on ethics and legal issues. We'd like to try to get her to speak to The Penn and the SPJ.

•  The Penn – They have been working on a questionnaire to send to the editors of other state system newspapers, asking questions about budget, personnel, stories per issue and interaction with the university, among other issues.

• Eric Schlosser – The author of Fast Food Nation is coming to IUP at the end of March. We're going to look into getting him to talk to us or journalism classes.
• SPJ tees
• Web site – Brandon agreed to help with the web site. A Myspace page was also suggested.
• Membership – At the end of the semester, we need to file a report with the SPJ that includes our membership numbers. Right now, there are 20 official (paid) members and 22 people who have expressed interest in the SPJ, but haven't paid dues. Please make your membership official. See Dr. Loomis or an officer for the paperwork. Membership is $36 a year, but students receiving financial aid can get it covered by the Sweeney Fund. All they have to do is take proof of financial aid to Dr. Loomis.
• A group of graphic design students are interested in forming a firm. They've discussed with Rose working with us to make either a publication or just a logo.
• TV station – They've said that they need people to write copy. Stories can be extensions of Indy Week stories. More to come.
• Diabetes Symposium – It has been delayed until next November.

• Next Meeting

•  February 11, 2007 at the Commonplace Coffeehouse

Adjourned : 8:42