Minutes of the Board of Directors

Canadian Association of Journalists

January 29-30, 2005

(APPROVED)

Regrets:  Murray Brewster, Deborah Campbell

Meeting was called to order at 10:15am.

1. Agenda Approved

2. Approval of Past Minutes

Errors/Additions:

Item 10:  Everything should be stricken from the record under this item except “Board went in-camera at 10:15am.”

Item 13:  Should read:  “S. Khan suggested we look at a statement about advertisers’ influence on editorial copy.”

Task List from September 2004 meeting (report and update):

Item 3:  S. Khan talked to a lawyer who wouldn’t be able to work pro bono but knows other lawyers who might be interested.  It has been determined that the CAJ policies are in compliance with the Privacy Act.

Item 5:  The codeofsilence.ca is now registered.  S. Khan and Hal Doran tasked to have the web site up and running by Monday, February 7, 2005, in order to have the web site added to a press release which will be issued on February 9.

Item 14:  J. Dickins has not had a chance to look at our membership fees compared to other associations’ fees.  J. Dickins tasked to do this by July.

Item 15:  Ongoing; waiting for feedback.

3. President’s Report

P. Schneidereit talked about how the last year has been busy for the CAJ, right through the holiday.  The CAJ is bigger than it was last year, which is a positive sign.  The Charlottetown NWS was a tremendous success, which showed that the CAJ can go to smaller places and still be successful.  J. Dickins thanked P. Schneidereit for the large commitment of time he has put in.  Recognition is deserving for a job well done.

4. Executive Director’s Report

J. Dickins tasked to amend written report to read that the CAJ has not  re-signed agreement with Canada Newswire yet.

NWS Future Planning:  J. Dickins talked about how the NWS in Charlottetown came together even though it did not have as many people as budgeted.  The NWS received good PR value and a lot of praise.  It also helped to galvanize the New Brunswick and P.E.I chapters.  For the fall NWS in Ottawa, hotels such as the Chateau Laurier, Delta, and Westin are being looked at.  Six hotels are being looked at in Halifax. The CAJ should have a contingency plan in case plans for Halifax fall through.  If held in Halifax, the CAJ could have break-out sessions at the hotel and the gala diner at the Trade and Convention Centre.  Discussion took place among the Board about having an alternate location, such as Montreal.  Montreal was chosen as a “Plan B.”  J. Dickins should know what the situation will be concerning the hotels in a couple of weeks.  J. Dickins thanked the Board for their support through 2004.

Update on Charitable Status:  The CAJ has still not heard back from the CRA.  J. Dickins tasked to call the CRA.

Board went in-camera at 11:25am.

Board went out of camera at 11:35am.

5. Budget Committee

2004 Financial Statement Presentation:  M. McClintock and J. Dickins spoke about the 2004 budget.  The CAJ currently has a surplus of almost $30,000.  The CAJ raised over $10,000 in Vancouver and over $9000 in Charlottetown.  Conferences have helped with the budget tremendously.  The CAJ was in a good financial position in 2004 but as always this surplus is also used as a cash ‘reserve’ throughout the following year to help with cash flow so these monies are not entirely unencumbered.

6. Budget Committee

Presentation of 2005 Budget:  The outlook for 2005 is good.  J. Dickins congratulated the Board on cutting costs in 2004 to put the CAJ where it is financially.  Noted that everyone is really looking after expenses.  This attitude towards cutting costs should be continued for 2005.

7. Lunch

Meeting was adjourned for lunch at 12pm.

Meeting was called to order at 2:25pm.

8. Conference Committee

CAJ/IRE Workshop Update:  The CAJ/IRE Workshop will be taking place in Windsor in June but a date still needs to be confirmed.

2005 Spring Conference in Winnipeg:  For the next conference, members suggested that they would like to see the conference focus more on the mechanical details of writing such as tips for writing.  Two keynote speakers have been booked for the conference; however, cost is becoming a factor because of airfares.  There will be various workshops for the conference, including workshops on interviewing, freelance businesses, how to find the right characters for documentaries, advanced internet research, blogging, and photojournalism.  There will also be an aboriginal panel.  There are only a couple spots still to fill; looking into another print workshop.

9. Advocacy

Update on Court Cases – Intervener Status:  R. Cribb contacted lawyers and they filed an appeal.

R. Cribb motioned that the CAJ seek intervener status in the Ken Peters appeal. 

All in favour.  Approved.

Update on Advocacy, Current Status:

Board went in-camera at 3:45pm.

Board went out of camera at 4:05pm.

10. Adjournment for Day:

Meeting was adjourned at 4:50pm.

11. Discussion Unfinished or Arising From Previous Day:

Meeting was called to order at 10:35am on Sunday.

12. Membership Committee:

Chapter Reports:  There are no chapters in Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, and the north.  The CAJ should get something going in Saskatchewan because of the number of members.  It was suggested that a survey should be circulated to members to figure out what they want or do or need for their chapters.  Members have said they would like to see more chapter local events.

Chapter Liaison Update/Plans for Membership Committee:  Chapter presidents should communicate with each other.  It was suggested to make the CAJ newsletters online or sent by e-mail instead of sending them out by regular mail in order to save money.  Membership packages can also be improved.

13. Lunch

Postponed.

14. New Business

Paul MacNeill and FOI Battle:  MacNeill wanted names and salaries of provincial employees; these can not be released.  There was discussion between P. Schneidereit and Paul MacNeill.

Hong Kong Student Fellowship:  The three judges will be K. Diotte, M. McClintock, and S. Khan.

CRTC and Chorus Entertainment:  If the deal goes through, it will reduce the number of journalists by 20.  This decision has been criticized by the public.  C. Bury concerned  that it will reduce the quality and quantity of journalism in Montreal; there will be a loss of jobs, which also means fewer voices.

CAJ List Appeal:  R. Cribb tasked to send the list appeal out as soon as possible.

Removal of Directors:  A director queried what the procedure is for removing directors.  The Board may vote someone out and choose another person to replace them if a Director ceases to be an active member. 

National Conference:  M. McClintock brought up a deal between CAJ and the National Press Club.  Members who are attending would like to get a deal with the press club for a small fee.

Membership Initiative: 

There was discussion about creating a member outreach program in order to broaden the e-mail list in order to give people an idea of what the CAJ is all about.  The CAJ will create an e-mail list of all the journalists in Canada as a starting point.  Each Board Director will compile a list of journalists in their area and send journalists’ names, e-mail addresses, and who they work for to John.  The Board is tasked to do this by March 1, 2005.

15. Next Meeting

AGM:  May 15, 2005.

June Board Teleconference:  Friday, June 17, 2005 at 7pm Eastern Time.

Board Meeting:  September 24-25, 2005.

16. Adjournment

R. Cribb motioned to adjourn the meeting, K. Diotte seconded.  Approved.

Meeting adjourned at 12pm.