AAJA Minnesota--It's Hotter Than You Think!


	November 2007 AAJA meeting minutes Nov. 18, 2007 In attendance: Emma Carew, Tom Lee, Lewis Leung, Nancy Ngo and Nancy Yang Absent: Mary Tan NEXT MEETING: No meeting scheduled Taste of AAJA: § Nancy Y. and Bao Ong met with the J-school. While they can help us secure the Weisman location at the U discount rate, they will not be able to pay for the space like they did last year. § Emma suggested partnering with a student organization to get a Coca-Cola grant. For example, PRISM would be our co-sponsor and apply for the grant saying they are responsible for securing a location and paying the fee. We would need to check with the j-school to make sure we don’t violate any rules — they are not allowed to help outside organizations raise money. § Nancy Y. is waiting to hear from the J-school about potential dates open. It is possible we may need to hold Taste earlier in the year, depending on availability. § If no dates are available or space rental is too high, we need to consider other locations. Emma suggested the Binz Refectory at the St. Thomas campus and Nancy N. suggested the Frank Gehry-designed home on Lake Minnetonka (this was the same site as the kickoff for the convention fundraiser). The Gehry house could be problematic because it is very west metro, but would be a nice place to bring corporate donors to. We could also hold it during the summer and allow guests to sit/stroll outside and enjoy the lake view, guesthouse, etc. § Mary has developed a list of 65 potential sponsors; target date to send sponsorship letters out is end of the year. § Looking at potential restaurant sponsors — anyone with ideas or contacts should send them to Bao or Nancy Y. Camp AAJA: § Bao and Tom will attend Camp AAJA next February at the Poynter Institute. Camp AAJA is a three-day leadership training seminar for AAJA members. Catherine Squires reception (partnering with TCBJ) (new U diversity professor): § Scheduled for 2-6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the home of Sherrie Mazingo. Evite has been sent by TCBJ. AAJA holiday party: § Low-key party for our members, friends and supporters. We will have an selection of appetizers but attendees will need to get their own drinks. § Tom will reserve a space, Nancy Y. will send Evite to members. § Tentatively scheduled for Dec. 6, location TBA. Goals for 2008: § Tom: We need a new approach because no one is taking advantage of our resources. New ideas include a journalism contest for college students, working more with high school students (either volunteer in the schools, help underwrite paper/production/software costs, etc.) and donating money to other organizations. § Emma: We should survey our members to see what they want from us and how they think we are doing. Other ideas include journalism awards for college students and reaching out to students at other schools, including St. Thomas. § Lewis: We need to find out how we can retain our members and get them more involved. Instead of waiting for them to come to us, we should be going after them. We should split up our membership list and meet one-on-one with our members to see what they want to do. On that note, we can get them involved by having them work with high schools or other students and share their expertise. § Nancy Y: New ideas for the year include the award program. We should also reach out to UJW and other journalism groups more. § Nancy N: We need to maintain what we already have. In the past, we have been told that members want the internship and grant program. Those are especially needed now that media companies are cutting back on financial help or programs. § New for ’08: o Elimination of AAJA scholarships. We will retain the U scholarship. o Because ’08 is a Unity year, we will increase the number of grants but not the amount. The maximum amount next year is $200 and we will award up to six (6) grants. Deadline to apply is by the early registration deadline for Unity (March 15, 2008). o Creation of college journalism awards. Three categories: News, features and visual. First place is $100, second palce is $50 and third is $25. Submissions will be due March 15 to Nancy Ngo. We will see if we can piggyback off the J-school’s spring banquet and honor our winners there. o Revised wording on grant/internship application. Recipients will now be required to complete one (1) volunteer event (previously was two to three). Recipients must also return the money if they fail to follow all terms of the application requirements. 2008 Budget: $14,100 § Taste of AAJA: $1,700 § Scholarship: $1,000 § General purpose: $2,100 § Internships: 3 @ $750 each, $2,250 § UJW support: $750 § Grants: 6 @ up to $200, $1,200 § ELP grant: 1 @ up to $1,000 § National board rep expenses: $1,500 § College journalism awards (money and prizes): $600 § Camp AAJA: $1,000 n J-Camp sponsorship: $1,000