August 30, 2009, Board Meeting

In attendance: Peggy Hu, Liz Kay, Jenny Abella, Hanah Cho, Christy-Anne Lopez, Angeline Hartmann, Sherri Ly, Kakki Lewis, Patranya Bhoolsuwan, Clement Tan

Freelancing teleconference: Kakki, who organized our May panel on how to survive journalism, wants to organize a teleconference panel on freelancing in late fall; perhaps November. She will solicit freelancers and journalism entrepreneurs to speak about starting a freelancing career.

Kakki also will help organize a social media workshop in the spring, helping members use Twitter and other tools to advance their work and career. Hanah said Google in DC has already agreed to host a session on understanding search engines at its offices. It could be a separate workshop or in conjunction of the social media workshop. Hanah suggested pooling resources of other Unity groups to get a good turnout.

Jenny still needs space to hold the workshop. The space at NPR fell through because NPR is holding an inside event on Oct. 1.

She will seek other organizations for free space. She will also seek panelists in broadcasting, print and online. (Afternote: Jenny found space at McClathy-Tribune on Oct. 8.)

• Members were concerned about how former executive director Ellen Endo's departure was handled and how chapter leaders and members were informed of her departure.
• National is searching for a new ED under an aggressive timeline of finding a replacement by the fall.
• The convention lost $35,000 to $50,000 because of attendance drop off and penalties related to not filling minimum number of hotel rooms.
• National has raised $1 million in its endowment fund, which can help the organization during tough times. But to make up for deficit, there are talks about not passing on portion of membership dues to local chapters. The chapter needs to recruit lapsed members and show them how the chapter could benefit them.
• Because of convention registration, the Washington chapter has over 100 members, keeping it in the large chapter category. That means the chapter can elect two advisory board members (Sherri Ly is the chapter's advisory board member).

Multimedia boot camp

Sherri is working with Gannett's Virgil Smith, director of talent development, to put together a multimedia boot camp for members. Sherri and Clement will work on a proposal to submit to Gannett. The workshop will take place at Gannett's headquarter and we could charge $25 to $30 for lunch and snacks.

The workshop could involve shooting and editing video, creating slideshows and using Flash. Building a web site could be a separate workshop the chapter could organize for members.

The chapter should start a mentorship program for students. The chapter could start by reaching out to a few colleges and universities, such as UMD at College Park.

The chapter could also organize informal gatherings as well as workshops such as resume critique and the like to draw students.

Angeline said in Atlanta, the chapter reached out to journalism professors and departments to let them know that members could serve as guest speakers in class.

Patranya will put together a proposal for what the program could look like.

Trivia Bowl:

Ticket prices will be the same as the last one in 2007:

• $300/table
• $35/individual
• $20 for spectator

This year's event will take place on Oct. 23 at the Pew Chartiable Trusts. Rental and food costs will be $1,200.

Ylan Mui of the Post got a commitment for $500 from Vietnamese American TV. And she and Hanah will send out sponsorship ask letters to nonprofits and other organizations.

The chapter also will keep the same level of sponsorships from the previous event:

Platinum, $1,000 or more

• Sponsor may make brief remarks at the event.
• Sponsor will be provided one table for 10 at the Trivia Bowl.
• Sponsor may display banner and/or distribute branded materials at the event.
• Acknowledgment on chapter Web site.

Gold, $500 to $999

• Sponsor will be provided two tickets to the Trivia Bowl.
• Sponsor may display banner or distribute branded materials at the event.
• Acknowledgment on chapter Web site.

Silver, $250 to $499