Attendees: Ron Martz, president; Don North, vice president; Otto Kreisher, Sec-Treasurer
Board members: Kelly Kennedy, Tom Roeder, Steve Komarow, Lou Hansen, Mike Francis, Carl Pine, and Ellen Shearer

Meeting called to order 12:04 am.

Finances -- Otto reported bank account total of $771.33. No contest entries at this point.

Ron said he will send out a reminder to the membership to enter.

Ron also noted debts, including $750 we owe to Salome, $300 loan from Lief, and $1,500 Ron paid from his pocket for last years Galloway prize.

Ron said, with the money on hand, we don’t have enough money to look at conference site.

Kelly noted the possibility of Military Times paying for membership for its staff if there were a group discount. SPJ does that. Stars & Stripes might be willing to do the same.

Ron asked Kelly to provide additional information on it.

Otto supported the idea as did others.

Membership – Don said he and Sig may have picked up five or six members from the Knight Fellowship meeting. Checks haven’t shown up yet.

Fundraising – Mike said nothing firm, still think possibility of something from Knight. Have to refine request. Ellen has experience writing grant requests.

Suggestion that Bloomberg Foundation has been giving big donations. Ron ask Mike to seek information on Bloomberg.

Ellen – suggested a joint request from Medill & MRE, a community of interest in military journalism. Might be more appealing to Knight. Not sure what that would entail.

Ron – that was the original concept for MRE, a community of disparate journalists, out beating their heads against the wall to cover the military.

Website – Kelly, proposed website design, not sure Scotty, the guy who set it up, can continue to help, but we can work from that. Consensus that the dark green background was difficult to read.

Ron – his wife, who works with websites said the design was much easier to work with than the previous. Maybe move the log in down the page.

Question raised on whether log in was necessary to read or enter information on the site.

Ron – been hamstrung because Salome only one been able to put things on the website. Need to make the site something members and others would want to return to frequently.

Kelly asked about putting MRE on Face Book. Lou thought we should and offered to look at it.

Ron expressed desire to move quicker. Kelly thought could have it up by end of the week.

Next year’s conference – Ron raised possibility of skipping because of the dire economy and lack of funds. Need to make a decision by June. Have to keep in mind, not just assume that we will have a conference. Does not think the conference defines MRE.

Question about whether we also could skip the contest because of lack of entries. Last year had similar issue in some of the categories.

Ron – I think we’ll have a contest. May not be able to award prizes in some categories.

Kelly – conference, noted that Tobias, editor of Military Times has offered to host the MRE conference at the USA Today facilities. We would have to pay for food etc.

Ellen said the facilities are excellent. Large and smaller rooms. Location near Tysons Corner. Problem may be transportation, no Metro stop nearby. But free sounds good.

Ron – will talk to Tobias about that and other issues.

Otto – The conference is a way to elevate MRE’s profile. Would be good to have it, but have to ensure that we have the money on hand before starting.

Carl – Don’t see how we can pull it off. How many people can afford to travel to it?

Ron – Was disappointed last year by lack of interest in the board meeting, election of officers. Maybe ask people on their interest in attending. Money is a real issue for us. Not ready to give up on it yet, but need to keep in back of our minds, the conference is not our only reason to exist.

Kelly asked if we are considered an international organization.

Ron said we are international, have offered membership to Canadian media.

Ron – action items: Mike on fundraising, look at Neiman and Knight. Ron will check re Bloomberg. Noted Ellen’s idea of an Internet community of military journalist. Kelly will work with Scotty on the website. Ron will talk to Tobias on group discounts and use of USA Today facilities for conference.

Ron – possible next conference call around April 18.

Moved and second to adjourn. Unanimous voice vote.

Adjourn 1:04 pm

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