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

Ron called the meeting to order at 7:39 pm.

Otto provided update on the bank account. We have $2,112.19 in the bank account as of today.

Ron said we have about $600 due for the plaques and citations for the contest and then expenses for the conference, if we hold it. He was concerned about keeping up to date on Salome's salary, which would be $2,500 a year. We have paid her $500.

We still owe Ron $1,500 for paying the Galloway prize last year.

Ron, another issue - the updated website Issac Cubillos has set up for us. Take a look and comment. Keeping it up to date will require members sending content. He’s trying to incorporate a lot of the stuff we’ve talked about in the past.

Question on providing a discount for group membership. We’ve agreed it is a good idea, but not agreed to amount.

Otto suggested $5 for five or more, $10 for 10 or more, from the $50 a year.

Others suggested higher percentage, but Otto noted that his figures equal 10% and 20%.

Otto suggested a special discount for active duty military. Sig supported that.

Sig moved that we offer all serving and retired service members a 30% discount. Otto seconded.

Motion amended to include 10% discount for other organizations that bring five or more new members, 20% for 10 or more.

Carl has concerns about a discount for military and not for journalists.

Steve agreed.

Sig suggested a membership drive with a discounted membership for all new members.

Lou amended the motion to offer a 30% discount for new or renewed membership up to the deadline of Sept. 30, then the 10% and 20% group discount from that point on.

Carried unanimously by voice vote.

Ron, then raised the question of the conference.

Cited the results of the survey, 43 responses. 67.4% yes to attending a conference, 32.6 no. Prefer outside DC 27.9% yes, 72.1 no. Inside DC near metro 53.7% yes, 46.3 no. More inclined if speaker were: Gates 65.7%, Petraeus 45.7, Mullen 31.4, a prominent journalist 20. More inclined to attend if more panels on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – 50-50. Fewer panels on wars 29.3% yes, 70.7 no. If more how-to panels 57.5% yes, 42.5 no. More multi-media panels 40% yes, 60 no. Continue to support MRE if no conference 100% yes.

Ron – The big question is do we have the time to put together a conference, do we have the money?

Don – Offer from Col Doug Martin, military attaché at Canadian Embassy, to provide the Embassy facilities for a Friday conference. Two facilities, media center, small meeting room, holding 50 people. Amphitheater holding 170. Audio-visual equipment free. Provide lunch and beverages in their lunch room. Also open to Thursday evening reception, but we would have to pay for drinks and snacks. Only condition, some of their officers with experience in Afghanistan be included on panels.

Carl – I’m having a lot of problems with this. Lot of ethical considerations. His paper would not support him going under those conditions.

Mike said question was could we afford to have even a cheap conference.

Sig thinks we need to have a conference to raise the money we need to pay our bills and to maintain MRE as a viable organization.

Wide discussion over the ethical consideration of accepting the Canadian offer, whether we could afford a conference at all.

Kelly, what’s the purpose of holding a membership drive if we’re not offering them anything.

Carl protests that the conferences have not made money the last couple years and we are $2,000 in debt.

Tom - From the survey, clear could only draw the inside the Beltway crowd. A lot of other organizations have cancelled conferences this year because of poor economy.

Lou – Draws from the survey, we would have to have a star to draw. Have to have Gates.

Sig – we’re in the hole financially. We either do something to raise money and our profile or go out of business.

Sig – Could we make a motion, put together a group, look at facilities, come back with options.

Ron – Did not agree with Sig’s idea that if we don’t have a conference this year, it’s the end of the organization. I think there are ways through the website and other things to offer our members something. Think Issac has ability to offer a dynamic product, serve our members and attract new.

Question if we have enough time to organize a conference this year, If we delay the conference any more, be more difficult to get the star we need.

Don – Tend to side with Sig, not having a conference could be end of MRE. Think we’re on the right track, trying to revitalize the website. But it plays no part in my life. I’ve always looked at the conference as a way of recruiting new members, providing panels they say have to be there. Other possibility I still consider viable, is partnership with the Newseum. Free attendance etc.

Tom – Have to leave. Tend to side with Ron on the conference. Other ways to attract members.

Sig – Have to start thinking about who the new leadership will be, how do you attract them if we don’t have a conference.

Kelly – Agree.

Ron – Question do we press forward on a conference, if so can we find someone who will host it.

Don – moves that we hold a conference. Sig seconded.

Lou – reads Mike’s e-mail arguing against a conference.

Lou – Only way we could do this is have everything in place, free venue and a great speaker. Think we can continue with other activities. Don’t think we can hold a conference.

Tom, Mike and Steve have left the conference call. Question if we have a quorum.

Ron – directed Otto to send out the motion to all officers and board members. Vote by e-mail.

Meeting adjourned 8:58 pm for lack of quorum.

Copyright © 2009 - Military Reporters and Editors