Present:  Ron Martz, Carl Prine, Don North, Leif Skoogfors, Lou Hansen, Otto Kreisher, Pam Zubeck, Salome Angrand, Sig Christenson

1. Call to order by Ron Martz at 1200 EST. There is a quorum.
2. Photography Contest: Although MRE did not establish or advertise a prize sum for this year’s photography contest, three entries were posted for judgment. It is resolved by a majority of the board that MRE shall reconsider the photo entries to determine whether any entry merits a prize. If MRE decides to award a prize or prizes, the winner of this year’s award will receive a plaque and not a cash disbursement. Salome Angrand and Leif Skoogfors shall gather and in Washington, D.C. to view the photography entries. Christenson and Prine raise concerns that such vetting might violate the spirit of the MRE awards, which traditionally are judged by professors and other experts collected by the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. The majority of the board assures them that the measures MRE shall adopt to view the entries are only to ensure that the few photographs received are adequate for judging and display.
   1. Motion: By Hansen , seconded by Skoogfors, with unanimous concurrence of the board members present, that the course of action addressed above shall occur.
3. Discussion: The MRE website (http://www.militaryreporters.org/) shall be made more user friendly. No resolution is necessary for completion of this enterprise.
4. Discussion: The board debates several possible choices of keynote speakers for the 2008 MRE conference. It is determined, without resolution, that MRE will extend to U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates the opportunity to deliver the address. If Secretary Gates is unable to speak at the conference, various other alternatives will be asked to take his place. No financial considerations are contemplated for either this speaker or panelists and moderators at the 2008 conference. No resolution is necessary for this request.
5. Discussion: MRE President Martz reminds board members tasked with securing panelists for the 2008 conference that they should complete their assignments quickly and report the panelists promptly to the board. The proposed panels:
   1. What’s Next? This panel shall explore what shall follow in the new presidential administration in terms of defense policy and media access. This panel is organized by Prine and Zubeck. Prine says that he has tendered invitations to four panelists, including representatives of the Obama and McCain campaigns expected to play a role in national security issues should their candidate win election.
   2. Military Justice. This panel shall explore issues related to reporter access at the Guantamano Naval base, Article 32 hearings and courts martial. This panel is being organized by Martz and Zubeck.
   3. Photo/Video Panel. This panel shall explore ground rules in the field and at home controlling access for photographers and videographers. Key panelists also will display their work. This panel is being organized by North and Paul Richards.
   4. Ethics & Access. This panel shall explore the level of transparency that should be demanded by journalists from sources, and how much of these sources’ background should be revealed to news consumers. The panel also shall discuss the potential conflicts of interest that can entangle high-ranking officers and national security experts used in stories. This panel is being organized by Christenson and Martz.
   5. Going to War and Coming Back. This panel shall broadly explore issues that will be at the forefront of the incoming administration, from Department of Defense personnel recruiting and retention to military medicine and the benefits provided by the Veterans Administration and other federal agencies. This panel is being organized by Hansen and Kelly Kennedy.
6. Board meeting adjourns.