New York Association of Black Journalists

GENERAL BODY MEETING

THURSDAY / JANUARY 13, 2022 / 7:00 PM / ZOOM

AGENDA

Introduction of New Board Members

  • Board Member Introductions
    • President Bonita Sostre
    • Vice President Bill Allen
    • Parliamentarian Will Patterson
    • Treasurer Janelle Griffith
    • Secretary Brittney Laryea
    • Member-at-Large Vance Land
  • Request for members to join committees!
    • We need people to help with social media and programming/events especially 
    • Let us know if you’re interested in an opportunity to host an NYABJ podcast

Upcoming Events

Reports from Board Members

  • NABJ Finance Report from VP Bill Allen
    • Excited to work with our new treasurer, Janelle Griffith. 
  • Bylaw Update from Treasurer, Will Patterson
    • Conflict re: defining membership eligibility
    • Email will be sent out by next General Body Meeting

Finance Overview

  • NABJ Finance Report — Walter Smith Randolph, NABJ Treasurer
    • Congratulations on getting the audit completed on time!!
    • The chapter has been awarded $2,000 from NABJ ($1,000 to Scholarships!) 
  • REMINDER: You get a $50 discount at convention if you are a local and national member 
  • Follow Walter: @walterreports

Future Planning

  • Juneteenth: “A Voyage Through Black Brilliance” Gala
    • Monday June 20, 2022
    • Our largest fundraising event
    • Indoor/outdoor event but an in person event
    • We need YOUR help planning the gala. Volunteer to serve on the programming committee here.

Special Guest: NABJ President Dorothy Tucker

      • August 3, 2022 – August 7, 2022
      • We are about 90 % certain that Convention will be in person, in Las Vegas
      • We are looking at everything we can do to make our members feel safe
        • There is a good chance that boosters will be mandatory
        • COVID testing will be required
        • There will be mask mandates, separation
        • We will be taking temperatures
        • You will likely need to sign a waiver acknowledging that we are in a pandemic, etc. 
  • Get your convention session proposals in early!
    • #PROTIP — KNOW who your panelists are going to be; “TBA” is probably not going to make the cut
    • NABJ members can submit their convention session proposals here.
    • Sign up to be considered for panelist and speaking opportunities at #NABJNAHJ22 here.
  • Member Question: Will there be a virtual option for the convention?
    •     We are also looking at hybrid but there may be some limitations
    •     Because we are doing a joint convention with NAHJ
    •     There will likely be a number of virtual workshops 
    •     Job fair: keep it in person
  • Member Question: Is the host hotel sponsoring NABJ? 
    • Hotel is Caesars, $159/night
    • They are giving us a lot. I’ll have to talk to you offline… We’ve signed a number of contracts but I can tell you that we do ask for a lot. We’re bringing them 6, 7K people. 
  • Reminder: Check NABJ.org year-round for updates
    • We have a lot of scholarships, student projects
    • Stay in touch with the national organization
  • Reminder: BEING A LOCAL CHAPTER MEMBER SAVES YOU $50 

ACTION ITEMS

  1. Register for: Elevating your Entertainment Career Panel on January 20  
  2. Register for: Black History Month Mixer on February 10
  3. JOIN A COMMITTEE : https://forms.gle/cvdXR9snMzkPCBBn9
  4. Share your feedback : https://forms.gle/cvdXR9snMzkPCBBn9