Minutes - chapter meeting of Friday, 19 May 2006

Attending: Randy Ripplinger, Melinda Colton, Mike Kelley, Melinda Colton, D. Wright, Mark Mickelsen, Jason Olsen, Mark Petersen, Lana Hiskey, Jason Olsen, Michael Williams, Chris Williams


• CHAPTER FUNDS
Randy Ripplinger told the group that the chapter has approximately $1,700 in its account. He asked for a discussion on how to spend that money.
Melinda Colton suggested the chapter sponsor a half-day public relations conference for administrators, teachers and school board members during the coming year. Such a conference would lend credibility to USPRA and allow members to share their expertise with other districts who do not have public relations officers. The conference could be held somewhere central to all districts and could include timely topics. Some chapter members liked the idea but felt it would be a major undertaking and needed to be held prior to the next legislative session. Melinda feels the chapter needs at least six months to plan such an event. Some members suggested we should piggyback on existing conferences and offer to do break-out sessions. Possible conference to present at include UEA Conference, Utah Elementary Principals Association, Utah School Superintendents Association, and the Utah School Boards Association. Members are to consider this idea and it will be discussed again in the fall.

Melinda also suggested implementing a Public Relations Person of the Year Award that could be given annually to an individual who has done an outstanding job of sharing the message of public education.

• HEADS-UP ON MEDIA CALLS
Jason Olsen suggested USPRA members continue to let each other know when members of the media are working on stories related to all districts. When e-mailing each other, hit "reply all" so everyone on the e-mail sees what each district is submitting to the media on a specific story. Randy also suggested that starting next year, e-mail inquiries on media stories could be sent to the USPRA president (Melinda Colton) and she, in turn, will e-mail it out to the USPRA listserv. Jason felt communication between districts is essential so we can provide the media with the same information.

FINAL MEETING:
• The final meeting of the year will be held Friday, June 16, at 1 p.m., at a restaurant. An exact location will be e-mailed to members later.

There will be no meeting in July. The first meeting of the 2006-07 school year is tentatively scheduled for Friday, Aug. 18, a 1 p.m. at Jordan School District.