Agenda emailed prior to meeting:
Guild Executive Committee Meeting Agenda for Sept. 17, 2013
Approval of minutes
Committee Reports
— Finance: Kim Leiser
— Grievance: Mark Sommer
— Mobilization: Sandy Tan
Old Business
— Update on Guild retreat projects: Phil Fairbanks and Tammy Turnbull on outreach strategy; Mark Sommer on comic book project; Sandy Tan on playing cards
— Update on November Guild conference: Tammy Turnbull
— Update on holiday party: Tammy Turnbull
New Business
— Report on sports show agreement: Henry Davis
— Nominations for Guild officers and executive committee members will be taken in November
— Signing bonus for Tammy Turnbull
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Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013
President Henry Davis called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m, Sept. 17, 2013 at The News’ first-floor auditorium, One News Plaza.
Treasurer Kim Leiser reported on finances; September marks the end of our fiscal year; she is switching the budgeting to match our fiscal year. She has a new fiscal year budget to present to the finance committee; she said there is one more lost time bill coming, likely the largest.
Mark Sommer reported on grievances:
* A guild member called in sick; they were out later that day and were seen by a manager; the individual had a vacation day used instead of a sick day. We are grieving this, Sommer said, and meetings with The News have been arranged.
* There is a possible situation in classified – hours have been changed; moving the start time from 9 to 8 a.m. and eliminating hours on Saturday, which could result in loss of a part-time position.
Sandy Tan reported for mobilization – The Guild had two dozen participate in the Labor Day Parade; she was pleased with the day and the turnout. Hats were given to those Guild members who participated; they are for sale for $10. There are only a few left, she said, as she sold about 25 in the newsroom in the last couple of days.
Tan mentioned that the “Joker” cards of the playing card initiative, designed by Adam Zyglis, had arrived. “If you have all the other cards, it’s a nice complement to collection,” she said. If you want one, see Sandy.
Davis said there was nothing to report on the outreach initiative and that some sessions will be attempted to be scheduled for the fall. Turnbull said she needed to confer with Dick Fay regarding the district managers, and also with inside circulation.
Davis said that on Nov. 8-9-10, the Guild will be hosting a joint council meeting of the Great Lakes District and Midwest District of The Newspaper Guild at the Hampton Inn on Chippewa. There will be hospitality nights on Friday and Saturday in the 7 to 11 p.m. range. There is a program all day Saturday and from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday.
Davis encouraged executive members to attend; there will be several locals from several cities participating in the coverage, and that TNG President Bernie Lunzer would also be in attendance. More details will be provided as we get closer to the event.
Turnbull said that we are seeking a date and considering several different locations for a holiday party. A possibility is the Century Club – on Pearl St. across from the Hyatt — especially since it has two rooms. A major party issue has been that the band is loved by many, but also not so loved by many due to the inability to have a conversation, etc.
Davis mentioned that the Bucky & Sully Show aggreement was approved.
Davis announced that in November, nominations will be open for Guild executive positions.
Motion/Second/Carried Besecker/Harrington to award signing bonus to office manager Tammy Turnbull.
Davis mentioned that the United Way would be on hand for the general meeting tomorrow and that we are encouraging folks to donate.
M/S/C Leiser/Gniewecki to purchase an annual subscription to the web stie wnylabortoday.com for $5.
New business
Leiser offered that she and many other guild members looked forward to the Guild Reporter being published. She realized that we stopped the printed version, but that it was mostly due to postal costs. She suggested that we print them again for distribution in the office.
“It’s a way to keep people involved and engaged,” she said. “Even if it is just the minutes every month. … It kept people talking about us.”
The idea was supported by other committee members. “We’ll do it,” said Davis.
Leiser wasn’t sure if anyone saw the posts on the web site; Besecker suggested that Joe Popiolkowski be asked about what kind of traffic numbers the site gets.
M/S/C Besecker/Gniewecki to adjourn at 12:34 p.m.
Sue Kelley
Attendance: President Henry Davis, Vice President/Grievances Mark Sommer, Vice President/Mobilization Sandy Tan, Treasurer Kim Leiser, Secretary Keith McShea, office manager Tammy Turnbull, ABC chief steward Felice McMillion, classified delegate Beverly Gniewecki, classified chief steward Renee Mikler, district manager chief steward Dick Fay, editorial delegates Aaron Besecker, Mike Harrington, David Robinson and Phil Fairbanks and editorial delegate/clerks chief steward Susan Kelley.
Excused: District manager delegate Bob Snyder, editorial delegate Denise Jewell Gee.
Absent: president Pat Gormley, district manager delegate Brian Long, editorial delegateand nightside chief steward Mike Pesarchick.
Buffalo Newspaper Guild CWA Local 31026 