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Group rebounds from financial downturnBy April Bethea Monitor Staff NABJ significantly improved its financial picture in 2002, registering a surplus more than five times greater than expected. An audit revealed that the organization's budget surplus reached more than $170,000 last year - significantly more than the $30,000 that had been predicted. News that the organization was in the black was one of many topics discussed Tuesday during the board of directors meeting. "There's good news to be celebrating," NABJ Executive Director Tangie Newborn said. In much of 2000 and part of 2001, NABJ posted significant investment losses, said Immediate Past President Will Sutton. Newborn credited tighter budget controls and better financial planning for the brighter outlook. "I have to commend this board for standing behind me, standing behind our president and treasurer when we had to say no to people, say no to things," she said. Both Newborn and organization President Condace Pressley said NABJ is on track to show a profit again in 2003. However, NABJ Vice President of Print Bryan Monroe stressed that next year's budget could be influenced by the UNITY convention, which gathers members from all of the minority journalism associations. Proceeds from UNITY are split among the organizations, so NABJ probably will not see the same revenue that it would from a separate annual gathering. Monroe said the board would need strategies to offset potential losses next year. Newborn said all the members of the finance committee formed in 2001 to stabilize the budget have submitted their resignations except for Jackie Green. She said Green decided not to step down following the resignation of former NABJ Treasurer Glen Rice. Rice, who is expected to attend this week's convention, was invited to attend the board of director's reception scheduled for Tuesday evening, Pressley said. Membership in the organization also has risen, with 300 more members now than at the time of last year's convention. Although NABJ officials are hoping to increase numbers by 10 percent, Newborn said she wants the main focus to be on retaining current members. In the meantime, the national office has relaunched a search for a membership coordinator. News about membership outreach will be discussed during the October board meeting. During Tuesday's meeting, Pressley also announced plans for a program between NABJ and the Radio and Television News Directors Association to try to boost the number of minority journalists in broadcasting. A survey released July 31 by RTNDA revealed that minority journalists held 18.1 percent of local television news jobs, a decrease from 20.6 percent last year. "We're just not moving the needle as we need to be," Pressley said. Pressley said she has talked with RTNDA President Barbara Cochran about strategies, including publicizing NABJ's internship program and creating a program to stress the benefits of having a diverse staff. Details about the program will be announced this week. In addition, NABJ plans to encourage its members to attend sessions on leadership and management at the annual RTNDA convention. Board members said that there should be concrete goals attached to any project with RTNDA, including urging the Federal Communications Commission to push for greater representation of minorities in the field. Region 10 Director Lynne Varner said, "No one is putting pressure on them." Tuesday's meeting was one of the last gatherings of the current board of directors before Friday's elections. Region I Director Robin Williams did not attend. His mother died a couple of weeks ago, and he will miss this year's convention. Near the end of her president's report, Pressley expressed her gratitude to the board and staff. "Thank you for getting on the bus and going for a ride with me leading NABJ from 2001 to 2003," Pressley said. "Whatever it is that I've been able to do as president of the National Association of Black Journalists, we've done because we were a team." |
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