SPJ Board zeros in on membership issues at convention board meetings. (2001 SPJ National Convention).(Society of Professional Journalists)(Brief Article)

Membership issues topped the agenda of the SPJ board of directors meeting on Oct. 4 in Seattle/Bellevue, Wash.

The 23-member board met during the SPJ National Convention and spent most of its time discussing membership recruitment and retention options. Newly appointed Membership Chairman Howard Dubin will spearhead a recruitment drive in the next year that will include a mailing to about 100,000 journalists.

Other recruitment and retention ideas included personal contact between SPJ leaders and new and expired members; an exploration of new member benefits; increased emphasis on chapter development; and a renewed effort to discover member needs, especially …