Minutes from 2007 Meeting
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Canadian Journal of Communication
Meeting of the Board of Directors, 2007
April 25, 2007 9:00 am, Pacific daylight time (Conference call)
Attending: David Mitchell, Kim Sawchuk, Manon Niquette, James Compton, Rowland Lorimer, Amin Alhassan, Sandra Gabriel, Collette Brin, Michael Felczak, Richard Smith, Anne Carscallan
Regrets: Leslie Regan-Shade, Mike Gasher, Dale Bradley
- Call to order
The meeting convened 9:05am Pacific time.
- Motion to adopt the agenda as circulated
Adopted. Moved Lorimer, seconded Sawchuk
- Motion to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting
Comment from Lorimer: banking not moved completely yet Adopted. Moved Lorimer, seconded Compton
- Report from publisher
Smith reported that the publishing process is going very smoothly with an excellent publication team. Finances (as per treasurer’s report) and subscriptions (as per subscriptions manager report) and online initiatives (as per electronic editor’s report) are all in excellent shape and moving ahead with positive directions. The relationship with the editor is very good and look forward to the coming year.
- Report from treasurer
Lorimer reported net assets of approximately $100,000, which is up about $9,000 from last year. Overall, our financial position marvelous. Notable items in the finances include a special grant of $20,000; editing costs up a bit, production costs up and distribution costs up both because of larger issues with more pages.
Question from Mitchell regarding revenue from subscriptions. Lorimer reported that revenues down slightly ($1500) from last year, mainly from foreign exchange changes (the US$ is up).
Lorimer reported on the effort to move official head office and banking. The process is not complete yet, but it is a project for the coming year.
- Report from editor
Sawchuk, in addition to the written report already circulated, the editor reported that while very busy, things are going well.
Question from Compton - how would rich media publication actually work? Sawchuk gave some details on what rich media publication might entail, how peer review might work, how can we present it (technically); Much remains to be determined at this point. Felczak added that he is working on methods to ensure rich media elements are open and accessible. Mitchell suggested a workshop on these issues; perhaps at the CCA. Smith added that we can see if the topic comes up at the PKP/OJS conference in July. Sawchuk suggested we proceed with a specific case and develop some principles from that exploration. Niquette added that she is very supportive of rich media approaches as a way of disseminating new forms of scholarship (e.g., performance ethnography).
Comment from Compton - we have someone at Western who might be interested in publishing in a “rich media” format.
Question from Gabriel regarding composition of the editorial board. Sawchuk responded that she has been busy with other matters relating to that start up of her editorship but will expand her efforts to "renew" the board in the coming months.
Rowly suggested that Sawchuk invite people onto the editorial board with a term length.
David asked for, and received, a round of applause for Kim’s great work as editor.
- Report from the book review editor - Dale Bradley not able to attend the meeting but sent a report read Richard Smith.
Bradley noted that reviews are sometimes slow and reviewers need much prodding. He appreciated the build up of completed reviews that he received from Lesley Regan-Shade, which made his transition to new book review editor easier. He would like to create a web site with “books received” so people can see what is in process and perhaps indicate an interest in reviewing it.
- Report from the online editor - Michael Felczak
CJC is using software called Open Journal Systems from the "Public Knowledge Project"; we are contributing to the software. We currently are running an older version, and hope to upgrade soon. We attempted an ungrade last summer but key features missing so we have not made the transition. Since then, the online editor has been working with OJS to ensure the next release fits our needs. We will migrate to that version by this summer. There are ongoing email aliases/spam problems; we need to explore other options and will be doing that this summer.
- Report from subscriptions manager - Anne Carscallan
It should be noted that foreign exchange is a significant issue for our revenues. Fully 40% of subscription revenue come from foreign sources, and those are in USD. As a result, a 5 cent move in the Canadian $ equals $1100 in annual revenue. Subscriptions are sitting at around 410, down a bit from 2005 but there are always new ones coming in, old ones falling off. For 2007 things are looking very positive with 22 new subscriptions in Q1 already. We have seen a steady increase in print subscribers going to online as an addition, some are adding online only. There are 41 online only subscriptions. We’ve made 23 single copy sales (mainly the labour issue).
Board discussed the possible confusion among institutional subscribers about the benefits of online subscriptions, suggestion to contact libraries with the benefits of online access especially for younger readers who neglect printed materials.
- Other business.
Board had an open discussion about membership. No terms expire in 2007 but current board will largely turn over in 2008. Board members who have terms expiring in 2008 were asked about their willingness to let their names stand for re-election in 2008. All agreed (Mitchell, Lorimer, Smith, Alhassan, Compton, Gabriel, Brin).
Given the need for a secretary - it was proposed that Smith let his name stand for secretary at the AGM with the benefit of changing his expiry date to 2010. Agreed.
We have a place for one new member at large. Discussion of possible candidates. Agreed that board members would identify possible candidates and discuss by email. Smith to follow up.
- Other business
Discussion of the desirability to renew the editor (three years 2008-2011). Moved by Compton, Seconded Alhassan. Passed unanimously.
Discussion of CJC presence at ICA (2007 in San Francisco, 2008 in Montreal). David Mitchell will be at San Francisco - will try to promote the journal. Manon Niquette will see what can be done to promote CJC presence at ICA in Montreal in 2008
Smith proposed that CJC implement a “professional development” allowance of $2,000 annually for the editor. Moved Smith, seconded Lorimer. Passed.
Adjourn 10:30am