Saturday, April 14, 2007
UPDATED x2: Dallas Press Club attempting to rebound from period of alleged mismanagement
Updated 01:34 p.m., May 1, 2007
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DALLAS — UPDATE 2: The club has filed suit against Albanese, who takes a terrible mug shot.
UPDATE: Be sure to follow the links in the comments. Seems that it is likely that there was no judging of last year's Katies (at least) and that Albanese has a criminal history.
About a month ago, I got an innocuous-on-its-face email about leadership changes at the Press Club of Dallas. Seemed that the president, Elizabeth Albanese, was moving on to a new career and that there was also a new finance chair who was replacing the treasurer who was moving on to pursue other opportunities.
My spidey sense tingled that something was up, so Teresa called the Press Club to see what she could learn. She was told that Albanese was moving on because her father had cancer and she was also taking a job outside of the media.
Can't argue with that, so we let it go. Turns out, based on the email I just received from the new president, there was something there after all:
IMPORTANT: Press Club of Dallas Update
Dear Press Club Member:
As you know, I became president of the Press Club last month. Openness, transparency and accountability are important to me, the board of directors and the members of this organization. As a result, I want to make you aware of several issues related to the Press Club and the Press Club Foundation.
The Press Club board and the Foundation board have been working to bring these issues to closure, which arose over the past several weeks. Our objective is to resolve them, and to put in place new policies and procedures that preserves the Club’s reputation and ensures its ability to raise scholarship funds for journalism students. While I’m disappointed that we haven’t yet resolved every issue before us, we have made progress. I expect we will resolve all them within a few weeks.
Issues
1) Elizabeth Albanese resigned on March 14. The following is the substantive text of her email to the board:
“I had hopes of creating a new type of organization that would move the club forward as a 501(c)3. Certainly I believed that this was the best course of action for the club itself and never perceived it as a threat to any current operating modes. I see now, however, that this issue has created a great division between the Press Club Foundation and the Press Club Board of Directors, which can only damage both organizations. As such, I step aside to allow the board to lead the club in whatever direction it chooses.”
2) There is a question between the Press Club board and the Foundation board as to whether there should be two distinct entities. The fundamental question, in my judgment, is whether having two distinct organizations and boards of directors makes sense today. It may have in the 1970s when the decision was originally made. Today, I am, and other Club board members are, interested in exploring other options. We will continue to work with the Foundation to resolve this issue in a way that is in the best interests of both entities.
3) The Foundation determined in late January to suspend the stipend it provides for Club operations. It is my understanding that the Foundation, rightly so in my view, had serious concerns about the failure to have more fundraising events in 2006. The Press Club is obligated to hold two to three events per year on behalf of the Foundation to generate scholarship funds. For a variety of reasons, the Press Club did not meet its responsibility in 2006.
Despite the Club’s best intentions, we only held one fundraising event last year – the Katie Awards – which was profitable. We had plans for a Gridiron show and a Roast, but neither materialized. In fact, due to a lack of oversight and appropriate board control, the Club spent more than $11,000 in 2006 for a Gridiron show – most of which is deposit on a venue. The board subsequently determined not hold the Gridiron, and we are negotiating for a return of the deposit. Equally important, we’re working with the Foundation to stage events that generate scholarships proceeds in 2007.
4) Unrelated to the Foundation’s stipend decision, both boards learned in early March that Elizabeth had used a Foundation credit card for personal expenses. While this was completely inappropriate, the Club’s finance committee – which includes members of both boards as well as general members of the Press Club – reviewed this matter with the Club’s bookkeeper. All personal expenses have been more than fully repaid. Equally important, I assure you this will not happen again as long as I have a leadership role in this organization.
5) In suspending the stipend, the Foundation also asked for a list of 2006 Katie Award judges. A simple, and legitimate, request. However, we do not currently have that information, though we are working in a variety of ways to obtain it and have been for several weeks.
It is difficult to explain why that information isn’t readily accessible. In fact, there is no good reason other than, in my judgment, sloppy management on the part of the Press Club board. In my opinion, the responsibility and accountability rests with each member of both boards — including me.
Actions
These are the steps we have taken to address this issue:
• A thorough review of all documents, files and computer records in the possession of the Press Club.
• Formal and informal communications with Elizabeth asking for any and all information related to who judged the 2006 Katie Awards.
• Personal outreach to other individuals and organizations, locally and nationally, who may have knowledge of or participated in judging the 2006 Katie Awards.
To date, these efforts have failed to turn up any useful information.
Special Committee
As a result, this week a special committee was named to pursue any and all avenues that it deems necessary to investigate this matter, determine the facts and report back to the board and the membership.
Hugh Aynesworth -- Dallas bureau chief of the Washington Times and a long-time member of the Press Club chairs the committee. Committee members are Tony Pederson, chair of the SMU School of Journalism and former executive editor of the Houston Chronicle; Darwin Payne, a former reporter with the Dallas Times Herald and former professor of journalism at SMU; and, John Miller, currently a professor at TCU and former news director at WFAA.
The committee has already begun its work. Once its investigation is complete, I will call an special open meeting of the Press Club for the committee to report its findings. Where ever the facts lead, we will fully report and follow them.
In addition, working with the Foundation, the Press Club board will put in place new procedures and policies to assure the membership, and Katie participants, that the judging process going forward is thorough, rigorous and above reproach.
Mr. Pederson, Mr. Payne and Mr. Miller have also agreed to serve in an advisory capacity on that effort as well. Their charge is to review the criteria, the rules and to give us guidance on establishing a system of judging that will be more transparent.
In closing, let me state that the men and women who serve on the Press Club and Foundation boards are talented, dedicated and committed in their volunteer service. All of us serve because we believe in providing relevant and substantive programs and activities that are meaningful to the members. We also believe in the notion of helping others, through scholarship support, who want to enter the journalism or mass communication profession.
On a personal note, I apologize to you for what I believe is our collective poor management of these issues. I can tell you that the membership of both boards are working closely and diligently to resolve them expeditiously. I will keep you informed as new information becomes available.
I am happy to answer questions you have about any of these issues. You should feel free to contact me at [email address redacted]. You are welcome to call me as well. The best number to dial is my cell phone. Please understand that I may not be able to call you back until after business hours.
Sincerely,
Tom Stewart
President
Press Club of Dallas
Teresa Gubbins contributed to the reporting on this story.
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Comments
Teresa Gubbins Staff
Big blowout in the Dallas Biz Journal
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
twisteddog Anonymous
Strange, I didn't see anything about this on the TV news or in the daily paper.
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
DBJ's Glenn Hunter has resigned from the Press Club board:
http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2007...
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Frontburner's all over this one:
Rod calls for a re-do on the 2006 awards: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2007...
Tim offers a hi-lariously annotated copy of minutes of the last Press Club Board meeting: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2007...
A PC-er defends the org: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2007...
Keep reading...
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Tom Stewart fires back: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2007...
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
David Goodspeed Verified
Wait- there's a Dallas Press Club?
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
WHOA: DBJ sez that the "Press Club president no longer believes the '06 Katies were ever judged."
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
twisteddog Anonymous
Nobody would've won if they were.
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
J_Mortimer Anonymous
touche'
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
latest chapter from the DMN reports that former press club president Elizabeth Albanese had a criminal record under the name Lisa, as well as a history of mental illness and delusional behavior
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
kirk Anonymous
Something tells me Albanese will not be winning the "Best Investigative Series" award this year, as she did last.
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Star-T is returning their awards:
http://www.star-telegram.com/251/stor...
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Keeps getting deeper: 2004 and 2005 also in question...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/a...
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Alan Cohen Staff
Not a huge surprise, but now in addition to reviewing Katie Awards from the past few years, they are also considering canceling this year's Katie awards: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedconte...
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
PDF of the lawsuit, courtesy the Frontburner: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/wp-c...
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Nothing terribly new here, but from the Club's mouth, here's the latest. (Guys, check your footers before sending out your next email, eh?)
Press Club of Dallas Lawsuit Filed Against Former-President
Katie Awards Fraud Alleged
DALLAS (May 1, 2007) - The Press Club of Dallas and the Press Club of
Dallas Foundation filed a civil fraud lawsuit on Monday against
former-president Elizabeth Albanese over the judging of the 2005 and
2006 prestigious Katie Awards.
The lawsuit states Ms. Albanese knowingly or recklessly made material,
false representations and/or non-disclosures about the circumstances
surrounding the judging of the Katie Awards in the years in question.
As part of the lawsuit, the Press Club demands the return of any and all
Katie Awards in the possession of Ms. Albanese and that she explain
under oath what happened to the award entries for 2005 and 2006. The
lawsuit also seeks unspecified damages.
Corrective Actions
Since questions arose about spending and judging, the Press Club of
Dallas and the Press Club of Dallas Foundation have taken steps to
restore integrity to the Katie Awards:
investigation and monitor the 2007 Katie Awards judging, if the Katie
Awards are held in 2007. The panel includes:
o John Miller, TCU professor and former-Ch. 8 news director
o Darwin Payne, former-SMU journalism professor
o Tony Pederson, chair of the SMU School of Journalism
Katie Awards. Cheryl Hall, of The Dallas Morning News, and Gloria
Campos, of WFAA Ch. 8, who are both on the Foundation Board will monitor
upcoming Katie Awards judging.
and the Foundation. Ms. Albanese did not have access to Foundation
funds, but the leadership believes any audit should include both
organizations to reassure all parties going forward that proceeds were
properly used.
"We have met with the leadership of The Dallas Morning News, the Fort
Worth Star-Telegram and other news organization and assured them there
will only be a 2007 Katie Awards if it can be held with the highest
integrity and the greatest transparency," said Rand LaVonn, president of
the Press Club of Dallas Foundation.
"Media organizations have really stepped up," said LaVonn. "Several
want to help and almost no one has asked for a refund once we have been
able to assure them that the proceeds actually did go for scholarships
for journalism and communications students."
"We apologize to everyone who participated in the Katie Awards," said
Tom Stewart, president of the Press Club of Dallas. "We let one
individual have control over the judging process. In doing so, we let
ourselves down and we let down everyone who entered or supported the
Katies for the past two years."
The Foundation has distributed more than $325,000 in scholarships to
journalism and communications students since 1984. The Katie Awards and
other functions are fundraising events to achieve the mission of the
Foundation, which is to provide scholarships. While judging for the
Katie Awards is in question, all proceeds went toward scholarships.
Press Club and Foundation leaders are considering a plan to allow anyone
who submitted entries in 2005 or 2006 to submit entries free in 2007.
The plan is still under discussion but has been endorsed by major news
organizations as a reasonable action to apologize to those involved
while minimizing the impact on scholarship funds for students.
About Press Club of Dallas Cover your company basics here - legal name, location, years in business, etc. Also include a brief description of your products or services.
About Company 2 If another company is included in your release, ask them to provide their company description. If you must create one, use the guidelines above and ask them approve the final version.
Press Club of Dallas
Job Title Press Club of Dallas
Job Title
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
kirk Anonymous
Jeeze. They use a news release template to create their releases?
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Sanders Kaufman Verified
All good journalists use templates when submitting material.
If they didn't, editors would be reviewing material written out in cursive with crayolas.
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
kirk Anonymous
"All good journalists" don't use templates that prompt them where to put the information about the company they are covering, or where the subject's name and title go.
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Sanders Kaufman Verified
Who said they do?
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Special meeting to be held to elect new officers:
Press Club of Dallas
NOTICE SPECIAL MEETING PRESS CLUB OF DALLAS
All Press Club members are urged to attend a meeting at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Women's Museum in Fair Park of the Press Club of Dallas. The club's board will provide an update on the status of the club and the Katie Awards.
Also, as required by the constitution and by-laws, we will also hold a special election for four empty seats on the Board of Directors. According to the constitution, media members in good standing must fill the positions - meaning dues must be current.
Please submit your board nominations to the Press Club office by Friday, May 11, so we can verify eligibility and print ballots. Write-in candidates will be accepted after this deadline if they can prove eligibility.
All members must also be in good standing to be eligible to vote. If you have any questions about your status, please contact Leann Bryan at (214) 428-1700 or by e-mail at pressclubdallas@sbcglobal.net. Existing members may pay their dues at the door and still be eligible to vote on all issues.
WE MUST HAVE A QUORUM OF 10 PERCENT OF THE MEMBERS PRESENT IN PERSON, OR BY PROXY, AT THIS MEETING FOR THE ELECTION TO BE HELD.
If you cannot attend and want another member to vote your proxy, please contact club secretary Linda Franklin at (214) 546-4737 to make those arrangements.
The Board of Directors Press Club of Dallas
2 years, 2 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
2004-2006 = rigged: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/a...
Profile of the pitiful svengali: http://www.dallasobserver.com/2007-06...
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
it made gawker and here's AP
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Rawlins Gilliland Verified
Just in: Unconfirmed rumor has it that part of any potential plea bargain for Ms. Albanese will include a proviso that, upon being incarcerated, she be allowed in her cell to watch the Gordon Keith Show (which she had planned to award with the 2006 Communications Legend Award had she been again spearheading the Katies. Last year's winner was, of course, Ms. Albanese.)
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Press Club wants $420k from Albanese:
http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2007...
1 year, 11 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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