It was great to see so many of you at last week’s NTWAB Annual Awards Dinner, membership meeting and the Breeders’ Cup. The minutes from the meeting are set out below, and as you’ll see we voted in 10 new members to the association.

Also, a recap of our dinner with a photo array is on our website.

The program for the 2022 dinner is also available online at ntwab.org. Many thanks to Graham Allen for providing us a PDF in the proper format to load such a large file, and to Dick Downey for getting it up on the website. 

There are always issues that pop up at major events like the Breeders’ Cup. If you encountered any, or had any problems with access, credentialing, parking, shuttles, etc., please let me know and I’ll make sure the appropriate people from the BC are aware.

 
Eclipse Award voting will begin soon; so please be sure to have dues paid up and let Jennifer Kelly know of any address changes as soon as possible. The deadline for submission in the Eclipse Award media categories is also coming fast – 5 p.m. November 18 – so don’t miss out.

I wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving. 

Take care,
Tom Law
NTWAB President
November 10, 202

NTWAB General Membership Meeting
Breeders’ Cup Week 2022
November 3, 2022, 11 am ET

Minutes by Jennifer Kelly, Secretary

Call to Order – Tom Law called the meeting to order at 11:12 am ET.

Roll Call – Alex Orr, Marty McGee, John Cherwa, Julie June Stewart, Danielle Gibson, Kim Rinker, Vance Hanson, Paul Rolfes, Ron Flatter, Ed DeRosa, Jennie Rees, Greg Hall, Alicia Hughes, Justina Severini, Cindy Deubler, Beverley Smith, John Scheinman, Naomi Tukker, Liane Crossley, Debbie Arrington, Jay Privman, Dick Downey, Byron King, Sara Gordon, Natalie Voss, Joe Nevills, Tim Wilkin, Frank Angst, Robert Kieckhefer, Scott Hazelton, Nathan Campbell, Jessie Oswald, Evan Hammonds, Andrew Champagne, Dave Johnson, Gregory Hall.

NTWAB Dinner Wrap-Up – Dick gave an update on the NTWAB awards dinner the previous evening. The event cost $16,013, including a $2,400 gratuity. Byron King sold more than $23,000 in ads for the evening’s program, and with the addition of ads Mike Kane sold, ad sales are more than $24,000. Oaklawn Park still owes for its 2021 advertisement. Bob Kieckhefer asked about the amount. Dick shared that the total owed is $600. He also solicited for anyone with contacts within the Oaklawn administration to help take care of this outstanding debt.

For those unable to attend this year’s dinner, you can find a few photos from the evening’s festivities here.

Treasurer’s Report – Dick Downey shared his Treasurer’s Report. NTWAB currently has $113,305.56 in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares and $13,319.19 in Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund, for a total of $126,624.75. NTWAB’s checking account has $23,947.78 and the charitable fund has $6,275.25. Total assets stand at $156,847.22. Donation of $7,500 to seven organizations following the NTWAB banquet on behalf of award recipients, emcee Tom Leach, and Jay Privman.

Privman Donation – In honor of Mr. Privman’s retirement, the board has voted to donate $1,000 to an organization of his choosing. He selected Old Friends as the beneficiary.

New Member Applications – Tom Law moved to discuss new member applications. Ten applications were submitted. All were approved as Regular members (writers and broadcasters) except for John Furlong, who was admitted as an Associate member owing to his largely supporting role at NBC. Table with applicant names and affiliations given in chart below.

Ron Flatter asks about the decision behind admitting Furlong as an associate rather than a full member. Greg Hall chimes in with discussion about nuances within Furlong’s role and how it relates to NTWAB.

Jennie Rees offers support for Danny Brewer’s application, followed by Frank Angst. FA said he researched Brewer’s activities and felt that they merit his qualification for inclusion.

Bob Kieckhefer moves to pass slate of applications. Gregory Hall seconds.

All present on Zoom and in person approve. All applicants are approved for membership.

Internship Program Update – Natalie Voss gives update on internship program. NTWAB will offer two $2,500 stipends for summer internships. The aim is to have one broadcast and one print/digital internship for journalism or broadcasting students interested in learning more about the sport or for those with equine experience looking to learn more about working in media.

HISA Information Requests – Byron King shares information about HISA’s policies about information requests and asks NTWAB to consider pushing for better disclosure policies about data and other information HISA collects. Ron Flatter relates issue to that of working with entities like FTC and other private entities with quasi-public/government intersection and their policies about FOIA requests and similar.

Gregory Hall proposes that the organization may need to consult with an attorney about this topic. Also brings up the interaction between state racing boards subject to laws like FOIA.

Dick Downey and Frank Angst suggest collaborating with business journalists to ask about working with private organizations with ties to public entities, like the SEC, on the issue of information requests.

King asks NTWAB to write a letter to HISA to encourage them to clarify their policies. Greg Hall motions for President to write a letter on this issue to HISA. Frank Angst suggest we ask them to clarify their policies regarding disclosures, re: FOIA and similar. Julie June Stewart suggests adding language about FOIA to letter to get something in writing. Seconds from Dick Arrington and Justina Severini.

Motion passes. Tom Law will elicit help for this from Associated Press Sports Editors as done with CHRB issues.

Breeders’ Cup Questions and Concerns for NTWAB Members – Natalie Voss asked about media parking for Breeders’ Cup. Tim Wilkin mentioned the shuttles schedule from media hotel, with concerns about timing for those on deadline.

Alicia Hughes brought up issues with parking on Rice Road with media credentials and no hangtags. Security was not accepting media credentials when it came to accessing parking or certain parts of the track. Jennie Rees reports same issue. Frank Angst added that photographers had run into similar. Tom Law assured he would follow up with Jim Gluckson of Breeders’ Cup.

Commendations for Loren and Tom – Dick Downey moved to thank both Tom Law and Loren Hebel-Osborne for their efforts in putting on a successful NTWAB Annual Awards Dinner. Membership offered thanks.

Miscellaneous – Frank Angst shared comments about NTWAB’s handling of CHRB issue.

Adjournment - Frank Angst moved motioned to adjourn meeting. Byron King seconded. Meeting adjourned at 11:56 am ET.

Applicants for Membership – November 2022
Name              Sponsors                             Board Decision  Membership Vote
Danny Brewer Jennie Rees & Tim Wilkin     Recommended   Approve
Sara Elbadwi   Ed DeRosa & Mark Midland Recommended   Approve
John Furlong   John Cherwa & Ron Flatter   Recommended   Approve
Lauren Gash   Frank Angst & Claire Crosby Recommended   Approve
Mike Gandolfo John Cherwa & E.J. Clark     Recommended   Approve
Marcus Hersh  Tom Law & Frank Angst        Recommended   Approve
Steve Kornacki Ron Flatter & John Cherwa  Recommended   Approve
Louis Rabaut   Jennie Rees & Tim Wilkin     Recommended   Approve
Rishi Persad   Scott Hazelton & Tom Law     Recommended   Approve
Robert Rodriguez John Pricci & Marty McGee Recommended   Approve