Meeting Minutes

Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles
February 4, 1999

The regular business meeting of the NABE Communications Section was called to order by Chair Jennifer Davis. Also present were Janet Eveleth, Cheryl Bruce, Kristen Stare, Dennett Young, Lori Ruello, Matt Silverman, Trudy Levindofske, Judy Berrett, Sarina Butler, Mabel McKinney-Browning, Elaine S. Glass, Carol Manning, Chris Blake, Ginger Banks, Brenda Forsythe, Ann Scarle, Betty Braden, Bill Litant, Sam Lipsman, Joyce Hastings, Marcia Kladder, Gary Toohey, Ted Stellwag, George Brown, Christine Cendagorta, Roger Parris, and Elizabeth Derrico.

Committee Reports

1999 Section Workshop. Workshop co-chair Ginger Banks reported that the 1999 workshop will be held October 20-23 at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio. While programming plans are still being explored at this early date, she said the program will include an emphasis on leadership skills and a presentation based on the successful efforts of this year’s Luminary Awards recipients.

Program Committee. Reporting on behalf of committee co-chairs Wendy Jones and Susan Andres, Jennifer Davis said that two educational presentations developed by the committee – "Create the Future: Ready or Not – It’s Here – Information Overload" and "Create the Future: Can You Keep a Secret" – had been selected by the NABE Program Committee for presentation in Los Angeles. Planning for the NABE Annual Meeting, scheduled for August in Atlanta, is continuing, she added.

Newsletter Committee. Committee co-chair Gary Toohey reported that three issues of the section’s newsletter have been issued, with a fourth now in production. He urged section members to continue to provide him with news and article ideas, along with feedback on the newsletter itself.

Research Committee. Committee chair Betty Braden reported they are asking the NABE Board of Directors to authorize a nominal budget to send a postcard survey to ascertain what members want from the organization. The postcard would include 8-10 questions. The committee is also exploring how to aid Section members in learning what research is, how to identify good versus bad research, and how to use the results.

Marketing Committee. According to committee members Ann Scarle and Chris Blake, the committee hopes to gather information on, and provide summaries of, successful marketing efforts as an addendum to Marketing Commandments for Bar Communicators, the marketing handbook developed by the committee last year. The committee is currently considering the best and least inconvenient way to obtain this information from bar organizations around the country.

Luminary Awards Committee. Chair Chris Cendagorta summarized the significant changes made to the awards process last year, including a restructuring of the "size of bar" category, the elimination of the "Against All Odds" category, and the addition of a web site category. She added that Susan Ferrer of the Indiana State Bar had agreed to co-chair the committee.

Richter Award Committee. Elizabeth Derrico of the ABA Division for Bar Services, the recipient of last year’s award, reported that some consideration is being given toward the creation of an additional award to recognize outstanding volunteerism within the Communications Section. She also reported the recipient’s bar association would be notified so they could make arrangements to be present if they so desired.

New Member Outreach Committee. Co-chair Carol Manning said the committee, as part of its outreach effort, is working on development of a system (in conjunction with the ABA Division for Bar Services) to identify new section members as they are hired at bar organizations around the nation and provide them with a welcome package of information about the services, materials and support available to them through NABE and the Communications Section.

Communications Audit Committee Trudy Levindofske, chair of this committee, provided Section members with a brief overview of this service, which allows bar communicators to bring in a 2-3 person team of their colleagues from other bar organizations to objectively evaluate their overall communications efforts.

Scholarship Committee. Jennifer Davis reported the Section will offer two $500 scholarships, one of which will be reserved for a first-time attendee, for the 1999 Section Workshop in San Antonio.

Publications Counseling Service. Jennifer Davis described this service of the Section, which offers a review of publications submitted by bar associations around the country. Bars interested in having their publications critiqued should contact committee chair Nancy Hebble.

Section List Serve/NABE Website. Jennifer Davis summarized this service, which she described as a "huge membership benefit" for instant information and support from colleagues in bar work. She noted that the Website Committee, led by chair Mark Mathewson, is striving to develop an information clearinghouse for Section members on the NABE website, beginning with a compilation of advertising policies, editorial guidelines and copyright agreements from bar organizations throughout the nation.

Communications Strategy

Janet Eveleth, who is chairing the effort to develop an updated, comprehensive communications strategy for the Section, summarized the history of this project, dating back to the 1978 "Scottsdale I" and 1988 "Scottsdale II" documents. She said the goal of this effort is to finalize a communications plan that will contain common messages and address common issues facing all bar communicators.

Treasurer’s Report

Section Treasurer Chris Cendagorta provided an update on Section finances. Of particular note was the fact that the 1998 Section Workshop in New Orleans had come in under budget, contributing to the Section’s continued solvency. A motion was made and seconded to increase Section dues by $10 to a total of $30. While dues have been at $20 for more than 10 years, the Section has continued to grow in size and benefits – including the List Serve, newsletter, and annual workshop. This nominal increase was adopted by voice vote and will be submitted to the NABE Board of Directors for approval.

Bylaws Amendment

Jennifer Davis advised the Section membership of a bylaws amendment suggested by the Section’s executive council. The amendment, which was published in the last Section newsletter, would add the immediate past chair of the Section to the executive council as a way of fostering continuity. On a voice vote, the amendment was adopted.

There being no further business, a motion was made, seconded and adopted for adjournment.