Meeting Minutes

Hyatt Regency Atlanta,
Atlanta, Georgia August 4, 1999

The regular business meeting of the NABE Communications Section was called to order by Chair Jennifer Davis. Also present were: Susan Andres, Ginger Banks, Betty Braden, Angie Burke, Sarina Butler, Joe Conte, Carol Ann Cunningham, Vicki Estes, Janet Eveleth, Brenda Forsythe, Joyce Hastings, Wendy Jones, Sharon Koubek, Dan Kim, Roseanne Lucianek, Carol Manning, Mabel McKinney Browning, Roger Parris, Tamra Powell, Kim Rowden, Kimberly Smith, Leslie Smith, Jack Sweeney, Gary Toohey, Park Trammell, and Debbie Weixl.

The Minutes of the February 4, 1999 Section Business Meeting were approved.

Sarina Butler gave an overview of the Communications Section’s and the ABA staff’s roles in developing a communications strategy for bar associations. The goal was to identify topics about which all bars speak and related messages that are clear, simple, and strong. The process started approximately a year ago. A Communications Section committee identified topics and worked with the ABA staff and consultant Michael Sheehan to shape the messages. A goal and problem statement were also established for each message. Sarina suggested that each bar association using the message platforms work out strategies, objectives, and background materials for each topic. Sarina reviewed each topic and asked for input. Janet Eveleth said the overall communications strategy plan will be sent to all section members for input. The plan also will be reviewed during a session at the section’s workshop in San Antonio, TX during October 1999. Chair Jennifer Davis encouraged section members to use the message platforms.

1999 Section Workshop. Workshop Chair Kimberly Smith reported that the workshop will be in San Antonio, TX, Oct. 20-23 at the Menger Hotel. The workshop will start Wednesday at 1 p.m. and end at noon on Saturday. Kimberly said a good response from potential sponsors was received. The workshop will have several educational tracks, including public relations, management, and technology. Section members should send their ideas to Kimberly for the program, which will be finalized during the next few weeks.

Program Committee. Jennifer Davis encouraged everyone to attend the session, "Promoting Public Understanding and Confidence: Strategies and Partnerships for the 21st Century," which will be held Aug. 5 in Atlanta. The session was planned by the section.

Research. Betty Braden reported that the committee conducted a survey of NABE members regarding research. A report about the survey results is being written by Cynthia Spanhel.

Marketing. Susan Andres mentioned the Marketing Handbook that the section produced last year. The handbook is made available free of charge to each section member. Additional copies may be ordered. The committee is producing an addendum to the handbook regarding successful marketing campaigns. The addendum will be available during the fall 1999 Communications Section Workshop.

New Member Outreach. Carol Manning announced that the committee has four subcommittees: Recruitment, New Members, Members, and Workshop Greeting. The committee is getting reports from the Division for Bar Services to identify new members.

Leadership Development. Joyce Hastings noted that the section is experiencing changes. Turn overs in bar workers have led to stress on the infrastructure of the section. She said it will be important to formalize member outreach activities. Goals will be to increase member participation and awareness in the section and build a culture to involve members in section activities. The committee is developing further strategies that will be discussed during the 1999 Communications Workshop.

Nominating. Joyce Hastings presented the slate for the section’s Executive Council and moved its election, which was done unanimously. Executive Council members for 1999-2000 are: Chair: Gary Toohey, The Missouri Bar; Vice Chair: Christine Cendagorta, Washoe County Bar; Treasurer: Susan Andres, Alabama State Bar; Secretary: Ginger Banks, State Bar of Texas; Council Members: Wendy Jones, South Carolina Bar; Paul Nickell, Oregon State Bar; and Kimberly Smith, Kentucky Bar Association.

Newsletter. Gary Toohey reported that the next issue of the section’s newsletter is being prepared. Kim Rowden is co-chair of the Newsletter Committee and will become chair as Gary phases out his involvement with the newsletter. The Wisconsin Bar will continue handling production of the newsletter and The Missouri Bar will continue to print it.

Communications Audit. Trudy Levindofske reported that there were no requests from bars for their communications activities to be audited during the last year. Trudy mentioned that smaller bars may really benefit from the audit since they generally have small staffs with multiple responsibilities.

Publications Counseling. Jennifer Davis said the purpose of this function is to provide publications critiques by section members. She recommended sending publications to the counseling service as a way to reinforce ideas for changes that editors want to make. Jennifer suggested that Web sites be included in the counseling service.

Web Site/List Serve. Joyce Hastings, the section’s List Serve administrator, suggested shifting the shepherding of the List Serve to the Web Site Committee. Web Site Committee Chair Roger Parris said that he is inventorying the section’s information on the NABE Web site, which needs to be updated. He said a goal is to encourage the sharing of information between bars on how they construct their Web sites. Roger encouraged section members to join the committee.

Luminary Awards. Jennifer Davis said the Luminary Awards recognize the work of section members in public relations, publications, and Web sites. Nominations are due by June 1. The awards are presented during the annual section workshop. Jennifer reported that 1998-1999 Chair Christine Cendagorta had set up a database to track the awards and their judging.

Richter Award. Elizabeth Derrico reported that nomination forms will be sent to section members at the end of August. The award is presented during the section’s workshop to a section member who has made outstanding contributions to the section.

Scholarship. Jennifer Davis reported that two $500 scholarships are available to attendees of the section’s workshop. One of the scholarships is designated for a first-time attendee. Notices about the scholarships will be sent to section members within the next month.

Gary Toohey reported that the section is on solid financial ground. At the end of the 1998-1999 fiscal year, the section had a surplus of $8,831.

Jennifer Davis said the Executive Council had identified possible locations for the 2000 section workshop and wanted to get the section’s input. The choices: Daufuskie Island Club and Resort in South Carolina; a Holiday Inn in Alexandria, VA; and Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. A straw poll of the section indicated that Daufuskie Island Club and Resort was the section’s choice.

Note: At the end of the section meeting, the Executive Council decided to have the 2000 workshop at Daufuskie Island Club and Resort in South Carolina.

Jennifer Davis offered a tribute to long-time section member Anne Charles, who died recently after suffering from cancer. Jennifer said that Anne worked behind the scenes to do a lot for the section and always made everyone look good. Jennifer said that a resolution drafted by Gary Toohey will be presented to honor Anne during the NABE Annual Business meeting on Aug. 5, 1999. Jennifer also circulated cards for section members to sign for Anne’s family. Division for Bar Services

Division Director Roseanne Lucianek mentioned that the ABA is a gold mine of information, which she encouraged section members to use. In particular, Roseanne cited the Media Relations Division Web site which includes excellent resources and information about what is going on in the ABA. Roseanne stated that if the ABA Board confirms the budget, the Division for Bar Services will get a research/information assistant. She also mentioned that the new ABA president will strive for continuity in messages regarding public confidence in the legal profession. Other themes important to him are diversity and technology. Elizabeth Derrico mentioned that Libby Bullock is the new ABA staff director for NABE.

Tribute to Outgoing Chair

Gary Toohey recognized outgoing Section Chair Jennifer Davis for her outstanding service.

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

Recorded by

Ginger Banks

Section Secretary