Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Saturday, September 28, 2002
Hilton Old Town, Alexandria, VA

Present were:
Chris Blake, Roger Parris, Joe Conte, Sandy McKay, Veronica Cordova, Diana Sandoval, Paul Nickell, Chris Cendagorta, Colleen Buggy, Joyce Hastings, Sam Lipsman, Francine Walker, Cynthia Kuhn, Kelley Jones King, Judi Mowris, Cindy Rankin, Judy Berrett, Yvonne McGhee, Susan Andres, Julie Hankin, Arlene Abady

Call to Order - Chair Chris Blake called the meeting to order at 10 a.m.

Minutes - Cynthia Kuhn moved and Susan Andres seconded to approve the minutes from the August 7, 2002, meeting in Washington, DC. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report - Susan Andres reported that for the period from June 1 through September 23, 2002, (Attachment I), there was a drop in the reserves due to the cancellation of the workshop in Daufuskie and the expenses associated with the workshop/meeting in Philadelphia. She also noted a delay in posting current dues, estimating that the income will increase by approximately $500 when all dues have been credited. Roger Parris moved, and Cynthia Kuhn seconded, acceptance of the report. Motion passed.

Committee Reports:

Program Committee - Chris Cendagorta reported that the Section has secured Marc Smiley for the 2003 NABE Midyear Meeting in Seattle for the Thursday plenary session. His topic will be the care and feeding of volunteers and how to help committees work effectively. She encouraged all present to visit the web site, marcsmiley.com, particularly to review the excellent forms Mr. Smiley makes available. For the 2003 NABE Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Susan Andres said several section members have volunteered to assist with the program and they will begin planning at the NABE Midyear Meeting. Chris Blake said a joint program with the Governmental Relations Section on how communications and lobbying functions can work together for this meeting will be explored.

Luminary Awards - Chris Blake discussed concerns about the future of the awards expressed by Gretchen DeSutter of West and recommendations by this year’s chair Mark Mathewson. He said that the Executive Council had discussed these at length, and decided to survey members. Several suggestions were made by Council members, including adding categories for integrated marketing programs, best new entry and most improved.

Electronic Services - Chris Blake announced that Joe Conte is the new chair of this committee which will manage the NABECOMM listserv. There was some discussion about whether only Section members should be on the listserv and a suggestion that webmasters who work for or with Section members be included.

Membership - Sharon Nolan recognized first-time attendees to the workshop on Wednesday.

This committee will be working with on mailing welcome letters to new members throughout the year, to revamp the section brochure, and to working on membership recruiting efforts.

Richter and Anne Charles Awards - This year’s winners, Joyce Hastings and Paul Nickell will chair the next awards. Suggestions from members included increasing nominations, taking nominations at each meeting of the Section and web site promotion.

2002 Workshop - Cynthia Kuhn and her commended for an excellent 2002 workshop and Chris Blake presented her with a special ‘thank you’ gift.

2003 Workshop - The next workshop will be held in St. Louis, October 15-19 at the Millennium Hotel. The workshop chair is Gary Toohey, a former Section chair.

By-Laws - Honorary members will be allowed to continue to participate in the Section listserv.

Leadership Committee - Chris Cendagorta reported that the membership database is in need of updating to include special interests and talents of members. She said that NABE president Tom Tinder has made this a priority of his term and her committee will work to ensure that our Section database is accurate and complete.

Volunteer Recognition - Chris Blake and past chair Chris Cendagorta recognized the following Section members who each received a NABE denim shirt: Cynthia Kuhn, Dave Sims, Mark Mathewson, Francine Walker, Yvonne McGhee, Sam Lipsman, Matt Silverman, Arlene Abady and Joe Conte.

Scholarships - Two were awarded for this workshop. Joseph Satter, Hennepin County Bar, and Diane Sandoval, New Mexico State Bar, were the recipients. Mr. Blake thanked Denette Young of the Louisiana State Bar Association for stepping in at the last minute to chair the scholarship committee after Lori Ruello left her job at the LSBA.

Marketing - Matt Silverman will chair this committee which will work to update the marketing handbook and strive to place it on the website.

Section Membership Database and Survey - Chris Blake said he would like for the council to conduct a survey of the membership to help guide the section’s future direction. Members will be asked for feedback and suggestions. It has been five years since the section surveyed its membership.

Web Site Task Force - Chris Blake reviewed a written charge for this task force and announced that the membership (Attachment III).

New Business - Duane Stanley will chair the 2004 workshop to be held in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Francine Walker volunteered to provide proposals from Florida hotel properties for the 2005 meeting. An “ABA Division for Bar Services-o-Gram” from Elizabeth Derrico. She said that a new NABE staff director is being sought who will report to Pam Robinson and that NABE, NCBP and NCBF would have services consolidated under Pam. She also recommended that section members utilize the Bar Services database of clearinghouse/library materials under “resources” at www.abanet.org/barserv. In addition, Elizabeth discussed: ABA security blanket ad and public education initiative tool kit; Dialogue on Freedom; ABA’s participation in “Freedom’s Answer,” a bi-partisan group to encourage voter turnout by working with kids and schools; and the NABE meeting and Tech Show in Seatlle.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m.. The next meeting will be held in Seattle in early February

Submitted by: Francine Walker, Member-at-Large