Meeting Minutes

NABE Communications Section, Business Meeting
Minutes of February 5, 2003
Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seattle, Washington

Present were:

Chris Blake, Connecticut Bar Association
Francine Walker, The Florida Bar
Carol Manning, Oklahoma Bar Association
Susan Andres, Alabama State Bar
Sharon K. Nolan, Chicago Bar Association
Judy Berrett, Washington State Bar Association
Cynthia Kuhn, District of Columbia Bar
Chris Cendagorta, Washoe County Bar Association
Barb Kittrell, Berks County Bar Association
Betty Braden, State Bar of Wisconsin
Mabel McKinney Browning, ABA Division for Public Education
Sarina Butler, ABA Communication Group
Jack Wax, The Missouri Bar
Marilyn Cavicchia, ABA Publishing/DBS
Yvonne McGhee, Fairfax Bar Association
Velma Gooding, Kansas Bar Association
Kelley Jones King, State Bar of Texas
Elizabeth Derrico, ABA
Joe Conte, State Bar of Georgia

Chair Chris Blake called the meeting to order.

Minutes - Betty Braden moved, Barb Kittrell seconded to approve the minutes from the September 28, 2002, meeting in Alexandria, Va. Motion passed.

Treasurer's Report - Treasurer Susan Andres reviewed the financial report that was distributed to all members. She reported the section lost 98 cents on the workshop. Overall, she reported that as of January 10, 2003, the section had $4,292.98 in its account.

Introductions - Everyone introduced themselves.

Program Committee (Seattle) - Christine Cendagorta reported that Marc Smiley, an organization development consultant from Portland, Oregon, will be presenting several programs at this meeting. Section members Chris Blake and Elizabeth Derrico will also be speakers at a program.
Program Committee (San Francisco) - Susan Andres, who serves on the NABE Program Committee, reviewed the content of a proposed program called "Lobbying and Communications: Working Together to Achieve Results" that will be presented to the NABE Planning Committee on Friday. The program would be jointly sponsored by the Communications Section and Government Relations Section.

Luminary Awards - It was reported that the number of entries have been declining and excitement seems to be waning. Responses to the recently conducted survey were reviewed. A new category will be added for marketing bar products and services. Additional efforts will be made to market the award itself. The goal will be to make the winning entries available on the Web site and in a program.

Electronic Services - Joe Conte reported a small subcommittee is working on content and navigation. They will be meeting with Jim Calloway, chair of the NABE Web Site Committee.

Membership Committee - Sharon Nolan reported the committee called new members before the workshop and following the workshop contacted non-section members who attended. She said they are still working on mentor services.

St. Louis Workshop - Section members were reminded the next workshop will be held Oct. 15-18, 2003 at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Former section chair Gary Toohey is chairing the Workshop Committee. Joe Conte provided the logo design, and Dan Wise will be in charge of recruiting sponsorships. An alumni reunion with former section members is planned as part of the workshop.

Leadership - Chris Cendagorta said information about section member expertise is being gathered and will be posted on NABE-NET, the new online bulletin board for NABE members.

Volunteer Recognition - Chris Blake asked section members to give recommendations to him or Cynthia Kuhn for section volunteers deserving of recognition for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the section.

Member Needs Assessment - Chris Blake report the last member survey was conducted in 1997 and that it is time to conduct another one with updated questions. It was noted that NABE also has plans to conduct a member survey.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Workshop - Chris Blake reported 2004 Workshop Chair Duane Stanley is scheduled to have surgery soon and could not attend this meeting. A committee has been formed. Location will be downtown Minneapolis with a tentative date of Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2004. A hotel has not yet been confirmed.
Division for Bar Services Report - Elizabeth Derrico reported the division has a display booth in the vendor area with new publications available for sale. She introduced Jill Werner, new NABE Staff Director.

Law Day - Mabel McKinney Browning handed out copies of Law Day activities awards and the Law Matters newsletter. She said they want to profile public education activities in each issue.

The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will take place at the August 2003 Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Manning
Oklahoma Bar Association
Communications Section