Meeting Minutes

NABE Communications Section Business Meeting
Minutes of Saturday, October 18, 2003
Millennium Hotel, St. Louis, MO
10:00 a.m.

Present: Cynthia G. Kuhn, chair; Arlene Abady, Susan Andres, Kathleen Beitiks, Judy Berrett, Christopher Blake, Christine Cendagorta, Veronica Cordova, Mae Flennoy, Leigh Gulledge, Mark Mathewson, Paul Nickell, Roger Parris, Denise Rachels, Kevin Ryan, Diana Sandoval, Duane Stanley, Gary Toohey, Francine Walker, Bill Weber, Dan Wise, Jill Werner (guest).

Ms. Kuhn called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Ms. Kuhn opened the meeting by welcoming the new section members and encouraging them to get involved in the section.

Treasurer's Report
Mr. Stanley gave a report on the Financial Statement, which was distributed to those in attendance. Mr. Stanley reported that the section finances look good. Last year the section's revenues came out a couple of thousand dollars ahead of expenses. The latest statement reflects revenue from the section workshop but not expenses. Dues income over the past four years has been very positive.

Committee Reports
Program: Ms. Andres gave a report for the Program Committee. A great program is planned for the NABE 2004 Midyear Meeting in San Antonio. Marilyn Cavicchia, editor of Bar Leader magazine, will lead a panel discussion tentatively titled, "Herding Cats." The panel will focus on working with freelance writers and cover such issues as how to train, retain and manage freelancers. Sue Cady is assisting with the panel.

Membership: Ms. Kuhn reported for Yvonne McGhee, Membership Committee chair, who could not attend the workshop. She said Ms. McGhee is doing a great job so far. She will be focusing heavily on new member outreach activities during the year.

2004 Workshop: Mr. Stanley gave a report on the workshop, which will be held at the Hotel Crowne Plaza North Star in Minneapolis from October 6-9, 2004. This is the peak color season for Minnesota. A committee comprised of representatives of the Minnesota State Bar, the Hennepin County Bar (Minneapolis), the Ramsey County Bar (St. Paul) and West Group is organizing the 2004 workshop.

Scholarship: Ms. Kuhn said the section has a scholarship committee which offers two $500 scholarships to help section members who wish to attend the annual workshops but lack the necessary funding. She encouraged section members in attendance to think about and identify worthy recipients.

Member database: Ms. Cendagorta reported on the section member database that she has developed. The database is a resource to section members and NABE members in general. It lists the job titles and talents and skills of section members in a searchable database on the NABE web site. Ms. Cendagorta thanked Brian Myers and Jill Werner of the American Bar Association's Division for Bar Services for their help in developing the searchable database. She encouraged section members to use it if they are looking for someone with expertise in an area related to publications, public relations or communications in general.

Site Selection for 2005 Workshop: Ms. Kuhn said the section's goal in choosing a site for the 2005 workshop is to go out West. She is looking for recommendations. Ms. Cordova nominated New Mexico as a site. Ms. Flennoy said Las Vegas might be interested. There was a general consensus in favor of New Mexico.

New Business
Editorial resources from West: West is interested in making articles available to bar publications. Ms. Kuhn said she spoke with Kyle Christensen of West. Ms. Kuhn and Mr. Christensen are going to coordinate a survey to determine what topics section members would like to see covered in articles. This will be a trial program. The articles will be made available on the NABE web site.

ABA Division for Bar Services Report: Ms. Werner reported that there has been a reorganization of the DBS staff and Elizabeth Derrico is now in charge of consulting services, field services and all marketing. NABE is looking at retooling what it does in terms of education and member services. The success of the Communications Section workshop is looked upon as a model. NABE is also impressed with the section's searchable member directory and is considering the development of a similar one for the entire membership. NABE will be looking to the section for feedback during the retooling process.

In addition, NABE's web site committee is looking for an assist from the section. Information on the NABE web site should be updated more quickly and NABE is looking for any fresh news items from the section to post on the site. If any section member has any projects or activities of interest to the NABE members, please pass them along for placement on the web site. Also, NABE is looking for short news items for the home page.

Section recognition: Ms. Kuhn recognized the following section members for their outstanding service to the section during the 2002-2003 year. Christine Cendagorta, Joe Conte, Mark Mathewson, Kimberly A. Smith, Yvonne McGhee, Gary Toohey, Dan Wise, Sharon Nolan and Francine Walker. Ms. Kuhn also presented Mr. Blake with some baseball-related parting gifts in recognition of his service as section chair. Mr. Blake said it has been a privilege to serve as section chair. He thanked the section members, adding that the dedicated work of the members is the reason behind the section's successes.

There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christopher G. Blake
Temporary Secretary