Meeting Minutes

Minutes of August 6, 2003
Marriott Hotel, San Francisco, California

Present:
Chris Cendagorta, Washoe County Bar Association
Chris Blake, Connecticut Bar Association
Cynthia Kuhn, The District of Columbia Bar
Carol Manning, Oklahoma Bar Association
Susan Andres, Alabama State Bar
Sharmaine McLaren-Fink, North Kentucky Bar Association
René Eichem, Kansas Bar Association
Jan Wade, Kane County Bar Association
Ken Brown, Ohio State Bar Association
Dan Cirucci, Philadelphia Bar Association
Colleen Buggy, Ohio State Bar Association
Yvonne C. McGhee, Fairfax Bar Association
Duane Stanley, Hennepin County Bar Association
Kevin Ryan, Vermont Bar Association
Joe Conte, State Bar of New Mexico
Nicole Brouillard, Indiana State Bar Association
Betty Braden, State Bar of Wisconsin
Glenda Sharp, DuPage County Bar Association
Irene Canales, Corpus Christi Bar Association
Jill Werner, ABA

New Chair Cynthia Kuhn called the meeting to order. She expressed appreciation to Chris Blake for his work has section chairperson over the past year. Section Executive Council members were introduced, followed by introduction of all members present.

Minutes - Since copies of the previous meeting were not available, approval will be held until the section meets at the workshop. The minutes will be posted to the section Web site.

Treasurer's Report - Treasurer Duane Stanley reviewed the financial report that was handed out. The section has a total of $16,861 in net income and reserve funds as of July 10, 2003. He said the section is in good shape.

Program Committee - Susan Andres reported Bar Leader Editor Marilyn Cavicchia will speak on improving bar association publications at the Communications Section-sponsored program in San Antonio.

Luminary Awards - Mark Mathewson reported the final stages of judging are underway. He said some categories have more entries than others. A strong number of entries were received for ongoing projects such as Web sites and publications. Awards will be presented at the section workshop in St. Louis.

Ann Charles Award - Members were directed to read the story in the recently published section newsletter for more information. Entries were encouraged.

Richter Award - Joyce Hastings is chairing the committee. Members were encouraged to submit nominations.

Electronic Services - Joe Conte reported a new design for the Web site was created and implemented about six months ago. He encouraged ideas for new links.

Membership - Yvonne McGhee has agreed to chair the Membership Committee for the coming year. She is looking for committee members to assist her.

2003 Workshop - Workshop Chair Gary Toohey of the Missouri Bar submitted a written report, and copies were available for all members at the meeting. Cynthia Kuhn noted that a scholarship is available to defray expenses and encouraged everyone to attend.

Leadership Committee - Chair Christine Cendagorta reported a database of members has been established that is searchable by expertise. Brian Myers with the ABA Division for Bar Services was credited with doing much of the work to get it ready for the Web. Seventy-five members responded. It is hoped that people will utilize the database to identify NABE program speakers.

Volunteer Recognition - Chris Blake asked section members with recommendations of individuals deserving of recognition for their section work to give names to new Chair Cynthia Kuhn, who will honor them at the workshop.

Visit from NABE Leadership - Outgoing NABE President Tom Tinder stopped in to share with the section that it was his pleasure to attending the workshop in Alexandria. He said he hopes the section will continue to grow and expand, as sections are the lifeblood of NABE. He commended the Communication Section for its work in sponsoring NABE programs and in its efforts to provide section member benefits. The section applauded Tom for his efforts to increase communication with all NABE members during his year as NABE president.

Luminary Awards - Chris Blake reported West as expressed concern at the low number of Luminary Awards entries. A new marketing category was added but did not attract many entries.

2003 Member Needs Assessment Survey - Chris Blake said he felt it had been some time since the last member survey and wanted to take the pulse of members. He reviewed the summary of responses from the survey that covered services and information, meetings and programs, workshops, new programs, communications with section members and Web site and listserve. The survey was sent to 150 section members had a 20 percent response rate. Members said the workshop was the section's strongest asset. They recommended more small group interaction at the annual and midyear meetings and indicated a preference for practical, how to stories in the newsletter. More than 90 percent of section members like e-mail communications. Chris said efforts will be made to post the entire survey to the Web site.

Web Site Task Force - Chris Blake thanked Joe Conte and his committee, who did a fabulous job.

2004 Workshop - Workshop Chair Duane Stanley reported the workshop will have a "Down Home Up North" type theme. Section members not familiar with Garrison Kiellor and his Prairie Home Companion radio show will have some research to do. Location will be the Crowne Plaza Northstar Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Workshop date will be October 6-10, 2004.

2005 Workshop - Cynthia Kuhn reported Francine Walker with the Florida Bar Association has expressed a willingness to host the 2005 workshop in Florida. Question was raised about finding a location in the western United States in consideration of a geographic rotation. Location will be discussed again at the next meeting.

Editorial Resources from West on Section Web Site - Cynthia Kuhn reported that West has approached the section about providing some editorial resources in exchange for sponsorship. More discussion will take place with West to determine what exactly they have in mind.

Division for Bar Services Report - Elizabeth Derrico reported that NABE took a position against the FCC regulation regarding faxing. She also said the division is holding an open house during the course of the meeting that will feature tutorials of new services called Bar Cat and Bar Crawler at the DBS booth.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Manning, Secretary