Meeting Minutes

NABE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
Executive Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
Marriott Marquis Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia

Present:
Chair Cynthia Kuhn, D.C. Bar
Chair-Elect Susan Andres, Alabama State Bar
Secretary Carol Manning, Oklahoma Bar Association
Immediate Past Chair Christopher Blake, Connecticut Bar Association

Council members:
Francine Walker, The Florida Bar
Daniel Cirucci, Philadelphia Bar Association
Yvonne McGhee, Fairfax Bar Association
Mark Mathewson, Illinois State Bar Association

Chair Cynthia Kuhn called the meeting to order.

Minutes - Susan Andres moved, Yvonne McGhee seconded to approve the minutes from the February 3, 2004 meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Motion passed.

Incoming Chair's Report - Susan Andres reported one of her goals is for volunteer section leaders to memorialize their jobs. Board members, the workshop chair and committee chairs will be asked to write job descriptions. She also wants to continue the efforts of Yvonne McGhee in membership recruitment and retention as well as to improve the section listserv.

Treasurer's Report - On behalf of Treasurer Duane Stanley, Francine Walker reviewed highlights of the financial report. She reported section membership has been increasing, which is a trend reflected in rising dues revenue. As of May 31, 2004, the section has 184 members that generated dues income of $5,520 with a balance of $15,198 in the section's account.

Newsletter - Chris Blake described the problems encountered that have caused the production of the section newsletter to be delayed. He reviewed plans for future stories including one promoting the upcoming section workshop. Chris said he was willing to continue serving as editor and will ask at the section business meeting if anyone is interested in volunteering to do the newsletter design.

Special Committee on Strategic Planning to Implement Recommendations of the 2003 Member Survey - Cynthia Kuhn reported Dan Cirucci and Elizabeth Derrico have expressed interested in working on this project to take the survey created by Chris Blake and to develop the information obtained into a long-range plan. Dan volunteered to chair the committee and others will be asked to be involved.

Program Committee Atlanta - Francine Walker reported the section is sponsoring a program the following day called "Reaching Our Members." She reviewed the speakers and the program content.

Luminary Awards - Cynthia Kuhn reported Matt Silverman assumed responsibility for the committee from Mark Mathewson, and work has begun to increase awareness of the awards through additional marketing. Winners will be asked to display their entries at the workshop. Mark volunteered to create an archive of past award winners. He is trying to locate copies of the section's newsletter from 1994-1996 that include names of award winners.

Anne Charles Award - Cynthia Kuhn reported previous recipient Roger Parris has volunteered to chair the committee. Since Roger is a former bar association employee, discussion followed about his expenses to attend the workshop at which the award will be presented. Mark Mathewson moved, Francine Walker seconded to waive the workshop registration fee and to pay his airfare. Motion passed.

Wally Richter Award - It was noted the request for award nominations is currently underway.

Membership Committee - Yvonne McGhee reported she spoke at the new executives meeting at which they received a list of hot communications tips. She encouraged section membership and handed out the workshop information. She said Membership Committee protocols have been set, and she has asked incoming Section Chair Susan Andres to reinstate the buddy system for new section members and first-time workshop attendees. She said the section wanted to develop a new brochure. A contest was held to determine the theme, and Michael Ward with the ABA Division of Bar Services won with "Welcome to the Winning Team." A graphic designer is needed. She recommended that for first-timer networking activities to do round table discussions. She described topics and speakers. Cynthia Kuhn said she would follow up with Jill Werner on keeping the member database updated.

2004 Workshop: Minneapolis - Cynthia Kuhn reported the workshop information has been distributed to all members and noted the committee has done a great job.

2005 Workshop: Orlando - Workshop Chair Francine Walker reported she has confirmed the hotel will be the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort for Sept. 28 - Oct. 1 2005. She has already conducted an on-site tour. The rate will be $169 per night, which is a good rate for that time of year. She said by the time the workshop is held the hotel will have been completely remodeled. She has already contacted three speakers - the PRSA president, a NASA executive and a Disney executive.

Sponsorships - Cynthia Kuhn reported NABE has a new initiative to assist sections by presenting all sponsorship options to current and potential sponsors, who are contacted regarding NABE meeting sponsorship. Sam Clinch has asked the section to provide a piece that would be included in an upcoming mailing. The section will ensure he receives the information.

Web Site Link to West Editorial Content - Cynthia Kuhn reported the request from West has disappeared. Discussion followed.

Revisiting the Communications Audit Service & Publications Counseling Service - Cynthia Kuhn reported volunteers have been recruited as needed and requests for the services are being offered on an ad hoc basis. It was noted the section may want to include this in its strategic planning.

Section Member Ribbon - Yvonne McGhee reported another section has decided to offer its members attending the NABE annual and midyear meetings a ribbon with the section name to be wore on name badges. Susan Andres said she would work with Yvonne to develop a ribbon for Communications Section members.

Division for Bar Services Report - Jill Werner reported the section's membership numbers rock. She said a section workshop speaker will have an article in the upcoming Bar Executive e-newsletter, which should help promote the workshop. She said the section membership database information will be updated after the member renewal period has ended, and she confirmed that DBS will maintain and update the information as needed. She reported a reminder to update one's section member profile in the database will be sent out in September along with a workshop reminder. She also reported that she will serve as the staff liaison to the National Association of Foundation Executives in addition to NABE.

Comments from the Outgoing Chair - Cynthia Kuhn expressed appreciation to all members who stepped up whenever there was a problem and fixed it during the past year. She said they were a huge part of making the year so successful and made her term as chair much easier.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Manning, Secretary