Pennsylvania Association of Bar Executives
Minutes of the Meeting of November 29, 2007
David |
Blaner |
(ACBA) |
Susan |
Kenny |
(Monroe) |
Susan |
Kost |
(Schuylkill) |
Don |
Morgan |
(Dauphin |
Becky |
Morgenthal |
(Cumberland) |
Nancy |
Paul |
(Montgomery) |
Kathy |
Sabol |
(Washington) |
Diane |
Krivoniak |
(Westmoreland) |
Elizabeth |
Kramer |
(PBA) |
Barry |
Simpson |
(PBA) |
Bruce D. |
Fleischer |
(Centre) |
Evelyn E. |
Sullivan |
(Lancaster) |
Dan |
LaBert |
(Lehigh) |
Michelle |
Shuker |
(PBA) |
Ken |
Hagreen |
(LCL) |
Nevin |
Mindlin |
(PBA) |
Cindy |
Van Laeys |
(York) |
Roger |
Meilton |
(PBI) |
Bob |
Cagna |
(USI Colburn) |
Gina |
Sage |
(USI Colburn) |
Sandy |
Niespodzianski |
(USI Colburn) |
Barbara |
Kittrell |
(Berks) |
Sandra |
Brydon Smith |
(Erie) |
Dale |
McClain |
(PBA) |
Dan |
Levering |
(PA CLE) |
Carolyn |
Seibert-Drager |
(Franklin) |
Mary Beth |
Leeson |
(Northampton) |
Fran |
O’Rourke |
(PBA) |
President Morgenthal called the meeting to order at 3:37 pm.
WELCOME
President Morgenthal welcomed PBA President-Elect Dale McClain who gave brief remarks. Dale recapped an email to Becky Morgenthal on his hope to work closely with the PABE. He plans to visits every county bar during his term and will send an email in the early part of 2008 asking for event dates. He plans to do outreach programs and regional events on topics to be determined.
TREASURER’s REPORT/Minutes
Susan Kenny submitted the minutes from the June 21, 2007 meeting with corrections as noted by Dan Levering.
David Blaner submitted the Treasurer’s Report. Balance in PABE account is $5,944.31. CD investments total $10,000.07. Balance of all assets as of November 26, 2007 is $15,944.38. Compared to the prior year, PABE has experienced an increase in our net assets of $3,144.78.
Becky asked for a ratification of the motion passed at the PABE Retreat regarding the acceptance of the new PABE Bylaws. Nancy Paul moved to accepts all items on the agenda item B. Recommended Actions, Ev Sullivan seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS
PBI UPDATE
Roger Meilton reported the PBI has had a successful year in 2007. Using the internet to deliver CLE programs is continuing to make progress. Several local counties are offering groupcasting which increases the access to PBI CLE program. Roger reported total annual online CLE enrollments is close to 13000.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Nevin Mindlin reported the sales tax bill is a very big concern and recommends that all attorneys contact their local representative. There is a sample letter on the PBA website that can be edited and sent to the representatives. Roger Meilton asked if medical services are exempt under the house bill. Nevin replied that medical services were exempt because of the federal monies, the insurance payments and third party payers involved.
Nevin reported legal journals are still in good standing with the legislature who understand the need for them. The PBA will continue to monitor any bills relating to legal advertising.
Nevin offered to visit the local bar and do a program on grass root advocacy. Just give him a call.
Evelyn Sullivan reported that Nevin is very active in the NABE Government Relations Workshops. He is highly regarded and respected in the NABE.
David Blaner reported on Senate Bill 1087 which will change the way public notice are advertised. Schools and municipalities will post their notice on a website instead of in print. According to David, the Senate committee was not interested in the testimony from the newspapers and the committee is looking for tax relief. David suggested the bar associations start investigating now on how to become the website to be used in their local county.
PA CLE REPORT
Dan Levering reported the PA CLE Board is working on a revision to the Bridge the Gap program. A survey was sent out to all BTG providers and the results will be used to create the new version which should be out in the second quarter of 2008.
Distance learning via telephone is in its second year. 2500 credits were earned via the telephone which is less than .05 %.
PBA UPDATE
Becky Morgenthal introduced Andy Susko and Ken Horoho. Andy thanked the PABE for the opportunity to report on his plans for the coming year.
He is planning a Lobbying Day on the Hill and wants the local bars to partner in developing a more effective grass roots program on the hill. The program will provide training on how to lobby and will give white paper training. The program date is still up in the air but Andy is tentatively looking at April. Ev Sullivan pointed out that many local bar associations hold Law Day activities during the last week in April and 2008 celebrates the 50th anniversary of Law Day. Andy thanked Ev and promised to look at the April carefully before scheduling.
Andy reported he is making about one visit to a local bar each week. He encouraged the local bar execs to send dates to him for events in which they would like a visit. He also intends to conduct Executive Forum around the state instead of Barnstorming.
Andy congratulated the local bars and the state bar on their work in making the judicial retention elections a huge success.
Barry Simpson reported next year’s November meeting will be before Thanksgiving as it has been in previous years. Barry thanked everyone who made donations to the PAC. He reported that USI Colburn and the PA Insurance Trust signed a five year contract which will increase the pool of money for grants.
Barry also noted that there will be an increase on malpractice insurance rates but that they are still working on a membership discount program proposal which could be effective in 2009.
Barry reported the PBA budget was passed on November 28, 2007 and there will be a $15.00 membership dues increase
Barry also mentioned that the Public Relations Campaign will continue in the spring of 2008. They are still waiting for some responses from the local bar association as to their participation.
Fran O’Rourke reported that Al Trosky of the PBA IT Department has created an online dues reporting program for unit counties. There will be a Web-n-nar in early January to teach the local bars on how to use it
HISTORY BOOK AND BYLAWS
PABE President Becky Morgenthal reported the PABE history book and bylaws were at the printer and will be distributed shortly. The survival guide on the PABE website will be updated soon and Liz Price may be asking for help in doing so.
PABE RETREAT
Kathy Sabol reported that the 2007 PABE retreat was a success. The PABE actually made some money on the retreat which, she suggested, could be used for attendance scholarship.
NEW BUSINESS
LAWYERS CONCERNED FOR LAWYERS
Ken Hagreen went over an Outreach Checklist and encouraged the local bar associations to use it to inform their members about the services of LCL. Responding to Dan LaBert, Ken agreed to supply an ad that can be used in the legal journals.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Nominating Committee was made up of Chair Nancy Paul, as PABE Past President, Liz Price and Barb Kittrell. Nancy made a motion to present the following nomination for 2008 officers: President – Diane Krivoniak, Vice President – Susan Kenny, Secretary – David Blaner and Treasurer – Ken Shear. Fran O’Rourke seconded and the motion passed with one opposed.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
WEBSITE
The PABE website is coming along. Fran requested any pictures, minutes, and any other information of interest be sent to him to be posted on the website.
CCBL
Michelle Shuker reported the plans for the CCBL in February are coming along nicely. Information about Foundations will be included in the program. She is encouraging the local bar foundations to send board members to CCBL.
2008 PABE RETREAT
Marybeth Leeson and Dan LaBert offered to host the 2008 PABE retreat. They talked about several dates available. An email will be sent to all PABE members to determine which dates work best for all.
JAMES SMITH SCHOLARSHIP
Susan Kenny moved to allow Diane Krivoniak to request a scholarship to the mid-year meeting as President of the PABE waiving the requirement to have a written request to the current President prior to this meeting. Dan LaBert seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU
Diane Krivoniak thanked Becky Morgenthal for her hard work over the past two years as PABE President and presented Becky with a gavel plaque and a special gift.
ADJOURNMENT
Being there no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 pm.