Minutes of the Meeting of August 15, 2005
Business Meeting
In President Nancy Paul’s absence, Vice President Morgenthal called the meeting to order at 10 am.
ATTENDANCE
Members present were:
Arthur Birdsall (PBA), Elizabeth Kramer (PBA), Sandra Brydon Smith (Erie), Susan Kenny (Monroe), Don Morgan (Dauphin), Jessica Engel (Lycoming), Gail Markovitz (PBI), Barbara Kittrell (Berks), Bob Cagna (Colburn), David Trevaskis (PBA), Barry Simpson (PBA), Fran O’Rourke (PBA), Liz Price (Delaware), Diane Krivoniak (Westmoreland).
TREASURER’s REPORT/Minutes
Minutes from the May 2005 CCBL business meeting as well as the Treasurer’s Report were accepted as submitted.
REPORTS
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Past President Birdsall submitted recommendation for new slate of officers, explaining that other candidates may still submit their names for consideration.
Becky Morgenthal, President
Diane Krivoniak, Vice President
Susan Kenney, Secretary
David Blaner – Treasurer
Vote will take place at November PABE meeting.
CCBL
PABE members are encouraged to submit ideas for programming at the CCBL.
CCBL retreat occurs 1st weekend in October.
CCBL occur in State College, March 3-5, 2006.
PABE HISTORY
History of the PABE is finished as reported by Ms. Price. Completed history is 5 pages long and will be laid out in booklet form for distribution.
Ms. Price also reported that LOGO is complete. All agreed that final version should be mailed to all bar execs.
PRO BONO/LEGAL SERVICES
Mr. Trevaskis distributed PaLawHelp.org information and informed bar execs that he can offer one hour CLE ethics and 3 hour CLE with bankruptcy CLE in the works that will integrate PaLawHelp resource. Bar execs were reminded that Mr. Trevaskis is available to attend local pro bono committee meetings. Bar execs are encouraged to log into the website and take a look at the information listed under their county. Any local resources that are not currently or correctly listed on website should be reported.
PAProBono.net is newest piece and is designed to make lawyers aware of current pro bono cases. Goal is that pro bono cases that legal service can not take will be listed on line and local pro bono lawyers can log on and select cases of interest to them (i.e. military cases). Certain areas can be designated for specific geographic areas with site editing allowed at county level. Currently 60 lawyers are listed.
NEW BUSINESS
PABE WEBSITE
Currently PABE has the following items listed: a survival guide resource guide, bylaws, dues schedule.
Thought of committee is to have a domain name, locate it within PBA website which would make it searchable: pabarexecs.org or pabe.net Registration cost would be $50. PBA staff would be charged with updating the website.
Idea to include links to: countyline, county bar programs, calendars, legal journals, membership listing, listserve posting, minutes, history. Question posed by committee: Would this be useful?
Suggestion to make sure that a link be made available on PBA homepage to click to PABE site.
Idea of committee to register with major search engines.
Attendees agreed that this project should continue.
PBA MID-YEAR MEETING
PBA mid-year is set for January 18-22 in Las Vegas and PBA is looking for PABE programming at that event. Bar presidents, officers, and bar execs would be anticipated attendees.
Suggestion that PABE consider splitting cost of PABE president and vice president’s registration fee. Agreed to have Susan Kenney head up committee to make recommendation on possible subsidy.
Subcommittee for programming: Art, Ev, Diane with idea of contacting bar associations in Las Vegas area for possible speaker suggestions.
PROGRAM COMMITTEE FOR NABE
Mr. Simpson reported that he is on committee for mid-year meeting of NABE in New Orleans and he asked for program ideas.
Mr. Morgan reported that in August 2007 Ms. Sullivan becomes NABE president, and it was his suggestion that the PABE hold its retreat in San Francisco. Ms. Sullivan will be the first female bar exec from a local Pa. bar association to be NABE president. Mr. Morgan agreed to head up the 2007 PABE retreat.
It was agreed that the next PABE retreat would be held in August, 2006 in Delaware County. Idea is to tour local bar offices within the eastern region of the state. Ms. Price volunteered to coordinate this event with a possible Sunday – Tuesday format
OLD BUSINESS
Belden Memorial Fund
This matter was tabled from last PABE meeting. No update on status of PBF Belden Fund and it was agreed to table until November.
ATTENDANCE AT PABE MEETINGS
Barry suggested to write letters to presidents of local counties to suggest that local bars put funds in budget to have their bar exec in attendance at the PABE retreats. Officers of PABE agreed to also send a letter to the missing bar execs to encourage attendance at these retreats. It was suggested that comments from attendees be included in letters to illustrate the importance of attendance.
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 am.
Submitted by Diane Krivoniak, Secretary
Diane Krivoniak