Pennsylvania Association of Bar Executives
Minutes of the Meeting of June 21, 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) |
Wendy |
Hoffman |
(Chester) |
Heather |
Martin |
(Bucks) |
Mark |
Shuey |
(PBI) |
Roger |
Meilton |
(PBI) |
Shelly |
Lawson |
(USI Colburn) |
Gina |
Sage |
(USI Colburn) |
Barbara |
Kittrell |
(Berks) |
Sandra |
Brydon Smith |
(Erie) |
Dale |
McLain |
(PBA) |
President Morgenthal called the meeting to order at 2:35 pm.
WELCOME
President Morgenthal welcomed PBA President Elect Dale McLain who gave brief remarks on his hope to work closely with the PABE. Any ideas or concerns can be submitted to his Presidential Planning Committee. One of his priorities is to provide teleconference /satellite phones to allow participation from all corners of Pennsylvania in the sections and committee meetings. He is also working on a Senior Lawyer booklet that would be available in the next year.
TREASURER’s REPORT/Minutes
Susan Kenny moved to accept the minutes from the February 23, 2007 meeting. Diane Krivoniak seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
David Blaner moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted. Nancy Paul
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Balance in PABE account is $5,907.53. CD investments total $9,379.69. Balance of all assets as of June 18, 2007 is $15,287.22. Compared to the prior year, PABE has experienced a ($1,230.38) decrease in our net assets.
REPORTS
PBI UPDATE
Roger Meilton reported the PBI board met on Tuesday, June 19th. Seven new board members came into office at the end of the meeting. Bill Scott is the new Incoming President.
The PBI have been cooperating with the PA Dept of Education and collecting books for needy children. They have collected over 3000 books. The PBI hopes to expand the program to include county bar associations. More details will follow.
The PBI is still working on a conference center in Pittsburgh. They hope to move into a 5000 sq foot space by the Fall 2007.
PBA UPDATE
Barry Simpson reported the Public Relations Campaign in the spring was a success. They are now working on the Fall campaign which will run from the last week of October to the first week in November.
The Midyear Meeting 2008 will be held in Puerto Rico. Programs for the PABE will be worked on by the PABE and Michelle Shuker.
The Annual Meeting scheduled for June 4-6, 2008 will be held in Hershey. The following year, it will be held in Pittsburgh. In 2010, the annual meeting will be moved to the month of May and will return to Hershey.
The PBA Membership Committee’s recommendation to give the Board of Governors the authority to make small increase has not been well received. There are three options under consideration 1) the Board to have the authority; 2) a large dues increase passed; 3) ask the House to consider a modest dues increase. All dues increases would be passed on to Unit counties. The PBA has no legal journal and does not have CLE revenue to offset the rising costs of its programs.
Pa Bar Insurance Trust Fund
Sallie Mundy and Sandra Graver gave a report on the PA Bar Insurance Trust Fund Grant process. The Insurance Fund provides grants to help in malpractice education and for the acquisition of equipment to proved CLE programs. The Trust is the educational and charitable interest and provides seed money to publish booklets that benefit the community. The grant process is explained in the newest issue of the County Bar Line.
Barry Simpson reported the PBA YLD has requested approval to host the National Mock Trial Competition in Philadelphia in 2010. The cost to host the event would approximately $400,000.
Michelle Shuker thanked everyone for their patience for confusion in the recent Malpractice Avoidance Seminars schedules. She asked to be advised of any scheduling requirements for next year.
Michelle also gave a demonstration on updating the County Bar Directory on the PBA website. She asks everyone’s cooperation in keeping the information updated. She will send a detailed email to the listserve explaining the process.
PRESENTATION BY PBI
Mary Shuey gave a brief presentation on the new technology for distance learning. Satellite presentation begun in 1994 and in 1999 the PBI began video conferencing. New technology is to provide programs through the internet. Webcasting is available to an individual via the desktop computer and groups may receive programs via groupcasting. The equipment needed for groupcasting is a computer with a video card, an internet connection and a monitor or screen for display. The PBI can make recommendation on the type of equipment and will assist in the setup of the equipment. The PBI is offering two programs per month via groupcasting. Contact Jennifer Chavey at the PBI if the county bar is interested in presenting groupcasts. Eventually the satellite broadcasts will be phased out but no specific date for that has been set.
Online archive-"PBI on demand" is currently available 24 hour per day.
PA CLE REPORT
Currently 98% of the CLE credits are reported electronically.
LEGISLATIVE
Susan Kenny reported on behalf of Nevin Midlin that the legal journals were safe for the time being. No legislative action is due until the Fall.
David Blaner reported on a bill for loan forgiveness for attorneys who work in civil legal services. No word on where the funds would come from. There is also a bill on jury diversity which would give counties access to the welfare roles. The Sales Tax issue is still alive and will be brought up again in a few weeks. The State is still moving forward on posting LLC Corporate Notice on the internet.
Nancy Paul reported she contacted the new PA state Treasurer regarding unclaimed property notices. Nancy offered to help educate the treasurer on the role of the legal journal.
HISTORY BOOK AND BYLAWS
In her absence, Liz Price provided a written report. The PABE Retreat is being organized by herself, Kathy Sabol, Jessica Engel and Diane Krivoniak. The retreat is being planned for October at Bedford Springs. The PABE History is complete and will be included in the Bylaws booklets after the bylaws are reviewed by the membership. The PABE Survival Guide is in the process of being updated.
NEW BUSINESS
PABE RETREAT
Kathy Sabol reported the dates for the retreat have been set for October 5-7 at Bedford Springs. Currently the cost quoted is $350 per night which includes the room, all meals and breaks. David Blaner indicated he would ask the resort for a better rate during his negotiations for his own function. Sponsorships will be solicited for the retreat.
Dan LaBert offered to arrange for a guest speaker at the retreat. Diane Krivoniak moved to approved up to $1000 as a speaker fee. Nancy Paul seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Nancy Paul, as PABE Past President, is the chair of the Nominating Committee. She requested volunteers to serve on the committee to select the 2008-2009 officers. Barb Kittrell and Liz Price agreed to serve.
NEW BAR EXECUTIVE
Becky Morgenthal reported the Butler County had hired a new director, Dr. Lynn Sasala, a retired school superintendent.
HONORARY MEMBER
Susan Kenny moved to make Marianne Canning an honorary member of the PABE. Dan LaBert seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
WEBSITE
The PABE website has been delayed.
NEXT MEETING
Becky Morgenthal asked the membership if a business meeting of the PABE was needed at the retreat as the next scheduled meeting is in November. The overwhelming consensus as no meeting be scheduled for the retreat
Being there no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:25 pm.