Pennsylvania Association of Bar Executives
Minutes of the Meeting of November 19, 2008

President: Diane Krivoniak (Westmoreland)
Vice President: Susan Kenny (Monroe)
Secretary: David Blaner (Allegheny)
Members: Al Azen (IOLTA)
Mary Beth Leeson (Northampton)
Barbara Kittrell (Becks)
Susan Kost (Schuylkill)
Elizabeth Kramer (PBA)
Richard McCoy (PBI)
Roger Meilton (PBI)
Don Morgan (Dauphin)
Becky Morgenthal (Cumberland)
Fran O'Rourke (PBA)
Elizabeth Price (Delaware)
Don Smith (Berks)
Evelyn E. Sullivan (Lancaster)
Cindy Van Laeys (York)
Dena Woelfling (Lebannon)

Guests: Charles Eppolito (PBA Membership Committee Chair)
Nevin Mindlin (PBA Legislative Dept)

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

President Krivoniak called the meeting to order at 3:35 pm.
WELCOME
President Krivoniak welcomed everyone to the meeting.
REVIEW OF THE FEBRUARY 2008 MINUTES
President Krivoniak reviewed the Minutes as a reminder of the actions that the Board took at the last meeting.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 2008
The minutes were approved with corrections made to Mr. Don Smith’s name and Ms. Dena Woelfling’s name.
TREASURER’s REPORT/Minutes
Ms. Krivoniak submitted the Treasurer’s Report: As of October 31, 2008 the balance in PABE account is $8,690.70; CD investments total $10,261.63; balance of all assets is $18,952.33
The two CD’s were invested at a rate of 4.17 percent and mature on November 24, 2008.
Ms. Krivoniak asked the Board to discuss the long-term financial policy of the reserve funds. She was concerned that the fund balance continues to grow while there does not appear to be a long-term plan for the use of the excess funds.
ESTABLISHING A RESERVE POLICY FOR PABE FUNDS
After discussion and consideration by the Board, Mr. Morgn made the following motion which was duly seconded and approved:
RESOLVED, That the PABE Board adopts the policy of establishing a minimum Financial Reserve of $12,000 in the PABE Account.
MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION
There was additional discussion with regard to use of the excess funds in the PABE account.
After discussion and consideration by the Board, Ms. Sullivan made the following motion which was duly seconded and approved:
RESOLVED, That the PABE Board approves a contribution of $1,500 to the 2010 National Mock
Trial competition that will be held in Philadelphia.

ESTABLISHING A SCHOLARSHIP FOR PABE MEMBERS TO ATTEND THE NABE SMALL BAR CONFERENCE
After discussion and consideration by the Board, Mr. Blaner made the following motion which was duly seconded and approved;
RESOLVED, That the PABE establishes a scholarship for a member to attend the NABE Small Bar Conference. The scholarship amount will be provided on an as needed basis up to $500.

AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF 50 PERCENT OF THE COST OF THE REGISTRATION FEE FOR THE PABE PRESIDENT TO ATTEND THE PBA MID- YEAR MEETING
After discussion and consideration by the Board, Ms. Sullivan made the following motion which was duly seconded and approved:
RESOLVED, That the PABE Board authorizes the payment of 50 percent of the cost of the registration fee for the PABE President to attend the PBA Mid Year Meeting.
Ms. Krivoniak abstained from the vote.
Mr. Azen asked if PABE was required to file a 990 Form in 2009; he suggested that the Officers investigate this matter.
REPORTS
IOLTA REPORT
Mr. Azen gave following report:
Interest rates are declining and this will impact IOLTA grants in 2009.
IOLTA has asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to require participating Pennsylvania banks to pay IOLTA accounts comparable interest rates that they pay customers with interest bearing accounts. The Supreme Court approved the new policy. IOLTA has contacted a number of Pennsylvania banks to educate them about the new policy. A substantial number of banks have agreed to increase their rates, but additional work has to be done to bring all of the remaining banks in line.
IOLTA has received calls from attorneys who have expressed concerns about IOLTA Accounts not being insured up to the new $250,000 limit established by the FDIC. Several Bar Associations, as well as State IOLTA Boards, have asked the FDIC to review the matter.
PA CLE BOARD
Ms. Krivoniak gave the following report:
Providers’ Conference will be held on May 15, 2009.
PA CLE Board has a new website -- Pacle.org. (The on-line transcript function is now available).

PBI UPDATE
Mr. Meilton gave the following report:
A new Executive Director has not been selected as of yet.
The new computer system upgrade is on-going. They are working through a number of issues and should be back to normal operations very soon.
The PBI is offering Group Casting of CLE Programs to local Bar Associations; this service is working very well.
The PBI is working with PA Legal Aid Network to assist citizens facing mortgage foreclosure.
Mr. Meilton thanked all of the PABE Members for the support that he has received as Executive Director of the PBI over the years.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Mr. Mindlin gave his legislative report:
He offered to provide a CLE on Legislative Issues and Grassroots lobbying to local bar associations. The program is one (1) and is eligible for Continuing Legal Education credit.
PBA UPDATE
Mr. O’Rourke reported that Mr. Simpson could not make it to the meeting today due to health issues.
He reported that the PBA budget process is underway. A modest dues increase is anticipated to cover cost of living increases.
Dues billing should be completed by the end of the month.
The Nominating Committee is meeting today and will make a report at the House of Delegates Meeting.
It was reported that the PBA President would like to offer free Section Membership for one Section if you are a member of another PBA Section. This program would begin in 2009.
It was reported that the registration for the PBA Mid-Year Meeting is very good compared to the registration numbers for 2007.
PABE will offer a seminar on websites which would make an impact during the Mid- Year Meeting.
PBA MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Eppolito gave a report on Membership Retention:
The Committee identified members who have dropped their membership. There are 2,400 members who did not renew their membership. The members who dropped their membership were called and sent letters to encourage them to rejoin the PBA.
The PBA recovered 300 members from this effort.
The Committee is reviewing the current dues structure to see if changes can be made to help members who are having a difficult time paying their dues.
The Committee would like to thank PABE for their support.
PABE RETREAT
Ms. Sullivan gave the following report:
The PABE Retreat will be held in Philadelphia on June 26 and 27, 2009. Following the PABE Retreat, members can participate in the NABE Small Bar Conference.
The Retreat will be held at the Doubletree Hotel. The NABE Conference will use this hotel as well.
PBA BOARD OF GOVERNORS UPDATE
Ms. Kenny gave the following report:
The Board discussed the ADR Program proposal which will be discussed at the House of Delegates Meeting on Thursday.
The Board also discussed the PBA Trust and the appointment of Officers.
NEW BUSINESS
FUND FOR CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES
Ms. Kittrell urged all of the PABE members to consider making annual contributions to the Civil Legal Service agency in their county. The Berks County Bar Association has increased their annual donation as a result to of the increase amount of funding they have received from Sheriff Sales ads in their legal journal.
OLD BUSINESS
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the PABE Board will be on Thursday, February 26, 2009 in State College, Pennsylvania.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 pm.