Minutes of the Meeting of Nov. 16, 2006
|
David |
Blaner |
(ACBA) |
|
Marianne |
Canning |
(Lehigh) |
|
Jessica |
Engel |
(Lycoming), via conference call |
|
Wendy |
Hoffman |
( |
|
Susan |
Kenny |
( |
|
Susan |
Kost |
( |
|
Mary Beth |
Leeson |
( |
|
Dan |
Levering |
(PA CLE) |
|
Heather |
Martin |
(Bucks), via conference call |
|
Roger |
Meilton |
(PBI) |
|
Don |
Morgan |
(Dauphin |
|
Becky |
Morgenthal |
( |
|
|
Paul |
( |
|
|
Price |
( |
|
Kathy |
Sabol |
( |
|
Diane |
Krivoniak |
(Westmoreland) |
|
|
Kramer |
(PBA) |
|
Julie |
Sipe |
(PBI) |
|
Katey |
Buggy |
(PA CLE) |
|
Carolyn |
Seibert-Dragger |
( |
|
Suellen |
Verlihay |
(Beaver), via conference call |
President Morgenthal
called the meeting to order at 2:06 pm.
WELCOME
TREASURER’s
REPORT/Minutes
Dan Levering asked to
clarify the minutes from the June 6, 2006 business meeting stating that 4% of
lawyers were using distance learning. Susan
Kenny moved to accept the corrected minutes of the June 6, 2006 and the August
22, 2006. Liz Price seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
David Blaner move to
accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted.
Liz Price seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Balance in PABE account is
$8,785.68. CD investments total $9,310.92. Balance of all assets as of May 31st
is $18,096.60.
Diane Krivoniak asked for
what purposes should we be using the PABE funds. Discussion followed on the
NABE convention and sending flowers to Ev Sullivan. Don Morgan moved that the PABE write a
congratulatory resolution and send flowers to Ev Sullivan to be presented at
the USI Colburn luncheon. The motion was
seconded and passed unanimously.
REPORTS
CAP
ON ADVERTISING PRICING FOR LAW JOURNALS:
Liz
Price reported that the resolution was sent to the PBA stating the PABE’s
opposition to any form of cap on advertising pricing for law journals. No further business is expected in the
Legislator on legal advertising in the near future.
JUDICIAL
RETENTION
Action
may be taken in the Spring of 2008 to eliminate retention election of
judges. This action is the result of
public opinion on the judicial salary increases.
INTERPRETERS
Senate
Bill 669 which mandates interpreters for the Courts. Discussion followed on its implications on
offering legal services and CLE.
UNCLAIMED
PROPERTY
A
bill was recently passed requiring the PA Treasury to publish Unclaimed
Property Notices in legal journals.
There was no indication when this might begin.
Roger
Meilton welcomed the group to the PBI headquarters. He reported that 12000 out of 70000
enrollments are online. New programs the PBI is offering are Webinars, Podcasts
and interactive classrooms setting broadcasted through the internet. He felt
that the satellite broadcasts would still be available for the next four
years. The PBI is maintaining its market
share but not gaining as a result of the non-profit competitions.
Discussion
followed on the different methods available for delivering CLE and the
advantages and disadvantages of the electronics methods.
Dan
Levering advised the group of the new board member, Phyllis Beck from
Katey
Buggy reported on the teleconferencing as a method of fulfilling CLE
requirements. There are 106 courses
available and 24 attorneys have used this method in the first 30 days. Approximately 144 attorneys have taken a CLE
course via a Podcast.
Dan
Levering will provide information to the group on what types of courses are
being provided by what organization.
Diane
Krivoniak asked for ideas on ethic CLE tapes.
She had asked Lawyers Concerned with Lawyers who did not have any.
Becky
Morgenthal noted that the resolution approved by the PABE for Art Birdsall’s
retirement will be included in the program of his retirement party.
Elizabeth
Kramer reported the PBA has a new teleconference provider “MeetingBridge” who
will be conducting an online demonstration on December 5, 2006. Everyone was encouraged to participate.
Becky
Morgenthal reported that PNC is now the main corporate sponsor of the conference;
however, the CCBL is still requesting sponsorships from the local bar
association and the PABE to help cover the costs of the conference. Susan Kenny made a motion for the PABE to
send $1000 to the CCBL. Kathy Sabol
seconded. Discussion followed on the costs of the program and the lack of
financial support from the PBA. Becky
reported she had never seen a budget for the conference despite serving on the
board and did not know how much money was being spent on the conference. David Blaner commented that in the past many
of the programs were not relevant to the large bar association. He also suggested there be more leadership
training programs that would be useful to any size bar association. Becky indicated she would contact the board
and advise them of our concerns. The
question was called and the motion passed.
NEW
BUSINESS
Becky
Morgenthal relayed a message from Dale Schell of the PBA that the Stepping Out Program
could not be continued. The reason was
not clear so Susan Kenny offered to find out more details on the program.
Becky
Morgenthal noted that CLE program presented in her county on Unclaimed Property
was only satisfactory and she would not recommend it.
David
Blaner reported the salary survey was completed and would be emailed to those
who had participated.
Carolyn
Seibert-Dragger noted that the NABE Small Bar Conference would be held June 29
& 30, 2007 in
Nancy
Paul made a motion to make Art Birdsall an honorary member of the PABE. The motion was seconded and passed
unanimously.
Roger
Meilton introduced Carrie Larock who handled the video and satellite
programs. He then offered to give a tour
of the PBI headquarters to anyone interested.
No
further business, meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm.