MINUTES OF THE JULY 7, 2009 MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE INDIAN

RIVER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, INC.

The July 7, 2009, Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Indian River County Bar Association, Inc., was held at the office of the City Attorney, City Hall, Vero Beach, FL  32960.

1.                  Call to Order

The Meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. by President, Peggy Lyon. Attending were; Barry Segal, Peggy Lyon, Erin Grall, Jennifer Van Hoose, Andrew Metcalf, Greg Vitunac (YLD), and Mark Hill. 

II.                Approval of Minutes

The prior month’s minutes were unanimously and enthusiastically approved upon the motion of Andy and the second of Erin.

III.             President’s Report (Peggy Lyon)

President Peggy Lyon the upcoming luncheons.  The next lunch is July 10^th and the speaker is Sean Sexton.  The next board meeting will be July 28, 2009.

Next Peggy discussed the various committees and board responsibilities as follows:

Brian Connelly – Immediate Past President

Peggy Lyon – President and law library liaison

Andy Metcalf – President elect and speaker coordinator

Mark Hill – Treasurer

Rebecca Emmons – Secretary and holiday party liaison

Barry Segal – website

Tom Tierney – pro bono liaison

Jennifer VanHoose – non-dues income

Erin Grall – newsletter

Bill DeBraal – public relations

Peggy also discussed the status of the quarterly ask-a-lawyer and the possibility of wills-on-wheels.  In addition she received correspondence from DCF regarding the elderly and vulnerable adults as it pertains to guardians and guardianships.  These issues will be discussed with Tom at the next meeting.

IV.              President Elect’s Report (Andy Metcalf)

Andy discussed his meeting with Sheriff Loar in regards to possible attorney access to the courthouse.  The Sheriff is considering the option of a biometric entrance at the library after certain qualifications and a fee are paid.  Sheriff Loar is set to speak at the October membership luncheon.

Andy also sought suggestions for speakers for the upcoming year and the board had a general discussion on speakers. 

V.                 Treasurer’s Report (Mark Hill)

Mark submitted the 2009-2010 budget for review and approval.  Barry questioned the amount of the expense for board lunches and suggested we raise the monthly amount to $100.00.  The board approved the amount.  Barry then moved to have the budget approved and Andy seconded the motion.  The budget was approved unanimously.  Mark then discussed the June financial report.  As of June 30^th the Bar has a balance of $11,116.69.  This is a very healthy start to a new year.  In addition Mark had received roughly $9,500.00 in dues for the 2009-2010 membership year.

VI.              Secretary’s Report (Rebecca Emmons)

Rebecca was not in attendance.

            VII.     Committee Reports

A.        Pro Bono Committee (Thomas Tierney):   Tom was not in attendance

B.         Website (Barry Segal):  Barry says all is well.

C.        Public Relations/Newsletter Committee (Erin):  Erin discussed the frequency and timing of the newsletter.  Jennifer pointed out the importance of timing around the holiday party for sponsorship purposes.  The board also discussed content for the newsletter.

D.        Non-Dues Income (Jennifer Van Hoose):          Jennifer reported that Richard Brown is sponsoring the September luncheon.

E.         YLD:  Greg Vitunac reported that the YLD social was a big success.  He also expressed an interest in participating in the wills-on-wheels project.

VIII.    Old Business

No old business.

IX.              New Business

No new business

X.                 Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by President, Brian Connelly, at 12:56 p.m.

Minutes created this 7^th day of July, 2009, by:

Mark E. Hill

Substitute Secretary, IRCBA.  

MINUTES OF THE APRIL 28, 2009 MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE INDIAN

RIVER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, INC.

The April 28, 2009, Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Indian River County Bar Association, Inc., was held at the Offices of Gould, Cooksey & Fennel, P.A., 929 Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach, FL  32963

1.                  Call to Order

The Meeting was called to order at 12:11 p.m. by President, Brian Connelly. Attending were; Brian Connelly, Barry Segal, Peggy Lyon, Erin Grall, Jennifer Van Hoose, Andrew Metcalf, Tom Tierney, Greg Vitunac and Stephanie Velazquez (YLD), and Mark Hill. 

II.                Approval of Minutes

The prior month’s minutes were unanimously approved upon the motion of Brian Connelly and the second of Barry Segal.

III.             President’s Report (Brian Connelly)

President Brian Connelly discussed law week and his great experience going into the classroom.  Brian also discussed the possibility of foreclosure clinic for attorney’s and getting approved for CLE’s.

IV.              President Elect’s Report (Peggy Lyon)

Peggy discussed the slate of officers as follows:  President – Peggy Lyon; Vice President – Andrew Metcalf; Treasurer – Mark Hill; and Secretary – Rebecca Emmons.  She also announced that Bill DeBraal would accept the nomination to become a board member.

V.                 Treasurer’s Report (Andrew Metcalf)

Andy submitted and discussed the Treasurer’s Report.  Mark made a motion to approve and Barry seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

VI.              Secretary’s Report (Mark Hill)

No report. 

            VII.     Committee Reports

A.        Pro Bono Committee (Thomas Tierney):  Andy raised the issue of post-dissolution cases and the role of Florida Rural Legal Services.  He spoke with Sandra Rodriguez-Hickman and confirmed that FRLS will handle post-dissolution cases.  However, in any case they will only represent the parent who has actual possession or custody of the child(ren).  There was a discussion about having the other parent, if they need a pro-bono lawyer, go through FRLS but with a “Chinese Wall” to isolate the party represented by FRLS from the party simply going through FRLS to get a private pro-bono attorney.  However, it would have to be a local attorney who would be willing to act as the screener for these cases.  The board did not feel that this was advisable or practical.  Tom is going to communicate with the new judicial pro-bono judge.

There was also a discussion of attorney-ad-litem cases that could be referred by FRLS.  A general discussion was had about possible training in regards to being an attorney-ad-litem.

There was a discussion in regards to possible pro-bono foreclosure mediations.  However, we need more information on this program.

Additionally, a short discussion was had about being involved with non-profit organizations as it pertains to their initial organization and setup. 

Finally, Tom mentioned that two people called that requested pro-bono attorneys who had been turned down by FRLS.  The board felt that this was not something that we should get involved with and that attorneys could decided to take pro-bono cases outside of FRLS on their own.

B.         Website (Barry Segal):  There was a discussion about adding a family law video to the website.  Barry and Mark did not feel that it would be a problem or difficult to do.

C.        Public Relations/Newsletter Committee (Rebecca Emmons):  Rebecca had nothing to report.

D.        Non-Dues Income (Jennifer Van Hoose):          Jennifer is doing great with the bar lunch sponsors!    

VIII.    Old Business

No old business.

IX.              New Business

A.                 Greg Vitunac and Stephanie Velazquez from the YLD were present to share the Law Week agenda and activities.  We discussed Face-To-Face, the TV show, school presentations and the family law clinic, among other things.  It appears that YLD has things very well under control.

B.                 The YLD has a proposed budget for the Social of $350.00.  Mark moved to approve and Peggy seconded.  The board passed the expenditure unanimously.

X.                 Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by President, Brian Connelly, at 12:55 p.m.

Minutes created this 19^th day of May, 2009, by:

Mark E. Hill

Secretary, IRCBA.      

MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 24, 2009 MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, INC.
 

The February 24, 2009, Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Indian River County Bar Association, Inc., was held at the Offices of Gould, Cooksey & Fennel, P.A., 929 Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32963

I. Call to Order

The Meeting was called to order at 12:14 p.m. by President, Brian Connelly. Attending were; Brian Connelly, Paul Berg, Barry Segal, Peggy Lyon, Erin Grall, Jennifer Van Hoose, Andrew Metcalf, Michelle Carter (YLD) and Mark Hill. Absent was Tom Tierney.

II. Approval of Minutes

The prior month’s minutes were unanimously approved upon the motion of Barry Segal and the second of Brian Connelly.

III. President’s Report (Brian Connelly)

President Brian Connelly discussed the fact that we may need to move the April meeting to accommodate spring break. Brian attended the new federal courthouse groundbreaking ceremony in Ft. Pierce. The event was well attended with several important people making an appearance. Finally we discussed the Treasure Coast Food Bank. The board felt that this was not something the bar itself would be involved with even though it appears to be a very worthwhile cause. Rather, this was something individual firms could participate in.

IV. President Elect’s Report (Peggy Lyon)

Peggy introduced the upcoming schedule for the monthly board and monthly lunch meetings. In March our lunch speaker is Pamela Cooper. Peggy would like to get Alma Lee Loy back on the schedule and is looking at possibly having her speak at the June luncheon. There was a general discussion regarding the 2009-2010 slate of officers for the Board. We also need an additional member to replace Paul Berg who will finally be set free like a bird. Thanks again Paul!

V. Treasurer’s Report (Andrew Metcalf)

Andy is getting a check to Frugal Framer who will then deliver and hang the picture composite in the courthouse. He also received the sponsorship check from Fowler, White. Andy also moved to appoint Mark Hill as the treasurer of the board for 2009-2010 and Barry Segal as secretary for the board for 2009-2010. The motion was approved unanimously.

VI. Secretary’s Report (Mark Hill)

No report.

VII. Committee Reports

A. Pro Bono Committee (Thomas Tierney): No Report.

B. Website (Barry Segal): Barry had nothing to report. Paul Berg, however, brought up the point that maybe we should not have a link to the Florida Bar for attorney referrals when we should be sending people to our member lawyers. The board agreed and Barry will remove the link.

C. Public Relations/Newsletter Committee (Rebecca Emmons): Rebecca had nothing to report.

D. Non-Dues Income (Jennifer Van Hoose): Jennifer is doing great with the bar lunch sponsors!

VIII. Old Business

As mentioned above the picture portrait is ready to hang. We also discussed the Auxiliaries’ increased responsibility for the 2009 holiday party. We did discuss, however, that we will need to approve a budget and clearly communicate this budget to the Auxiliary so that there are not financial problems.

IX. New Business
A. Michelle Carter was present on behalf of the Young Lawyers Division. They are asking Judge Kanarek to speak at their next luncheon. The Law Week chairs are Jason Odem, Holly Mantle and George Glenn Jr., and Greg Vitunak. Michelle clarified that there is $1,300.00 for the affiliate outreach program in regards to the family pro-se issue. Michelle brought up that the YLD would like to have a social event and would propose a budget for such an event. The board will then discuss and approve as appropriate. In addition due to the fact that the local YLD is growing Michelle is asking for an increase in the budget for the lunches. Again this issue will be addressed when the board approves the 2009-2010 budget.
B. Once again the topic of advertising on the website has surfaced. Charles Sanford, a member of our local bar, has inquired about placing an advertisement on the website. A lengthy discussion was had regarding different types of advertisements from display ads to classified ads. Ultimately the board felt that it was simply an administrative problem to handle advertising on the website. Mark moved to prohibit advertising on the website. Barry seconded the motion and the board approved the motion unanimously.
C. Lastly, the board discussed the law firm employ salary/benefit survey as suggested by Erin. Most of the board agreed that this could be helpful. However, there were some concerns about sharing this type of sensitive information. More discussion will be had on this topic.

X. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by President, Brian Connelly, at 1:10 p.m. Minutes created this 27th day of January, 2009, by:

Mark E. Hill
Secretary, IRCBA.