MINUTES – May 7, 2009
THE WEST VIRGINIA BAR FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
STATE BAR CENTER-CHARLESTON
MAY 7, 2009
MINUTES
The meeting of the West Virginia Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors was called to order by President Carl Harris on May 7, 2009, at the State Bar Center in Charleston. The meeting had been called to primarily consider the future plans for the organization.
Members of the Board of Directors in attendance were Vice President John Tinney, Larry Skeen, Jane Moran, Neva Lusk and Steve Crislip. Participating by telephone conference call were Secretary/Treasurer Tracey Rohrbaugh, Cheryl Riley, Janet Preston, Joe Long, Michael Aloi and Tracey Weber. Bar Foundation Executive Director Tom Tinder were also in attendance.
President Harris presented to the Board a letter of resignation from Scott Segal, the Chairperson of the IOLTA Advisory Committee. The letter stated that his “current charitable work, lecturing and trial commitments simply do not permit that I continue to serve.” A motion was duly made, seconded and passed that Mr. Segal’s resignation be accepted, with regret and with appreciation for his valuable leadership.
President Harris informed the Board that Tom Flaherty, a lawyer from Charleston with a great deal of experience and expertise in legal services and legal organizations, had agreed to serve as the IOLTA Advisory Committee Chairperson. A motion was duly made, seconded and passed to appoint Mr. Flaherty to that position.
The Board reviewed the IOLTA Comparability Rule situation with the WV Supreme Court’s approval of an Order to implement the Rule, effective April 15, 2009. The Board members discussed a proposal from The Resource group which had done preliminary work several months ago. After some comments, a motion was duly made, seconded and passed that the Bar Foundation hire The Resource and negotiate a fee for the first phase of the implementation process. After further comments, a motion was duly made, seconded and passed that any IOLTA Comparability Rule documents being sent to WV lawyers would also include the annual membership dues material.
The Board then turned its attention to the Bar Foundation’s current and future goals and objectives. The Board members gave the following responses to using one word to describe the organization-service, charity, philanthropic, help, doing good, moral responsibility, understand lawyers and legal system, fund raising and others.
The Board discussed the following areas:
1. IOLTA Program
Implement Comparability Rule, anticipate IOLTA accounts in mass tort litigation cases, review IOLTA funding distribution and continue educating the lawyers and the banks.
2. Governance Issues
Conflict of interest statement, whistle blower policy, records retention policy and related organizations policy.
3. Grantmaking Process
Expand grants through budget process and support the Grants Committee.
4. Marketing/Public Relations
Educate public, legal profession and the judiciary by using media options, such as Public Radio, State Journal, WV Lawyer, Internet advertising, etc.
5. Fundraising
Become debt free in 2011, have a ceremony in fall, 2009, at WVU Law School to present Citizen/Lawyer of the Year Awards and a law student scholarship, designated funds and consider estate giving by focusing on lawyers.
There being no further business to transact, the meeting was adjourned.