MINUTES
of the February 8, 2012 meeting of the
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
1. Call to Order: A meeting of the board of the SBCBA was called to order by CSw at 5:21 pm on
February 8, 2012 in the 2nd floor conference room of 15 W. Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA. The
Directors and Officers marked below were present:
President Catherine Swysen (CSw)
Present
X
Director Naomi Dewey (ND)
Present
X
President Elect Donna Lewis (DL)
X
Director James Griffith (JG)
X
Secretary Scott Campbell (SC)
X
Director Sandford Horowitz (SH)
X
Chief Financial Officer Matt Clarke, (MC)
X
Director Gregory McMurray (GM)
X
Past President Mack Staton (MS)
X
Director Brandi Redman (BR)
X
Director Marysol Bretado (MB)
X
Director Angela Roach (AR)
Director Carl Straub (CSt)
Director Christine Chambers (CC)
X
Director Danielle De Smeth (DD)
X
Director Kelly Scott (KS)
X
Staff: Exec. Dir. Lida Sideris (LS)
X
2. State of the Bar Association
a. Minutes of January 11, 2012 mtg.
A motion was made (ND), seconded (DL) and approved to approve the minutes, after
correcting them to note that Jennifer Hanrahan was also present.
b. Financial Report:
1.
MC presented a proposed budget for 2012. The board agreed that $250 should be
budgeted for the Membership Drive and that, to balance the budget, an expense item, “other
expense” be added. The amount of that item is the difference between budgeted income and
budgeted expense so that the total budgeted income matches, for accounting purposes, the total
budgeted expenses. As amended, on motion made (MS) and seconded (DL) the budget was
approved.
2.
DL reviewed the financial report for January, noting that while generally positive, it
revealed that we were approximately $2000 down on membership dues receipts. On motion made
and seconded, the financial report was approved.
c. Lawyer Referral Service:
LS reported that she has met with Judge Herman regarding providing and disseminating LRS
material at the courts. She has also met with Deborah Mullen regarding the Moderate Means Panel.
LRS continues to get membership applications and dues and is looking for 100% by SBCBA’s March
meeting.
3. Directors Reports
a. MCLE:
KS reported that a Section Head meeting has been set for February 16 at noon at the law
school. She has received confirmations from all Section Heads except Elder Law and Debtor Creditor
re attendance or continuing as Section Head. The Section Heads will be encouraged to put on at least
3 events per year. She noted that we’ve been unable to find anyone to act as Section Head for
Debtor/Creditor. KS reported that LS has created a one-stop button on the website for all things
MCLE including everything that needs to be done to get a program approved.
Minutes of 8 February SBCBA mtg
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b. Events:
CSw announced that it looks likely we’ll have the president of the California Bar Association,
Jon Streeter, to speak at a luncheon during Law Week. This has not been confirmed yet but is in the
works.
SH reported that the Event Dates for Past Pres. Lunch, Golf & Tennis Tournament, Spring
BBQ, Law Week, Justices’ Recep., Annual Dinner, Jt Board Mtg, and Bench & Bar Conf. have not
been set as yet. CSw suggested that the Events Committee in setting dates, be sure to coordinate with
DD, as she is in touch with all constituent groups. MS volunteered to help set up the Past Pres. Lunch,
which is the next event. That event needs a venue and price.
c. Santa Barbara Lawyer:
ND reported that the topic themes for upcoming editions are set. She noted that the deadlines
have been published – first Monday of each month – for submission of articles. Ads continue to be
down. ND advocated for flexibility in pricing of ads. DL noted concerns about discounting. By
consensus, board agreed to allow LS flexibility in pricing decisions in order to get more advertisers
and increase revenues. Further, LS is to track pricing and discounts so that we can review the effects
of discounting on other advertisers and SBL revenues. ND also reported that SBL is putting together
a written editorial policy to help support its editorial decisions.
d. Bench & Bar Conference:
Jennifer Hanrahan (not present) reported via e-mail:
We made $10,784 profit, exceeding last year's record! Our key Gold Guardian Sponsor
WestlawNext is processing payment for its sponsorship, and we should receive the check next
week. We included its sponsorship in the report. We have accounted for all other expenses, and
all other revenue are in.
[She has] written an article "Bench & Bar Conference 2012: Dream Realized on Martin Luther
King, Jr. Weekend" for the March 2012 issue of SBL, and Jim Griffith is working on some
supplemental interviews of the key, famous speakers.
[She] would be happy to attend any other meetings to report on the Bench & Bar Conference or to
consult on any other aspect of the Bar Association, if needed or desired. Brandi Redman may
also supplement this report and the attached income statement, which ties in with SBCBA
accounting as well.
[She] will provide separately to Brandi Redman, as well as the new Bench & Bar Conference
2013 Committee (Jim Griffith and Gregory McMurray), Executive Director Lida Sideris, and any
other board members who wish to view these documents: (1) all of the survey feedback we
received; (2) electronic copies of ads, Registration Form and Schedule for templates; (3) the
Excel document detailing the financial information, (4) a detailed Outline of Contact Information
for key people (vendors, sponsors, venue, audiovisual, instructors, etc.) and Actions that we took
to organize and plan, and practical tips for running the event; and (5) copies of correspondence,
sponsorship packages, thank you letters, and anything else that may be helpful so that the
organizers do not have to reinvent the wheel and can push forward to create an even better event
that is even more profitable for the Bar Association. We will also set up a formal meeting to
review the documents, brainstorm, and answer any questions.
DL noted that once Thomson Reuters (Westlaw) pays, the Bench and Bar profit will be 180%,
and that this year drew nearly twice as many participants as last year. Moreover, many noted that getting
7 hours of MCLE at that price is a great deal.
SC encouraged JG, GM & BR to jump on the success of this year’s B&B Conference and contact
notable speakers now to try to get a commitment for next year’s event.
Minutes of 8 February SBCBA mtg
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We discussed the date for next year’s conference and agreed President’s Day weekend worked
well. We discussed the venue. ND suggested looking into the old seminary, 2300 Garden. Contact
Kevin Reddick. JG to brief committee next meeting. Suggestions included lawyers associated with
Citizen’s United SCOTUS case, Prop 8 case, Colbert’s Superpac attorney.
e. Bench & Bar Relations:
AR unable to attend meeting. She reported via e-mail:
Regarding the Justices’ Reception, [she] obtained information regarding the 2008, 2009, and
2011, Receptions including the number of attendees, location, catering cost, ticket price, profit or
loss amount, format and invitee list. (Thank you Lida!) The number of attendees essentially
stayed the same at about 40, but 2011 was the only year the event was profitable because the
event was held at the Courthouse versus a hotel/restaurant. The aim this year is to ensure the
event is profitable but move to another location, likely a private home. Also, we will likely
utilize a Q & A format moderated by one of our SBSC Judges (similar to the Annual Dinner).
[She] reached out to Judge Ochoa, who wanted to be involved in coordinating the event, but I
have not yet heard back from him. [Her] plan to move forward: 1) Meet with Judge Ochoa to
discuss the event; 2) work to confirm a location and date in October 2012; and 3) work with Lida
to send a communication to the membership requesting feedback and suggestions.
f. Liaison:
DD had submitted her report prior to the meeting by e-mail. Additionally she noted that the
Legacy Foundation may be interested in co-sponsoring an event. We discussed having the Legacy
Foundation as a sponsor at next year’s Bench & Bar Conference. DD highlighted upcoming events
including a Legal Aid fundraiser in Santa Maria, March 3, and SBWL’s Mardi Gras event February 21.
g. Special Projects:
BR reported that the SBCB Foundation was looking to put on a movie and panel discussion for
Law Week. We discussed reinvigorating the Law Day race and contacting Desmond O’Neil to coordinate
it. MC suggested contacting the Night Moves coordinator. We discussed picking a firm date and setting
up 2013 Law Day Race, as the date has to be chosen and reserved by no later than November of the year
before the race.
h. Fiscal:
SC, DL LS met with MC to prepare him for role as CFO.
SC presented the signature cards required in order to change the list of officers with authority
over the SBCBA accounts. Lynn Goebel’s name has been removed. MC has been added. The offices
held for each signatory has been adjusted to reflect this year’s officer slate.
On Motion made (SC) and seconded (MS), it was resolved that: Lynn Goebel’s name be
removed from the signature cards for Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, account nos. 7076169 and
7076177, that Matthew Clarke’s name be added as SBCBA CFO, and that the respective titles
of each officer be changed to reflect this year’s officer positions. SC was authorized to deliver
the newly signed signature cards to SBB& T.
i.
Awards & Board Development:
MS reported that he and CSw have spoken. He urged the committee to start now to identify potential
recipients. CSw has sent an e-mail with the deadlines for these awards. CS sent an e-mail with steps &
deadlines from the bylaws concerning 2012 Board Nominations rather than awards. LS to copy Board
members on the descriptions of the awards (John T. Rickard, Richard Abbe Humanitarian, Pro Bono and
Frank Crandell Community Service.)
Minutes of 8 February SBCBA mtg
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4.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Adoption of 2012 Calendar – deferred. Events Committee to set dates and report at March
meeting.
b. Open Courts Coalition Resolution – On motion (MS) and second (DL) the resolution regarding
the Impact on California Citizens on Cuts to State Court Budgets was adopted and signed at the meeting.
c. Online Payment for all Events on Website – On motion (SC) and second (ND) the board
approved the expenditure of approximately $300 to enable the SBCBA website to accept credit card
payments for MCLE events. What the $300 will implement is online payments. (We already take credit
cards via hardcopy & phone.)
d. MS reported that the Airport Commission is considering naming the new terminal after Judge
Rickard. MS is attending the AC meeting on February 15 in support of same. MS reported that the SBC
judges do not endorse Judge Rickard’s name being used for the terminal, probably on the grounds that it
is not appropriate for bench officers to endorse things of that nature.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
BR announced that the SBC Bar Foundation needs a representative from the SBCBA for its board.
MS (or CSw) volunteered.
MS announced that attorney Larry Hilton died.
CSw reminded us that the SBCBA does not do memorials for attorneys, but that anyone is free to
submit an article for the SBL magazine.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Deliverables:
1.
MS and BR to report further on Law Week
2
CSw to confirm Jon Streeter as speaker for Law Week
3
SH, CSt, MB to set and report on dates for Past Pres. Lunch, Golf & Tennis Tournament, Spring
BBQ, Law Week, Justices’ Recep., Annual Dinner, Joint Board Mtg, and Bench & Bar Conf.
Minutes of 8 February SBCBA mtg
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