Philadelphia Bar Foundation
Board of Trustees Meeting
April 1, 2014
Dechert, LLP
Trustees: Deborah Gross (President), Steve Bizar (Vice President), Leslie John (Secretary), Wilson
Brown (Assistant Secretary - phone), Tom Brophy (Treasurer – phone), Michael Adler,
Wendy Beetlestone, Edward Biester, Rick Cantor, Andrea Cho (phone), Michael Kichline,
Robert Louis, Nilam Sanghvi, Joshua Snyder, Roberta Torian, Larry Walker, Mark
Tarasiewicz, Doug Kreitzberg (phone), Gaeton Alfano (phone)
BOPs:
Jason DiNapoli, Cynthia Stavrakis
Staff:
Jessica Hilburn-Holmes, Alexander McDowell, Cecelia Driscoll, Susan Knight (phone)
I.
Welcome & Introduction of new Trustee Josh Snyder
Debbie welcomed everyone and thanked Michael Kichline for hosting our meeting at Dechert.
She also introduced and welcomed our new trustee, Joshua Snyder, and our new Director of
Development, Alex McDowell.
II.
Review/Approve February 2014 Financials
Debbie noted that it has been a good year and an impressive job has been done raising funds
for the Sheppard Fund. Michael Kichline talked about the Sheppard Fund and the formation of
a committee. Ed Biester, Mitchell Bach, Jessica Hilburn-Holmes, Susan Packer, and Eric
Milby are members of the Sheppard Fund Committee; one open position remains. Two people
have also been appointed to the committee by the Sheppard family.
We are in the process putting together a package for the Kenneth Shear Civil Gideon Legal
Justice Essay Competition and Scholarship Fund, which we hope will complete by the end of
the week.
Debbie asked for a motion to approve the February Financials; Steve Bizar made the motion;
Leslie seconded the motion, and the Financials were unanimously approved.
III.
Review/Approve March 2014 Minutes
Debbie asked for a motion to approve the March 2014 minutes; Steve Bizar made a motion;
Nilam seconded the motion, and the motion was unanimously approved.
IV.
Board Development Update – nunc pro tunc Resolution for election of 2014 Officers
Tom Brophy updated the Board by saying that with the addition of Josh Snyder, our board is
now complete. Tom asked that if anyone has someone in mind who they would like to
recommend as a future trustee, to let him know.
Jessica asked for a motion for a nunc pro tunc resolution for the election of the 2014 Board
Officers as follows:
Deborah R. Gross, Esq., President
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Steven E. Bizar, Esq., Vice President
Leslie E. John, Secretary
Thomas A. Brophy, Treasurer
Richard Grobman, Assistant Treasurer
Wilson M. Brown, Esq., Assistant Secretary
Mike Adler made the motion; Michael Kichline seconded, and the motion was unanimously
approved.
V.
Budget Review & 50th Fundraising Update:
Alex provided the Trustees with an update on the Golf & Tennis Classic. Although the Golf
committee initially expressed concerns about the higher budget numbers for this year’s Event,
Alex explained that because there are 2 golf courses (and one in particular is highly sought
after) and more tennis courts than ever before, we feel fairly confident about making our
budget. In that regard, the Foundation has already received approximately $54,000 in
sponsorship commitments. In fact, Gold ($5500) Sponsors are nearly sold out. Alex noted that
we might be able to sell an additional Gold Sponsorship, since one in-kind sponsor is willing
to forgo signage at the event. Regarding marketing for the event, Alex reported that The Legal
Intelligencer will be a Gold, In-Kind Sponsor and has agreed to run three ¼ page ads in The
Legal before the event as well as a ½ page “Thank You” ad after the event. In addition, the Bar
Foundation will shortly be sending out an email blast to our list that includes a link to our
registration page. Mark Tarasiewicz also offered to send out our golf registration information
through the Bar Association’s list-serv. Also, The Legal has agreed to send a co-branded email out to its 15,000 member list. Wilkie Lexus will also be an in-kind Gold Sponsor this
year. We are looking for items for the Silent Auction such as museum tickets, sporting event
tickets, and dinners. As in past years, Jason Greer, from Sb1 Federal Credit Union, is helping
to bring in auction items.
Planning for the 50th Gala is moving along. Debbie reported that we are in the process of trying
to secure a former Supreme Court Justice as a Key Note Speaker for the Awards Ceremony at
the Gala. Debbie also reminded the Trustees that each Board Member needs to provide
Meredith with the names of two individuals to be included on the Host Committee.
Debbie and Jessica discussed Justice Sandra Newman’s offer to open her home to hold a
cocktail reception, of at least 100 people, for the benefit of the Bar Foundation. Her son,
Jonathan Newman, has also offered to donate wine for the reception and to do a wine-tasting.
Debbie and Jessica noted in this regard that the Bar Foundation owes thanks to Gina Rubel for
this opportunity as she initiated the conversation with Justice Newman.
As for the 50th Events, Debbie asked that each firm that would like to host an event to please
let Jessica, Alex or Cecelia know of a date. The 50th event can be any type of program. Bob
Louis explained that Saul Ewing will be hosting an event on May 15th. A curator from the
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Carl Strehlke, has agreed to speak about the John G. Johnson
Collection at the Museum and its role in Philadelphia’s cultural life. In addition, Fred Strober
will speak about Johnson’s legal career and his role in civic affairs. Bob Louis hopes to
combine the discussion of Johnson’s philanthropy with a discussion of planned giving and to
be able to make this program a CLE. Debbie mentioned that Marshall Dennehey will be
hosting an event in September with their “in-house” band, Class Act. The purpose of these
events is to increase awareness of our work while thanking our supporters and past leaders. So,
Trustees are encouraged to think creatively about what sort of event they might like to host. A
slide show and video, which is currently being produced, will be available to be shown at each
event. Also, Alex mentioned that the intention is to have individual giving campaigns rolled
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out after each firm visit. Jessica pointed out the “50 Years of Impact” 1-page (2-sided) fact
sheet that Furia Rubel has helped design. She asked that everyone review the way in which
his/her name and firm appear on the fact sheet.
Turning to the 2014 Budget, Debbie, Jessica and Alex discussed the 50th Anniversary category
on the Statement of Operations. For the Gold Class of 1964, we hope to have five donations of
$50,000 each. For the Gold Ribbon Donor, the idea was to get 50 donors at $5,000.
However, after further consideration, it has been decide that that will be reduced to 25 donors
of $5,000 each for a total of $125,000. For the Silver Ribbon Donor category, ($1,000 each)
which earlier showed $100,000, we intend to try to get $125,000 in gifts. The categories of 50th
Miscellaneous and Advisory Board will be combined into one category for a total of $410,000.
Events like the Justice Newman dinner will be recorded against this category.
Bob Louis and Alex also briefly discussed the Foundation’s Planned Giving Initiative/Legacy
Society. Bob’s intention is to be able to announce Planned Giving at Saul Ewing’s event on
May 15th. It is also the Foundation’s intention to make a brief presentation at the next Quarterly
luncheon when the senior lawyers will be honored by the Association. Debbie also mentioned
that we are also trying to reinvigorate the Hamilton Circle. New brochures, again with Gina
Rubel’s help, have been designed and printed. These brochures will be distributed at each
event.
VI.
Other Committee Reports:
EJC:
The working group held a very productive meeting with PNC. PNC would like to get the
underwriting process started. The next step is to obtain a Letter of Intent from all organizations
who have expressed an interest in the EJC. The Letter of Intent will be sent to the
organizations with a cover letter later in the week. The Reservation of Rights letter from the
City, which expires in September, covers 3 parcels. The EJC and low income housing would
take up two parcels. The third parcel could be used as a parking lot. John Chin, Philadelphia
Chinatown Development Corp (PCDC) has been consulted about the EJC and expressed his
support. He also conveyed concerns from businesses in Chinatown about the loss of parking.
The working group is committed to finding solutions to the parking and is hoping to have a
meeting soon with PCDC. Wendy, Debbie and Jessica met with David Haas recently. He may
able to help secure seed money for a dedicated person to work with the Foundation on the
project.
Rick provided an update on RCAP. Funding decisions are now expected just after the May
primary. If RCAP Funds are approved, we will need to move quickly or the funds could go
back to PIDC. At this point the project is being done without any fundraising in place, though
eventually fundraising will need to be a component of the planning. Debbie reported on a
meeting Jessica and she had with Sage Communications. They have been working with Eva
Gladstein’s office on the CEO’s Shared Prosperity Project. Sage Communications encouraged
incorporating the Chinatown community into the project’s development sooner rather than
later. We have asked them for a proposal for what a communications plan for the EJC might
look like. Rick and Debbie also thanked Mark Schwartz for all of his time and hard work.
Finance:
David Faw, our auditor, will attend our next meeting, on May 6th to discuss the audit.
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Grants:
Mike Adler provided an update on the review process and commended the grants committee
on the wonderful job they have already done. The Grants Committee, which has 20 members,
is very engaged. Sub-committees/working groups have been formed. A working committee has
been created with Ellan Bernstein, Roberta Torian, Ken Shear, and Marty Morse. In addition,
Sue Heckrotte has spent time polling all of the executive directors about our grant process.
Two new members have volunteered to help John Urofsky review all of the financial
information. A new review process is being worked on; both Cynthia and Jason have done a
phenomenal job with the research that they have done for the committee. Cynthia has
researched other Foundations and their processes for grant making. Jason researched a Letter
of Inquiry for new applicants. The 2014 Grant application package will be posted on the
website soon. The next Grants Committee meeting is scheduled for May 14th. During that
meeting, site visits, will be discussed. Debbie invited all Board Members to attend the Grants
Committee meetings and to go on at least one site visit.
Marketing:
Doug Kreitzberg provided an update on the CBS3 proposal. CBS will give us a draft of a
letter. The letter would be sent out to a list of 40 firms (selected by the Bar Foundation). CBS
will do a follow-up our letters. If the letters generate interest, a meeting will be set up with
firm, CBS and the Foundation. At least 10 interested firms are needed. Funds would go
through the Bar Foundation; Blank Rome is looking at the details for this. Leslie expressed a
concern about the funding and how it would ‘pass through’ the foundation. Debbie and Jessica
noted in that regard that the Foundation is consulting with Blank Rome’s non-profit experts
about that and will only proceed if it is appropriate. The target would be to run the advertising
in July, August and September.
VII.
Housekeeping/Other Business
Debbie announced that Amy Ginensky’s daughter had a son; congratulations to Amy.
Jessica asked that Conflict of Interest forms be returned; Alex asked that everyone complete
and return the Survey.
Next Meeting
May 6, 2014
Cozen O’Connor
Filed with the undersigned April 1, 2014
____________________________________
Leslie E. John, Esq.
Secretary
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is dedicated to promoting access to justice for all people in the
community, particularly those struggling with poverty, abuse and discrimination. The Bar
Foundation is the embodiment of the Philadelphia legal community’s commitment to this
fundamental principle.
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