austin chapter association of legal administrators …...september 20‐22, ala large firm principal...
TRANSCRIPT
SEPTEMBER 2012 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AUSTIN CHAPTER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL ADMINISTRATORS
September 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Chamberlain McHaney
1) Members Present: Chris Sims, Amanda Koplos, Shary Gonzalez, Tina Terrian, Ann Jacobson,
Elaine Nielsen, Chrissie Eastin, Karie Rivkin (by telephone), Andrew Molnau, Michele Floyd, Debbie Roan (by telephone) and Elaine Burr.
Members Not Present: None
2) Approval of August Board Meeting Minutes: The August Board meeting minutes were approved and submitted to the Board.
3) Treasurer’s Report: (Elaine N.) – The Chapter checking account balance as of August 31, 2012 is $5,372.87 and the Money Market account balance is $44,855.75 for a total Checking/Savings balance of $50,228.62.
Some seminar income has not yet been recorded. Upcoming expenses include Region 4 Conference expenses and some stipend reimbursements.
Treasurer’s Notes: A Balance Sheet and Income Statement for the period ending August 31, 2012 are attached hereto and made a part of these minutes. (Attachment A)
4) Upcoming Due Dates & Responsibilities:
a. September 15, File Chapter tax return – Elaine Nielsen, Treasurer. The tax return is almost ready and it will be filed on Friday, September 14.
b. September and (early) October website and blog assignments – Debbie Roan will write a Board meeting summary; Ann Jacobson will submit information on the upcoming Community Connection events; Chrissie Eastin will write a summary of the September chapter luncheon.
c. September 30, Submit Minutes to RMT Communications Officer – Elaine Burr, Secretary d. September 30, Submit Educational Summary Report to RMT Education Officer – Karie
Rivkin, Chair, Education and Programs. e. October 1, Submit Chapter highlights for ALA News to RMT Communications Officer –
Chris Sims, President.
ALA Board Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
5) Upcoming Educational Opportunities
a. September 19, ALA Webinar – Of Foxes, Hedgehogs and Law Firm Profitability, location to be determined
b. September 20‐22, ALA Large Firm Principal Administrators Retreat, Miami, FL. c. September 27, Austin Chapter Lunch and Learn with Steve Wingert, President of the
Association of Legal Administrators, Headliners Club. d. October 4‐6, Region 4 Conference, Denver, CO.
6) Old Business
a. Chapter Bylaws have been updated and approved by the Board. (Attachment B) An electronic copy of the amended bylaws will be emailed to the chapter membership and a vote will be taken at the September 27, 2012 chapter meeting.
b. Consideration of business development statement for general use to identify and market the Chapter to potential business partners. Chris delegated this responsibility to Michele Floyd and the Business Partner Committee.
c. Newsletter format – The new electronic newsletter is in its final stages. Debbie Roan is working with the designer on a few remaining cosmetic changes. Overall, the product is very impressive.
d. Upcoming visit from Steve Wingert, president of ALA national on September 26‐27. Chrissie Eastin volunteered to make reservations for a Board dinner with Steve on September 26.
e. Preparation of turnover sheet for continuity – this is an evolving project. It involves adding due dates and other reminders in a concise format to aid future Board members.
f. Downtown post office closing – Amanda followed up with her offer to contact the Postmaster regarding a meeting to discuss the changes that the closing of the post office will bring. The postmaster’s representative declined the invitation because the details are still unknown.
g. Fidelity bond insurance renewal criteria.
7) New Business: ‐ none
8) Committee Reports are attached and made a part of these minutes (Attachment C)
Additional Discussion regarding committee Reports: Business Partner Committee: there will be a Business Partner Appreciation event in November on a date not to coincide with the Formula One race week. Newsletter: Debbie expects the next issue to go out at the end of October and the last issue of the year to go out during the first week of December. Debbie asked for all Board members to send her a high resolution professional photo of themselves. Ann Jacobson will send pictures
ALA Board Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
and details on the October Community Relations project to Debbie for inclusion on the newsletter. Community Relations Committee: The next part of the food drive was to invite Business Partners to help sort food at the Food Bank on October 27th. There is a perception that Capital Area Food Bank limits the number of participants for such events. Because the Business Partners were promised face time with chapter members during this event, it was decided to include Business Partners in the AIDS Walk instead. Salary Survey Committee: The survey went out yesterday. Entries must be made by September 28 in order to meet the publication target date of October 5. Education and Programs Committee: The Committee will be meeting this week to discuss the November luncheon, the Holiday party and the Spring Seminar. There are conflicting dates in March that have presented some challenges. Ann Jacobson will check on the Frost Tower conference room availability. Mary Redmond has been contacted to present at the spring Educational Seminar. Budget constraints and the search for an acceptable venue need to be worked out. Karie, Chris and Elaine B. will meet off line to discuss the details. Website Committee – Amanda asked the Board to visit the website and make suggestions for renaming the “Recent Blog Posts” section.
9) Open Business ‐ none
10) Announcements & Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
11) Next Board Meeting The October Board Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 12 Noon. Location:
Bracewell Giuliani LLP Debbie Roan
111 Congress Ave, Suite 2300 Austin, TX 78701 512‐494‐3605