181 Ranchitos del Sol, Aptos, CA 95003

8:30 am – 3.20 pm

 

 

Officers Present:

x          Sandy McCarthy, President

x          Tamara Parker, Vice President

x          Carol Ludlow, Secretary

            Cindy Elwell, Treasurer

 

Director’s Present:

x          Jeri Blatt, Past President, Nominations and Elections 

            Public Relations - Position Vacant

x          Nancy Newlin, Newsletter

x          Robin Schumacher, Membership and Administrator

x          Marcia Burke, Professional Standards

x          John Hughes, Legislative

            Betty Cole, Education

x          Marcel Neumann, Technology

x          Connette Blalock, Conference

x          Connie Crockett, Fundraising

x          Jim Wood, Chairman of Finance Committee               

 

 

Others Present: 

Ed Sherman - Nolo Press

Melody Sereno - Consultant

Stephen Reynolds - Mediator

Andrew Volles - New member

Kerry Spence Suenderman - Member

 

8:30 am             Called to order by Sandy McCarthy

Roll call taken by Secretary

 

Ed Sherman from Nolo Press talked about the possibility of putting the CALDA logo in front of the names of CALDA members who advertise with Nolo.  He also talked about the Settlement Agreement format, specifically the arbitration/mediation paragraph.  He will be posting additional information on the website regarding this issue.

 

Melody Sereno attended the meeting in the capacity of a Consultant.  She offered her services to guide the Board of Directors through the meeting process in order to advise us as to how we can operate in a more efficient manner and set goals in a manner that will be beneficial to CALDA.

 

The presentation on possible new Bankruptcy legislation that had previously been scheduled for the meeting has been cancelled until a later date.

 

PAST BUSINESS

 

1.         Marcia reported receiving a letter from the Ventura County District Attorney in response to a letter she had sent in February 2005 requesting that they enforce LDA registration and bonding regulations.  They reported having taken appropriate steps requested in Marcia's letter.

 

2.         Discussion regarding amendments to the bylaws.  Connie will incorporate all revisions discussed and submit draft #2 to the board via e-mail.  Connie would like all board members to provide input and discussion regarding the revisions via e-mail and prior to the next meeting.  All proposed revisions will be reviewed by the board and put in final form for attorney review and then member review prior to the annual meeting. 

 

3.         Discussion regarding changing Lifetime Membership to be called Honorary Membership.  This was tabled until after the bylaws have been amended.

 

4.         Nancy reported having heard from Patti Swanson, requesting that the remuneration she receives for her work on the newsletter be raised from $100 to $150.    Nancy asked for direction from board regarding the distribution of the

newsletter.  It was suggested that she should contact Chris and ask if this can be distributed as an attachment on the admin site.  There was discussion regarding the frequency of the newsletter distribution and it was decided that these should go out every other month, beginning with the current April edition and following every other month (June, August, October, December and February).  There was discussion as to whether the newsletter should be distributed via mail or e-mail.  It was decided that it would only be sent via mail to those who do not have e-mail addresses.

 

A motion was made by Robin to pay Patty the requested raise of $50 bringing her remuneration to $150 per newsletter, commencing with this current April Edition. 

Jeri seconded the motion.

Motion carried.

 

5.         Marcel reported that no additional progress had been made with SBC since the April Board Meeting regarding the statement in the LDA section of the yellow pages.  Marcel reported that the statement has been removed.   It was recommended that he make no further contact with SBC on this matter. 

 

6.         Marcel presented a pre-CALDA history.  Discussion as to whether names should be included in this history and it was agreed that names should be included.  It was suggested that a condensed version - possibly in the form of a "teaser - be on web with an option to download a more detailed history.   Marcel will do further research in order to complete the history.  It was decided that the history should be included in the new membership package.

 

 

 

AGENDA ITEMS/NEW BUSINESS

 

 1.        Melody made recommendations regarding the order of the meeting content. Carol will change future Agenda format to reflect this. 

 

2.         Discussion regarding the new logo and suggestions as to what the new logo should portray  - CALDA, LDA's or groundbreaking legislation accomplished by CALDA.  Suggestions were made regarding the visual aspect of the logo, which included such things as a scroll, quill pen, courthouse and typewriter. 

            A Motion was made by John that these suggestions be submitted to the Graphic Artist within 2 weeks and following the receipt of additional logo samples there will be an additional week for discussion with a final electronic vote to take place before 5/23/05.

            Robin seconded the motion.

            Motion carried.

 

3.         Robin detailed what is included in the present new membership package.  She would like to have a booklet, professionally printed and condensed to include all membership material.   It was decided that there should be a prospective member package, which will not be as detailed as the new member package.  It was agreed that Robin's idea should be pursued.  A suggestion was made that the new membership booklet should be a glossy 8x11.  Robin will research the cost of the new booklet and will have a sample package together by the July board meeting.

 

4.         Discussion regarding the changing the date structure of the Board Meetings, specifically the one that has traditionally been held in the January following the Annual Conference. The bylaws need to be changed in order to implement this change.  Changes to the bylaws require a vote by the membership and it was decided that this should take place at the Annual Conference.  A suggestion was made that the meetings should take place in mid-October, February and June with the final one being at the beginning of the conference.  A change needs to be made in the bylaws to reflect a statement that the Board shall meet at least 3 times during the year, in addition to the conference board meeting with the meeting immediately following the conference being an orientation and not a regular board meeting.

 

5.         Discussion regarding the fact that most of the Board Manuals are incomplete and offer very little assistance to new Board Members.  Melody offered to assist in providing completed manuals.

 

6.        Discussion regarding the talklist vs the forum.   There was discussion regarding the pros and cons of the talklist vs. the forum and whether both should be kept.  Tamara reports that she has received communication from many members who feel that they no longer have the personal connection that they had with the talklist.  Sandy reports that she has contacted members and has walked them through the process for using the forum and will continue doing this.    Sandy prepared a chart comparing membership usage of talklist to forum.  It was decided that education should be offered on the use of the forum and a class will be offered at the conference on its use.  Marcel will talk to Chris about teaching this class.  Melody suggested that as CALDA is a member driven organization the board should obtain the opinion of its members on this topic.  Discussion followed as to whether a poll of the membership should be taken and if so when.  Suggestions were that this should be not at this time.  Several board members were of the opinion that members are welcome to submit input to the board on this topic, however, the final decision will be made by the Board.   No vote was taken on this subject.

 

7.        Discussion regarding new committee members.  Dianna Runnion has not been a member long enough to be a Board Member but can serve on a committee.  Sandy will talk to Kerry with a view to her becoming the PR Chair.  Dianna reported that she had done some research on advertising with various cable companies.  There was discussion regarding press releases and the benefits that these provide.  Sandy suggested that the new Bankruptcy rules might be a good topic for a press release.

 

8.        Discussion regarding the following issues for the 2005 Conference.

 

           a.         Connette would like better acoustical equipment and Tamara said that Asilomar does not have acoustical equipment but she will provide Connette with the name of a company who does.

 

           b.         Discussion regarding the Vendor location. There are tight regulations regarding the vendor locations but Tamara will see if there is a bigger location for vendors.

          

           c.         Everyone was of the opinion that there needs to be more "down" time for members to visit vendors or communicate with other members.

 

           d.         Pre-registration for classes was recommended.

          

e.         Connette asked whether teachers are to receive $100 or a free night. It was decided that because of the way the bookings are set up with Asilomar they should be paid $100.   

 

f.          It was suggested that a Conference Manual be put together and Melody has offered to assist in the creation of this. 

 

           g.         Each member is responsible for bringing 2 gifts for the 50/50 raffle.

h.         Tamara has offered to continue handling the arrangements with Asilomar and her offer was accepted.

 

9.        Jim Wood requested permission to retain the services of a CPA to do the Association taxes and this was granted.

 

10        Melody listed some of the goals that she sees for the Board.

 

           a.         New membership folder - sample packet ready by July.

b.         Pursue ways in which the membership can serve a larger group of individuals.

c.         Pursue ways to encourage members to participate on the Board.  Consider having Board positions flow into other positions - such as Vice President into President.  Suggested streamlining committee structure - fewer committees would be easier to fill.  Combine some.

           d.         Research publicity as this is a key to membership.          

           e.         Make sure that Board materials are in place by conference.

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 3.20 pm

 

 

TO DO LIST

 

1.        Marcel - further research and completion of history of CALDA.  Talk to Chris about teaching a class on the forum at the conference.  Draft a "teaser" about History for the webpage.

2.        Robin - research cost of new booklet and have sample ready for next Board Meeting.

3.        Connie - submit draft changes to Board via e-mail.

4.        Nancy - contact Chris regarding an attachment on the admin site to distribute newsletters.

5.        Sandy - submit ideas for logo to graphic artist.  Upon receipt of samples submit to Board for electronic vote.

Contact Asilomar- Tamara