I. The Board of Directors of the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association met in Columbia for a board meeting at the McNair Firm. Present at the meeting were:
President, Alice Paylor; President-Elect, Rosalyn W. Frierson; Treasurer, Toya Hampton Green; Secretary, Mary Elizabeth Crum; Immediate Past-President, Kathy Helms; Stephanie Borsanyi, Sarah Leverette, Cheryl Bullard, Tara Shurling, Liz Zeck, Amie Clifford, Stephanie Nye, Natalie Bluestein, and Jenny Anderson Horne
Cherie Blackburn, Ayesha Washington and Julie Moose participated by phone.
II. The Minutes of the March 17, 2006 meeting were read. Liz Zeck mentioned that she had attended the previous meeting. The correction was noted, and the Minutes were then moved and approved.
III. Treasurer’s Report. Toya Hampton Green. Toya reported that we had about $35,000 in our operating account, but $5,000 of that was money raised to refurbish the Midlands’ DSS Visitation Room. The remaining $30,000 was significantly more than we usually had at this time of year because we have not had the expense of producing and printing the Briefcase. With the money we save from the online publication of the Briefcase, we should be able to fund several new projects in the upcoming year.
IV. Regional Reports. The Low Country. Cherie Blackburn reported on the very successful Low Country social that was completely funded by Nelson Mullins. Cherie estimated that over 75 attended what turned out to be a great networking opportunity. Cherie offered to share her list of non-member attendees with Low Country Regional Representative, Natalie Bluestein, so that Natalie could encourage these individuals to consider membership in SCWLA. President Paylor thanked Nelson Mullins for covering the entire cost of the social. The Low Country continues to have monthly lunch meetings on the third Wednesday of every month with varying speakers, brown bag lunches at local offices, and sponsors a mentor-mentee program with the Charleston Law School.
The Midlands also had a well-attended social that they combined with a silent auction to raise funds to refurbish the local DSS receiving/visitation room. Midlands members and local vendors donated wonderful and unique auction items (many of which were vintage) and they raised over $3,000.00. Non-members were also invited to the Midlands social and many asked to be included in future SCWLA events. Everyone seemed to have a fabulous time and many inquired about the possibility of doing more silent auctions. President Paylor said she was happy that SCWLA had been able to cover the food and beverage cost for the Midlands social and believed that the auction could become an annual event. The Midlands also continues to have well attended first Thursday lunch meetings with varying speakers, at the Palmetto Club.
The Sea Islands. Liz Crum reported that Beaufort recently hosted a well attended dinner that included Justice Toal. Liz noted that Kelly Jolly has expressed interest in getting a social going for their region.
The Pee Dee. Julie Moose reported that not much was currently going on in the Pee Dee Region but that they hoped to get a social planned for their region.
President Paylor noted that President-Elect Rosalyn Frierson had been trying to find new candidates to serve as regional representatives in the upper parts of the state. Everyone was asked to help.
Media Reports.
Website. Webmaster, Eleanor Kellett. Eleanor did not attend so the board could consider her proposal.
V. Briefcase. President Paylor congratulated new Editor Jenny Horne and Webmaster Eleanor Kellett on the spectacular launch of the online Briefcase. The summer edition of the Briefcase marked the beginning of our colorful and inexpensive online newsletter. Everyone agreed that it was a fabulous edition. Webmaster, Eleanor Kellet chose to stay away from the board meeting so there could be a free and open discussion regarding the webmaster’s request to be compensated for the tremendous volume of work she was putting into the website and the online publishing of the Briefcase. Eleanor asked to be paid $500.00 a quarter for creating and updating the website, and $1500.00 a quarter for the online publishing of the Briefcase. Board members considered that previous hardcopy editions of the Briefcase (20 pages) cost SCWLA an average of $4000.00, and Eleanor was only requesting half that amount for a newsletter that was now nearly twice as long. Additionally, Eleanor had been doing all the work on the SCWLA website for the last six years for free. Jennie Horne estimated that Eleanor had spent well over one hundred hours on the first edition of the Briefcase, and President Paylor proposed that we pay Eleanor $4000.00 for the first two quarters of the year for all her prep work, and $4000.00 for the second two quarters for her continuing work, with the proviso that the salary be readdressed annually. The board considered the fact that there were outside providers who could provide similar services at a comparable rate, but decided it made more sense to pay that rate to the most knowledgeable person who was already in place. President Paylor pointed out that Eleanor had thoroughly researched competitive rates and would also be happy to revise her request whenever the board decided to make the website interactive. Amie Clifford stated that she believed an interactive website would offer SCWLA members the real benefit we have always been trying to provide. Members with important questions could get answers from fellow members that could literally change lives. President Paylor asked for a motion to approve Eleanor’s proposal which would now include an annual review. A motion was made to approve Eleanor’s request. It was seconded and voted upon favorably.
VI. Committees.
a. Membership. President Paylor expressed concern about the lack of activity in the Upstate, Grand Strand and Old English Regions.
b. Career Development. Stephanie Nye reported that the “invitation to be mentored” letters had gone out to the 2005-2006 new admittees, and eighteen had requested mentors. The potential mentor list had been compiled from the thirty-two mentors who volunteered. Stephanie asked for names of potential mentors in Aiken, Georgetown and Horry Counties because she had no mentors to match mentees in those locations. Board members suggested Lucy Knowles and Barbara Morgan as possible contacts in Aiken. Stephanie admitted that it was a struggle to make appropriate “area of practice” pairings. Stephanie noted that the questions most often asked by mentees, involved balancing family and work, job searches, and networking opportunities. Past President Helms suggested that we consider doing future Briefcase articles on those topics. President-Elect Frierson recommended that we put a description of the mentor program with the necessary forms on the website, so all recent admittees would have the opportunity to participate. Editor Jenny Horne believed an article in the Briefcase on mentoring would be a great way to encourage members to get involved in the program. Stephanie agreed to forward all appropriate forms and info to the website. It was also suggested that the mentoring program be extended to any member who felt the need for advice and guidance.
c. 2006 CLE. In Columbia, on October 13, 2006. Amie Clifford reported on the working schedule for the 2006 CLE, and asked anyone with suggestions on topics or speakers to contact her. Amie said the schedule would be finalized shortly so the brochure could get sent out the second week of August. Amie mentioned that the venue would now be at the Marriott Hotel and lunch would be shortened by 15 minutes, so that everyone could leave at 4:45, before city traffic got hectic. The board was asked if they would like to give “door prizes” out at the networking lunch. A discussion followed about which businesses to solicit for prizes, and President Payor responded by suggesting that we provide our own prizes and advertise it. Amie asked for suggestions for a “name” for the CLE. Jenny Horne asked, “Has our theme ever been about the ladder?” Amie said how about, “Women Climbing the Ladder of Success.” Liz Crum suggested, “The Ladder to Success,” and everyone agreed to name the seminar – The Ladder to Success.
d. Editorial Committee. SCWLA Directory. Toya Green recently completed a project to list the practice areas of interested SCWLA members on the website. Julie Moose assisted Toya in compiling the information. Webmaster Eleanor Kellet will soon post this version of the new SCWLA Directory on the website. Several board members said they had missed the opportunity to submit their information, so the request will continue to be resent every three months.
e. Supreme Court Trip 2006. Liz Zeck reported that on the weekend of May 15th, we had 27 people admitted to practice before the Supreme Court. Everyone had a good time, great pictures were taken, and a detailed description of everything that happened could be found in the summer issue of the Briefcase. Liz asked the board to name someone to start planning the 2008 trip and promised that she would provide a “how to” book for the new Chair. Amie Clifford asked the board to consider asking a Supreme Court Justice to come here, to do a swearing in. At the end of the meeting, Stephanie Nye agreed to become the next Chair.
f. Bylaws. Elaine Fowler is Chair but could not attend. Amie Clifford asked the board to consider making a change in the bylaws. The bylaws provide that in order to be an officer, you have to be a member of the board – but then the possibility exists that even if you are the President-Elect, you can still be voted off the board. Amie would like to see the bylaws changed to make the officers separate from the board members. President Paylor agreed with Amie and promised to ask Elaine to investigate the suggestion and possibly consider proposing revisions to the current bylaws.
g. Awards and Nominating Committee- Bissell Award. Chair, Liz Crum. Liz reported that she had received only one nomination for the 2006 award, but she was also thinking about reviewing the nominations that were submitted in 2005. Liz was still looking into the possibility of contacting last year’s nominators to ask them if they wanted to resubmit the name of their nominee. Kathy Helms said she would make what she had available to Liz. Liz requested an extension on the nominating deadline to August 28th and everyone agreed. A listserv would be sent out to inform members about the extended deadline. Liz advised the board that the Summit Club had been chosen as the venue for the Bissell because it was close to the Marriott, had free parking, and was a spectacular setting for any event. Flowers for the reception would be ordered from Rosewood Florists and the congratulatory bouquet would be ordered from the Blossom Shop.
Board Nominations. President Paylor reminded everyone that board nominations would be coming up (the Treasurer’s position will be open) and asked everyone to contact Liz with their intentions.
h. Documentary. There was nothing to report.
i. Community Outreach. Tara Shurling thanked everyone who planned and participated in the Midlands’ silent auction. To finish funding the DSS project, Tara suggested that we hold a second auction at the CLE and offer items like a year of cable service, athletic club memberships, salon services, etc. Tara also suggested sending a letter to get firm sponsorships at various levels with recognition for their participation to appear on a plaque in the new DSS room. There were also questions raised about a contributor’s ability to claim their contribution as a tax donation. Liz Crum volunteered to look into this matter with Dotsy Helms who has been Chair of the DSS project.
j. Long Range Planning. Amie Clifford expressed an interest in serving on this committee. Amie stated that she felt the Committee should include the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, 1-2 board members and 1-2 members at large, to give the committee a broader perspective. Amie described the questions the committee should be asking: What is the organization? What is it doing for its members? What does it need to be doing if we’re going to figure out where we really need to go? Jenny Horne stated that she thought that SCWLA should be a more service-oriented organization – with more projects like the DSS visitation room.
k. The Ladder Group. President Paylor said she would ask Bebe if she wanted to continue as Chair. Ladder Pin. Tara suggested that we make new silver ladder pins with gold birds on them to recognize board members who have taken on active leadership roles. President Paylor asked Tara to check with Kif to see what the new cost would be.
VII. New Business. There was nothing to report.
VIII. Member News. President Paylor announced that Treasurer, Toya Green has been selected as a Liberty Fellow, and one of the things required of Toya would be to come up with a project to benefit the State. President Paylor asked the board to consider doing one project each year that would involve doing something that would help the impoverished. Tara Shurling suggested recycling computers, and Liz Crum suggested doing programs to help eliminate teen pregnancy President Paylor asked everyone to email their ideas to her so the board can pick a project for the coming year.
IX. Next Board Meeting: October 12, 2006 in Columbia at the McNair firm at 3:00 p.m.
X. Adjournment. There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn. It was seconded and voted upon favorably.