June 23, 2004

MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 23, 2004

EXECUTIVE RETREAT

ATTENDING: Randy Starr, Dan Muffly, Linda Miller, Mason Mitchell, Jennifer Rice, Tom Martin and David Johnson

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 11, 2004, minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Dan Muffly presented the CW Decker and Company Financial Report which reflected the May 31, 2004 balances as follows:

Dan is continuing to work with CW Decker to get current accounting information.

BUDGET

The primary focus of the retreat was discussing the budget. Numerous line items appeared to be duplicitous and were consolidated. A decision was also made to place certain line items under a general heading, but make it a subset of the general line item. To assist the Board in the future, Dan will make notes on the final budget explaining these changes and how they are to be applied to its respective line item. A budget was finalized, but because of line item designation changes, will be printed in its new format for review.

During the discussion of the budget, questions arose over the use of the copier in the library and payment of copies. Nancy Wallace was to be contacted to verify the procedures and get an accounting of the revenues generated.

A decision was made to fund $15,000.00 to the library committee to purchase books. The committee continues to look at ways to make the library a "library by design" and will use these funds to further that goal.

The Board approved a $.60 per hour raise for Ellen Holmes, Paralegal for the Pro Bono Program. This raise will go into effect July 1, 2004 and result in an hourly rate of $14.00 per hour.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS: Randy Starr gave the report. Randy, Bruce Fickel and Zach Wilson represent us on the Board of Governors.

YOUNG LAWYERS: Tom Martin was present and gave the report. He is the liaison to the Board for the Young Lawyers. He expressed concern that the District Attorneys Office and Public Defenders Office are not active in the Young Lawyers activities.

Tom indicated The Young Lawyers are not willing to run the fall term day wine and cheese tasting. It was expressed there are those willing to help, but not be in charge of the event.

WOMEN’S BAR: Jennifer Rice gave the report on the Women’s Bar Association. The organization is still functioning, but no specific planned events at this time. The CLE in June on Non-Profit Corporations was well-attended.

Pro-Bono Programs: Jennifer Rice presented the report. The malpractice insurance has been renewed. The COLTAF report has been prepared and the grant requests will be coming. The bookmark has been disseminated to different agencies and seems to be a success. Jennifer stressed the need to place clients with attorneys. There are 13 clients awaiting placement. The Pro-Bono Report will be published in the next Messenger.

LIBRARY: No one from the Library Committee was present. A letter from the committee was read which addressed the desire to make our library a memorial library. The Executive Committee gave approval to the Library Committee to investigate this measure.

SCHOLARSHIPS: The Executive Committee approved that the Raffle Account be closed and the money be transferred to the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado Account. A separate accounting will be kept to track these funds. Randy volunteered to be on the Committee and handle the financial tracking of scholarship funds. There are two scholarships outstanding. In May 2003, $750.00 was authorized on behalf of Nina Gootee valid for two years. In May 2003, $750 was authorized on behalf of Joann Gonzales paid to Aims College. These scholarships have not been used at this time. Recently, Aims College paid LCBA $500.00 on behalf of Courtney Christianson, who did not use all of her scholarship. Don Johnson will be contacted about heading the Scholarship Committee, but a decision was made to have the Community Foundation administer the application process for scholarships in the future.

MISC. BUSINESS: Mocha Monday continues to be well-attended. Accolades to Jerry Roselle. Frosty Friday attendance is more sporadic, but it was agreed this is a good way to meet and mingle after hours. Cathy continues to do a great job with the Messenger. Distribution via e-mail seems to be working well. It was discussed the need to be a member of the Colorado Bar Association to be a member of the Larimer County Bar Association. Regardless, all agreed we would never deny access to a Larimer County Bar Association event to an attorney who happens to not belong to the Larimer County Bar Association. Finally, it was discussed that the information about the Larimer County Bar needs to be updated on the CBA website.

The meeting was adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for August 10, 2004.

Respectfully submitted:

Larimer County Bar Association
David H. Johnson, Secretary