Meeting Minutes -
LANC Board of Directors
November 8, 2006
Site/Location: Hilton Garden Inn,
Charlotte, NC
Call to Order and Welcome
Chairman Cal Adams called the public regular business meeting to order
and welcomed all in attendance.
Members Present
|
Reid C. Adams |
Willie Dawson |
Lisa Morgan |
|
Leo L. Allison |
Mary Flowers |
Pearl Nealey |
|
Glenn A. Barfield |
Nancy E. Hannah |
Raymond E. Owens, Jr. |
|
Janet Ward Black |
Hada V. Haulsee |
Frank G. Queen |
|
Helen Cook |
Phillip Leigh |
Rhonda Shepherd |
|
Leto Copeley |
Scott B. Lewis |
Paul Shepard |
|
Burton Craige |
Pender McElroy |
Saketta Spivey |
|
|
|
CR Ward |
|
|
|
Willis Williams |
Members Absent With Prior Notification:
|
Sarah Davis |
James B. Maxwell |
|
Richard E. Fay |
Gregg E. McDougal |
|
Olga Gomez |
Diana Williams-Cotton |
|
Nellie Kearney |
|
Administrative Office Staff:
George R. Hausen, Jr., LANC Executive Director
Dock Kornegay, Director, Public Relations & Communications
Chris Marks, Assistant Director of Finance & Administration
Celia Pistolis, Assistant Director of Advocacy and Compliance
Tonya Pruitt-Lyons, Administrative Assistant
Paula Spence, Office Manager
LANC Staff Members:
Ted Fillette, Assistant Director/Senior Managing Attorney, LANC Charlotte
LANC Affiliated Attendees:
Michelle Cofield, Director of Public Service & Pro Bono Activity, NC Bar
Association
Dennis Dorgan, Consultant, LANC Access to Justice Campaign
Evelyn Pursley, Executive Director, IOLTA
Donald M. Saunders, Director of Civil Legal Services, National Legal Aid &
Defenders Association
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Adams directed the Board’s attention to the minutes of September
8, 2006. Following review and discussion of the minutes, a motion was
made, duly seconded, and the minutes were UNAMANIMOUSLY APPROVED, as written.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Adams invited and encouraged all in attendance to a special luncheon
presentation honoring Senator Dan Clodfelter for his key role in obtaining
additional funds for LANC during the recent legislative session.
Chairman Adams reminded the Board and guests that the National Legal Aid &
Defenders Association (NLADA) will kickoff its annual conference at the Westin
Hotel in Charlotte. He announced that the opening ceremony will be held
at 5:30 this afternoon and the keynote speaker is Senator Mel Watt. He
further reported that the NC Equal Access to Justice Commission will meet in
conjunction with the NLADA conference on Thursday, November 9 at 10:30 a.m.
Chairman Adams recognized Evelyn Pursley to give the IOLTA report. Ms.
Pursley reported that IOLTA is expecting to generate approximately $4 million
this year which would be a record. She further reported that $1 million
has been raised each quarter of 2006, and that expectations are very favorable
for year-end projections hopefully increasing the reserve funds
President’s Report
George Hausen reported the Centralized Intake Unit (CIU) has served 3,000
clients, a 300% increase in the delivery of services, since inception. The
unit currently covers intake in Raleigh, Smithfield, Pittsboro and Durham.
The next expansion will target the eastern part of the state. The
numbers are way ahead of the projections and we are experiencing a 15% increase
in the overall client delivery of services.
Mr. Hausen reported that the work plan process is underway and office work plans
are due by the end of November 2006. He extended an invitation to Board
members to take a look at the completed plans as they will be used to evaluate
how well we are providing legal services to our clients.
Mr. Hausen announced the development of
www.probono.net/nc , a website which will be used to help with pro bono
efforts. A PowerPoint presentation showed the Board how this site would
look once it was “live.” The site will list available client cases that
our staff are attempting to place with volunteer attorneys. Attorneys
wanting to handle a listed case will contact the local pro bono coordinator to
represent the client. This feature will expand the ability of offices serving
rural areas to refer cases to volunteer attorneys outside of their
immediate service areas. The website will include a CLE calendar posting
information for various clinics and events. A launch of the website is
scheduled for Thursday, November 19, and the North Carolina Bar Association,
Pisgah Legal Services, the Legal Aid Society of NWNC, IOLTA and other
organizations are collaborating with LANC and will have links on the website.
Access to Justice
Chairman Adams recognized Dennis Dorgan for an update of the Access to Justice
Campaign. Mr. Dorgan reported that the campaign is still in the
organizational phase for both the Triangle and Triad areas due to the United Way
black out period. The campaign is expected to have its kickoff in January
of 2007. Law firms, individual attorneys, and corporations will be
targeted. Mr. Dorgan stated that additional resources should be raised based on
the excellent work done by LANC and the services provided.
Chairman Adams recognized Michelle Cofield for a report from the North Carolina
Bar Association (NCBA). NCBA is exploring ways to help secure additional
funding for LANC,. She reported that Chief Justice Sarah Parker, having
been re-elected as Chief Justice, will continue as Chair of the Equal Access to
Justice Committee. As the President-Elect of the NCBA, Board member,
Janet Ward Black stated the NCBA’s strategic plan specifically addresses the
establishment of an endowment for Legal Services programs.
Committee Reports
Client Affairs Committee
Willis Williams, Chair of the Client Affairs Committee, presented a combined
report for the Client Affairs Committee and the LANC Clients Council.
Members of the Clients Council attended a meeting of Region VI, which
represents client organizations in ten southeastern states, including North
Carolina. . He further reported that elections were held at the Region VI
meeting and that he has been elected to sit on the Executive Board as
Parliamentarian.
A draft of the LANC Clients Council Work Plan was distributed to the Board and
the final draft is nearing completion. The Clients Council newsletter is now an
insert and part of Community News, a quarterly newspaper, published and
distributed by the NC Justice Center. Each Board member received a
copy of the newspaper. Of note, all current LANC Client Board
members and LANC Client Council members have contributed to the Access to
Justice Campaign and will seek donations from others and local churches. The
LANC Clients Council is scheduling a community education forum to provide
information to clients in Hyde County.
Nominating & Board Development Committee
Burton Craige, Chair of the Nominating & Board Development Committee,
reported that the Nominating Committee is keenly aware of the expiring terms of
key board members and will be actively seeking appointments for those members
ineligible to be reappointed. He directed the Board’s attention to page 12
in the Board book for a list of those members whose terms will expire as
of June 2007. The Committee is aware that at least two client board
members have been absent for a number of meetings and may be replaced even
if their terms do not expire.
Finance Committee
Chris Marks presented the Finance Committee report in the absence of Leto
Copeley, Chair of the Finance Committee. Mr. Marks reported on the 2007
budget projection, found on page 13 in the Board book. LANC is facing a
potential loss of VOCA funds which currently sustains 12 attorneys representing
domestic violence victims. The Governor’s Crime Commission which determines the
distribution of these funds will inform LANC of any continued funding
under this grant by late March, 2007. Other funding sources are
being explored to shore up any VOCA funding losses as well as other potential
reductions in other funding.
George Hausen commented that currently 7% of an employee’s salary is being
contributed to a retirement plan for each employee and that the current
contribution is not expected to increase. Mr. Marks reported that the
health plan is stable and he anticipates that there may be a 10% increase in
claims paid out in 2007.
Following discussion, it was moved, duly seconded and UNAMAMIOUSLY RESOLVED
to approve the proposed 2007 budget, as presented. A copy of the budget is
attached.
Personnel Committee
As Hada Haulsee, Chair of the Personnel Committee, was absent, Celia
Pistolis presented the Committee’s report. The Committee had reviewed the
Annual Equal Employment Opportunity Report found on page 14 in the Board
book and was satisfied that LANC’s employment practices were encouraging
diversity within the organization and reflective of our state’s population.
The Committee recommended that the Board adopt a new personnel policy for
employees to provide notice when terminating employment. This policy, Notice
When Leaving LANC Employment, is set out on page 17 of the Board book.
Following discussion, it was moved, duly seconded and UNAMAMIOUSLY RESOLVED
to approve the policy as presented. A copy of the policy is attached.
Operations Committee
Willie Dawson, Chair of the Operations Committee, reported that the
Operations Committee met and discussed the Program Integrity Report and
Certification. The committee reviewed the report and recommends that
Chairman Cal Adams submit the report and the certification to LSC. Following
discussion, it was moved, duly seconded and UNAMAMIOUSLY RESOLVED to
accept the Committee’s recommendation and submit the Program Integrity Report
Certification to LSC. Copies of the report and certification are
attached.
Mr. Dawson reported that the Committee’s recommendation for approval by the
board is to re-adopt the 2006 priorities for 2007 and reconsider any revisions
to those priorities at its February 2007 meeting. Information relevant to
determining LANC priorities for using its resources continues to be ongoing.
This work included sending out surveys to clients, judges and others as well as
the office work plans. Following discussion, it was moved, duly seconded and
UNAMAMIOUSLY RESOLVED to adopt the 2006 priorities and that the
board reconsider the priorities at the February 2007 meeting. A copy of
the 2007 priorities is attached.
Mr. Dawson stated that the Operations Committee also discussed the Client
Grievance Procedure as the LSC is considering changes to that regulation.
He stated that there was not action to be taken on this item.
Mr. Dawson asked the Board to review the Local Advisory Committee reports from
the Boone and Pittsboro offices, found on pages 39 through 42 in the Board book.
Grievance Committee
Phillip Leigh, Chair of the Grievance Committee, reported that there are no
grievances pending.
Strategic Planning Committee
Glenn Barfield, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, provided a draft
handout for review by the Board with the mission and vision statements, as well
as goals and strategies of the organization. Continued work will be
provided by the committee. The purpose of this plan is to provide a
clearer view of the uses of funds related to services.
Resource Development Committee
Paul Shepard, Acting Chair of the Resource Development Committee, reported
that research to develop an endowment fund continues.
New Business
Chairman Adams stated that there was no new business to discuss.
Adjournment
As there was no further business before the Board, Chair Adams adjourned the
meeting at 12:15 p.m.
____________________________
Mary Flowers, Secretary
LANC Board of Directors
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