Meeting Minutes - Transition Board
Transition Board of Directors - Legal Aid of North Carolina
May 31, 2002 Meeting (BOD Mtg #13)
Wake Forest University Law School,
Winston-Salem, NC
Persons in Attendance:
The following persons were present for this meeting:
Board members: Cal Adams, Leo Allison, Tracy Barley, David Daggett, Rick Fay,
Allen Johnson, Nellie Kearney, Pender McElroy (Chair) and Willis Williams.
Guests: Ted Fillette, Susan Gottsegen, George Hausen and Gina Reyman.
Call to Order
Pender McElroy, Chair of the Transition Board, called the meeting to order.
Adoption of the Agenda
Rick Fay moved that the agenda be adopted. David Daggett seconded. The agenda
was adopted unanimously.
Special Welcome and Recognition
Pender McElroy, on behalf of the Transition Board, welcomed George Hausen as
the new Executive Director of Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc., effective July
1, 2002. McElroy complimented Hausen for his hard work and continued interest in
legal services. He stated that he looked forward to working with Hausen. McElroy
said, "We are pleased to have George at the helm of this organization and have
every confidence that he will carry out his responsibilities in exemplary
fashion."
Approval of minutes of April 26, 2002 meeting
David Daggett moved that the minutes of the April 26, 2002 meeting be approved
as written. Cal Adams seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
Nominating Committee
McElroy had previous to the meeting sent an email message to Board members
concerning the necessity of having a nominating committee in place for the LANC
Board. The task of the committee would be to nominate offices and members of the
Executive Committee to be elected by the LANC Board at its July 26, 2002
meeting. After discussion, the consensus of the Board was that there should be
five members on the Nominating Committee comprised of three attorney members and
two client members; and, that there should be a balance of Transition Board
members who will be serving on the LANC Board and new LANC Board members.
Upon motion by Nellie Kearney, second by Cal Adams and unanimous vote, the
following were elected to serve on the Nominating Committee:
Attorney Members:
Rick Fay
David Daggett (subject to his appointment by the 21st Judicial
District)
Burton Crage (subject to his acceptance to this committee appointment)
Client Members:
Allen Johnson
Pearl Nealey (subject to her acceptance); then Rhonda Shepherd, if Ms. Nealey
was not available; and then Laura Shofner, if Ms. Shepherd is not available.
George Hausen agreed to staff the Nominating Committee.
ABA Equal Justice Conference/Pro Bono
Michelle Cofield distributed a handout to those present, which included her
ABA Equal Justice Conference presentation materials and some NCBA pro bono
related materials. Cofield’s presentation included an offer by her that Legal
Aid of North Carolina work closely with the NCBA/Public Service Activities
Department in order to help coordinate recruitment programs, continue to provide
pro bono coordinator training (annual event) and help develop private attorney
involvement throughout the state. She mentioned the State Bar of Georgia’s model
as a way of identifying additional ways that NCBA could be involved. Members of
the Board acknowledged that there is room for getting the NCBA and other
organizations involved.
The Board requested that the NCBA’s Pro Bono Honor Roll highlight individual
attorneys by county and not separate out the law firms’ individual efforts. They
feel that separating the law firms dilutes the idea of county by county
representation.
George Hausen reported that at some point we will have to be statewide
coordinated. Pro Bono efforts are really localized right now. The Chair
recognized the prospect that a close alliance between LANC and NCBA is exciting.
Program Directors’ List
George Hausen reported that the program directors (LSNC) are looking at a
number of things including how to equalize salaries. They have a number of
subcommittees which have produced recommendations to be presented to and
considered by the LANC Board.
Hausen also reported that the Board orientation will be a one-day session in
July for incoming LANC Board members. The Board training will include non-LSC
programs, will cover information about the statewide planning process and how
clients are organized in North Carolina and the history and development of Legal
Aid of North Carolina. He will present a draft agenda at the next Board meeting.
Governance Committee
Cal Adams distributed the amended bylaws to reflect amendments approved at the
February Transition Board meeting. One correction noted: the principal office
should be 224 South Dawson Street, P.O. Box 26087, Raleigh, NC 27611. Rick Fay
moved that we review the by-laws and vote to approve them at the June meeting.
David Daggett seconded. Unanimously approved.
There was discussion about how the local advisory boards should be
established. It was agreed that the LANC Board should provide overall guidelines
for consistency. The Board agreed that the existing local boards remain as
interim boards until the local advisory boards are selected.
Allen Johnson reported that the following clients have been identified to
serve on the LANC Board: Rhonda Shepherd, Leo Allison, Susan Cole, C.R. Ward,
Willis Williams, Pearl Nealey, Sara Davis, Laura Shofner, Bonnie Tatum (all
voting). Ex officico: Allen Johnson and Mary Flowers.
Real Property Committee
Pender McElroy reported that LANC responded to a request from LSC regarding
how we formulated the numbers. No further response has been received from LSC.
The board chairs and executive directors of LSSP, LASNNC, NCLAP and LSNC
received a copy of the letter of response sent to LSC.
Property Conveyance
Gina Reyman distributed the Property Conveyance Contribution Agreement drafted
by Deann Richardson, an attorney in Durham. There are three parts to this
agreement: asset transfer, assumption of liabilities and licensing. After
discussion about the nature and terms of the agreement, and discussion about the
timing of a response from LSC with respect to disposition and retention of real
estate, upon motion by David Daggett, second by Cal Adams, the Board unanimously
voted as follows:
Execution of the proposed agreement among the five programs will be
deferred until LSC has responded to the request from LANC and the four
programs with respect to disposition and retention of real estate
contained the April 19, 2002 letter from the five programs to LSC. In
the interim, effective July 1, 2002, LANC will commence operation using
the assets and assuming the liabilities consistent with prior
resolutions of the Transition Board and the April 19, 2002 letter to
LSC. The executive directors of LANC, NCLAP, LSNC, LASNNC and LSSP will
take such actions that are necessary and proper to: (a) assign and
otherwise address leases for real property and equipment to be used by
the LANC programs; and (b) have LANC assume the obligations to be
assumed by LANC.
Gina Reyman reported that she has leases from LSSP and her program (NCLAP),
but does not have any vendor contracts. Gina will continue working with the
programs to collect their leases and vendor contracts. Ted Fillette agreed to
work towards obtaining the assignment of leases from LSSP to LANC.
Additional Issues
LASNNC 40th Anniversary: David Daggett invited Transition Board
members to attend the 40th Anniversary Celebration for LASNNC (Legal
Aid Society of Northwest NC) on June 28, 2002 in the evening and also suggested
that the next Transition Board meeting take place in Winston-Salem, instead of
Chapel Hill. The Board agreed by consensus to hold the next Board meeting in
Winston-Salem and to begin the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Publicity: The Board discussed how to get the word out about the new
organization, concerned that the main confusion will be with the attorneys and
bar associations. The Board agreed that Dock Kornegay (LSNC/LANC), Michelle
Cofield (NCBA) and George Hausen will proceed with plans to publicize the
startup of LANC statewide. The primary responsibility will rest with Kornegay
and Cofield, who will provide a report at the June meeting. Ted Fillette
reported that LSP has already published a brochure highlighting the change in
Charlotte. Suggestions were made that a lead story be written for publication;
getting the word out at bar meetings; use of fliers/handouts at bar meetings;
making a status report on LANC at the NC Bar Association and NC Academy of Trial
Lawyers meetings; and publicizing the new LANC logo.
Wire Transfers: George Hausen reported that First Citizens Bank needs adoption
of resolutions for authority to make wire transfers. After review and discussion
of the proposed resolutions, Cal Adams moved that the Board approve the First
Citizen corporate resolutions with respect to the deposit relationship and funds
transfer authorization but not the borrowing relationship. Rick Fay seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Next Meeting
Next meeting is June 28, 2002 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in Winston-Salem
at the Adam’s Mark Hotel.
To attend the LASNNC 40th Anniversary Celebration following the
meeting, there is a $50 suggested donation from lawyers. Clients are gratis.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:31 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Michelle Cofield.
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Mission Statement
Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that
provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in
order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers
to economic opportunity.