Meeting Minutes - LANC Board of Directors
June 5, 2009
Site/Location: The Hawthorne Inn & Conference
Center, Winston-Salem. NC
Call to Order and Welcome
Chair Lisa Morgan called the meeting to order at 10:40 a.m. and
welcomed all in attendance.
Members Present
|
Reid C. Adams
|
Celeste Harris
|
Paul Shepard
|
|
Glenn Barfield
|
Samuel Johnson
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Ellen Sheppard
|
|
Thomas Berkau
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Shirley Jones
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Jim Talley
|
|
Helen Cook
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Nellie Kearney
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Alice Tejada
|
|
Lee Crouch
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Phillip Leigh
|
Kyle Woosley
|
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Sue Perry Cole
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Lisa Morgan
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Diana Williams-Cotton
|
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Mary Flowers
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Dellerene Myers
|
|
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Sharon Greig
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Kris Shepard
|
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Members Absent With Prior Notification
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Gregg McDougal
|
Ray Owens
|
Mary Ann Tally
|
John Wester
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Legislative Report
Rob Schofield, NC Policy Watch, gave the legislative report. He
emphasized the critical state of the economy and its impact on the
budget dilemma facing North Carolina citizens and the General
Assembly. He reported that the legal aid community faces a 25%
cut in its current funding.
Audit Report
Chair Morgan recognized Celeste Harris who introduced and asked
Angie Goodwin of Romeo Wiggins & Company, L. L. P., who audited the
LANC financial records and prepared the audit report, to discuss the
findings of the 2008 audit. Ms. Goodwin stated that LANC’s
audit was “clean”, with no findings. Ms. Goodwin introduced
Mastin Simmons, also with Romeo Wiggins, who reported that he
performed the compliance portion of the audit, with no findings.
The auditors confirmed that LANC was managing its finances properly
as well as complying with LSC regulations. Following
discussion, it was moved, duly seconded and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to
approve the audit as presented.
Celeste Harris, Chair of the Finance Committee, made a motion to
convene the Executive Committee in a closed session to discuss the
evaluation and a salary increase for its Executive Director.
Following discussion, it was moved, duly seconded and UNANIMOUSLY
RESOLVED to accept the motion to convene the Executive Committee in
a closed session to discuss this personnel matter.
Mortgage Foreclosure Presentation
Chair Morgan recognized Johnnie Larrie and Jack Lloyd, LANC MFP
attorneys, to report on the Mortgage Foreclosure Project. Ms.
Larrie reported that the project currently is composed of five
attorneys and two paralegals who serve clients statewide in
predatory lending practices by lenders, mortgage brokers, and
servicers. This project provides representation to hundreds of
clients in foreclosure proceedings who are now faced with unfair and
deceptive consumer practices which exploit low income citizens in
the state of North Carolina. Mr. Lloyd followed Ms. Larrie
with statistics and more in-depth details of their case work.
Approval of Minutes
Chair Morgan directed the Board’s attention to the Board of
Directors general business meeting minutes of March 27, 2009.
Following review and discussion of the minutes, a motion was made,
duly seconded, and the minutes were UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, as
written.
Chairman’s Report
Chair Morgan clarified that she will convene the Executive
Committee to discuss the evaluation and salary increase of the LANC
President. She also recognized Glenn Barfield and welcomed him
back to Board.
President’s Report
Chair Morgan asked George Hausen, Executive Director, to give
the President’s Report. Mr. Hausen directed the Board to Page
9 of the Board Book. He reported that the Farmworker Unit
recently received a visit from LSC and received a clean evaluation.
He further stated that the Farmworker Unit continues to do
outstanding work representing migrant workers across the state.
Mr. Hausen reported that United Way is cutting back is funding to
many of its funders and has requested that LANC submit its operating
funds reserve policy. Following a motion, it was moved, duly
seconded and UNANAMIOUSLY RESOLVED to comply with the request from
the United Way.
A motion was made to have the Finance Committee appoint a
sub-committee to comply with the request from the United Way
regarding LANC's operating reserve. Following discussion, it
was moved, duly seconded and UNANAMIOUSLY RESOLVED to provide a
resolution regarding this matter.
LSC Grant Application
George Hausen reported that the LSC Grant Application is being
prepared for submission today.
Clients Council Report
Mary Flowers reported that the clients council met and
discussed LANC board items, work plan, and stimulus package.
She stated that they Council continues to work on the policy and
procedures manual, hoping to complete that work in the next couple
of months.
Committee Reports
Finance Committee
Celeste Harris stated that there were no further Finance Committee
business to report.
Personnel & Operations Committee
Chair Morgan reported that there was no business to report regarding
the Personnel and Operations Committee. She did ask that the
Board review the local advisory council reports which were provide
to them through a handout. Chair Morgan confirmed that the
committee will explore local advisory guidelines for more clarity
and for a model for other councils.
Resource Development Report
Chair Morgan reported that there was no business to report from the
Resource Development Committee.
Client Affairs/Clients Council Report
Mary Flowers reported that the Clients Council is exploring a client
database to increase its membership. She reported that the
Council focused on team building and policy procedures.
Strategic Planning Report
Chair Morgan recognized George Hausen who reported that the
committee will have a short conference call this afternoon to
discuss the state of the economy and its affects on LANC.
Nominating Committee Report
Susan Perry Cole reported that the 14th Judicial District has
nominated Charles Holten to complete the one-year term of John
Bowers who has resigned. Cal Adams has completed his second
term and a nominee will be recommended by the NC Association of
Defense Attorneys. She further reported that the IOLTA Board
has recommended Jim Talley to serve a one-year term. After
completion of the screening process, client board members Helen
Cook, Phillip Leigh and Diana Williams-Cotton were renominated to
complete their second three-year term. The slate of officers
recommended are: President , Lisa Morgan; Vice President, Celeste
Harris; Finance Chair, Tom Berkau; and Phillip Leigh as Secretary.
Following discussion, it was moved and duly seconded to accept the
recommendations of the nominees and the slate of officers for the
upcoming year.
New Business
Glenn Barfield was recognized for his leadership as Chair of
the Board and thanked the Board for denying his resignation from the
Board and allowing him to return to serve out his term.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
_______________________________________
Phillip Leigh
Secretary
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