I was joking earlier this week that I would be taking off work for much of Thursday because the State Bar of Georgia's Board of Governors and Travel Club is meeting on that morning at the Bar Center in downtown Atlanta before heading off to New York City.
Of course, I pronounced New York City like the announcer in the Pace Picante Salsa ads of yore. See, e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=OCJgvmOlKg8
Before jetting to the Big Apple, the board is slated to recognize and commend various individuals, receive reports from officers and committees, and take action on a resolution regarding electronic court filing and an amendment to the fee arbitration rules. Meanwhile, a vote on the proposed overhaul of the juvenile code has been pushed back to the October meeting. (See the full agenda, with links to many items in the 285-page Board Book here: http://www.gabar.org/news/2011_summer_board_of_governors_meeting_-_aug_18-21/)
I'm certainly not going to New York City for a weekend at an individual package price of $1539. While that amount includes three nights in a "Deluxe King" room, an $84 breakfast, a $367 dinner boat cruise, two receptions at $100 a piece, and a $15 CLE, it does not include airfare. (The State Bar brochure helpfully notes that "Airfares are often less expensive when booking on Tuesdays and Wednesdays." Now how in the world can you do that if you have to attend a meeting in Atlanta on Thursday morning?) I think I'll hold on to that $1539 plus airfare, thank you very much.
Sometimes I wonder if it is just the penny pinching contrarian in me that balks at the high prices for these State Bar junkets. But then I read the comments on the cost-to-benefit ratio of the annual meeting in June in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and realized that I am not alone in thinking that these out-of-state meetings are too far away and too expensive. (Check out the full survey results on the annual meeting here: http://www.gabar.org/public/pdf/bog_agenda/28%20AnnualMeetingSurvey.pdf.)
I had tried to be tactful in my criticism, stating: "This was a very,very long drive to spend money outside of Georgia."
But other commentators were brutal. For example:
"Opening night festivities were ridiculous. $124+ for hotdogs and hamburgers was an embarassment."
"The events are SO EXPENSIVE!! The Supreme Court reception and Gala are prohibitively expensive. I was unable to attend due to the cost. . . . The pricing of the entire event sends a message that public interest/government attorneys are not expected to attend. People are encouraged to donate money to GLSP [Georgia Legal Services Program] but their lawyers (and those at other public interest firms) cannot actually attend the event."
". . .This was way too far away for a meeting. The investigative panel couldn't get a quorum due to the location, and despite the attempts to compare this location with Amelia and Savannah, that comparison only fit those who live in or near Atlanta. For people from South Georgia, flying wasn't a viable option. The drive was 8 to 9 hours which makes two meetings this year that was that length drive--midyear in Nashville, TN. I doubt I will attend another meeting if it is that far away regardless of the time of year!!!"
The good news is that the meetings for the near future are in Georgia. The Fall 2011 meeting October 27-30, 2011, will be at the Jekyll Island Club; the Midyear 2012 meeting January 5-7, 2012, will be at Loews Atlanta Hotel; the Spring 2012 meeting March 29-April 1, 2012, will be at the Ritz Carlton, Reynolds Plantation; and the Annual 2012 meeting May 31-June 3, 2012, will be at the Westin Harbor Resort & Spa in Savannah.
Given that in these lean budget times the State Bar has been stressing to state lawmakers the importance of funding for the judicial branch of government, it makes sense that we spend our dollars here at home to help generate the tax revenues that are so greatly needed to fund court operations. (And yes, conflict of interest disclosure, that would include my law clerk salary, if there was to be a meeting in DeKalb County at some point in the future.)
Here's the agenda for Thursday's meeting. I'll follow up with a report on what official action occurs.
Board of Governors Meeting Agenda
STATE BAR OF GEORGIA
238th BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
Thursday, August 18, 2011
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
State Bar Building, 104 Marietta Street N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia
Dress: Business Casual
August 18-21, 2011 (non-business)
Omni Berkshire Place Hotel
New York City, NY
1) ADMINISTRATION
a) Welcome and Call to Order: Ken Shigley, President
b) Pledge of Allegiance: Derek White
c) Invocation: Sandra Nadeau Wisenbaker
d) Recognition of Former Presidents, Judges and Special Guests: Ken Shigley
e) Roll Call (by signature): Patrise Perkins-Hooker, Secretary
2) CONSENT AGENDA
(Unanimous consent items. Any item may be moved from Consent Agenda to Action Items agenda upon request of any member of the Board of Governors)
a) Minutes of the 236th and 237th Meetings of the Board of Governors: Patrise Perkins-Hooker
b) Executive Committee Minutes (information): Patrise Perkins-Hooker
(1) May 12, 2011
(2) June 30, 2011
c) Future Meetings Schedule (information): Ken Shigley
d) Georgia Legal Services Board Appointments (two-year terms): Ken Shigley
(1) Jill Pryor, Atlanta
(2) Albert P. Reichert, Jr., Macon
e) Resolution in Memory of Lauren Giddings (to be presented at Mercer Law School): Ken Shigley
f) Resolution Commending Professor Paul Milich: Ken Shigley
g) Resolution Commending John Camp: Ken Shigley
h) Resolution Commending Josh McKoon: Ken Shigley
3) SPECIAL RECOGNITION
a) Senator Johnny Isakson and Jimmy Franklin Aasia Mustakeem
4) SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
a) The Thomas O. Marshall Professionalism Award to Linda Klein: Ken Shigley
b) The Business Commitment Pro Bono Award to Valerie King: Ken Shigley
c) Resolution Commending Professor Paul Milich: Ken Shigley
d) Resolution Commending John Camp: Ken Shigley
e) Resolution Commending Josh McKoon: Ken Shigley
5) INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
a) President's Report: Ken Shigley
b) Treasurer's Report: Buck Ruffin, Treasurer
c) Young Lawyers Division: Stephanie Kirijan, YLD President
d) Legislative Report: Tom Boller, Rusty Sewell, Charlie Tanksley
e) ABA Report: Allan Tanenbaum, Linda Klein
(1) General Practice, Solo, & Small Firm Division's Resolution in Memory of Chuck Driebe
f) Indigent Defense Funding: Honorable Rich Golick, Bryan Cavan
g) SOLACE Committee: Bill Rumer, Chair
h) Continuity of Practice Committee: Craig Stafford, Chair
i) Technology Advisory Committee: Jeff Kuester, Chair
j) Criminal Justice Reform Committee: Pat Head, Chair
6) FUTURE ACTION
a) Proposed Juvenile Code (future legislative item): Sharon Hill, Kirsten Widner
Responses: Kermit McManus, Robert Rodatus, Amy Howell
7) ACTION
a) Resolution on Electronic Court Filing: Hon. Diane Bessen, Chair
b) Fee Arbitration Rules Amendment: David Lipscomb, Chair
8) WRITTEN REPORTS
a) Military Legal Assistance
b) Law Practice Management
c) Consumer Assistance Program
d) Electronic Board Book Survey
e) Annual Meeting Evaluation Survey
9) CLOSING
a) Old Business: Ken Shigley
b) New Business: Ken Shigley
c) Questions/Answers; Comments/Suggestions: Board of Governors, Officers, Executive Committee, Executive Director, General Counsel
d) Adjournment: Ken Shigley
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
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