MINUTES OF THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF:
February 18, 2005.
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I.CALL TO ORDER
Chair Abigail Herman called the meeting to order at 12:12 p.m., at the Oregon State Bar office. The following members were present: Chair Herman, Secretary Linh Vu, and Treasurer Matthew Roy; Members Shelley Edling, Meg Carman, Julie Masters, and; Bar Liaison Suzanne Cushing. Present by phone were Past Chair Rodger Hepburn and Members Holly Somers and Jill Riechers. Not present were Chair-Elect Martin Alvey and Members Dean Lederer , Mark Thesing, Charles Mundorff, and Arthur Stevens.
II.MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the meetings of October 8, 2004, and January 28, 2005, were approved.
III.CHAIR REPORT
Chair Herman solicited interest in providing a written statement regarding the Section’s activities to be disbursed to new admittees to the Oregon State Bar during the swearing in ceremony.
The registration information from the Bench/Bar Forum indicated there were 93 section members who attended.
IV.TREASURER’S REPORT
The balance as of December 31, 2004 is $5,647.00, in comparison to a beginning balance of $9,047.00. The membership dues for 2005 are still being processed and are not reflected in the balance as of December 31, 2004. Treasurer Roy will also determine the final cost of the Bench/Bar Forum held in November 2004, in order to determine the expenditures paid out for conferences/seminars in October, November and December 2004.
V.COMMITTEE REPORTS
A.Salishan
The Salishan subcommittee met on February 17, 2005.
Member Somers provided a draft program schedule (attached). Subcommittee Chair Salley Curey will be responsible for organizing the written materials. The subcommittee still needs suggestions for a physician speaker to present medical issues; neurologist Joel Seres was suggested as a possible candidate. The subcommittee is evaluating how the “Jeopardy” portion of the program can be designed to be eligible for CLE credit.
Subcommittee Chair Curey has signed the contract to confirm booking of Wild Bill’s Casino for Salishan 2005. A number of donations from IME companies have been received or pledged, with one donation in the amount of $600.00 to be allocated for wine purchase. The proposed registration fee for Salishan 2005 is $175.00. Based upon last year’s attendance, the subcommittee anticipates 120 registrants.
Discussion was held on offering a reduced registration fee to employees of the Workers’ Compensation Board, Workers’ Compensation Division, and new admittees to the Bar. Member Edling moved to offer a reduced registration fee in the amount of $125.00; Member Somers joined in the motion; the motion passed.
Member Somers also provided a draft budget for Salishan 2005 (attached). Member Somers moved to pass the draft budget; Member Edling joined in the motion; the motion passed.
David Johnstone is organizing the golf tournament with proceeds to benefit the Alex Gruber Trust. In regard to the issue raised at the last meeting as to whether the Section should continue the Trust, the subcommittee provided the following information: Alex is now 17 years old; he will be attending college next fall; provisions have been made or his college education. It was also the subcommittee’s understanding the Trust was based on a “memorial” rather than on need. With the above considerations, the subcommittee recommended that the Section cease contributing the golf tournament proceeds to the Alex Gruber Trust after Salishan 2005. Member Masters moved to follow the Subcommittee’s recommendation regarding the Alex Gruber Trust; Member Carman joined in the motion; the motion passed. Member Somers indicated the Subcommitte would advise the Gruber family of the termination of the trust when the proceeds from Salishan 2005 are conveyed to the family.
Discussion was held on whether the Section should memorialize Doug Swanson at Salishan 2005. The subcommittee recommended the Section engage in a moment of silence during the business portion of the program and prepare a display where members could contribute information regarding Doug’s contributions to the Section and to various civic causes. Chair Herman suggested including in the CLE materials the article that ran in Lewis & Clark College’s “The Advocate.” The Executive Committee referred the matter back to the subcommittee for further discussion and recommendations.
B.Communications
Member Masters indicated the Section’s website has been updated with the 2004 annual report, a link the Board’s News & Case Notes, and a “save the date” message for Salishan 2005.
Duffy Bloom has agreed to be the editor of the Section’s newsletter but cannot begin work immediately.
C.Daughtry Award
Nominations for the Daughtry Award have been received; the deadline for additional nominations is March 31, 2005.
D.Legislative
A proposal regarding voluntary ALJ recusal has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
E.Bench Bar
A new chair is still needed.
F.Rules
Chair Herman appointed Member Masters as the new subcommittee chair.
G.Race/Ethnic No report
V.OLD BUSINESS – none
VI.NEW BUSINESS – none
The meeting adjourned at 1:27 p.m.