MSBA Convention Committee
Meeting Minutes Archives
5/12/03 | 4/14/03 | 3/10/03 | 2/3/03 | 1/13/02 | 12/16/02
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Present: Brad Thorsen, Co-Chair; Teresa Jones Co-Chair; Judie Rush, Larry Buxbaum,
Kammi Stout, MSBA Convention Manager; and Lisa Wilde

Absent: Eric Larson, Frank Harris Alec Beck, and Kerry Bundy

1. Registration Update

a. Full Package - 19
b. ½ day Packages - 16
c. Judicial Package - 5
d. New Lawyer/Law Student/Law Clerk/ Paralegal Package - 6
e. BBQ - 42 (9 comp, 11 pkg, 2 child, 20 paid adults)
f. Presidents' Reception - 67 (12 comp, 49 pkg, 6 paid adults)
g. Thursday Lunch - 48 (1 comp, 43 pkg, 4 paid adults)
h. Friday Breakfast - 48 (3 comp, 38 pkg, 7 paid adults)
i. Kids Party - 0
j. Golf - 1
k. Bike Ride - 2

2. Exhibitor Update

a. 30 Exhibitors
b. Revenue to date = $17,700 against a budget of $14,000

3. Sponsor Update

a. 6 Sponsors for a total revenue of $15,850 against a budget of $22,500

4. Governor Pawlenty Update
a. No update except that his office hopes to get back to us in the next week or two

5. Live Opinion Polling

a. The LAD committee met with the consultant last week and are well on their way to developing their questions.
b. The committee developed some questions which will be fine tuned with the consultant.

6. Entertainment and Theme for Welcome BBQ

a. The committee decided that we did not need music for the BBQ.
b. We are going to look at having volleyball and frisbee.
c. There will be activities for kids like river rock painting, a clown, and a moonwalk.

7. Next Meeting

a. June 9, 2003 at 12 noon at the MSBA.

2003 MSBA Convention Committee
Meeting Summary
April 14, 2003

Present: Brad Thorsen, Co-Chair; Teresa Jones Co-Chair; Judie Rush, Kerry Bundy,
Kammi Stout, MSBA Convention Manager; and Lisa Wilde

Absent: Eric Larson, Frank Harris Alec Beck, and Larry Buxbaum

1. Program Update

a. Dennis Archer has been double booked on the day we need him so we are waiting to hear from his office on the situation. We should hear back later this week.
b. Copies of the convention program were passed around to the group. The program will be going in the mail April 15.
c. The convention website and on-line registration will be live by April 17.

2. Sponsors Update

a. MLM has been secured as a sponsor of the Presidents' Reception at $10,000
b. West will make a decision by the end of May whether or not they are going to sponsor the Presidents' Reception
c. The Affiliates have backed out of sponsoring the New Lawyers Reception

i. Brad and Teresa will be making phone calls to get another sponsor for the New Lawyers Reception as well as finding other sponsors to make up the difference if West decides not to sponsor.

3. Marketing to date and planned

a. A coupon was put in the "New Member Voucher Packet" for $50 off a convention package
b. There was a half page ad in the March Bench & Bar
c. There is a banner headline in the Legal News Digest with Convention dates and location
d. There was a 3-page ad in the April issue of Bench & Bar
e. Kammi wrote an article to be published in Section Newsletters

4. Post-Presidents' Reception Social

a. The New Lawyers Section will handle the décor, F&B selection (Kammi will then in turn coordinate with the hotel), and entertainment with assistance from Kammi when needed.

5. Live Opinion Poling

a. The LAD committee will be participating in the live opinion polling with a focus on Pro Bono and will be responsible for developing their own questions.
b. The second focus area will be the issues facing the members of the MSBA such as judicial selection, pain and suffering caps. Brad will be contacting various sections to find out one or two questions that are important to the legal profession.

6. Entertainment for Presidents' Reception

a. Kammi will be looking into the band Barra (Irish Band) to have at the Presidents' Reception

7. Entertainment and Theme for Welcome BBQ

a. The theme for the Welcome BBQ will be around the idea of summer fun.
b. We are going to look at having various games such as volleyball, tug of war, etc.
c. There will be activities for kids like river rock painting, a clown, and a moonwalk.
d. Brad will be calling on judges to see if we can get some musical entertainment comprised of judges

8. Next Meeting

a. May 12, 2003 at 12 noon at the MSBA.
b. Future meetings will be held at noon at the MSBA on the following dates:

i. June 9, 2003

2003 MSBA Convention Committee
Meeting Summary
March 10, 2003

Present: Brad Thorsen, Co-Chair; Frank Harris, Kammi Stout, MSBA Convention Manager; Eric Larson, and Lisa Wilde

Absent: Teresa Jones Co-Chair; Alec Beck, Larry Buxbaum, Judie Rush, and Kerry Bundy

1. Program Update

a. Kammi showed the committee the convention program cover and a mock up of the inside of the program

2. Sponsors Update

a. MLM has been secured as a sponsor of the Presidents' Reception at $10,000
b. We are still waiting to hear whether or not West is going to sponsor the Presidents' Reception.
c. The Affiliates has been secured as a sponsor for the New Lawyers Reception

3. Marketing to date and planned

a. A coupon was put in the "New Member Voucher Packet" for $50 off a convention package
b. There was a half page ad in the March Bench & Bar
c. There is a banner headline in the Legal News Digest with Convention dates and location
d. There will be an ad in the upcoming April issue of Bench & Bar
e. Kammi wrote an article to be published in Section Newsletters

4. Dennis Archer's Keynote Topic

a. A variety of topics for Dennis Archer to speak on were discussed, but ultimately it was decided that it would be best for him to speak on what is important to him so that he is excited and passionate about it.
b. As incoming ABA President he said that one of his platforms was to remind people why they went to law school and why they should be proud. This was thought to make a great upbeat start to the convention.

5. Live Opinion Poling

a. The LAD committee will be participating in the live opinion polling with a focus on Pro Bono. It was up for discussion whether or not we needed another focus area in addition to Pro Bono
b. It was decided that there should be an additional focus area for the live opinion polling. The second focus area will be the issues facing the members of the MSBA such as sales tax on legal services, bar exam standards, and CLE requirements.

6. Entertainment and Theme for Presidents' Reception and Welcome BBQ

a. It was decided that we do not need a specific theme for the Presidents' Reception that a nice musical group and classy décor would be best
b. The theme and entertainment for the Welcome BBQ was tabled until the next committee meeting.

7. Next Meeting

a. April 14, 2003 at 12 noon at the MSBA.
b. Future meetings will be held at noon at the MSBA on the following dates:

i. May 12, 2003
ii. June 9, 2003

2003 MSBA Convention Committee
Meeting Summary
February 3, 2003

Present: Brad Thorsen, Co-Chair; Teresa Jones Co-Chair; Judie Rush; Kammi Stout, MSBA Convention Manager; and Lisa Wilde

Absent: Frank Harris, Alec Beck, Larry Buxbaum, and Kerry Bundy

I. Report on Executive Committee meeting

a. Brad reported that the Executive Committee approved the budget and list of potential key-note speakers.

II. Dennis Archer Update

a. Brad has contacted Dennis Archer and his schedule is open and it is a matter of finalizing what time he will speak.

III. Plan for Contacting Sponsors

a. MLM and West are not sure sponsors this year as they have been in past years; therefore it will be critical to come up with other sources of sponsor revenue. MLM and West have each sponsored the President's Reception at $10,000 each for a total of $20,000. Tim will be speaking with MLM and West in the coming weeks. The sponsor goal for this year is $22,500.
b. The attached list was divided up by committee members to contact as potential sponsors. If members of the committee who were not at the meeting have additional sponsors they can contact please let Kammi know.
c. Attached is a sheet of the various sponsor opportunities that can be sent to potential sponsors.

IV. Review/approve CLE proposals

a. The committee reviewed the various CLE proposals that were submitted by sections and committees. Attached is the CLE programming as decided by the committee.

V. Review/approve Marketing Plan

a. The marketing plan was approved.

VI. Next Meeting

a. March 10, 2003 at 12 noon at the MSBA.
b. Future meetings will be held at noon at the MSBA on the following dates:

i. April 14, 2003
ii. May 12, 2003
iii. June 9, 2003

Present: Brad Thorsen, Co-Chair; Teresa Jones Co-Chair; Judie Rush; Frank Harris; Alec Beck; Larry Buxbaum; Kammi Stout, MSBA Convention Manager; and Lisa Wilde

Absent: Kerry Bundy and Kenneth White

I. Reviewed Convention Tasks List

II. Reviewed and approved 2003 budget

a. Brad will take to the Executive Committee for final approval

III. Sponsors

a. Committee members brainstormed a list of potential sponsors
b. Brad will coordinate with the Executive Committee to begin contacting sponsors

IV. Keynote Speaker Selection

a. Brad will be getting approval at the Executive Committee to pursue the following speakers: Dennis Archer, Morris Dees, Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, Judge Richard Posner, Judge Guido Calabresi

V. CLE Programs Update

a. Letters inviting sections and committees to submit a proposal to have a CLE session went out in late December.
b. Proposals are to be returned prior to the next convention committee meeting
(Jan. 27) so we can review. The accepted proposals are to be notified by Feb 10.

VI. Bike and Golf Outing

a. Judie gave a summary of the bike ride.
b. Brad and Kammi will talk with Judge Aldrich for golf course suggestions.

VII. Friday, June 20 Breakfast

a. Brainstormed a list of potential speakers/participants for the Friday breakfast.

i. Gov. Tim Pawlenty
ii. Lawyer Legislators
iii. New Admittees
iv. Kathleen Blatz

b. Our first invite will go out to the Governor. If he is not available for breakfast we will see if he is available for lunch on Thursday. Kathleen Blatz will be the back up choice for breakfast.

VIII. Next Meeting

a. February 3, 2003 at 12 noon at the MSBA.
b. Future meetings will be held at noon at the MSBA on the following dates:

i. March 10, 2003
ii. April 14, 2003
iii. May 12, 2003
iv. June 9, 2003

2003 MSBA Convention Committee
Meeting Summary
December 16, 2002

Present: Brad Thorsen, Co-Chair; Eric Larson (by phone); Judie Rush; Colleen Sheffler; Kammi Stout, MSBA Convention Manager; and Lisa Wilde

Absent: Teresa Jones; Alec Beck; Kerry Bundy; and Kenneth White

I. Reviewed 2003 budget

a. The Bike ride is a break even event so the revenue and expenses need to reflect that on the budget.
b. Other than the bike ride issue the budget looks fine. Kammi will change the bike ride line item and bring to convention committee for final approval before being submitted to the Executive Committee at their January 17 meeting.

II. Reviewed registration prices

a. Registration package pricing structure approved

i. Full package - $250
ii. ½ day package - $100
iii. Judicial package - $200
iv. New Lawyers package - $125

b. The above pricing will be promoted as an early registration discount. After June 2 each of the above prices will increase by $50. Also, those who register early will receive a free ticket for a guest to the President's Reception.
c. It was decided that the Welcome BBQ should be $20 for adults and $10 for children for the early registration discount. The fee after June 2 will be $25 for adults and $15 for children.

III. Sponsors

a. Committee members should bring a list of potential sponsors to the next committee meeting on January 13 for the committee to review and submit to the Executive Committee.

IV. Keynote Speaker Selection

a. It was agreed that the speakers below (in order of preference) are the ones we will pursue as keynote speakers after Brad gets approval via e-mail from the Executive Committee.

i. Dennis Archer
ii. Morris Dees
iii. Kerry Kennedy Cuomo
iv. Judge Richard Posner
v. Judge Guido Calabresi

V. CLE Programs

a. Kammi will draft a letter to be approved by Brad and Lisa to send to sections and committees asking for them to submit a proposal for having a CLE session.
b. Proposals will be returned prior to the next convention committee meeting
(Jan. 13) so we can review which we will accept.

VI. Welcome BBQ

a. Committee vote: First choice: Nicollet Island Pavilion; second choice: the Depot.

VII. Next Meeting

a. January 13, 2003 at 12 noon at the MSBA.

i. Agenda will include discussion of the bike ride.

b. Future meetings will be held at noon at the MSBA on the following dates:

i. February 3, 2003
ii. March 10, 2003
iii. April 14, 2003
iv. May 12, 2003
v. June 9, 2003

- Last Updated 7/25/03 -