Minnesota State Bar Association

Governance Committee
September 23, 2005

The Governance Committee met from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for its first meeting of the year.  The following members attended:

Dan O’Connell, Chair
Ann Barker
Steve Cahill
Brent Eilefson
Jeff Eng
Robert Enger
Rebecca Rhoda Fisher
Bricker Lavik
Richard Nelson
Paul Onkka
Judge George Perez
Judge Charles Porter
James Rogers
Murray Sagsveen
Judge Kathleen Sandberg
Mary Vasaly
Sandra Ulsaker Wiese

Dan O’Connell welcomed the members and encouraged them to read the MSBA Bylaws for background information. He also reported that in the near future a Governance page would be added to the MSBA website providing information important for the Committee.

After discussion of the Committee’s responsibilities, the Committee created three subcommittees; Section Bylaws, District Bylaws, and Convention Location.

Section Bylaws Subcommittee
The following members agreed to serve on the Section Bylaw Subcommittee:
Judge George Perez
Rick Nelson
Judge Kathy Sandberg
Rebecca Fisher
Murray Sagsveen

The responsibility of this subcommittee is to review proposed amendments to sections’ bylaws.  The Committee discussed the advantages and disadvantages of producing a set of model section bylaws which sections would be asked to follow unless a reason existed for deviating.  The Committee agreed that the Subcommittee should focus on selected model bylaw provisions in areas such as the use of electronic meetings or notice and drafting model provisions for those areas.  The Subcommittee was asked to develop a list of bylaw provisions and the model provisions for those areas and submit the recommendations to the full Committee.

District Bar Bylaws
The following members agreed to serve on the District Bylaws Subcommittee:
Steve Cahill
Ann Barker
Jeff Eng
Sandy Weise
Brent Eilefson

The responsibility of this Subcommittee is to review the bylaws of any district bar associations that accepts the President’s invitation for an MSBA review.  It was noted that unlike the sections, districts are not required to submit their bylaws for approval by the Assembly.

Convention Location Subcommittee
The following members agreed to serve on the Convention Location Subcommittee:
Dan O’Connell
Judge Porter
Jeff Eng
Bob Enger
James Rogers

The responsibility of this Subcommittee is to recommend locations for the MSBA Convention for the years 2007-2012.  The Committee offered several comments regarding factors that should be considered in locating the Convention including costs, parking, registration, attendance, and recreation opportunities. 

Future Meetings
The Committee agreed to meet from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.  on October 24, March 8, and May 17.

Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting duly adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tim Groshens,
Recording Secretary