I.         Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 P.M. by the Chair, George Gramling, III.

II.        Consideration of Minutes

Motion by Mary Hansen. and second by Enola Brown to approve the August 20, 2003 and September 27-27, 2003 minutes.  Amendment by Mary and seconded by Enola to add the ABA liaison description as read by Michelle to the September minutes.  Motion and amendment approved.

III.      Old Business

A.        Legal Specialization & Education Certification / Subspecialties

Tabled.

B.        Section Goals and Objectives

Tabled

IV.       New Business

A.        Executive Council Resignation

John Fumero has resigned his seat on the Council  One year remains of his term.  Consideration of a replacement is to be considered.

B.        2004-2005 Budget

Terry Zinn suggested  that the Council consider providing Update fee discounts to 501(c)(3)’s and young government attorneys as the ABA does.  An ad hoc Diversity Incentive Program (DIP) committee was formed consisting of Erin Deady, Terry Zinn and David Jordan to consider this item.    Michelle Diffendorfer is to provide them with ABA specific information.  The committee will report back to the Council in January.

Jackie Werndli discussed various budget line items.

George Gramling moved and Terry Zinn seconded a motion to increase account number 84310 (law school liaison) to $10,000.00 to make assistance available to the increasing number of Florida law schools.

George Gramling recommended that account numbers 84209 (Retreat) be increased to $6,000.00 and 84201(Board or Council meetings) be increased to $3,000.

Account number 84302(scholarships) would provide the DIP budget.  After discussing the budget for the Update, it was recommended that $6,000.00 be provided for this item.  This was based on a projection of funding fee decreases for 30 law students who would pay $10 instead of $85 and 20 government and 501(c)(3)s who would each receive a $200 fee reduction.

The pending motion and recommendations were added to a motion to approve the budget made by Michelle Diffendorfer and seconded by Mary Hansen and approved unanimously.

C.        Executive Council Meetings    (added by the Chair)

George Gramling queried whether lunch meetings were best.  It was noted that alternative times make travel more difficult.  George felt, however, that the meetings should occasionally be in nice places which would accommodate families and more socialization.  He would like to see 2 meetings per year in nice places. 

After discussion, the consensus was to have council meetings on Fridays and provide opportunities later on for socializing.

April was chosen for a mini-retreat in Key West..  Likely dates would be the 17th or 24th.  Michelle will look into the possibility of a snorkeling trip.

V.        Committee Reports

A.        Access to Justice

After discussion about the status of the committee, it was decided that it was worthwhile but in need of active leadership.  Several possible candidates to chair the committee were mentioned with Suzi Ruhl perhaps assisting in the role of a mentor.  Enola Brown and George Gramling are to follow up on this.

B.        Affiliate Membership

Peter Partlow presented the report.  The Committee is actively encouraging affiliates to be speakers at CLE programs and to provide articles for the Reporter.  Peter stated the Committee was seeking to increase opportunities for social interactions between affiliates and Section attorneys.  The first planned function being a mixer in Tampa  in the evening  in early 2004.  Discussion followed as to possibilities of additional mixers with the Section participating in the cost of appetizers, and contributions from law firms and affiliates.  It was recognized that this would provide good outreach to the affiliates and encourage affiliate membership.  George suggested a web link to the Section’s page.

C.        CLE Committee

Paul Chipok reported that the Committee’s programs are on track.  He is considering the reformation of presentation styles for the Update and reviewing other chair manuals for useful materials to add to the Section’s program chair manual.  George Gramling suggested that the completed manual be placed on the Section’s web page.

The affiliates seminar will experiment with a  new format consisting of a morning classroom program and an afternoon field trip.

A program incorporating a mock hearing is being considered for fall 2005 in conjunction with the Administrative Law Section. 

D.        CLE Treatise

No report.

George Gramling asked that names for potential subcommittee chairs be sent to him.

E.         Florida Bar Journal Column

Robert Manning noted the continuing need for authors.  The Maloney competition article may be printed in January if it can be made ready, due to the lack of an article for that month.  Terry Zinn suggested using the second and third place articles as well.

F.         Internet

Joe Richards reported that the Section’s website broke 1,000 hits for September and there were 750 hits on the treatise page in October.  A link will also be added to the links page for law school environmental societies.

G.        Law Schools

Terry Zinn reported that he was sending committee materials out to the law schools. Following discussion on whether Florida A&M and FIU now have accredited law schools, Terry Zinn volunteered to prepare a list of currently accredited law schools and contacts.  All law schools will be included in the activities of this committee.

H.        Membership

No report.

I.          Public Interest Representation

Erin Deady reported that the Committee was seeking additional members.  A notice to that effect will be posted on the list serve. 

The Public Interest Conference in Gainesville on February 19-21 is in good shape.  Water issues will be highlighted.

The Committee is soliciting criteria for the DIP committee.  An email will be sent to hydrologists, etc. regarding sponsorship.  Terry Zinn with Peter Partlow’s assistance offered to provide her with a contact list.

J.         Section Reporter

Enola Brown reported that the January issue of the Reporter is on track.  She will send out an email on December 1 seeking materials for the next issue. 

VI.       Liaison Reports

A.        ABA Liaison