The Affiliates Committee met on August 21, 1999. Attending were Terry Zinn, Larry Sellers, Karen Mort, Bob Rile, Julia W. Brunson, Peter Partlow, Brad Pekas, Joel Balmat, Jim Oliveros, Sheri Ford Lewin, Mark Jordana, Neil Hancock, John Hull, Bob Fingar, Catherine McMullen, and Bob Riggio. Jim Oliveros was selected as the Affiliate Co-Chair.

     The Committee focused on three issues: membership, improving affiliate participation, and increasing the value of affiliate membership. The Committee determined that a Thursday morning session at the Annual Update for affiliate issues was a priority. Session topics would cover issues important to affiliates and may include, but are not limited to, contracting, insurance, liability, the role of the expert, worker's compensation, importance of quality control, and working with attorneys. Jon Hull agreed to head up efforts to establish the session content and speakers. Also assisting Jon is Neil Hancock. The Affiliates were interested in providing articles to the section newsletter. Sheri Ford Lewin will recruit authors and topics and serve as editor for the affiliate's column.

     Terry Zinn, Jim Oliveros, and Joe Richards will work on developing an e-mail list for affiliates only. This would allow the affiliates to better communicate opportunities for articles in the section newsletter and participation in CLE workshops and seminars as speakers and co-chairs. Julia Brunson of REGfiles agreed to work with Ralf Brookes, the Section Membership Committee Chair, to develop incentives for affiliates to join the section. The Committee noted underepresentation of land use consultants and instructed its marketing subcommittee to pursue efforts to reach out to these professionals.

     Lawyers or affiliates interested in participating in the committee's efforts should e-mail or call Jim Oliveros (jim_oliveros@golder.com, 904-363-3430) or Terry Zinn (terry.zinn@dot.state.fl.us, 904/758-3708). Affiliates interested in contributing articles should contact Sheri Ford Lewin (mmisheri@aol.com, 407/599-7134).