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LOCATION: Capital Club
Three James Center, Fourth Floor
1051 East Cary Street
COST: $15.00 for members
$18.00 for non-members
RSVP:
marhsmit@aol.com
voice mail: 213-9295
Please respond by 10:00 a.m.,
Monday, April 30
PAYMENT: Mail in advance to:
MRWBA
P.O. Box 538
Richmond, Virginia 23218-0538
PARKING: Use James Center parking deck
Validated parking up to $5.00
NOTICE:
All luncheon reservations must be made by the deadline specified above. Reservations may be cancelled prior to this deadline. You must make a reservation even if you mail your check. No reservations made after the deadline are guaranteed. Limited walk-in spaces are available for each luncheon on a first-come-first-served basis.
If you do not attend the luncheon after making a reservation and do not cancel prior to the deadline, you will be charged for the cost of the luncheon. If you have made a reservation and cannot attend the luncheon, you may substitute someone in your place. However, you (or your substitute) must advise , Margaret H. Smither, President (213-9295) or
marhsmit@aol.com) of such substitution prior to or at the luncheon.
If you have any questions about the billing process, please contact Susan Atkinson, Treasurer (935-7762 or
swa89jmu@aol.com).
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 1
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
Vice President's Report
The Vice President this year served as the Chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee for the development and implementation of the MRWBA's web site,
www.mrwba.org. After an intensive search, the MRWBA contracted with the Internet Tutor, run by Jennifer Palazzolo, to implement and manage our web site. Even though the initial time line did not call for judicial candidate endorsements to take place via the web site until the 2001-2002 bar year, Bev Powell was able to successfully implement an endorsement round via the web site in March of this year. Thanks to the web site, the MRWBA drastically reduced its spending on postage and printing and received state-wide recognition during both sessions of the BLI conference.
Carolyn A. White
Treasurer's Report
The MRWBA began the year with a budget, exclusive of grant money, that predicted $22,325.01 in income and $23,804.00 in expenses. The majority of the difference between income and expenses was due to two new items. The first new budget item was the new administrative assistant. The second new item was the web site design and maintenance. Both budget items have been enormously beneficial to the organization and the Board, next year, plans to improve the utilization of both resources.
With the fiscal year ending May 30, 2001, I am projecting total actual receipts of $21,636.10, which is $688.91 less than expected. I am also estimating expenses of $14,457.26, which is $9,346.74 less than expected. The savings on the expenses came from a variety of categories. First, the administrative assistant did not bill for as much time as anticipated. Second, the use of electronic mail to forward notices and the posting of the newsletter on the Internet saved a great deal in printing costs. In addition, the legislative reception was held in conjunction with a luncheon, which covered most costs that would have been incurred if a separate function was held. In net terms, therefore, the MRWBA is currently predicted to end the budget year having no budgeted deficit. The MRWBA should end the year holding reserves of approximately $21,700.00, which represents approximately nine months' worth of our annual expenses. The Board is examining the feasibility of placing a portion of the reserve in a certificate of deposit, which will earn interest at a higher rate than is currently accrued in the checking account.
Susan W. Atkinson
Awards Committee
The MRWBA hosted its Seventh Annual Women of Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Capital Club on December 6, 2000. The award recipient was Mary R. Spain, Senior Attorney, Commonwealth of Virginia, Division of Legislative Services. The December lunch ceremony was not as well attended as in past years. For this reason, I would suggest a more formal mailing, in addition to the e-mail reminders, announcing the Awards luncheon and inviting our members to attend. The deadline for the award nominations was November 1, 2000, and the Committee, consisting of Stephanie E.
Grana, Nancy Cook, Teri C. Miles, Clair A. Harrington and Karen S. Elliott, met on November 10, 2000, at the offices of
Shuford, Rubin & Gibney, P.C. to consider the nominations. The Committee received applications from many, well-qualified nominees and had a difficult decision. Input has been received from committee members concerning potential changes to the nomination and award process for the 2001-2002 bar year.
The Awards Committee also advised MRWBA members through newsletter announcements and submitted nominations for awards sponsored by other bars and organizations in the Richmond Metropolitan area.
Stephanie E. Grana, Chair
CLE Committee
The CLE Committee organized two luncheon CLE presentations this year. The MRWBA's November luncheon featured a program entitled "2000 Update: Avoiding Malpractice Claims and Ethical Complaints." Wendy
Inge, Esq., Assistant Vice President of American National Lawyers Insurance Reciprocal (Risk Retention Group), presented six video vignettes based on actual claims, ethics complaints and malpractice insurance problems. Attendees were eligible for one hour of CLE credit (ethics). At the April luncheon, James B.
Comey, Jr., Assistant Managing United States Attorney for the Richmond area, entertained members with stories of his successful prosecution of Mafia cases in a presentation entitled "Investigating and Prosecuting Organized Crime." The Committee has applied for one hour of CLE credit for the April luncheon. Mr. Comey's presentation was a result of joint efforts between the CLE Committee and the Programs Committee.
Kimberly M. Magee, Chair
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 3
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Legislative Committee
Although the Fall Legislative Reception had to be canceled due to legislators' calendar conflicts, the MRWBA Legislative Committee had a successful schedule of other activities during the year. The annual Legislative Issues Survey revealed the subjects of legislation that members were interested in having the Committee monitor during the 2001 Session of the Virginia General Assembly. During the Session, the Committee identified and tracked more than 60 bills and resolutions and disseminated six Legislative Updates Reports, informing members of the progress of these measures. At the March 2001 membership luncheon, we were joined by four Richmond area legislators: Senators Walter Stosch and John Watkins and Delegates Viola Baskerville and Sam Nixon. Each shared a personal and candid reaction to the just-completed Session.
The Chair wishes to thank the Committee for their diligent work: Nancy Cook; Clair Guthrie Gastañaga, Katja Hamel; Deanna Hathaway; and
Christina Kearney.
Gail D. Jaspen, Chair
Membership Committee
This year our organization received a boost of recognition when two of our members were appointed to the bench. Barbara J. Gaden was appointed to the Richmond General District Court and Garland Bigley was appointed to the Petersburg General District Court. Congratulations to them. Our membership numbers remain strong at approximately 280, but we encourage you to solicit new members whenever the opportunity arises.
Jennifer A. Crossland, Chair
Programs Committee
The Programs Committee wishes to thank the Capital Club for continuing to provide a wonderful location for our luncheons and delicious food! We tried to present an interesting variety of programs this past year and believe we were successful in this regard. We offered presentations on such topics as alcoholism, financial planning, computer crimes,
state legislators and the mafia. Our final program of the year, featuring James Comey from the Richmond Office of the United States Attorney, was particularly well-received. Thanks to everyone for making this a terrific year!
A. Ann Berkebile and Amy Hay Schwab, Programs Committee Co-Chairs.
Public Service Committee
This year the Public Service Committee secured a grant from the Virginia Law Foundation of $20,000.00 to publish and distribute 50,000 domestic relations pamphlets. Advance order forms have been sent to more than 300 non-profit organizations around the Commonwealth to solicit orders for the pamphlets, which will be distributed in early June 2001. In April, Susan North and Lori Lord coordinated revisions to the pamphlet to reflect changes to the law enacted during the 2001 General Assembly Session. Susan and Lori are also negotiating with printers for a flat fee for the cost of printing and mailing the pamphlets.
In January, the Committee submitted a letter of intent to the Virginia Law Foundation for its 2001 - 2002 funding cycle. We were invited to submit a full grant application without making a presentation to the VLF Grant Committee. It is our understanding that this signals the Committee is likely to grant our funding request. Lori Lord and Kristi Wright prepared the letter of intent, which requested $24,490.00 for the printing of 60,000 pamphlets next year.
The Public Service Committee continued serving the Flagler Home through St. Joseph's Villa. In 2000-2001, the Committee helped Flagler by 1) conducting a professional-clothing drive, 2) collecting holiday decorations for and decorating the large "cottages" that house homeless mothers and their children, and 3) performing a Spring Cleaning of the three cottages. Future Flagler projects will include re-implementing the legal education programs, painting the common areas of each cottages, and updating the decor in the common areas.
Finally, the Committee decided to help St. Andrew's School, a private tuition-free school for grades K-5 for children from families of very limited resources. The school, located in Oregon Hill, provides a number of volunteer opportunities that we encourage next year's Committee to pursue.
K. Loraine Lord, Chair
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 4
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FLAGLER HOUSE SPRING PROJECT - June 9, 2001
The three Flagler cottages are in need of some major spring cleaning. While it may not be the most "appealing" project, it will be a
great benefit to Flagler House. This will also be a learning exercise for many of the Flagler women who participate in the Spring Cleaning Project. MRWBA members will meet at Flagler Cottage No. 8 at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 9. Non-members are welcome to participate! This is a great opportunity to include potential members, staff, family or friends who want to volunteer for a one-day public service project. With enough volunteers and a plan of action, we should be done by noon - just in time to enjoy lunch together!
Project Captains and Volunteers are needed for the following projects:
Carpet Shampooing - The carpet cleaning crew will shampoo the carpets throughout each cottage. Hopefully a merchant will donate the use of three steam cleaners for the day.
Window Cleaning
- The window cleaning crew will clean each cottage's windows inside and out. A garden hose hooked up to a "Windex Outdoor Window Cleaner" will make cleaning the outside windows simple while the inside windows are simultaneously cleaned!
Wood Polishing - This crew will wipe down the stairwell railing, various wood furniture and doors in each cottage with Old English and/or polish so they look brand new!
Miscellaneous Cleaning - This crew will tackle a few well-needed cleaning projects specific to each cottage (such as the tile grout on the kitchen floor).
Donations and Incentive Packages - This team will coordinate donations made by MRWBA members and by various merchants in the community. Donations will be used for:
1. Cleaning supplies specifically needed for the Spring Cleaning Project.
2. Incentive Packages - Each Flagler woman has her own efficiency apartment, per se, which consists of a living/sleeping area with an adjacent bathroom. Each Flagler woman is responsible for cleaning her room each week with cleaning supplies that she is required to purchase herself. MRWBA members are encouraged to bring donations, such as buckets and various cleaning supplies, to the May 2001 luncheon. A "Bucket Package" containing various cleaning supplies will be given to each Flagler woman who participates in the Spring Cleaning Project. Any leftover "Bucket Packages" will be used by the Flagler administration for an incentive program. Flagler is in the process of coordinating an incentive program recognizing a Flagler woman each month who has fulfilled the expectations of the Flagler program for the past 30 days and has done additional good deeds.
- Food Team - A lunch will be coordinated by this team to be enjoyed by the
MRWBA members and the participating Flagler women after finishing the Spring Cleaning Project. We will eat on the patio furniture that was donated during last year's MRWBA Spring Project!
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 5
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DONATIONS ACCEPTED AT THE MAY 2nd LUNCHEON!
This is a great way to participate if you are unable to come June 9th. Take it one step further and coordinate a donations drive within your office! Here is the Wish List:
Supplies for the Spring Cleaning Project (Large quantities of each are needed)
Window Cleaner (non-streak type preferred)
Old English (dark)
Furniture Polish (the kind with wax)
Tile Grout Cleaner (often found at a hardware store)
Lysol/Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaner
Paper Towels
Polishing Cloths
Sponges (probably large size needed most)
Garden Hoses (6 hoses needed - 2 for each cottage)
Windex Outdoor Window Cleaner
(3-6 needed. It is a jug full of window cleaner that is hooked up to a garden hose. Often found at Costco, Sam's Club or Wal-Mart, etc.)
Supplies for the Incentive Packages (Goal is to make
15 "bucket packages")
Feel free to make one up yourself or bring items and we'll make it up for you!
Buckets
Toilet Bowl Brushes
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Shower & Curtain Mildew Cleaner
Sponges (all sizes)
Comet/Soft Scrub/Scrubbing Bubbles/Lysol Bathroom Cleaner
Lysol/Pine-Sol/Fantastik or other All Purpose Cleaner
Carpet Freshener
Furniture Polish
Windex
Cleaning Towels/Polishing Cloth
Money - $$$$ - To Purchase:
Cottage No. 7's guest bathroom has 2 windows that need mini blinds and/or curtains
Carpet Shampoo
Other cleaning supplies needed that are not donated
Summer Time Fun for the Flagler Children!
Each cottage would appreciate a sprinkler that the children can play in. The administration discourages kiddie pools because they are a safety danger when water is left in an unattended pool.
As you can see, this Spring Project can be divided up into manageable tasks that combined will create a
huge success! Please contact Lori Rinaldi if you are interested in being a Project Captain, a Volunteer or making a Donation. Lori can be reached at
344-6336 (work), 355-2392 (home) or lrinaldi@morrismorris.com.
Can't make it to the May 2nd Luncheon? Drop off your donations before June1!
Lori Rinaldi
Karen French
Morris and Morris
LeClair Ryan, P.C.
801 East Main Street
4201 Dominion Blvd, Ste 200
Wytestone Plaza, 12th Floor
Glen Allen, Virginia
344-6336
783-7537
lrinaldi@morrismorris.com
KFrench@leclairryan.com
Directions to Flagler House - Cottage No. 8
I- 95 North to Parham Road West (Exit 83B)
Proceed to Brook Road - Turn LEFT onto Brook Road
Stay in the outside lane (the Lowe's/Wal-Mart entrance will be on your left)
At the very next light, - Turn RIGHT which leads you directly into the St. Joseph's Villa
Circle half way around and past the church
Follow the signs
"MRWBA Spring Project" which will lead you to Cottage No. 8
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 6
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NEWS
RELEASE The law book,
Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law, 2nd edition, written by Jerome ("Jerry") P.
Friedlander, II of McLean, Virginia, is being discontinued as a result of the corporate reorganization of the Lexis Law Publishing company (formerly The Michie Co) and its subsidiary companies (Shepard's, McGraw-Hill, etc). The 2000 Virginia General assembly made a number of changes to the Virginia Residential Landlord-Tenant Act which supplemental material has not yet been sent to its readers. The supplement for the year 2000 will be issued by its author directly. Because Lexis Law company has not given Jerry a copy of its customers, Jerry needs to identify the book's subscribers to determine whether they want to receive the 2000 supplement and to reach those who simply want more information or want the book.
For those who do wish to receive the 2000 supplement mailing, please contact Jerry Friedlander via phone at 703-893-9600; fax at 703-893-9650; via e-mail at
friedlander@friedlander.com or by regular mail at 1364 Beverly Road, Suite 201, McLean, Virginia 22101-3627. Jerry plans to follow the Lexis Law Publishing's return and payment policies. Jerry has established his own Virginia
LLC, Lexstone Publishing LC, to handle the administration of this venture, with its own phone, fax and e-mail, all located at Jerry's law office in McLean.
The toll free number is 1-800-299-9658 to fax or phone. Lexstone e-mail is
jpfriedlander@lexstone.com. The address is the same as above. Prices: The 2000 supplement is $35.00 and the
book+supp+forms-diskette is $85.00 (including tax and handling)
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Every attorney wants to
make a difference.
Sometimes it just takes the right organization to
LINC-up with. LINC, the Legal Information Network for Cancer, is seeking attorneys to help cancer patients deal with the business side of cancer by providing pro bono services in the following areas: insurance appeals, social security disability appeals, drafting of wills, advance medical directives and powers of attorney, employment, bankruptcy and child custody.
Attorneys in all areas of practice are welcome; attorneys with expertise in insurance and estate planning are particularly needed.
For more information contact:
Tamar Schwartz Eisen, Executive Director
P.O. Box 0156
Richmond, VA 23173
phone: (804) 287-6609 fax: (804) 287-6558
e-mail: LINC@uofrlaw.richmond.edu
Webpage: http://law.richmond.edu/linc/linc.htm
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 7
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Click here to visit our
sponsor Virginia Lawyer's Weekly
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Law Suits Day
The Virginia Association of Black Women Attorneys is sponsoring a Law Suits
Day on Wednesday, May 2, 2001 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the entrance to
the John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. Ninth Street, Richmond, Virginia.
Women are asked to drop off their clean and ready to wear professional
clothing and accessories which in turn will be delivered to the Greater
Richmond Employment Assistance Team (GREAT).
GREAT is a welfare-to-work initiative that assists women who are
re-entering the workforce. GREAT’s
mission is to provide welfare recipients and their families the opportunity to
begin their journey to self-sufficiency through skills assessment, job
readiness, training and employment.
Please note the date of this worthwhile event on your calendar.
Also, please forward this e-mail to anyone who may have professional
clothing and accessories to donate. Your
contribution is tax deductible for income tax purposes to the extent allowed
by law and you will receive a receipt for donated items.
For more information, or if you are interested in serving as a
volunteer for the event, please contact Kimberly Smith at 643-8401.
For more information about GREAT, please contact Sandee Smith at
222-0400. |
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P.O. Box 538
Richmond, VA 23218-0538
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 8
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