The Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors met at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tulsa on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

President Grimm reported he attended the Tulsa County Bar Association Judicial Election Forum of all judicial candidates, John Shipp Memorial Plaza dedication, Access to Justice Advisory Committee meeting, TCBA Veterans Day celebration, TCBA Awards Committee meeting, American Bar Foundation Oklahoma Fellows reception, dinner and breakfast meeting. He participated in conference calls regarding tax issues and also with OBF officers and representatives. He made a presentation to the Tulsa Title & Probate Lawyers Association, had a conference with Chief Justice Watt regarding the OBA Strategic Financial Plan and presented the Outstanding Senior Law School Award to Kristen Buttram at the OU College of Law luncheon.

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

Vice President Conger reported he attended the swearing-in ceremony for new lawyers at the western district, Shipp Plaza dedication and Bar Center Facilities Committee meeting.

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

President-Elect Beam reported he attended the public hearing on the OBA budget, Oklahoma Bar Foundation meeting, Audit Committee meeting, Shipp Plaza dedication, Access to Justice Advisory Committee meeting, and funeral and wake for Judge Cabaniss. He prepared for House of Delegates responsibilities, worked on appointments and met with President Grimm and Executive Director Williams. He said a Board of Governors orientation will be held in December, and he outlined details for January events. He has also been working on the board meeting calendar for 2007. President-Elect Beam announced that the OBA Public Information Department won a first-place award from the Public Relations Society of America Oklahoma City Chapter for the video produced about the OBA Justice House project.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Williams reported he attended the John Shipp Plaza dedication, funeral of Judge Cabaniss, Annual Meeting planning meeting, Supreme Court master plan meeting and board Tuesday night dinner. He had a meeting with Law Student Division leaders on technology issues and presented a CLE program in Edmond.

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

Governor Bates reported she attended the Board of Governors social event and meeting in Lawton, lunch sponsored by the Comanche County Bar Association, Cleveland County Bar Association meeting, Oklahoma County Bar Association meeting, Women in Law Conference in Tulsa, in addition to the Women in Law banquet at which her mother, Gloria Bates, and Governor Christensen received Mona Lambird Spotlight Awards. Governor Caudle reported he attended the joint OBA/OBF reception in Norman, October board meeting, Comanche County Bar Association luncheon and CLE in Lawton and State Legal Referral Service Task Force meeting in Oklahoma City. Governor Christensen reported she attended the joint OBA/OBF reception in Norman, October board meeting, Bench and Bar Committee meeting, Bench and Bar Subcommittee on Revisions to the Model Code of Judicial Conduct, John Shipp Plaza dedication, Bar Center Facilities Committee meeting, OBA Audit Committee meeting and Oklahoma County Bar Association meeting. Governor Farris reported he attended the joint OBA/OBF reception, October board meeting, OBA Audit Committee meeting, Tulsa County Bar Association Long Range Planning Committee meeting and TCBA Awards & Nominations Committee meeting. Governor Hermanson reported he attended the three-day ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division’s fall meeting in Milwaukee, Wis., presented a seminar titled “Tools for Trial: Technology Tips and Techniques” at the ABA/GP Solo meeting, attended OUJI-CR meeting to make proposed changes to the Oklahoma Uniform Criminal Jury Instructions, moderated a teleconference for ABA/CLE titled “Improving your Performance with Litigation Software,” and met with executives from a secured online backup and recovery company concerning a potential membership benefit for the OBA Membership Services Committee. He attended the board reception with the Comanche County Bar Association, board meeting in Lawton and Kay County Bar Association meeting. Governor Hogan reported he attended the board meeting in Norman and Pittsburg County Bar Association meeting. He also is assisting with planning the Pittsburg County Christmas party. Governor Kennemer reported he attended the Communications Task Force meeting at the bar center, joint OBA/OBF reception in Norman, October board meeting at the OU Law Center, State Legal Referral Service Task Force meeting at the bar center, John Shipp Plaza dedication ceremonies at the bar center and Seminole/Hughes counties bar association luncheon. Governor Parsley reported he attended the Communications Task Force meeting at the bar center, joint OBA/OBF reception in Norman, October board meeting at the OU Law Center and two Texas County Bar Association meetings. He met with President-Elect Beam regarding the Mentorship Task Force and has also had several conversations with Governor Mordy regarding planning for the “Has Beens” event in January. Governor Reheard reported she attended the joint gathering of the OBF/OBA in Norman, October board meeting in Norman, McIntosh County Bar Association meeting, Pittsburg County Bar Association meeting and reception for the “grand opening” of the District 18 drug court. Governor Souter reported he attended the board social and meeting in Lawton in addition to Creek County Bar Association meetings in September, October and November.

REPORT OF THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION

Governor Williams reported she attended the joint OBA/OBF reception in Norman, October board meeting and John Shipp Plaza dedication ceremonies. She talked to OBA/YLD Chair-Elect Chris Camp about YLD committee appointments and OBA liaison suggestions for next year. She said the YLD will honor several bar members on Friday morning prior to the General Assembly at the Annual Meeting. This year Governor Jon Parsley, Keith Givens and Todd Kolczun will be recognized as Fellows for their support and contributions to the YLD during their tenure on the YLD Board, and Jan Sands will be recognized as a Friend for her continued and generous contributions to the YLD bar exam survival kits project. Also recognized at the meeting will be Roy Tucker, who will be named 2006 YLD Director of the Year, and Carol King and Lily Debrah, who will be named 2006 Committee Chairpersons of the Year for their work on the YLD Children and the Law Committee.

LAW STUDENT DIVISION LIAISON

LSD Chair Robben reported she attended the October Board of Governors meeting and luncheon in Norman and dedication of the John Shipp Plaza. She met with Executive Director Williams regarding technology and the Law Student Division. She said 22 students plus 30 law students from TU are expected to attend the Annual Meeting.

HOUSE OF DELEGATES RESOLUTION ON COURTHOUSE SECURITY

Oklahoma City attorney Charles F. Alden III explained the background behind the proposed resolution, which if adopted by the House of Delegates would become part of the OBA Legislative Program, and noted the proposal has been endorsed by Oklahoma and Cleveland county bar associations. The board voted to recommend passage to the House of Delegates.

DISTRIBUTION OF RESTITUTION FUNDS

Clients’ Security Fund Committee Chair Micheal Salem reviewed the background of the proposed distribution of funds to former clients of former attorney Jeffrey Parker, who were reimbursed on a pro-rated basis because the total amount of approved claims exceeded the annual $100,000 maximum. General Counsel Murdock reviewed past consideration. Discussion followed. The board voted to reimburse 2005 Parker clients in full up to the amount of their approved claims. It was announced that Cheryl Beatty will be leaving the Office of the General Counsel in January 2007 to work for the Board of Bar Examiners.

PROPOSED OBA TRAILBLAZER AWARD

President Grimm reported the idea to create an OBA Trailblazer Award has been suggested, and the Awards Committee will be asked to develop the criteria. The board approved the creation of the award.

CONSENT ITEMS

The board approved the following items:

Audit Committee’s selection of Finley & Cook, PLLC to perform the 2006 OBA Audit;

Mentoring Task Force creation with Jon K. Parsley, Guymon, appointed as chairperson and the following people appointed as task force members: David K. Petty, Guymon; Kimberlee Spady, Hinton; D. Renee Hildebrant, Oklahoma City; Cathy Christensen, Oklahoma City; Allen M. Smallwood, Tulsa; Jon Ed Brown, Idabel; Luke Gaither, Henryetta; LeAnne McGill, Oklahoma City; David Poarch Jr., Norman; Keith F. Givens, Oklahoma City; J. Stewart Arthurs, Cushing; R. Victor Kennemer III, Wewoka; Dietmar K. Caudle, Lawton; Ken Delashaw Jr., Marietta; Jack S. Dawson, Oklahoma City; Roger Reneau, Midwest City; Shanda McKenney, Oklahoma City; J. David Ogle, Oklahoma City.

Access to Justice Committee funding request for up to $800 for a committee member to attend the American Judicature Society’s Central Regional Pro Se Litigation Conference in February 2007 in Houston.

AUDIT COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT

The board approved President-Elect Beam’s recommendation to appoint:

Robert S. Farris, Tulsa, Chairperson (12/31/08)

Bill Grimm, Tulsa (12/31/07)

Cathy Christensen, Oklahoma City (12/31/08)

Peggy Stockwell, Norman (12/31/09)

Alan Souter, Bristow (12/31/09).

BAR CENTER FACILITIES COMMITTEE REPORT AND SHIPP PLAZA DEDICATION

As committee chairperson, Vice President Conger reported the dedication was a successful event. He said the committee is considering using more black marble on the exterior and whether to recommend that the OBA stay with the current contractor for future renovations. He reported a new layer has been added to the parking lot surface, and the lot has been restriped with lines for parking spaces.

PROFESSIONALISM COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FOR OBA SLOGAN

Communications Committee Chair Doug Dodd reported his committee recommends clarification of the target audience for the slogan, more clarification on its utilization and informal consultations with public relations professionals. The board tabled action until more information is available.

CRISIS COUNSELING MEMBER BENEFIT

It was noted there was another bar member suicide in October. Utilization of the program was discussed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The board voted to go into executive session, met in executive session and voted to come out of session.

NEXT MEETING

The board met in Oklahoma City at the Oklahoma Bar Center at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2006.