OAALJ
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
April 3, 2000
Vice President Steve Rissberger called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. In addition to Steve, also present were board members Bruce Black, Lynn Wehrlie and Daina Upite. Board member Abby Herman joined the meeting in progress. President Charlotte Rutherford and board member Erika Hadlock were absent.
1. Minutes from the February 28, 2000 board meeting were approved without any changes.
2. Treasurer's report: Daina reported that the current balance in the checking account is $136.14, and that she had transferred $300 from the Money Market Account to the checking account.
3. Communications/Newsletter report: Bruce reported that he, Charlotte, Steve, Cheryl Ho and Tom Ewing had written articles for the newsletter. Bruce reported that the newsletter was in final form last week. There was discussion about the logistics of getting the newsletter to Valley Mailing Service for printing and mailing. Bruce volunteered to shepherd the newsletter to the distribution phase. Steve reported that all members of the Hearing Officer Panel's Oversight Committee were added to the newsletter mailing list. Bruce noted that Cheryl Ho's article about the transition of OLCC ALJs to telecommuting might be controversial, and there was discussion. Steve suggested that a future newsletter article might focus on telecommuting, including an editorial on involuntary telecommuting. Daina volunteered to research the State's official policies regarding telecommuting (i.e., Department of Administrative Services policies), as well as individual agency policies and the position of unions on this issue.
4. Education Committee report: Lynne reported that she will meet with David Marcus next week to discuss contacting Willamette University about hosting the conference. The content of the conference was discussed. Suggested topics included evidence, including expert testimony, and writing. A suggestion was made to invite a Court of Appeals judge to discuss how the court reviews ALJs' orders. Lynne will talk to Tom Ewing about coordinating the OAALJ conference with the training needs of the Hearing Officer Panel. It was also pointed out that we need to provide something of interest and value to attendees who are not part of the Hearing Officer Panel. There was discussion of how to notify potential attendees of the conference. There should be at least two mailings regarding the conference, including a mailing to members of the Bar's new Administrative Law section. The Education Committee will need to arrange CLE credit for the conference. It was pointed out that we should plan to compensate conference speakers in order to present a quality program. A conference date in mid to late October was suggested. The program would be one day in length, and there was discussion as to whether it should be during the workweek or on Saturday. Steve stated that he and David Marcus would be meeting for lunch on Friday, April 7th, to talk about the logistics of planning a conference. Since that was also the date for the First Friday lunch, anyone else could also join Steve and David at The Pointe Downtown. Daina, Lynne and Bruce said they would plan to be at the First Friday lunch.
5. Old Business: Daina reported that the conference call was tested on March 30th, as agreed last meeting. The cost was not yet available. Other teleconferencing options were discussed. Steve stated that he preferred in person meetings, but that we should also find an affordable telephone alternative.
Abby presented minutes of the December 6, 1999 meeting at which the board discussed and revised the OAALJ's recommended Code of Conduct for ALJs. Board members agreed to carefully review the minutes and vote on them at the next meeting.
The next board meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2000, at the Phoenix Inn in Wilsonville.
There being no further business, the board meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Daina Upite, Treasurer