AILA Washington Executive Committee MeetingSeptember 19, 2007
Present: Steve Miller, Lisa Seifert (telephonic), Scott Railton (telephonic), Ian Purganan, Carin Weinrich, Erin Hall, Paul Soreff
Paul Soreff was present to discuss the NW Regional CLE.
Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer’s report is attached. The budget is currently as expected.
Liaison Reports:
The YLD is meeting in October and has planned a public benefits CLE for October. The YLD is also looking at planning a basics business CLE.
The CBP committee met the first week in September. Upcoming CBP committee activities include the Port tour. It is also looking into problems with border delays.
The Consumer Protection met and David Estudillo and Scott Railton had a follow-up meeting.
The EOIR committee will meet with the EOIR on October 6, 2007.
Lisa Seifert will set up a committee chairs and vice-chairs breakfast for late October. Date and place to be determined.
NW Regional CLE Update:
This CLE is focused on litigation. Paul Soreff spoke with NWIRP and the CLE committee and it was suggested that NWIRP be a co-sponsor of the CLE. NWIRP would receive a share of the profits. The suggestion was for NWIRP to receive 50% of the profits with AILA receiving the other 50%. NWIRP would assist in planning the CLE and presenting. In this way AILA can assist NWIRP without having an impact on its funding through the Campaign for Equal Justice. Currently 50% of the 1st $16,000 in profit goes to the KCBA after that 1st $16,000 AILA receives 60% and KCBA receives only 40%. Additionally, Portland receives $2,000 off of the top. The last NW CLE in Seattle resulted in AILA WA profits of $13-14,000.
The EC was not in agreement on this proposal and before reaching a decision wanted to see more concrete numbers and a better formula for the possible dividing of the profits.
A second proposal was made for NWIRP and AILF to organize a November CLE starting next year. This would be a half to one day CLE on one topic and would be followed by a fundraising reception/dinner. Funds raised would go to the KCBA for overhead and then would be split equally between NWIRP and AILF. AILA would have very minimal involvement in this CLE. It would hold a maximum of 100 people and would cost $100 or less for attendance.
Campaign for Equal Justice:
The decision was made not to participate in the Campaign.
Member Benefits:
AILA tele-seminars : As a benefit to the membership, the EC has decided to sponsor a quarterly AILA National CLE. Notice of the free CLEs will be sent to members via the list serve.
Mentoring Program: Ian Purganan will go to the YLD and try to establish a committee that will undertake the mentoring program. Steve Miller will assist in setting up a monthly teleconference with a mentor available for questions.
Upcoming meeting topics:
October: SSN No Match
November: AOS and Fraud Unit
December: New proposed rule for flat fees/WSBA and ethics?
January: Practice management
February: NW CLE
March: Basic immigration research
April: Naturalization
May: Resolution of difficult cases
Other:
It was decided that we should only keep old annual conference tapes for two years and then either throw them away, or offer them to any members who want them. It was suggested that all AILA WA tax returns be kept in one location instead of moving around each year with the new EC Treasurer.
Raid Responses: ICE & EOIR committee chairs need to establish a coalition for lawyers and NPOs to assist in raid response.
Fraud – 1) there has been poor treatment of clients by USCIS officers;
2) AILA should look at how to respond to the USCIS fraud program – Carin W. will organize a monthly meeting CLE to discuss this topic as it has become more prevalent.
Program Dates for 2008: The July meeting will be held on 7/14/08 and the December meeting will be held on 12/1/08.
Upcoming EC meetings:
October: 10/24; November: 11/21; December: 12/19
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