Bristol County Estate Planning Council
Board Meeting
BayCoast Bank
January 25, 2016
Present: President Brandon Walecka, Debbie Maltais, Diane Graca, Ellen Connors, Patricia Bloom-McDonald, Maggie Van Buren, Joan Jakuboski, John Collins, Jay Williams, Jennifer Heald, Robin Smith, Luke Travis, and Gerry Hall.
Called to order 8:35 AM by Brandon.
1. Secretary’s Report: Minutes of December 21, 2015 meeting were approved, motion made by Gerry, seconded by Jay Williams.
2. Treasurer’s Report: Luke reviewed the most recent report, balance as of 1/25/216 was $6,245. Ellen motioned to approve, seconded by Jay Williams.
3. Sponsorship Committee: Diane reported that Fallon Community Health plan will be s silver sponsor for the March meeting on Medicare.
4. Program Committee:
Ellen reported on the upcoming meetings and locations.
We had positive feedback from the Life Settlement meeting
February 11, 2016-Breakfast
Presenters: Steven Fusco, Kelly Wright, Valerie Achorn
Topic: Downsizing, Selling or Insuring Artwork & Furnishings: A Team of Experts for Estate Mgmt. and Liquidation.
Location: All American Assisted Living, 1084 Broadway, Raynham, MA
March 17, 2016-Dinner
Presenter: Robin Smith
Topic: A..B..C..D..-The Building Blocks of Medicare, and How they Affect the Well-being of Your Client
Location: Holiday Inn, Mansfield
Sponsor: Fallon Community Health Plan – Silver Sponsor
April 14, 2016-Change to a Dinner Meeting
Topic: Russ Towers from Brokers Services Mktg. Group sent some topics for discussion.
We voted on 5 topics presented by Russ and the group and the most popular topic was “Distribution Planning for Inherited IRA’s and ROTH IRA’s”. The next most popular was “Estate and Gift Taxes, ILIT’s, the UPIA and Section 1035 Exchanges: Guideline for Practitioners”. Ellen will pass this along to Russ Towers.
Annual Meeting-May 19, 2016
Possible topic-TBD
September 15, 2016-Dinner Meeting
Presenter: Stephen Hanna and Anthony Nesi
Topic: Hear Their Story, Their Plans-Probate Court.
Location: Stoneforge, Raynham, MA
Sponsor: TBD
October 15, 2016-Change to a Dinner Meeting
Presenter: TBD
Topic: TBD-Case Study/Networking (Speed-dating approach)
Location: TBD
November 17, 2016-Dinner Meeting
Presenter: Attorney Todd Lutsky
Topic: Where Estate Planning and Medicaid Planning Intersect
Location: Stoneforge or Holiday Inn, Mansfield
Jay Williams mentioned Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLAC) as a potential future topic.
5. Membership: John and Gerry will coordinate contacting previous members. They will ask why they did not renew their membership.
6. Other Business:
BCEPC SURVEY:
Brandon discussed sending a survey out to the members to find out what they are happy about and what they feel the council can improve on. He laid out a plan of action using Survey Monkey. After discussion it was decided that it would be best done in 2 surveys, one asking about logistics (venues), and the other about topics, etc. John Collins offered to assist in Brandon. Jay recommended a speed dating approach to networking to get to know each other and our practices better.
Gerry felt it was important to ask about referrals (ie: if a member has received a referral or given a referral).
Survey should also ask if the member is familiar with the NAEPC national website as a resource, and if they are using it.
Maggie suggested and many agreed to add comments or suggestion box after each or many of the questions on the survey. Brandon will look into that.
It was discussed as to whether we could pay someone a stipend to do some of the clerical work associated with secretarial duties. More discussion to follow.
8. Next Board Meeting: February 22, 2016 at Baycoast Bank, Swansea, MA.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane L. Graca
Secretary