Minutes of the WSBA Elder Law Section Executive Committee
May 17, 2016 teleconference
Attendance.
Members Present (12): Carla Calogero (Chair), Kameron Kirkevold, Eden Toner, Matthew
Parker, Ronald St. Hilaire, Megan Farr, Karen Boxx, Michael Bresson, Michael Longyear, Dick
Sayre, Miriam Ayoub, Meredith Childers.
Members Absent (4): Amy Freeman, Mark Vohr, Eric Watness, and Ann LoGerfo,
Liaisons Present: Katie Searing (YLC), Joe Terrenzio and Julianne Unite (WSBA).
Welcome, Announcements.
POLST Task Force report—Carla is the WSBA ELS representative to the Washington POLST Task
Force and circulated Task Force proposed changes to the Form. She’ll address questions and
comments offline.
Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative—Carla is also the WSBA ELS representative to
the Dementia Action Collaborative (“DAC”). The DAC had its first whole group meeting on April
14th and split into subcommittees. Carla is on the Public Awareness & Community Readiness
Subcommittee, which has first meeting May 18th. She’ll report to the Executive Committee as
the DAC work progresses.
New WSBA Liaison—Joe Terrenzio was introduced as the new WSBA Liaison to the ELS, to take
full responsibility June 1.
Minutes. The minutes from the April 8, 2016 retreat were approved as corrected.
CLE. Mike L. reviewed potential topics for the fall CLE and solicited ideas for speakers and
topics. He noted that the date overlaps with an elder care conference at the UW—Karen
suggested that the UW is bringing good speakers in from out of town and that perhaps we can
recruit some of them for our CLE also.
Dick reported that plans are developing for the Master class CLE at Seattle University. He will
be meeting with potential faculty soon.
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Treasurer's Report. Matthew reported that our revenue is ahead of budget, but that a
$15,000 contribution to Columbia Legal Services is still pending. He noted that the spring CLE
revenue exceeded budget.
Outreach and Mentoring. Miriam is developing a plan for a networking event in Seattle in late
August, to be held at Skyline. Carla and Miriam will work with Skyline on a budget to be
approved by the Executive Committee next month. Last year the Section budgeted $1500, and
spent $1100 on food, while Aegis donated beer and wine. Miriam also reported that Mark is
working on the mentorship program. Miriam and Amy will send a survey to section members
regarding their preferences relating to a mentorship program.
LLLTs and Elder Law. Carla shared the letter from Chief Justice Madsen acknowledging the
Section’s expertise and interest. Carla, Kameron, and Mike L attended a LLLT presentation by
Steve Crossland and Paula Littlewood at the KCBA Guardianship and Elder Law Section meeting.
Steve and Paula indicated the LLLT Board will be taking more time to develop the next practice
area. Karen believes their goal for a new practice area is fall of 2017. Other than speaking
informally to Steve and Paula at the KCBA meeting, Carla has had no formal or written response
from the LLLT Board to her April 13, 2016 letter.
WA Public Guardianship Task Force—(formerly referred to as OPG Task Force). The Task Force
has been formed and includes Sean Bleck (Co-Chair, with Ann), Richard Sayre (Elder Law
attorney), Ann LoGerfo, (Co-Chair), Carla Calogero (WSBA Elder Law Section), Amy Freeman
(Counsel for the Long Term Care Ombudsman), Judge John Ruhl (King County Superior Court
Judge, Mental Health), Lori Rolley and Will Reeves (DSHS), Stanley Zosia (WA State Hospital
Association), David Lord (Disability Rights Washington), Natalie King (Asst Attorney General),
Roger Kohn (Elder Law attorney and counsel for hospitals), Keith Thompson (King County GAL),
Karen Newland (Director, Puget Sound Guardians).
WINGS. Carla attended (listened to; participation limited to Steering Committee members) the
WINGS Steering Committee meeting on May 5, 2016. Shirley Bondon, WINGS Coordinator,
announced plans to move forward and create a WINGS Public Guardianship Committee, in
addition to the ELS sponsored WA Public Guardianship Task Force. Carla reported that Steering
Committee member Rob Nettleton suggested that a representative of the WSBA Elder Law
Section should be invited to sit on the WINGS Public Guardianship Committee. Carla also
reported that there was a motion made to invite a member of the ELS Executive Committee to
sit on the WINGS Steering Committee, but Shirley Bondon stated that she would be concerned
about more lawyers on the Steering Committee. Lawyers currently serving on this committee
are Judge Lewis, Commissioner Tony Rugel, Rob Nettleton, David Lord, and Shirley Bondon. The
motion did not carry.
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Meredith reported that the WINGS Information and Training committee will be seeking
guidance regarding developing the lay guardian handbook. Mike L. advised that DSHS
contracts with KCBA regarding the GAL training materials.
Meeting adjourned.
Calendar:
Executive Committee meetings:
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Tuesday, June 21, 2016, 12:30 pm (teleconference)—(Note—Secretary Eden Toner will
not be present)
Tuesday, July 19, 2016, 12:30 pm (teleconference)
Tuesday, August 16, 2016, 12:30 pm (teleconference)
Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 12:30 pm (teleconference)
Networking and CLEs:
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August 25, 2016--Networking event, Skyline retirement community, Seattle
Friday, September 16, 2016—CLE, Washington State Convention Center
Friday, November 18, 2016—Elder Law Master Class, Seattle University
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