Court of Appeals of Georgia

Court Centennial Committee Meeting

December 7, 2005

Draft Minutes

Third Floor Conference Room

Judicial Building

Atlanta, Georgia

Attendees:	Chief Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr., Chair

Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes	Judge John J. Ellington

Judge Marion T. Pope, Jr.	Mr. Charles Adams, Jr., Attorney

Mr. Charles Adams, III, Attorney	Mr. Edwin Bell, AOC

Mr. Lendon Gibbs, Attorney	Prof. Marjorie Girth

Mr. Scott Henwood, Attorney	Mr. Jeff Milsteen

Ms. Rebecca Sullivan, Governor's

Exec. Counsel	Ms. Jane Martin, AOC

Ms. Dianne Joy, COA	Mr. Bob McAteer, COA

Ms. Holly Sparrow, COA

1.	The Chairman called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. After a welcome
and introductions, the Agenda and minutes were approved.

2.	Charles Adams reported that the Court History Book would probably have an
appearance and content similar to the Michigan book. It is intended that the
Georgia book be written for the layperson. Copies could then be made
available to high school libraries. He stated that he was meeting with Mercer
Press next week to discuss the details such as the budget, copyright, time line,
and marketing of the book. A layout person will be assigned to the project. At
the next meeting of the committee, Mr. Adams will present the budget and
other details. The initial draft should be finished by February 1, 2006.

Judge Ruffin stated that he believed the Court would prefer to hold the
copyright if possible. He also asked that a final time line be available for the
project by the next meeting.

Judge Ellington noted that a later publication of the book could accommodate
inclusion of the Centennial Events. On the other hand, a late publication date
would limit use of the book for publicity purposes.

2.	Next, the Chair requested Judge Barnes to give the report for the Program
Committee. She indicated that both the University of Georgia and Mercer
University law schools are willing to host a panel discussion. In addition, she
said, that Ms. Speed-Dalton is checking with the law school at Emory
University.

Three panel topics had been discussed: Religion and Law,
Judicial Activism Versus Judicial Restraint.	The Program Committee is looking for some direction on the number of panels,	the number of persons per panel and names of potential participants for the
panels.

Chief Judge Ruffin commented that he would like to see panel discussions in
locations accessible to and comfortable for laypersons. He asked if the
Program Committee would investigate locations such as courthouses, high
schools, churches, and public libraries. Mr. Adams pointed out that it would
be advantageous if the forums were scheduled when students could be present,
and if the forums offered CLE credit. Both would enhance attendance. Judge
Pope agreed that it was essential to get students to attend. He suggested the
committee contact ICJE and ICLE which should be able to grant continuing
education credits and perhaps provide assistance with media contacts. He also
proposed that GPTV be asked to host a panel program. Ms. Martin indicated
that Nancy Hawsley is the contact at GPTV.

3.	Following Judge Barnes' report, the Chair requested that Judge Pope and Mr.
Gibbs give the Finance Committee and Foundation reports. Judge Pope
circulated a list of the Board members of the Foundation and a brochure. He
indicated that during the organizational meeting held December 6, 2005, the
Board was enthusiastic about the possibilities for the Centennial events. They
were particularly excited about the suggestion that the Centennial Dinner be
held at the new Atlanta Aquarium. There was a consensus that the Aquarium
would boost attendance and contributions to the event.

Judge Ruffin commented that Ms. Joy was discussing costs with the Aquarium
Director's (Cathy Delpozo's) office, and attempting to arrange a tour of the
facility for the Committee.

Mr. Gibbs stated that the Board of the Foundation had outlined some deadlines
for seeking contributions to the Centennial events. He also said that he had
received notice, in a telephone conversation with the IRS that the 501 (c) (3)
application of the Foundation had been approved by the federal government,
and that the official notice should be received by the Board within the next 7-
10 days.

4.	The committee proceeded to discuss the next item on the agenda, the
Proclamation Ceremony. Ms. Joy reported that the Governor could be
available for 15 minutes for a ceremony on January 24, 2006. It would be held
in the North Wing of the Capitol at 11:30 a.m.

Ms. Sullivan stated that it is important to have the draft proclamation text to
Abby Gibson in the Governor's office and a protocol for the ceremony as soon
as possible.

Ms. Joy distributed a sample design for the commemorative plaque. With some	changes, the design was adopted.

Then Ms. Joy asked the Committee what its pleasure was as regards invitations
or announcements to the Proclamation Ceremony. The Committee consensus
was that the Court should send e-mail announcements to the bench and bar
groups. Jane Martin offered assistance from the AOC in obtaining the
necessary e-mail addresses. The Chair stated that he would work with Ms. Joy
and Ms. Sparrow on the ceremony protocol, announcement, invitation list, and
draft proclamation. Mr. McAteer stated that he would be able to videotape the
ceremony on behalf of the Court.

5.	At the request of the Chair, Ms. Sparrow reported for Ms. Pryor on the
Educational Initiative. Ms. Sparrow stated that Ms. Pryor, who was unable to
attend the meeting, said she was still gathering materials for the oratorical
contest to be presented to the Committee. Additionally, Ms. Pryor had reported	on another issue, stating that she had contacted the State Bar about a
resolution from that group, and they were willing to prepare such a document.

6.	Chief Judge Ruffin informed the Committee members that as of the current
date, the Court had six invitations to hold oral arguments away from the Court
of Appeals Courtroom. Four were from outside the Atlanta area, while two
were from the metropolitan area. Judge Barnes suggested that Savannah might
also be considered because of its history as one of the first city governments
in the State. Chief Judge Ruffin commented that he would consult with the
Presiding Judges about the current invitations and possibly other sites.

7.	The Chair brought up the importance of choosing a speaker for the Centennial
dinner as soon as possible. It was suggested that if the location was the
Aquarium, the location as well as the speaker would be a draw. Therefore, it
would not be critical to obtain a speaker with national prestige. He noted the
list of speaker names which had been handed out and asked that each
Committee member return to Ms. Sparrow or him their top five choices for a
dinner speaker before the end of December, 2005.

The members discussed the Chair's comments and determined to strike the
names of speakers whose fees were in the thousands of dollars. Further, it was	suggested to add the name of Judge Marion Pope as a possible speaker.

Mr. Gibbs proposed, if the dinner is held at the Aquarium, that the speaker
have only 15 to 20 minutes for the speech so that the guests would have time
to enjoy the facility.

There being no further business, the Chair asked the members to be available for a short meeting immediately before the Proclamation Ceremony on January 24, 2006, and then he adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________________

Holly K. O. Sparrow

Deputy Court Administrator

Court of Appeals of Georgia

Minutes approved by the Court Centennial Committee

on the_____ day of , 2006