On March 29, 2008, the WBASNY Board of Directors met at Fordham Law School in New York, New York.  Here are the highlights of that meeting.

• Chief Judge Judith Kaye presented a speech entitled “Impressive Progress Amid Persistent Problems:  A 20-Year Review” in honor of Women’s History Month.
• President Cortese announced that WBASNY nominated International Women’s Rights Committee Co-Chair Fay Parris to serve a two-year term on the United Nations (UN) Non Governmental Organizations (NGO)/Department of Public Information (DPI) Executive Committee.
• President Cortese stated that she sent letters to U.S. Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer in support of the Fair Pay Restoration Act and that she also sent a letter to Governor David Paterson to support increased funding for civil legal services for low-income New Yorkers.
• President Cortese reported that she and/or other WBASNY leaders had participated in a number of successful events including (1) a meeting with UN officials to discuss WBASNY’s existing NGO/DPI status and to learn about obtaining UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) NGO status; (2) a meeting of the New York State Judicial Committee on Women in the Courts; (3) a meeting with Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau; and (4) numerous conference calls with WBASNY committee members.
• President Cortese announced that New York State Bar Association leaders have decided to join WBASNY in a no-fault divorce coalition.
• Diversity Committee Co-Chair Joanne Quinones reported that the committee held a productive meeting with leaders of several specialty bar associations to discuss joint diversity initiatives, including the possibility of reciprocal memberships.
• International Women’s Rights Committee Co-Chair Fay Parris invited members to attend a WBASNY CLE program entitled “Women, Peace and Security:  A New Reality.  Multidisciplinary Approaches to Security Council Resolution 1325” at the UN on April 17, 2008.
• Nominations Committee Co-Chair Joan McNichol reported that the committee nominated the following people as officers for 2008/2009:  (1) Cynthia Schrock (Adirondack) for president-elect; (2) Jody Fay (Queens) for vice president; (3) Teresa Schiller (New York) for vice president; (4) Robin Abramowitz (Suffolk) for vice president; (5) Karen Richardson (Western New York) for treasurer; (6) Deborah W. Estis (Orange-Sullivan) for corresponding secretary; and (7) Maureen E. Maney (Central New York) for recording secretary.
• President Cortese reported that the proposed by-laws amendment regarding designation of the Committee on Long-Range Planning as a standing committee passed.
• At the request of the International Women’s Rights Committee, the board voted to submit an application for UN ECOSOC NGO status provided that by May 15, 2008, an outline of principles is formulated whereby the International Women’s Rights Committee will ensure appropriate notice, disclosure, deliberation, and approval of positions to be taken.
• The board voted to support the Legislative Committee’s view that WBASNY continue to support legislation that would expand access to family court but decline to join a related statewide coalition.
• At the request of the Legislative Committee, the board voted to take a position in favor of a state legislative bill relating to misdemeanor orders of protection.
• At the request of the Legislative Committee, the board voted to support in principle a federal bill supported by U.S. Senator Joseph Biden that would provide increased funding for legal services.
• Children’s Rights Committee Co-Chair Susan Kaufman invited members to attend a WBASNY program entitled “How the Legal System Addresses Mental Health Issues Affecting Children” on April 10, 2008, at Fordham University.
• At the request of the Amicus Curiae Committee, the board voted in favor of WBASNY’s filing of an amicus brief in the New York Court of Appeals in Graev v. Graev in favor of the existing legal definition of “cohabitation” and against a “dictionary” definition of “cohabitation” for purposes of termination of maintenance in matrimonial actions.