Foundation seeks directors for board vacancies
December 1, 2011

ORLANDO — The Florida Bar Foundation is seeking nine applicants for its board of directors for terms starting July 2012 under the Florida Supreme Court approved governance Plan. The Plan calls for 18 members of the Bar Foundation board to be selected in equal portions by the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar board of governors and the board of directors of the Bar Foundation.

Six of the 18 at-large seats will be filled for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2012. The positions currently are held by: Philip N. Kabler, Gainesville, L. Christian Marlin, Miami (Florida Supreme Court appointees), Michael Faehner, St. Petersburg, George F. Knox, Miami (Florida Bar Board of Governors appointees), Jewel White, Clearwater, Donna M. Krusbe, West Palm Beach (Foundation appointees).

Kabler, White and Krusbe are eligible for an additional term.

The Foundation is also seeking two public members of the board for three-year terms and one public member to fill the unexpired two-year term of Sam Stark, Orlando. The two public member seats for three-year terms currently are held by J. Blair Culpepper, Winter Park and Leo J. Govoni, Clearwater. Both Culpepper and Govoni are eligible for an additional term. The public member positions will be filled by a joint Florida Bar/Foundation Nominating Committee.

Since 1981, the Foundation has been the administrator of the Florida Supreme Court’s IOTA Program. The Foundation board awards all grants, oversees the Foundation’s fundraising program, sets investment policies, Foundation policies generally, and adopts the annual operating budget.

Applications for positions to be filled by the Supreme Court and the Foundation (at-large seats), may be obtained from the executive director of The Florida Bar Foundation, P.O. Box 1553, Orlando, Florida 32802-1553, or downloaded from the Foundation’s web site (see the bottom of the page to download an application).

Completed applications for these seats must be received by the Foundation by February 1, 2012. (The Florida Bar will give separate notice for the two positions to be filled by The Florida Bar Board of Governors. Applicants for Bar seats should contact the Bar directly or visit the Florida Bar's website.)

The Florida Bar Foundation board of directors embraces the concept of diversity. A diverse membership makes the board stronger, and its work for the Foundation more relevant to the society in which we live.

The Foundation strongly encourages minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply for service on the Board. To help achieve the broadest participation, The Florida Bar Foundation “Expense Reimbursement Policy” provides modest reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during Board service for attorney members, and full reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during Board service for public members and members of the judiciary.”

Applicants will be advised in writing by May 31, 2012, of action taken by the selecting authorities.

Expectations for Service as a Member of the Board of Directors of The Florida Bar Foundation

Application forms for seats to be filled by the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar Foundation or the Joint Bar/Foundation nominating committee.