Special Meeting of the Board of Bar Commissioners Minutes

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF BAR COMMISSIONERS June 8, 2021 Meeting Held by ZOOM

President Terry Westergaard called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Present were President Westergaard, President Elect Bill Garry, Commissioners Aasen, Christensen, Dougherty, Hruska, Johnson, Kempema, Pickar, Pilcher, Skjoldal, and Trefz. Also, present were Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Fergel, Assistant Director Nicole Ogan, Access to Justice, Inc. Co-Coordinator Denise Langley, Strategic Plan Coordinator Beth Overmoe, Tamara Nash, Erika Olson, Neil Fulton, Cesar Juarez, Amanda Work, Alison Ramsdell, Bob Frieberg, and Stephanie Pochop.

The special meeting was set pursuant to Section 7.8 of the South Dakota State Bar Bylaws at the call of Commissioners Pilcher, Hruska, and Wurgler for the purpose of discussing the program of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at the upcoming Bar Convention entitled, “Exploring ‘White Fragility’ and Racism: Moving Beyond Lip Service and Improving our Bar Together.”

After the meeting was called to order, the Commission held a discussion with the members of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee present and State Bar Staff about how the program was originally organized, how the panelists for the program were selected, whether the Diversity and Inclusion Committee contacted the Bar about hosting the Program or whether staff had suggested the program, and the general purpose for the program. In addition, there were questions about why the book ‘White Fragility’ was selected to facilitate a discussion about race.

No action was taken by the Commission upon conclusion of the discussion and question and answer session.

There being no other business before the Commission, President Westergaard adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew L. Fergel Secretary-Treasurer