What Have You Done For Me Lately?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to introduce myself - I am Tom Tinder, the Executive Director of the West Virginia State Bar, and I have the honor of serving as your President of the National Association of Bar Executives for this program year until the Annual Meeting in San Francisco in August, 2003.
In the time that it took you to read that last sentence, it was about the same amount of time that I enjoyed for my "honeymoon" period as NABE President. Almost immediately upon being handed the humongous gavel by my outstanding predecessor Diane O'Steen (Atlanta Bar Association), the unmitigated harassment began. It started with "Judge" John Norwine (Cincinnati Bar Association), continued from other NABE members, especially my colleagues in the Southern Conference of Bar Presidents, and concluded at the end of the day with remarks by Dennis Harwick (Kansas Bar Association), Diane Minnich (Idaho State Bar) and retired Gil Campbell (Tennessee Bar Association).
In one form or another, everyone wanted to know - "So what are you going to do now?" That's a fair question that deserves a proper answer.
Like all forward thinking organizations, NABE has a Vision Statement. It states that "NABE is a diverse, inclusive organization that is meeting the professional development and quality of life needs of its members and empowering them to play leadership roles both within their organizations and in the broader community." That is our vision for the next three years.
Therefore, with all due respect to David Letterman, I am pleased to present to you "The Top Ten Things That NABE Has Done For You Lately!"
10. NABE News - This is my personal favorite. It is a short, weekly
e- mail message that is sent to all NABE members who have given us their
e- mail addresses. It gives your current information about what is happening with your NABE organization. It also lets me know who is on maternity leave, who is always out of their office and who is available for further assistance - based upon the automatic replies that I receive!
9. Your Opinions - We want to know what you think about NABE, so we are going to be asking you. The members of the NABE Board of Directors will be calling every NABE member by January. We will be gathering your input so that we will know just what you expect NABE to do to help you.
8. Website - Use the NABE website - www.abanet.org/NABE/ - today! It has a mass of information and material that will assist you with your job responsibilities at your bar association. It is another tool for you to use to become a better bar association executive.
7. Section Workshops - Use our Sections' Workshops to improve your knowledge and skills. More than eighty persons participated in the Communications Section's successful Workshop in September, the Government Relations Section's Workshop in November will be outstanding and you don't want to miss the Administration and Finance Section's Tech Show in February.
6. Special Initiatives - The NABE Board of Directors has set up two ad hoc committees to investigate special initiatives in two separate areas. One relates to having a Certified Bar Executive Program and the other relates to program curriculum to get credit for Certified Association Executive designation. These could be two ways to enhance continuing education for our members.
5. Mid-Year Meeting - There will be a big time at the Mid-Year Meeting in Seattle in February! How about "The Telephone Doctor"? Want to experience music in a whole different way? How about a visit to the Presidential Suite? These and much more await you in the Far Northwest in February!
4. Groups - You need to take advantage of the various NABE groups whether it is a committee, a section or a forum. They provide opportunities for you to learn more about your specific area of expertise and to network with other bar executives who do the same type of work that you do. They are all open and available to you. All that is required is your talents and involvement. Become a NABE groupie today by checking the NABE website and communicating with the group chairperson!
3. Discussion Groups - Get ready for an invaluable service that will become your own personal lifeline. The NABE Website Committee is coming up with a specialized format to enable NABE members to communicate easily and freely on the Internet. It is way too high tech for me to explain - you just need to know that it is very cool! Coming to you very shortly.
2. NABE Directory - You will have a NABE membership directory in your hot little hands by Thanksgiving or my name is Tom Turkey! Don't ask me why the most recent directory is your 2000 version! Just tell me that you like it when you finally get it!
And the number 1 thing That NABE Has Done For You Lately is 9 words - No Increase in Membership Dues or Meeting Registration Fees!
Contrary to what Bruce Davis (Kentucky Bar Association) says, my title is not President For Life. Tom Pyrz (Indiana Bar Association) becomes President next August. I know that you all are counting the days 'til then!