.....activities has proven valuable in approaching leadership of the two bars, in that I knew to use the year as president-elect to learn as much as possible about the two organizations and about what other bars across the state and across the country are doing before deciding what to tackle for my year in leadership.

I would never have guessed that what I would choose as my major focus was re-organizing or, more accurately, updating, the structure of the two bars. The Bylaws Committee and all of the committee chairs may never forgive me. The process has proven interesting for us all.

As part of the Long Range Planning process, we looked back at the last Long Range Plan. That plan included descriptions of all the then existing committees. Looking at those descriptions, we realized that some committees had changed their focus over time and some had begun to impinge on one another. For that reason, each committee not created within the bylaws of one of the two bars has been tasked with drafting a statement of purpose. With this process, each committee has examined what it does and why it does it. Some are re-focusing their tasks as a result, but most are just creating a description which will more clearly explain what members can expect from the committee.

The largest challenge has been posed to the Bylaws Committee and the newly created Policies and Procedures Task Force. A review of the bylaws revealed that some were no longer an accurate reflection of how things are handled – the organizations have grown exponentially in membership since the last full revision of the bylaws. In undertaking the clean up, the Bylaws Committee, under the able leadership of John Silverstein, has engaged in very healthy debate and discussion over the fundamental organizing principles of the two bars. Including, but certainly not limited to, why we have the two separate, distinct, but still integrated organizations – one the mandatory bar which largely oversees mandates from the State Bar and professional obligations; the other, voluntary bar, which provides social, networking and public service activities while partnering with the mandatory bar on certain professionalism initiatives and activities.

The interrelationship can be complicated, but after reviewing the bylaws of our sister organization in Mecklenburg County and discussions about other metropolitan area bars, the general decision is that our system works very well for our profession and our membership. It sets a basis in professionalism which we believe to be the guiding principle for both organizations, but permits us to offer the numerous social events and public service opportunities which lead to the collegiality which sets us apart from the other bars. If you have not participated in the social offerings or events like the Komen Race for the Cure, you have missed wonderful opportunities to meet other lawyers in non-work settings and to develop friendships many of us treasure. Joint events like the Swearing-in Ceremonies provide opportunities to introduce new or newer members of the profession to our bars and to the level of professionalism and collegiality we strive to achieve.

Pursuant to the bylaws, once the Board approves the revisions, we will present the revisions to the membership at an upcoming meeting and vote on the revisions. Functionally, we do not expect that members will notice the changes, but as lawyers you will appreciate the need to make sure that our organizations are in compliance with the governing statutes and regulations.

The policy revisions will require only Board approval and that will also occur shortly. By way of explanation, we are required to comply with the new 990 Regulations and while looking at those, we realized that there were other policies and procedures which had been established more by tradition than by written policy, so under the able leadership of Ashley Perkinson and with the invaluable assistance of Marty Martin, Michelle Frazier, Ed Gaskins and Christie Cameron, we are formalizing a policy manual for the organizations.

I can honestly say that it never would have occurred to me that the major contribution of my tenure as president would involve the updating of the inner workings of the Wake County Bar Association and Tenth Judicial District Bar, but the exercise has proven enlightening for many and should create more focused and better functioning organizations going forward.

I had hoped not to create new committees, but two will come from the Long Range Planning Process and will provide new opportunities for members to become involved. We will announce those committees and solicit volunteers at a later date. For now, take a look at the committee listings in the Bar Flyer and if you are not involved, volunteer yourself.

Thanks yet again for this opportunity.