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Posted May 2013Each year in March, the Capital Area Bar Association sends its Secretary-Treasurer to the Bar Leadership Institute in Chicago. The program offers helpful information to those who will ultimately “ascend” to the prestigious ranks of CABA President. Many of those in attendance were incoming bar presidents, current presidents, or presidents in waiting (like me). To say that the room was overwhelmingly filled with “power” is an understatement
In fact, Laura Bellows, American Bar Association President, commented that members of the audience should “get used to the power you have.” Her comments resonated with me, as I waited in anticipation for the grand unveiling or crowning. Surprisingly, there were no trumpets or grand regalia, or anything reminiscent of my coronation as Miss Tougaloo. This was simply a crowd of servant leaders, many in suits, who answered the call to SERVE.
President Bellows’ comments were not boisterous or arrogant. She simply gave all of us an opportunity to reflect on our roles as honored leaders. She made a statement filled with an awesome challenge to those in leadership to recognize the power to make changes in our bar members’ lives. Several years ago, one of my great mentors, Governor Evelyn Gandy, once said to me, “Own your power.” And on this brisk windy day in mid March 2013, it was very fitting that, several hundred miles away and many years later, President Bellows was sharing this same message with bar leaders from around the nation.
Throughout the two-day conference, I had an opportunity to interact with leaders of state bar associations, local bar associations, and bar staff. I was joined by my dear friend, Gene Harlow, President-Elect of the Mississippi Bar, who was equally honored to be part of such a great crowd of servant leaders. By the end of day two, I was armed with tips such as how to organize an effective board, manage bar members’ expectations, develop a program as president, embrace diversity, tackle unexpected challenges that may impact the organization, and – one of my favorites – how to be the diplomat and facilitator of ideas.
As I departed the Windy City, I returned with mounds of sparkly souvenir t-shirts (fingers crossed that I would escape the weight requirement at the airport), a new appreciation for hot dogs (without ketchup), great deep dish pizza, popcorn (that the TSA officer attempted to confiscate), and far too many receipts. Most importantly, however, I returned with great tools to assist in my work as an officer of the Capital Area Bar Association.
