Each bar year has its own distinctive ebbs and flows, as the timing of events and programs varies and special or unexpected activities present themselves. Every year, by contrast, there is a sense of gathering momentum as we enter the post-Labor Day period. As the CLE calendar resumes and traditional September events such as the Judges Social take place, one cannot help but be caught up in the flurry of renewed activity. Needless to say, this rush could not occur without the extensive, albeit largely invisible, planning that took place during the summer months.
Thus, we are pleased that the application period for LINC (Leaders Impacting the Nonprofit Community) has begun, with applications online and a class of 25 scheduled for selection by the end of November. A highly motivated and active steering committee has been quietly and diligently putting together a top-notch curriculum with distinguished faculty drawn from the government, nonprofit, and legal communities.
Similarly, planning for the CLE season is a year-round activity and the summer months are particularly active in program development. September saw the first presentation of our distinctive law and literature seminars; by bar year-end, 10 of those programs will have occurred. The Presidential Series of extended CLE programs is now underway. A 2007-2008 CLE marketing plan was completed by Sept. 1 in accordance with our Annual Plan, providing us with internal and external guidance as we grow this valuable member service.
I have often written in this space about the Finance and Planning Committee, which has a critical role in budget preparation, association governance, and short- and longer-term strategic planning. The activities of that committee, ably chaired by Jon Strauss, occur out of the “public” eye, but impact the HCBA in multiple ways. This year, operating through subcommittees, the Finance and Planning Committee is already hard at work in reviewing year-to-date accomplishment of the Annual Plan and in aggressively investigating possible additional sources of nondues revenue. In a year in which we contemplate the execution of a new lease, with reconfigured and expanded space, budget considerations and priorities will receive particularly intense committee scrutiny.
Momentum is also building toward a November survey of our members concerning the Quie Commission report on judicial selection, followed by a December Board of Directors meeting to determine the HCBA position on this significant issue. This November issue of The Hennepin Lawyer has several articles that discuss the Quie Commission; a seminar on Oct. 30 presented multiple perspectives and will be replayed in early November. HCBA leadership encourages all members to familiarize themselves with the issues and options in this constitutional debate.
In short, our bar year is in full swing. Much planning has occurred, but much remains to be done. Please be a part of this activity and help to build the momentum of your organization.
