As my term draws to an end, I wanted to say what a privilege it has been to serve as the Jacksonville Bar Association President. There are many people that volunteered their time to help make this JBA year successful.
I wanted to thank President-Elect Dan Bean and all of the JBA Board of Governors for their dedication. Also, the Executive Director Susan Sowards and the JBA staffers, Shotsie, Jessie, Kendra, Lori and Linda did a great job for our members and the JBA this year.
With their combined tireless efforts, we were able to increase membership in the JBA to a record level of almost 2100 members; substantially increase the benefits, sponsorships and discounts available to our members; and increase attendance at all luncheons, CLE’s and social events. We ran radio and newspaper ads that promoted the legal profession; presented the first annual “Jacksonville Bar Diversity Symposium” to a near capacity crowd; held seminars to train lawyers in helping with the foreclosure crisis and the special needs of children; and donated thousands of dollars to local charities. Of course, this was all done without increasing member dues.
The CLE programs, diversity symposium and social events would not have been so successful without the dedication of the committee and section chairs and their members. There were a number of individual JBA members and law firms that also contributed greatly to the JBA this year, without having any specific leadership responsibility to do so.
I am speaking of the ever growing list of Sustaining Members and the firms that have committed to the 100% JBA Membership Club. The list of Sustaining Members and the 100% Club are printed in this Bar Bulletin. Please take the time to review the list and consider joining those JBA members and their firms that recognize how important the JBA is to our profession and the local community.
Finally, the JBA had a number of sponsors that made it possible for us to keep dues level and the cost of attending individual events reasonable. A list of JBA sponsors is also included in this Bar Bulletin. The support of Diamond Sponsors, Jacksonville Bank and Marsh Consumer Connexions and Silver sponsor Thompson West have been tremendous.
Also, a special thanks to Jim Bailey and Bailey Publishing for all that he has done and continues to do for the JBA; and to his “Law Editor/Photographer/Reporter” Joe Wilhelm for covering all our events and always having a back-up plan when my column was not quite ready for print (i.e. late). So to all that contributed their time, talents and/or treasures this year, I greatly appreciate your efforts.
With 22 days remaining until the JBA year end, we still have two social events left that I guarantee will be worth your time. The June 18, 2009 luncheon will be one of the most entertaining luncheons in years! Please make your reservations to attend and witness the new twist on the “swearing in” of our JBA officers and Board of Governors.
The Annual Golf and Tennis Tournament and Dinner Meeting have been moved to June 30. I have great news for those of you that are coming. First, since the election has already happened and the voting is closed, the program will begin and end earlier. More importantly, Hank Coxe and Brad Johnson have had two more weeks to develop their material for the evening’s entertainment.
There may even be some guest appearances from other well known JBA humorists. Please plan to attend the annual meeting, even if you cannot play golf or tennis that day. This will be an event you do not want to miss. In fact, we are so confident that the June 18 luncheon and June 30 annual dinner meeting will be entertaining, that the JBA President will personally guarantee your enjoyment. If you attend both events and do not laugh at either, the JBA President will take you to lunch at a restaurant of your choice! The JBA will begin accepting “refund lunch” requests July 1. Please come to these last two events to send me out with a bang…or at least a laugh.
Top 5 reasons you can’t wait for July 1
5. Dan Bean will finally get to be president of something.
4. You are one month closer to the lull of JBA activity in July and August.
3. Dan Bean has decided to reverse my precedent of working one day a week on JBA activities. Instead, he will work 4 days per week at the JBA office to better serve you.
2. In an effort to organize and systemize the entire JBA, Dan Bean has personally arranged and paid for the Atticus time management seminar and Stephen Covey’s ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ for all JBA members that agree to address him as “Oh Captain, My Captain Mr. President Bean...”
1. You all don’t have to read another article from me (assuming someone actually read one of my president columns).
Top 5 reasons you can wait for July 1
5. Dan Bean will finally be JBA president.
4. The Vanderbilt love fest and Harvard of the South references will be unbearable.
3. Dan Bean will have way too much podium and microphone time. (Does anyone remember his nominating speeches?)
2. The dues statement for every legal and bar organization you belong to will be due.
1. You’re going to miss the brief and non-substantive (i.e. Fluff) JBA President columns.