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October 2000The Gift of a Tail Windby Jan Michels I’m a bicycle rider. In mid-August, I completed a 400-mile trek from Ilwaco to Walla Walla — "Oysters to Onions." On the third day, as we peddled from Maryhill State Park to Skamania Fairgrounds, we had a 20-mph tail wind. Tail winds are a gift to bicyclists. They make a huge difference in the effort it takes to cover ground. Thinking of that day when I was able to cover 65 miles in three and one-half hours, I composed this new year’s story. It’s a new Bar Year (BY) 2000- 2001. Jan Eric Peterson has assumed office and formed a strong team with Dale Carlisle, president-elect. He’s also created a special advisory committee to the president to help guide his campaign initiative, "Proud to Be a Lawyer." This initiative is rooted in the WSBA’s Strategic Goal #4, "Enhance professionalism and civility in the profession." Lawyers who are proud of their role in our republic and the profession’s long tradition of public service will do their best to present their profession at its most esteemed. Myself, Bar staff, and especially Judith Berrett and the WSBA Communications Department, stand ready to support this important initiative. I also think members should know that the WSBA Board of Governors has formally adopted its BY 2000-2001 Operational Plan. This plan takes each of the 11 strategic goals adopted last year and "operationalizes" them — breaks them into specific work items developed to speed the achievement of each goal. There are over 243 "do it" entries in the plan. All the operational detail and progress reports in the plan are posted on the WSBA website. To me, this is stimulating and enervating. It tells you where we’re going and how we’ll get there. It requires constant feedback and accountability to members on how we steward their license fees. But I’ve read enough other Executive Directors’ columns about starting a new year to know that as long as you trust the WSBA to be honest, efficient, and provide the services you really want, this detail is B-O-R-I-N-G. If you’re interested in a specific goal, strategy or action plan, check it on the website. Another BY 2000-2001 initiative is member benefits, the WSBA’s Strategic Goal #1. We’ve created a Member Benefits Task Force, which will begin sorting through the vast array of service product endorsements, group insurance plans, group buying packages, product sales, and free or low-fee consulting/advisory services. The board has approved a new approach to these concepts with the guidelines of: 1) producing tangible services desired by members, and 2) assuring all programs will be revenue-neutral or enhancing. We hope for recommendations by mid-2001 and immediate implementation. Progress on our other nine strategic goals is also strong, and that’s what prompts my thoughts on tail winds. The input of members, sense of common purpose, enthusiasm of staff, volunteerism on committees, and support of the board have given the WSBA Long-Range Strategic Plan and 2000-2001 Operational Plan the gift of a tail wind. These features reduce the effort, push us up the climbs, and speed the journey. It makes the effort fun. So I welcome the new BY 2000-2001 with its gift of a tail wind. I look forward to covering a lot of ground. |
