May 2001

What Members Are Telling the Board

by Jan Michels
WSBA Executive Director
janm@wsba.org

In 1999, as part of long-range planning information gathering, the Board of Governors conducted seven "listening lunches." Members talked to the board about what they liked and didn't like about the WSBA, what kept them up at night, and what the WSBA could do to help them. We incorporated this member feedback into the long-range plan which was adopted by the Board of Governors in September 1999.

We learned something else, too. Members have great ideas, they keep the board in touch with day-to-day and geographic issues, and are fun to get to know and be with. The board continues to schedule listening sessions with local members when meetings are held in their areas.

Member support: On the positive side, most participants feel that the WSBA is on the right track. They support efforts to improve the image of lawyers and the board's efforts to listen to members. They appreciate improved WSBA phone access and the plethora of information on the Web site (www.wsba.org).

Member suggestions: Members have made important suggestions, including putting more resource documents and materials on the Web; and increasing outreach to disenfranchised groups such as out-of-state members, government lawyers, and members in nonstandard forms of practice (teachers, law clerks and some in-house counsel). Members also want low-cost and readily available CLE.

We heard a lot about the impact of current market forces on the practice of law, and the unique pressure and burdens new lawyers face. There is growing support for requiring new lawyer education; we need to find an economically feasible way to educate new lawyers on law-practice skills and professional development.

Specific requests: We received a number of specific requests, too — more help with the business side of a law practice, free online legal research, a "form bank," and requests to investigate group insurance plans. We heard a growing frustration with judicial officers who tolerate uncivil conduct or who fail to enforce court rules. Members want the WSBA to relay this message to the courts.

Food for thought: This last category of input wasn't universal, but did offer food for thought. For example, is it time to add a lay member to the Board of Governors? Are we doing enough to support women and lawyers of color? With the exception of attorneys general, who enjoy Christine Gregoire's support for volunteering, many public lawyers are unable to participate in the WSBA and pro bono volunteerism. How can the WSBA help them? How can we expand the list of activities eligible for CLE credits?

Feedback from the listening sessions is recorded and summarized, reviewed in detail by the Long-Range Planning Committee, and routinely reported to the Board of Governors. As your executive director, part of my role is to watch and listen to constituencies, local bars, members and friends. I welcome calls, e-mail and notes about how you think the WSBA is doing. I routinely review member feedback as a whole, and whether changes the WSBA has been making have their intended effect. It really matters to me personally that you know we care and want to hear from you. I discuss this feedback regularly with officers, board members and staff. Many of the changes and improvements of the WSBA are in response to your requests and suggestions.

President-elect Dale Carlisle has committed to continued listening sessions in 2001-2002. We need additional discussion on "food for thought" ideas and "hot" items that surface each year.

Thanks for all your input to date! We really are listening.

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