March 2009

WSBA 2.0 — Full Speed Ahead

by WSBA Executive Director Paula Littlewood

Our son started kindergarten this year, and one day a week he has a computing class. Lately, he has been bringing home these great pictures made on the computer, along with what must be the product of keyboarding practice. My husband keeps commenting that by the end of kindergarten, our son will know more about computers than he does. That scenario is not totally unimaginable, which may speak to my husband’s computing skills, but most certainly speaks to the world we live in.

Consistent with WSBA’s own efforts to take advantage of advances in technology, I’m pleased to announce that the WSBA will be incorporating technology into many of the processes members use to interface with the WSBA and the various services we offer.

Online Voting

Commencing with the 2009 Board of Governors elections this spring, the Board of Governors has approved integrating online voting into the ballot procedure. Voting will take place between April 15 and May 15, as it does every year. This year, however, the WSBA will send members an e-mail with a link to obtain secured access to an electronic ballot.

Members in the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh-West Board of Governors districts will be the first to experience online voting for Board seats. Members without e-mail addresses on record will be mailed instructions on how to access the online system. These instructions will also include a traditional paper ballot, which members may return should they choose not to vote online.

The WSBA is moving to the online system to help make the Board of Governors election process more convenient for members and more efficient with staff resources. Many bar associations around the country have already incorporated online voting into their board elections. They report most members like the process, finding it simple and convenient to use. You will be hearing more about the online voting process as we get closer to the elections, and we believe you will enjoy the benefits other bar association members have experienced.

Online Licensing

For the 2010 licensing season, the WSBA will provide members with an enhanced online license-renewal process. Currently members can pay online or reprint forms but must still send in declaration forms through the mail. The new system will allow members to pay their licensing fees and assessments, submit the required declarations, renew section memberships, change their address and contact information, and report pro bono hours electronically. Members may still renew their licenses by submitting written material, but will also have the added convenience of an enhanced online process.

Online CLE Credits

In addition, WSBA-CLE continues to provide more CLE programming through live Internet simulcasts on selected day-long CLE programming. WSBA-CLE has also started conducting more online CLE webinars (phone conferences with a live video component). Both services allow members to receive high-quality legal education programming from the convenience of their office, home, or hotel room — wherever there is access to high-speed Internet services.

WSBA-CLE is also currently upgrading its online store. When completed, members will not only have greater access to WSBA-CLE products such as deskbooks, tapes, and DVDs, but will also find it more convenient to register for WSBA-CLE programs and events.

Online Legal Research

With regard to legal research, members are already familiar with Casemaker, the online legal information database that members may access free of charge. The WSBA is now considering working with legal document vendors to provide members with online access to downloadable court documents such as pleadings, exhibits, memoranda, and other materials in those counties that make them available electronically. The service would not be free, but it would dispense with the time and burden of having to look through courthouse files for case information.

Other Technological Tools and “My WSBA”

The WSBA is also expanding videoconferencing capabilities in order to reduce the cost of travel and make it more convenient for members to take part in committee meetings. Some WSBA regulatory boards are now receiving hearing documents electronically, which increases convenience and reduces mailing costs and paper use. Internally, the WSBA has incorporated new scanning capabilities to reduce staff time and costs when processing license fee payments and various forms.

Ultimately, the WSBA will be unveiling “My WSBA”: a one-stop site for WSBA members to access online licensing, the WSBA CLE online store, legal research, Board elections, MCLE reporting, and other member services. Incorporating technology improvements is just one way the WSBA is looking to provide new and improved member services while reducing staff time and resources. All of these changes will not happen overnight, but members will be seeing less paper and increased convenience when it comes to accessing member services, starting with the Board of Governors election in April. 

Paula Littlewood is the WSBA executive director and can be reached at paulal@wsba.org.