President's Message By: Carole Morris

So you don't have time to attend AALA luncheons and section meetings? That's what I thought for many years. What I failed to realize was that attending the luncheons and section meetings and really getting to know my fellow AALA members would not only save me time but also improve my performance and help me to become a more effective member of my firm. This year marks my 45th year in the legal industry and my 27th as office manager/firm administrator. Had I joined AALA and attended meetings "way back when", not only would I have made many friends sooner, I would have saved myself much time and heartache. To know that I have fellow administrators an email or phone call away to help me deal with an issue makes my job so much easier and even less stressful. At every luncheon, section meeting, regional and national conference session, I find at least one helpful idea to take back to my firm.

It is an honor for me to assume the position of President this year. I'd like to start out by encouraging each and every one of you to volunteer to serve on a committee and even chair a committee, if not this year then next year. Becoming more involved with the Chapter can give you both personal and professional satisfaction. Feel like you can't stand up in front of a crowd of people and talk? So did I! When I was first approached about being on the Board back in 2002, I replied that I would serve in any capacity as long as it didn't involve my standing up and talking in front of a group. Know what? As I was told by a former president, Amy Hutcheson, the more you do it; the easier it becomes. I was encouraged at the Region 1&2 Conference last fall to learn that Patti Lane, Past ALA President, was terrified of public speaking before she became our ALA president. She felt, as I did, that she would rather face death than an audience!

Are you a long-term member? Your knowledge and expertise can encourage and help a new member. Volunteer to be a mentor. Be there for a new administrator to call you with questions. There are so many questions a new administrator has, and many of them hesitate to put out questions on the listserve for fear of appearing ignorant. (Not so those of us who are seasoned, who KNOW we don't know everything and seek the help of someone who might help in a particular area!) Call up a new member, invite them to attend lunch with you; introduce the new member to your friends; make them feel welcome.

My personal goal this year is to talk to as many of you as I possibly can to find out what the Chapter can do to encourage your participation. We have over 230 members and less than 100 of you regularly attend meetings. I want to know why you don't attend and see what I can do to encourage you to attend more meetings. So if I haven't already talked with you, expect a phone call from me within the next twelve months! But don't wait on me to call; if there is anything you feel the Chapter can do to help you become a better legal manager, call me!

I am fortunate to work with the following people who are serving on the 2006-2007 Board:

Jeff Hamrick - Vice-President/President Elect
Carol Coombs -Treasurer
Theresa Turner - Secretary
Joan Gingrich - Director of Membership
Marianne Lawhead - Director of Newsletter & Public Relations
Will Lee - Director of Vendor Relations
Michael Stephens - Webmaster
Kristine M. Smith - Immediate Past-President
Jennifer Brinkley - Chapter Manager

I depend on these people on a regular basis, especially Kristi and Michael, for help in serving as president this year. Their expertise and experience certainly makes stepping into the role much easier; however, since they have both guided the Chapter into Platinum status the past few years, it also makes it more of a challenge and I look to them and the remaining Chapter members to make sure we maintain that status in the future. Platinum status shows that we as a Chapter are doing everything we can to educate our members and maintain the ethical standards of the national organization in the highest manner possible.

Thirty-nine of us recently attended the 35th Annual ALA Conference in Montreal, Canada. If you have never attended a conference, I hope that you will try to go to either the Region 2 meeting in October in Louisville, Kentucky or the 36th Annual ALA Conference in Las Vegas next spring. Not only do you listen to some of the best speakers and gain knowledge to help you with your work, you meet people from all over the world. Networking is one of the greatest benefits of our organization and can really save you time, trouble AND money!

Speaking of the Conference, congratulations and THANK YOU go to Michael Stephens for winning 1st place as the best web site in ALA. Since some of the other chapters hire outside vendors to prepare theirs, I think we can be doubly proud of the work Michael has done since the inception of our web site. It has won either 1st or 2nd place each time it has been submitted. Congratulations also to Brian Gedeon for his work on the e-newsletter and his 2nd place trophy. Honorable Mention was won in Education Excellence, Vendor Partnering, Community Relations, Membership Brochure and Best Newsletter Article. Thanks to everyone who participated in these events. The Atlanta Chapter also won Platinum status for the 4th year in a row. Some of you might think it's all about the awards and they are fun to win; but, again, it shows that the Atlanta Chapter is meeting the high standards set by ALA in providing education, networking and other opportunities to its members.

Editor: Marianne M. Lawhead (mlawhead@sheastokes.com) (This publication is the property of the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators. Reproduction or reprint without prior permission is strictly prohibited. Click here to request reprint permission.)

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