4 | March/April 2023 | BAEC Bulletin
Letter from the President
5. Supports performance measurement and accountability: A strategic plan establishes clear performance indicators and metrics, enabling the bar association to measure its progress and evaluate its effectiveness. This ensures accountability and transparency, enabling the organization to demonstrate its impact and effectiveness to its members and stakeholders. In summary, a strategic plan is essential for a bar association to ensure that it operates effectively and efficiently, achieving its goals and objectives in a coherent and purposeful manner.” Wow. It usually takes me hours or days to write my letters for the Bulletin. But here I am with a shortcut and a darn good answer. Hopefully, the strategic plan of the association answers this question for its members: Why should I be a member of the BAEC? Our process actually started a while back with a survey of our members to see what is important to members and what their expectations are as members. We got a lot of valuable data from that survey. This year, we convened a strategic planning team representing the various demographics in our association. We hired as a consultant an expert in creating strategic plans for organizations such as ours. We again updated the data we had gathered from the survey with a series of stakeholder interviews. We wanted to hear from current members and those who had once been members but had not renewed their membership in recent years. Our group got together for a couple all day sessions in addition to small group sessions done virtually. We started with the BAEC’s mission that was formulated when our Association was formed in 1887. Don’t be shocked, but a few things have changed since then. We followed with the vision, values and priorities, and how those would be reflected in the Association’s activities going forward. We are in the final stages of this process and the plan will be shared at our Annual Meeting. I hope the plan will confirm for you all what the BAEC offers its members and answers that important question of why you should be a member. Stay tuned! As with my other letters, I dedicate this letter to people who have been instrumental in my career. As you probably know, I have spent nearly all of my career at Rich Products Corporation. I thank Bob and Mindy Rich for creating a culture that inspires me and has brought me not only rewarding work, but so many lifelong friends—people I love like family. I want to thank Bill Grieshober who was very supportive of my choice to run for Vice President and everything else that is important to me personally and professionally. Erika Marabella, Geanne Zanatta and Tom Tierney picked up the slack for me while I took on the extra work of this office. I have worked with Erika and Geanne for many years now and they both inspire me with their authenticity and ability to balance all that comes with being a mother and wife with a challenging career. They are much better at it than I ever was, and yet, I see that it still is a daily struggle. I hope they realize what a great job they are doing both at work and at home and quiet any of those internal voices that whisper that they are not enough. They are so much more than that and should allow themselves the grace they so willingly give to others.
JILL K. BOND President Bar Association of Erie County
Dear Friends,
When I became President of this Association, I had, among my priorities, creating a Strategic Plan for the BAEC. I did get some feedback that some people thought this was “corporate speak” and that organizations do this just to be able to say they did it. Being in-house and a Board member for many not for profit organizations, I have gone through the strategic planning process countless times. But, I wondered, how can I explain to our members why this is so important? I confess I am a Boomer and I have been slow to fully embrace technology. My computer, my phone and my car have such capabilities to make my life and work easier—if only I knew how to use what’s available. Last week, I learned for the first time about AI’s new development—chatbots. It came up at our Board meeting on Tuesday, and then I noticed it everywhere-the news, talk shows, questions at work…. Instead of being slow on this front, I decided to look up “Why do bar associations need a strategic plan?” Who would think this obscure question would have a thorough answer on the bot, but here is what I got in about one minute’s time: “A bar association, like any other organization, should have a strategic plan to guide its operations and decision-making in a cohesive and purposeful manner. Here are some reasons why having a strategic plan is essential for a Bar Association: 1. Clarifies the vision and mission: A strategic plan defines the vision and mission of the bar association, which serves as a foundation for all the organization’s activities. It outlines the core values and goals of the association, providing a clear direction for its members and stakeholders. 2. Focuses on priorities: A strategic plan identifies the key priorities of the bar association, outlining the most critical areas to focus on to achieve its goals. This helps the organization to allocate its resources and efforts effectively, ensuring that it achieves its objectives. 3. Enables effective decision-making: With a strategic plan, the bar association can make informed decisions that align with its overall vision and mission. The plan provides a framework for evaluating options and selecting the best course of action based on the organization’s strategic priorities. 4. Facilitates communication and engagement: A strategic plan serves as a valuable tool for communication and engagement with members, stakeholders, and the wider community. It enables the organization to articulate its goals and objectives, ensuring that all stakeholders understand its direction and purpose.
With gratitude, Jill •
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE!
Jill Bond Tim Graber Gayle Murphy Bridget O’Connell Jamila Lee Anne Bowling Carolyn DeVaughn Andrew Freedman Sharon Nosenchuck
Stephen Earnhart Jennifer Kimura
Rob Brucato Cat McCulle Hon. David L. Edmunds, Jr. Stephanie Calhoun Carmen Snell Oliver C. Young
Powered by FlippingBook