President’s Message | Randy Snyder
Notes from the trail Dear members, officers, trustees and staff: The trail is long but the views are great & the company so fine. Fall travel reminds us why we live in the Treasure State. Annual Meeting Planning October 10, we reviewed the Helena convention and thought it was a pretty good hit. We liked the panel discussion format and Supreme Court argument. We’re looking into promotional packages to encourage attendance. The committee will likely tour Big Sky soon to scope out reception location options. Bozeman tour, Part 1 I stopped in Belgrade October 10 and met the two attorneys there. I love small town folk – reminds me of home. One, a busy part time city attorney and the other a retired Marine Captain. October 11 saw the Mediation CLE, moderated by Pat Quinn. We deputized Pat with a badge and scarf & met some folk. They’re looking hard at some possible legislation for mediation. Seems fittin’. Then hit the streets in Bozeman and tied up to a small firm and a large firm. I’m really overdressed – most folks wear jeans and one office had a yellow lab greeting folks. I think she was senior partner. Bozeman & Western Tour No. 2 October 17 we returned to speak to the Gallatin Bar for
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE, from previous page
to say “hi” and wish them well. Or schedule an appointment. Can’t take the time? You don’t have time to extend a courtesy? How’s that working for you? 6.
Attend local Bar functions. And once there, same agenda as No. 2. Leave your bitterness toward _______ (person or event) under your plate. Sit at a new table and introduce yourself to colleagues you don’t know. Ask about them – quit talking about yourself – you’re less likely to be grouchy if you focus on them. Smile and laugh – it’s contagious. They’ll come away with their own positive experience and, guess what, perhaps a good skill. Random kindness costs nothing.
7.
What are your goals? I hope that your client’s goals and your agenda are the same. Might want to check that. We’re so good at posturing, we can forget what the goal post color is. When you know, try sharing that. While you’re at it, ask the other side what their goals are. If they don’t know or if it’s a secret, you got a problem. Kinda hard to prepare for the argument when you don’t
www.montanabar.org
Here’s the next good spot for a trustee meeting: Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks. Let’s have a meeting here!
their monthly meeting at the Highland Golf Club. Great meeting; met some new Bozeman members and welcomed old friends. Then knocked on doors, visiting domestic, P.I. attorneys and the local chief public defender. October 18, stepped in on the Construction Law CLE and saw some Flathead folk and some old classmates. I asked the group which day of Lewis & Clark journals was in the last Montana Lawyer with the prize being a CLE certificate. But no one had read it! We’ll try that again another day. We left Bozeman at 11:00 and headed northwest to Manhattan and Three Forks. Pretty little towns, with a couple good members serving the public there. Offices were closed, but we visited by phone. NOTES. next page
know what it is. I love getting a case to mediation, but if it’s to find out what the other side wants, somebody didn’t do their job. This isn’t difficult stuff. But the trials we face can unknowingly bring out our worst. Pride and habit deceive us into making bad behavior seem normal. Lewis was shot in the butt. So what made you a grouch this week? Clip this page and try it this month. If it doesn’t help, try it again anyway cause it’s just courteous and we should all be that way. Whatever happens – call or write me a note. You might have a better idea. If you’re still grouchy, ask if you or Meriwether Lewis had it worse. Next Month: Stay tuned; we’ll talk about another lost tradition.
SAYINGS FROM JIMMY: Consider it pure joy when you face a trial (not an easy task, whether the trial is jury, nonjury or personal) because the testing of your character develops perseverance. Perseverance in turn can make you complete and not lacking anything. — Randy Snyder, chief deputy (406) 837-4383 | rsnyder@rsnyderlaw.us Page 5