Association News Association Membership Coordinator Barbara Tarkington Retiring after 39 Years of Service
The Association’s longest-standing staff member, Barbara “Barb” Tarkington, is retiring after 39 years of service. Barbara has been committed to the members since she joined the Association in 1965, minus a few years away early in her career. Barbara has worked in five bar center buildings and for six executive directors. The length of her service is matched only by the late Judith Gray who served as the Associate Executive Director for 40 years. The Association’s Treasurer, William A. Martin, worked closely with Barb during his 14 years as executive director. “No one could be more dedicated to the Association and to making things go right than Barb,” Martin said. “She kept our membership records on cards at first and then learned how to use a computer database. She had a passion for making certain the information was current and correct. She knew our members and when I wrote something that contained names I knew to check with Barb to be sure they were spelled correctly. She is one of our most loyal and valuable employees and we shall miss her.” Don Hollingsworth worked with Barb during his tenure as Executive Director. “I had the pleasure of working closely with Barb on Association membership issues for 11 years, and her dedication to and concern for individual members were unequaled,” Hollingsworth said. “Loyalty to the Arkansas Bar Association and Arkansas attorneys was always her priority, and she will be tremendously missed by all of us.” Association Executive Director Karen Hutchins has worked with Barb for the past five years.
“Barb has been a joy to work with,” Hutchins said. “Her knowledge of our Association’s history and membership has been invaluable. Barb’s behind-the-scene efforts were instrumental in the success of arkansasfindalawyer. Her gracious manner and smiling face at annual meeting registration will be truly missed by both members and staff.” While she has played many roles for the Association over the years, her main focus has always been on the members. Association Membership Chair Brian Rosenthal has worked closely with Barbara the last two years. “Because of Barbara’s tireless efforts, eloquent manner, professionalism and willingness to let others share in her efforts, the Arkansas Bar Association’s membership has grown and members have returned in great numbers once they have joined,” Brian said. “Her ‘can do’ attitude and vast knowledge are bar treasures, as is she.” Barbara’s career is culminating on a high point, with the Association membership reaching a record high for this time of year with 5,007 members.
Above: A clipping from a 1968 Arkansas Lawyer magazine. Barb began her career mailing to members using Addressograph plates before running detailed queries on the computer. Even though her job became more computerized over the years, she continued to personally call members and maintain those personal relationships. Left: A clipping from a 1967 Arkansas Lawyer magazine.
You are Invited to a reception honoring Barbara Tarkington February 17, 2010 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Arkansas Bar Center Drop by, enjoy a light lunch and wish Barbara well Vol. 44 No. 4/Winter 2010 The Arkansas Lawyer
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