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ANOTHER ARKANSAS MOUNTAIN Top EXPERIENCE by Ronald D. Harrison
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ackpackers and hikers have an expression reserved for chose fare experiences which, almost singular, are set apart from all others. These wonderful evems are called mountain top experiences.
Novembet 17rh and 18th, we began to explore the possibiliries of how to affect change, to make a difference. Fundamentally, we are seeking change because it's the right thing to do. But for chose who seek additional incentives, it makes good business sense, too. Prior to the conference we continued ongoing efforts to involve lawyers diverse in color and gender in leadership roles within the Association. Although these efforts will continue, we musr do much more. I am convinced that one thing we can do quickly,
gather with our old friends, former classmates and annual meeting friends during the course ofour Association events? When we do, without realizing it we have left out or left alone many lawyers, young On the trails and in the mountains of and old, who may not return, may drop Northwest Arkansas where my family and I out, or may even openly reject the have camped or hiked, I have experienced a Association. few such events. One occurred during a I place great fajth in the fundamental sunrise service conducted literally on the goodness of our lawyers. Our members do edge of a mountain over looking the not intentionally ignore or seek to exclude Buffalo River at Camp Orr, a Boy SCOut others. Our focus for the future must, Camp in the Ozark however, include a recharged commitment, Mountain range. We have a heightened awareness to experienced the sensation in make all welcome to the the beauty of the changing Association. We must engage color of the mountain forests each other, speak plainly and in October at Devils Den honestly to each other to the State Park. Recently, I was end that we become or blessed ro enjoy another remain friends. Look around mountain cop experience at at our meetings, seek out new Eden Isle on Greers Ferry faces, invite a new member to Lake. lunch or dinner, share a cup The experience came not, of coffee, invite a new however, from rhe member or new acquaintance shimmering lake or the to sit with you at a program surrounding foresr, bur from segment, invite them to join a Committee or Section. Please the fellowship with brothers ABCD Members. Front row: Cynthia Nance, James Crouch, Philip and sisters of the bench and join me in making sure that Kaplan, Kathryn Fitzhugh, and Teresa Wineland. Back row: Peter bar at the first conference of no one is left behind. "We Kumpe, Judge Henry Jones, Ron Harrison, Brenda Stallings, Troy Price, Sandra Cherry, Austin Porter, Jr., Milton Dejesus, Allan the Arkansas Bar came into the world like Gates, Barry Deacon, and Judge Kathleen Bell. Not pictured are Commission on Diversity brother and brother; and now Tom Carpenter, Murray Claycomb, Richard Downing, Judge (ABCD.) In a small let's go hand and hand, not Wendell Griffen, Gene McKissic, Judge Andree Roaf, and Amy Tu. one before another." conference room at the Red Apple Inn lodge, warmed by One more thing! We a crackling fire in the fireplace and the easily and whole heartedly is to be berter will have a number of products available for goodwill of those present, we began our ambassadors of the Association, each one of purchase which depict the logo or name of effort to make a difference in a complex us. We have quite innocently failed ro the ABCD. We invite you to join with world. It was for me another Arkansas always provide a welcome environment to members of me Commission in displaying some new members of the bar - - regardless these symbols of our commitment. mountain tOP experience. The work of the Commission is of color. The impact sometimes is greater if Contact the Association website or office for more information on what products will dedicated to encourage and advance the attorney is from a minority group. Our members are good, decent, caring, be available, and visit ABCD displays at diversity first in the Arkansas Bar Associarion, then in the legal profession in professionals. But, think abour it. Like future Association meetings.+) Arkansas, generally. At our conference others in any serting, don't we rend to
1'01.16,1'0. 1/ll'inler 2001
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