A Message from the President 2022-2023 MEMBERSHIP IS COMMUNITY

The Association’s annual membership renewal campaign begins in July. As has become my habit, I looked at the definition of “membership” in the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary. You will not be surprised to learn that “membership” means “the state or status of being a member” and “the body of members.” Unfortunately, neither tautological definition provided the inspiration I was hoping to find for this, my penultimate, “ A Message from the President” article. Looking at the synonyms for the words, however, provided a spark of hope for there were the words community, group, association, organization, and connection, among several others.

Community has been a loose theme throughout this membership year. Although our membership is comprised of individuals with a variety of views, beliefs, and opinions, we are connected by some common interests and values. The Association has long been an excellent source of education for attorneys and the broader community. Most of that education is provided free of charge. Education opportunities range from CLE to our Street Law program. The Association is a proponent of the rule of law. An important component of the rule of law is dedication to equal treatment under the law regardless of your status or circumstances. To that end, the Association provides valuable lawyer referral services and volunteers attorneys for the FED docket. The Association seeks to be—borrowing a phrase from an earlier article—a “beacon of professionalism” and supportive of the judiciary’s needs.

The Association provides leadership development opportunities at all levels of the profession, whether young or seasoned. On June 5, the Association hosted a Past President’s Luncheon combined with an informal graduation ceremony for the YLD Leadership Academy. The boardroom of the Bar Center was standing room only with attendees ranging from the

Association’s 1991-1992 President to a two-year lawyer in the Academy. I appreciate the service of our Past Presidents (and I look forward to becoming one soon). I am also encouraged by the enthusiasm among our Young Lawyers. Many in the Academy are already in leadership roles in our committees and newly formed Young Lawyers Division. I am confident that there are several future Past Presidents among their ranks.

In this issue, you will find pages dedicated to membership renewal and the benefits of membership. Among the newer benefits of membership, at least for those qualifying as Young Lawyers, is the aforementioned YLD Leadership Academy. If you are a Young Lawyer and want to learn more about next year’s program, please reach out to me, Tami Williams, or a member of the inaugural class (Mary Clement, Billy Duncan, Allie Gage, John Gotwals, Dillon Hollingsworth, Kaylind Landes, Anastasia Mahoney, Mbilike Mwafulirwa, Colton Richardson, Lizzie Riter, Pierre Robertson, Alex Telarik, Michael Thelen, and Ashley Vinson). Applications are being accepted through close of business on July 14.

The Association is strong because we strive to focus on the commonality among us, and not the divisiveness that is all too common these days. As the home page of the Association’s website declares, “BETTER LAWYERS BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY.”

Monday, ,July 3

Tuesday, July 4

Philip D . Hixon TCBA President, 2022-2023

Monthly meeting led by a Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee member. The small group discussions are intended to give group leaders and participants the opportunity to ask questions, provide support and share information with fellow bar members to improve their lives – professionally and personally.

Tulsa Meetings are held 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the office of Scott Goode, 1437 S. Boulder Ave., Ste. 1200, Tulsa. scottbgoode@gmail.com

Meeting Dates: May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 19, Sept. 14.

Oklahoma City Meetings are held 6-7:30 p.m., Visit okbar.org for dates or email debraj@okbar.org. In-person meetings in Oklahoma City are held at the office of Tom Cummings, 701 NW 13th St., Oklahoma City. The group will also meet virtually at the same time using BlueJeans. Email debraj@okbar.org for login information.