What is Community?

Community. When I became President-Elect of the Association over a year ago, I began thinking of a theme for my year—this year—as President. I kept coming back to the idea of “community.” I also kept asking myself what does community mean. Well, it means quite a lot of things.

According to the online version of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “community” means, among other things, “a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society” or “a body or persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society.” My personal favorite definition of “community,” if I may call it a definition, is Edmund Burke’s oft quoted observation from his Reflections on the Revolution in France that “to love the little platoon we belong to in society, is the first principle (the germ as it were) of public affections. It is the first link in the series by which we proceed towards a love to our country, and to mankind.” So, what does community mean as a theme for the Association’s fiscal year? Well, again, it means quite a lot of things, and conversely, it doesn’t mean some other things. Too often over the past couple years, forces of all denominations have sought to divide various groups into contentious factions—hostile anti-communities seeking to dominate, destroy, or disparage the other. In my opinion, the Association is not a place for the airing of grievances, whether actual or perceived, or engaging in advocacy, unless the advocacy directly pertain to the Association (and has been approved by the Board as required in our bylaws). That doesn’t necessarily mean the Association should, or will, put its head in the sand. Instead, community, as defined above and as envisioned in my thematic musings, is a place to celebrate those things we as members of the Association have in common, to develop “public affections” among membership, and to engage in civil discourse on matters where views and opinions may differ.

The community theme means little things that you’ll see in this publication. Throughout the year, Tulsa landmarks will grace the cover of the Tulsa Lawyer, celebrating our geographic community. (We have several stock photos, but if you are an aspiring photographer, we would be elated to adorn the cover of this publication with the artistic endeavors of our “little platoon.”) We

intend to share unique facts about our members through a monthly guessing game and member profiles. If we can identify civil authors of opposing views, we may also take on a debatable topic or two in these pages.

The community theme means some new memberfocused programming. Like everyone else, the legal profession has been through a rough couple of years. In years past, the Association has undertaken some worthy community service projects, and we’ll continue those programs throughout the year. But it’s time to focus on our member community. The Association is excited to introduce the first annual YLD Leadership Academy, which consists of six sessions beginning with a 3-hour “bootcamp” facilitated by Leadership Tulsa followed by 2-hour sessions on various bar leadership/legal topics with a networking component, culminating in a graduation ceremony with the Association’s PastPresidents. We also intend to bring back the Mardi Gras party as a fundraiser for the Foundation and/or the Association’s programming.

The community theme also means some modest structural changes in the Association intended to enhance succession planning, develop future leadership, and encourage participation among younger lawyers. If approved by the Board, the Young Lawyer Committee will become a Young Lawyer Division with its own executive leadership and bylaws. The Association’s young lawyers have energy and some great ideas. The transition from the YLC to YLD is intended to provide them with some autonomy to act on those ideas and an opportunity to broaden its leadership base. I am confident the entire bar community will benefit.

I look forward to serving the Association over the next twelve months. If you have ideas to further the community theme throughout the year, please feel free to reach out to me or Tami Williams.