A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OUT-OF-THE-BOX IDEAS KEEP MEETINGS, ACTIVITIES GOING STRONG THROUGH 2020

WHITNEY D.G. VON HAAM | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. WAKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

IF THERE IS ONE THING 2020 has proven, necessity really is the mother of invention. There is no place where that has been in fuller effect than in the offices of the WCBA and Tenth. I have always known that our staff is both smart and passionate, and innovation has always been encouraged. This year, though, these important factors have been integral to providing the same level of benefits and services that members are accustomed to in a normal year.

Have you enjoyed our virtual luncheons with food pick-up beforehand? You can thank Communications Manager Sarah Justice who spit-balled that idea this spring — a great way to serve members while also supporting local businesses. Sarah has also been our “video guru,” bringing such gems as the Rader Retirement Celebration and the upcoming Bar Awards to life … that Emmy she won for television production has really proven to be an asset.

How about the out-of-the-box phased approach to the Oyster Roast or the Family Picnic To Go? Without Stephanie McGee at the helm, these events may not have come to fruition. If you had a good time at either of these events (or both), thank Stephanie. We wanted to make sure that members didn’t think of 2020 as the “year nothing happened.”

And, if you have taken a CLE with us in the past six months, raise your hand. Colleen Glatfelter has masterminded pulling programs together, getting them approved by the State Barand checking people in. The programs have been timely and well-coordinated, and the CLE library for 2020 continues to proliferate.

Behind the scenes, innovation continues: Accounting coordinator Shari Hardy figured out how to get our checks approved and signed by our treasurer, Judge Ashleigh Dunston, without needing in-person contact and, therefore, literally “keep the lights on.” Shaula Sharp’s contributions for our members have been numerous, but perhaps the biggest was when she answered the call to delay her retirement by several months. We are indebted to her commitment.

Innovation hasn’t been limited to staff, though: YLD Board Member Meredith Pace was the brainchild behind the morning coffees we held through August; Niya Fonville masterminded the reinvigoration of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee; and several of our committee chairs have led the way in pivoting to virtual meetings and refocusing their committee goals to keep the necessary work of the bar going.

We never know where our next idea is going to come from, but we know that we are all laserfocused on providing our members with a full package of experiences and value. WBF