 President's
Message: Celebrating 30 Years of History
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It is an honor for me to assume the role of President this year. It will prove to be an exciting year for us, particularly, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary as an ALA Chapter and fifth year as a Platinum level Chapter. In my 8 years of membership in the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators, I have always been proud of our efforts to increase the profile of those of us involved in legal management, promote continuing education programs and expand the opportunities to network with others in our every growing community. As President, I look forward to working with you all to continuing on and expanding upon our core values.
In transitioning into the appointment as President, I am joined by several other members, forming the leadership of our chapter. I am incredibly fortunate to work with such a distinguished and accomplished team, and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead of us. The 2007 - 2008 AALA Board of Directors is comprised of the following members:
- Carol
Coombs - Vice-President/President Elect
- Lori Bearden
- Chapter Treasurer
- Theresa
Turner - Chapter Secretary
- Dina Wolfe
- Director of Membership
- Marianne
Lawhead - Director of eNewsletter & Public Relations
- Will Lee
- Director of Vendor Relations
- Amanda
Davis - Director of eCommunications/Webmaster
- Carole
Morris - Immediate Past-President
- Jennifer
Brinkley - Chapter Manager
What happens in Vegas, doesn't necessarily have
to stay in Vegas: The first week in May saw ALA members from
across the country converge upon Las Vegas for the ALA's 36th Annual
Educational Conference and Exposition. Our local chapter sent a
contingent of forty-four members. There was plenty of activity during
this year's meeting, from the keynote address by Ann Rhodes, former
Executive Vice President of People at JetBlue Airways to the educational
sessions and on through the other events.
Participation in meetings of both a national and local focus is always encouraged and I invite you all to join us for the Region 2 & 3 Educational Conference and Exposition in Nashville, Tennessee this September. Additionally, the excitement is already beginning to surface regarding the 37th Annual ALA Conference to be held in Seattle, Washington next spring.
Congratulations are in order: Congratulations and THANK YOU
go to Marianne Lawhead for tying for 1st place as the best
electronic eNewsletter in the ALA at the 2007 Annual Conference.
In addition to the first place award, the Atlanta Chapter also placed
as Honorable Mention in Education Excellence, Visibility, Membership,
Membership Brochure and Best Newsletter Article. A thank you to
every member who participated in these events. Your efforts have
certainly not gone unnoticed.
On an organizational note, The Atlanta Chapter also won the Presidents' Award of Excellence, Platinum status for the fifth year in a row. Platinum status is an indicator of our Chapter's success. It details the devotion we have made to ensure we are educating our members and maintaining the ethical standards of the national organization in the highest manner possible.
As we enjoy our fifth year of Platinum Chapter status, I think we
would all be remiss if we did not note the contributions made by
our Past President Carole Morris. She has been a large part
of establishing the AALA as a preeminent Chapter in the ALA, one
whose operational model has been mirrored closely by other Chapters.
Through Carole's leadership, a new standard was established for
the AALA and the challenge for us all is to continue building upon
our current momentum.
Events on the horizon: On June 20th at the Ritz-Carlton,
Atlanta, we will be holding our Summer Social sponsored by Paces
Personnel. "A Picnic at the Ritz" is shaping up to be the social
event of the summer and the perfect opportunity to meet and greet
newer members as well as reacquaint yourself with longer tenured
members. You are all cordially invited to join in this event which
will feature lunch, games and the chance to win prizes, including
a Region 2 scholarship.
Also in the coming months is the Business Partner's Luncheon. Scheduled
for August 15th, this event is designed to give AALA members the
opportunity to meet the vendors who form the AALA's Business Partners
for 2007. Their sponsorship of our chapter has been a vital ingredient
in our growth. Members are encouraged to return their support to
our Business Partners.
An additional evening of note is the "AALA Casino Royale". This
fundraising event continues in AALA's tradition of supporting our
community through charitable and volunteer efforts. Along with the
blackjack and crap tables, as well as the roulette wheel, we will
hold a silent auction of items and services donated for this event.
Proceeds will be directed to Susan G. Komen For the Cure and will
take place on October 9, 2007.
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