Rhode Island Bar Association Web Site

BAR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT�S MESSAGE JULY/AUGUST 2008


Staying the Strategic Course RICHARD A. PACIA, ESQ. Rhode Island Bar Association President Approximately three years ago, the Rhode Island Bar Association formed an ad hoc Strategic Planning Committee and, after a series of meetings, adopted a Strategic Plan, culminating with the Mission Statement and Goals appearing within this message. Former Bar Association President John M. Roney, who convened the Committee, and current Bar President-Elect Victoria M. Almeida, who acted as Chairperson, both deserve much credit for their pivotal roles in the strategic planning process. Since the adoption of the Strategic Plan � indeed, in furtherance of it � the Bar Association has: convened committee meetings; performed operational and financial audits; upgraded its technological infrastructure and educational facilities; amended its by-laws; refined its governance procedures; revised its committee structure; and conducted a series of surveys designed to pinpoint the priorities of our members. In addition, recommendations from the ad hoc Emergency Preparedness, Pro Bono Publico, Future of the Profession, Children at Risk and New Lawyers Task Forces have been implemented in varying degrees. And the Best Practices Initiative, which was one of the cornerstones of immediate Past-President Marcia McGair Ippolito�s term, continues to come on stream through our twenty-nine standing bar committees. In short, our Bar Association has been firing on all cylinders. But, more, much more, remains to be done. As I begin my presidential term, I am resolved to stay the strategic course and hope to advance a variety of initiatives and programs to further the goal fulfillment of our Bar�s Strategic Plan. To that end, this June, the Rhode Island Bar Association hosted a Leadership Forum at which Bar Officers, House of Delegates members, committee chairs and staff met to help take the Strategic Plan to the next level. The purpose of the forum was to enable us to: evaluate our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges; clarify future objectives; implement action plans; and develop long term goals consistent with the core purposes of our Bar Association. RHODE ISLAND BAR ASSOCIATION MISSION The Mission of the Rhode Island Bar is to represent the Legal Profession of the State, Serve the Public and the Profession and Promote Justice, Professional Excellence and Respect for the Law. GOALS � Maintain and enhance the professional integrity and competency of the lawyers in Rhode Island. � Provide benefits, programs and services, which promote growth and enhance the quality of professional life for our members. � Promote active and equal participation of all members in the programs and activities of the Rhode Island Bar Association. � Increase public understanding of and respect for the law, the legal process, and the role of the legal profession. � Facilitate the availability of legal services to all who need them. � Encourage the development of a more efficient and effective judicial system. � Foster civility and collegiality among its members and good will between the bar and the public. � Promote diversity and equality in the legal profession. Some of the areas identified thus far, which we hope to focus on in the upcoming year, include the following: � TECHNOLOGY AND LAW PRACTICE MANAGMENT: The Casemaker online legal research library perhaps best exemplifies the type of technological benefit that the Bar Association has been able to deliver to its members on a cost-effective (in this case, free) basis. This year, the Bar will continue to explore the viability of offering additional technological tools and law practice management systems for the benefit of our members