During my presidency there were 40 elected board members plus state affiliated auxiliary presidents who were automatically seated as board members.  During my term in office, ALA initiated two new programs; added one new state affiliate, several local affiliates and more than 100 new individual members; produced and distributed a Law-Related Education Handbook for elementary school teachers; developed a quarterly newsletter; revised the procedures handbook; developed ALA’s first Mission Statement which included goals and objectives.  The Long Range Planning Committee of the Executive Committee was established to formulate recommendations to the directors and membership regarding the future of ALA.  

ALA became exempt from federal income tax under section 501 c 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.   Due to the passing of the new bylaws, July 9, 1985, the roster was restructured with the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Committees, Special Positions and State Presidents.  Board Meeting was held in London.  The first Teacher of the Year Award in Law-Related Education was given.    Special Law Day Award was given to Justice Dorothy Comstock Riley (Michigan Supreme Court).  

I was installed at the Annual Meeting in New York City.   This year the focus was on the celebration of “We The People” to commemorate the Bicentennial of the Constitution of the United States.  Law Day Video Tape Competition began nationwide and was a unique opportunity for ALA to stimulate creative thought, while students made original video presentations.  Through interpretation of the theme “We The People”, students learned about their constitution.   Funded by ALA, a third grade teaching unit written by Olive Leary (WI) (third printing) was tested nationwide. .  The National Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution granted official recognition to both of the special projects (“Law and the Bicentennial” third grade teaching unit and the National Videotape Competition-Constitutional Bicentennial)  The Midyear Meeting was at the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans and included High Tea.  At the Annual Meeting in San Francisco, there was an Affiliate Roundtable and membership reception.  

My goal as ALA President was to develop more substantive activities and programs to augment the social programs provided by the ABA for spouses.  Believing that friendships can be made working together for a common purpose as well as through social activities, I hoped that ALA would be recognized by the ABA as a valuable and supporting auxiliary. The ALA became an “ABA Related Organization” with an office in the new ABA Headquarters at 750 North Lake Shore Drive.  The fall board meeting was held in Minneapolis in conjunction with the Minnesota State Auxiliary so this gave the national organization better exposure locally.  The Midyear Meeting was held in Philadelphia where we had two workshops (Law Day and Advocacy for the Disabled). We also met in Chicago and Toronto (Annual Meeting).   A By-Laws Committee was established to work on by-laws that would be adequate for the 21st century.   

It was a privilege to serve ALA as President and continue the work of the many women dedicated to teaching and promoting citizenship and the rule of law throughout the United States through our affiliates and members.  That year I concentrated on improving communications between ALA and its affiliates in order to encourage more participation and increased membership.  We developed a membership brochure with our new logo, produced a quarterly newsletter, the ALA Gram, and the Board and I made many visits to state and local affiliates.  The Law-Related Education Handbook was distributed and the Law Day Video Competition was inaugurated. ALA prioritized our Advocacies for Children and Mental Health with programs and panels held during the Midyear and Annual Meetings.  I considered ALA’s partnership with the ABA another goal to build upon.  We centralized and organized our new office in the ABA Chicago headquarters, and worked closely with the staff at our meetings in Denver and Honolulu,  ABA President-Elect Stan Chauvin addressed our Annual Meeting.  Thank you for all your work in continuing the ALA legacy, which has grown and strengthened throughout the years.   

My year began in Hawaii, where I was sworn in by then Michigan Supreme Court Justice Dennis Archer. ALA gave an award for work with disabled in connection with National Organization on Disability and JC Penney.  Awarded scholarships to law students along with the other awards still given by ALA.  Held panel discussion at Midyear and Annual meetings on topics like the homeless, children, and the law.  Held a video competition whereby elementary, middle and secondary schools participated in producing a video commemorating the Bicentennial of the first Patent and Copyright laws.  Nogales HS in AZ, Riverside Middle School in Oregon and Four Bluffs Elementary in Texas were winners.  During my year ALA maintained an office at the ABA building on Lake Shore Drive and office hours were M-W and Fri 11-5.  First board meeting was held in Chicago at the ABA building.  Mid-year meeting was in LA.   Great time.  Highlight was “Phantom” with Michael Crawford.  April board meeting was in San Antonio.  Annual Meeting was in Chicago.  Did dinner cruise and went to a Monet exhibit at the art museum.  Worked on organizing the Alice Carr Memorial fund, establishing some procedures.  Held Affiliate Round Tables at Midyear and Annual meetings (state and local). 

We had an outstanding board that year and accomplished all of our goals.  We had a very successful first fundraiser exceeding the $6,000 target.  I was installed in Chicago with Long Beach Bar President, Vern Schooley, swearing me in which was very special.  The meetings held in New Orleans, San Diego, and Seattle were well attended. While in Seattle we had the Bicentennial video competition and Olive Leary was the honored guest.  We expanded the award of Law-Related Education Teacher of the Year to include elementary and middle schools naming the elementary award after Olive Leary who had done extensive work in the schools.  The high school award was named after Catherine Jurgemeyer, the dedicated chairman of that committee.  It was a great opportunity to develop wonderful relationships across the country that last beyond the presidency.    

Most memorable to me were the following:  1.  Increase in membership—especially throughout Texas, but also overall-including individuals and auxiliaries.  2.  The Carr Fund was transferred from the bank to an investment company; we emphasized “safety”, growth and income.  We continued to reinvest 10% of all income back into the Carr Fund.  3.  Board meetings, Midyear and Annual meetings were all well attended and enjoyed by all.  The Midyear Meeting was held in Dallas at the Belo Mansion, Dallas Bar Association Headquarters and Dallas Legal Education Center.  The Spring Board Meeting was in Indianapolis.  The Annual Meeting was at the Four Seasons Clift Hotel in San Francisco.  The Awards and Scholarships, and the Law-Related Education projects had a very good year. The Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund gave a $1,000 grant to advance the 1991-92 ALA Constitution Education project in the public schools  Olive Leary presented me with the check at the October board meeting in Chicago.  

The ALA focused on its mission to promote public understanding and appreciation of the law and the American legal system.  ALA during my presidency decided to hold its January, 1993 meeting in conjunction with the National Law-Related Education Leadership Seminar sponsored by the ABA Special Committee on Youth Education for Citizenship.  This meeting was held in Austin, Texas.  The ALA attendees saw in action the ABA’s Law Related Education programs that tied directly to ALA’s mission goals.  This was a very exciting meeting for the ALA members as we met and interacted not only with ABA members but also with passionate law-related education teachers from school systems around the nation.  The Spring Board Meeting was held in Long Boat Key, Florida.  My term ended in New York City with the ALA giving three “Law-Related Education Teacher of the Year” awards.  We recognized the wonderful Law-Related Education of three teachers at all three levels (elementary middle school and high school.)  It was a great year with the work ALA accomplished and all the friendships made!

):  I was installed at the Annual Meeting in New York City by ABA President-Elect George E. Bushnell, Jr.     “The Alice Carr Memorial Trust Fund was restructured to more accurately reflect the Carr’s original intention in their generous bequest to the ALA, specifically to promote our Law Related Educational Programs and projects. The Alice Carr Memorial Scholarship helped fund many vital ALA projects and programs.  It also enabled a deserving teacher of law-related education to attend the National Law-Related Education Leadership Seminar sponsored by the ABA’s Special Committee on Youth Education for Citizenship.   The Fall and Spring Board Meetings were held at the ABA Building in Chicago.  The Mid-Year Meeting was at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, DC.  The theme of the Annual Meeting was “ALA Affiliates Celebrate Years of Service to their Communities”.   This Annual Meeting was held in New Orleans at the Hotel Intercontinental and included an Affiliate and Past Presidents’ Luncheon following the Teacher of the Year Awards.   After more than five years of service, Executive Director Marcy Murphy (married to the ABA Presidential Administration Officer in Chicago) resigned to move to Florida.  

In 1995, Elaine Ross (Strategic Planning Chair) and I met with ABA Executive Director Bob Stein.  As a result of our meeting, ALA moved its separate office and settled in office space under the wing of ABA’s Division of Public Education.  Its Director, Mabel McKinney-Browning was very supportive and appointed a staff liaison to work with the ALA in addressing areas of concern to the ALA and its state and local affiliates.  Also, the Board did some serious long-range planning and revised the ALA mission. The Fall and Spring Board Meetings were held at the ABA Building in Chicago.  The Midyear Meeting was in Miami and featured a seminar on “Marketing your Fund Raising Programs”.  The Annual Meeting was held at the Swissotel in Chicago and included an Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Hotel, Claude Monet Exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago and an Affiliates and Past Presidents’ Luncheon with speakers.  The ALA Law-Related Education Resource Committee received a $1,000 check from Harriet Griswold for the committee’s project.  Harriet made the donation in memory of her husband, Erwin Griswold, former Dean of the Harvard Law School.  She was deeply interested in third grade students receiving an introductory understanding of laws, rights and responsibilities, which was the LRE Resource Committee’s goal.

At Rose McNeely’s last meeting on August 3, 1995, the Board of Directors ratified the selection of Jane Moisant  as the ABA employee who would be our staff liaison and approved the physical office conditions under which the ALA and ABA would work.  Thus, a couple of weeks after I became President, Rose, Barbara Long and I returned to Chicago to move the ALA office from the building on Lake Shore Drive to the Fairbanks Court building.  The unneeded office equipment was donated to the Chicago Public School system. My Board and I established the overall guidelines, duties and responsibilities for this shared employee.   I personally attended auxiliary related functions in 12 states and the District of Columbia during my presidency and held a joint board meeting in Edmond, OK, with the Tulsa Co. and Oklahoma Co. Bar Auxiliaries in April, 1996.  

I included President-Elect Stephanie Whitehurst in all the processes of the year’s business to facilitate her transition into the ALA presidency.  We included the spouses of the ALA board members with their own schedule of activities during ALA business meetings and then in joint activities with ALA board members.  I condensed ALA business meeting time to full mornings so afternoons were used to get outside the hotel meeting rooms and into the fresh air to experience highlights of the locale.  We enjoyed getting to know one another better through cultural outings and meals together.  After our business meeting at our October Board meeting in Chicago, we toured the Degas Exhibit at the Chicago Art Institute and attended the stage play “Showboat”.  At the January Midyear Meeting in San Antonio, Board members with their spouses and family members met Howard, of the Reenactment Society, as Nathan Finch, head of the Texas Navy at the time when Santa Anna marched overland from Mexico City to put down the uprising at the Alamo in San Antonio.  We saw the IMAX film on the Alamo and walked around the hallowed mission church.  Spouses of the ABA Board of Governors joined us to listen to author Janice Woods Windle, the spouse of an El Paso attorney, talk about her experiences in writing her historical novel, “Women”.  The Spring Board meeting was in Honolulu at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  Board members and their family members took a submarine tour,  savored new dining experiences, explored the flora and fauna of a lush valley with archeological sites or a picturesque golf course, and toured Lolani Palace to learn about the Hawaiian monarchy.    

The year began in August in San Francisco with me being installed as President.   The year was busy with travel from coast to coast and included an international excursion.  Time was spent visiting state and local affiliates throughout the year.  During September visits were made to the California Lawyers Auxiliary meeting held in San Diego, and the Michigan Lawyers Auxiliary Annual Meeting to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of that auxiliary’s founding.  The fall board meeting was held in Chicago in October and gave the members a chance to see ABA national headquarters and meet the staff in the Public Education Division which supports the Law-Related Education efforts of ALA.  Additional presidential visits were to the Indiana Lawyers Auxiliary’s annual meeting and board meetings of the Texas Lawyers Auxiliary and the Law League of Louisiana.  The new year began by attending a Law Related Education Leadership Seminar in St. Louis where ALA sponsored a teacher scholarship to attend the conference.  Midyear activities were in the Opryland Hotel in Nashville and featured a visit to President Andrew Jackson’s home.  The ALA sponsored trip included spouses of the Bar Executives and the Board of Governors and was a successful outreach to these groups.  A spring board meeting was held in Austin, Texas, with a side trip to the boyhood home and ranch of President Lyndon Johnson.  Also in the spring a visit was made to the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary for their “Special City Needs Special People” program hosted by Justice David H. Souter and attended by Mrs. Thurgood Marshall.  Spring ended with visits to the Houston Bar Auxiliary and the Dallas Justinian Award Ceremony.  ALA’s annual meeting was held in beautiful Toronto, Canada where teacher recognition and auxiliary awards were presented.    

We focused on expanding the ALA website with the help of Hilary Glazer.  At our Midyear Meeting in Los Angeles, we had two effective workshops, one on publishing attractive newsletters and one on planning successful fund-raisers.  The summaries of those workshops are found on the ALA website.  In Los Angeles we visited the  Van Gogh exhibit and Katie and Roosevelt Robinson hosted a post-museum reception.  Katie also obtained parking spaces for visits to the Getty Museum.  There was a private showing at the Lladro store on Rodeo Drive.  Dinners were at Le Dome and Friar’s Club and lunch at Spago’s.  Our work was to follow our mission and goals and to continue to address our strategic plan.  The improved ALA News, the awards program, the third grade unit on “Laws, Rights and Responsibilities” and the upgraded ALA website were all the focus of our hard working board members and committee chairs.  Each of those areas met with success.  The Annual Meeting was held in Atlanta at the Swissotel in Buckhead.  The committee planned dinners at Dante’s Down, the Hatch, and the Buckhead Club.  A luncheon at The Swan Coach House was followed by a tour of two historic homes and gardens on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center.  The recognition of our honored auxiliaries, teachers and this year’s outstanding member reminded us of the need to continue our efforts.  It was wonderful to meet the members of the auxiliaries (MI, CA, IN and National Capital) and to witness the work being done in their states. 

For ’99-’00 ALA centered on gaining (or trying to gain) members.  The bylaws were changed to include “lawyers” as a category of membership.  Additionally, at the Mid-Year ABA/ALA meeting in Dallas we hosted a Texas Brunch and invited all the Board of Governor’s spouses.  (It was quite successful in attendance—though, I am not sure how many members we gained.)  The Spring Board Meeting was held in Houston and included a tour of Bayou Bend, home built, loved, and lived in—then deeded to the city to be maintained as a museum—by Ms. Ida Hogg, daughter of former Texas Governor Hogg.  Then at the Annual ABA/ALA meeting in New York we joined the National Council of Bar Presidents in a private dinner/tour of Ellis Island.  The ferry ride presented more opportunities to invite membership from that group and the opportunity to socialize with them was great.   

Aware of ALA’s high calling – its mission to increase appreciation of our American legal system – the Board of Directors answered the “why” of our mission with the theme, “We Nurture the Rule of Law for Freedom’s Sake.”   We wanted everyone to appreciate the profound connection between freedom and the American rule of law. Believing that every non-profit organization needs both a mission statement (the “means”) and a vision statement (the “end”), when ALA assembled for its Annual ’01 Chicago Meeting, they readily adopted as its permanent, national vision statement, “We Nurture the Rule of Law for Freedom’s Sake.”  At the midyear Meeting in San Diego, ALA conducted a joint session with the state California Law Advocates and also honored spouses of the National Council of Bar Presidents with a brunch meeting.  During the year at each board meeting site of New Orleans, San Diego, Birmingham, and Chicago, our directors and spouses planned time-out to experience the cultural flavors of each location. In Birmingham at the Samford University Cumberland School of Law, a professor had inquired which states our board members represented.  He prepared a unique presentation by giving a brief review of a legal case for each board member from her state, illustrating a conflict of federal and state law and how each case was resolved.  For membership promotion, the US map was newly divided into six regions.  Newsletter distribution totaled 800 for each of three issues.  

Chicago, the headquarter city of ABA was the site of the ALA Annual meeting at which I was installed as President.  The date was August 2001, the first year of the 21st Century.   My first visit to a state auxiliary was to be in Michigan. The date was 9/1 1.  I was marooned at home.  At the moment the airplane struck the World Trade Center, the Rule of Law magnified in importance.  As ALA members, we accepted the challenge of that moment to continue to reinvigorate our mission.  The sites of our meetings that year—2001-2002—continued to correspond to our country’s history.  At our Fall Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, we toured Fort Sam Houston (symbol for adding Texas to the union), as well as the missions that were so important to the development of our nation.  The Mid Year meeting in Philadelphia provided us with the opportunity to revisit many locations identified with the Birth of our Nation.  They included Valley Forge, Constitution Hall and Freedom Center.  Our Spring meeting was in Minnesota, an anchor of Middle America from which there was a major migration to the West via the railroads and an immigration center for Northern Europeans.  Washington D.C., the symbolic center of our government based on freedom through law, was the site of our annual meeting.  A visit to the State Department formal rooms illustrated America’s vast importance in the global world.  Our ALA mission was foremost in our endeavors during the course of our journeys. We worked on the negotiations and contracts for the move to the new ABA headquarters; we cemented our relationship with the ABA and negotiated guest status for ALA members at conventions; we expanded our membership and voted the category of lawyers as eligible members; we expanded the scope of Law Related Education Awards by including more students; we met with our Financial Advisor for a vigorous analysis of our portfolio.  Our mission and our history continues.  

Negotiated new contract with ABA; Made arrangements for move to new officers, furnishings, equipment, staff services and technical services; Revised budget policies and restructured budget processes to fit the current needs and short-term availabilities of resources; Cocktail buffet and cruise in Seattle; Historic trip to Natchez in Pilgrimage Season (Taught our people to drink mint juleps.)  Sunset ferry ride to Sausalito for shopping and dinner (Mikayla Restaurant); Acted as time judge for “We The People”. 

The following were important accomplishments:  1) I worked to establish the ALA mailing list for the TOY Award applications, networking with the Center for Civic Education’s We the People Program and with other social studies organizations. 2) A large mailing to past ALA members to establish an up-to-date membership roster was completed.  3) The position, People to People Liaison, was added to the Board. 4) It was voted that Special Committee Chairs would become voting members of the Board.  5) We established the Olive E. Leary Elementary Student Award under the direction of Elaine Ross.  6) Jeanne Skilton and I did a major clean out of the ALA Office files preceding the move of the ABA offices to Clark Street.  I installed the officers at the Michigan Lawyers Auxiliary Annual Meeting.  Lunch in the fall in Baton Rouge with the Law League of Louisiana was delightful. Judy Oldham was my hostess for the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary Spring Luncheon, a fund-raising event.  The National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary May event honoring Law Day was truly special.  The ALA had four meetings this year. Fall fun was celebrated in the Indiana Dunes.  Munster High School’s winning We the People team demonstrated a mock congressional hearing at Valparaiso Law School.  Midyear meeting in San Antonio honored the first three Lifetime Achievement Award winners.  I was thrilled to receive a Texas flag flown over the Alamo from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.  We had a spring fling in Indianapolis, visiting Connor Prairie to relive the past in Indiana and held our meeting at the State Capitol in the Supreme Court Conference Room.   Annual Meeting was held in Atlanta where we visited the Botanical Garden to see the Chihuly Exhibit and/or the High Museum to see the Glories of Ancient Egypt Exhibit.  Dinner was at Abbey Restaurant, a church!

We ate great Mexican and Texan food during the meetings in El Paso during the Fall Board of Directors meeting.  We heard the Morman Tabernacle Choir rehearse during the Midyear meetings in Salt Lake City.  At the Annual Meeting in Chicago it was voted to add “Friend of the Bar” to the ALA membership.  The speaker at the luncheon was Jill McCall, Career Specialist with ABA Chicago Resource Center.  At this Annual Meeting , the 2004-05 High School Teacher of the Year became the first “Friend of the Bar” member and we toured the new ABA office.  

Met with staff in Chicago to discuss the function of the ABA office in order to prepare a Guidelines and Procedures handbook for the ALA staff assistant.  This was necessitated by the resignation of Jane Moisant ALA’s long time staff assistant.  The location of the midyear meeting was changed from New Orleans to Chicago because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.  The ALA Board voted to collaborate with Dianne Greco, wife of the ABA President, with “Let’s March On” to help replace the musical instruments lost by the schools in New Orleans.  Our year went from meetings in my home town of Washington, D. C. with a behind the scenes tour of the Capitol including an opportunity to sit in the well of the House.  We moved on to the Wild, Wild West of Fort Worth, Texas and finally across the ocean to our beautiful 50th state of Hawaii.  Among the Board actions taken during the year, we voted to include the spouses of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States as honorary members of the ALA; approved amendments to the bylaws which corrected grammatical errors; and created a new category of membership “Advocate” which opens membership in ALA to teachers and non-lawyers who are interested in law-related education.  

After being sworn in as President of the American Lawyers Auxiliary in Honolulu, we immediately undertook an in-depth review of our relationship with the staff and the cost of the services which we were receiving from the ABA. In the end, it was determined that our objectives could be better served by redirecting most of the money which we had been paying to the ABA for services to our various projects. As a consequence of our investigation and negotiations (with the great assistance of Jeanne Skilton, the President-Elect), we were able to free up over half of our annual budget for our support of legal education activities while still receiving, at no or very little cost, the same services from the ABA. We had a very productive year with an increased number of members participating on the Board and the various committees with representation from a greater range of states. Our fall meeting was in Sacramento with an outing to several of the Mother Lode wineries. Then we were off to Miami for the mid-year meeting and a fun evening in South Beach and then the long anticipated Spring meeting in Charleston, South Carolina and a wonderful carriage tour through the historical district. The year ended with the annual meeting in San Francisco and an awe-inspiring trip over the Golden Gate to the majestic redwoods in Muir Woods.

Published and distributed the first Auxiliary Resource Guide (Kitty O’Reilley and committee).  Started Auxiliary Support Program.  At the Annual Meeting in NYC, co-sponsored a forum (that was taped) with the ABA Coalition for Justice “Under Pressure: How to Keep the Courts Fair and Impartial”. Distributed (with LRE Chair Elaine Ross) LRE TOY Award applications and Elementary Curriculum at the ABA Public Education Division Conference in New Orleans. E-mailed frequent updates to board members.  Published an ALA Directory (with Membership/Database Chair, Sharon Chappelear) and sent them out as “thank you’s” for dues, life members and auxiliaries.  Started having the Board Chairs’ Midyear and Annual Reports e-mailed to entire Board instead of making copies and bringing to meetings.  Originated having just two full Board of Directors Meetings instead of four.  Executive Committee met in the spring at the ABA Building in Chicago.  Organized the Midyear meeting in New Orleans with state auxiliary members.    Organized private bus tour of Katrina and tour of WWII museum.  Planned meals at Arnaud’s and Galatoires.  Organized NYC Annual Meeting with Janet Bullinger.  Had private walking/eating ethnic tour and a bus tour (with ABA) that included Ground Zero.  Got great seats for “Jersey Boys” and “South Pacific”.  “Road trips” included: Des Moines (Polk Co. Installation Dinner), Washington DC (luncheon honoring spouses of the US Supreme Court), West Virginia (staff member), FL (Indian River County Auxiliary Luncheon), Milwaukee (lunch with former state auxiliary and ALA board members), Appleton, WI (funeral for Gertrude Brummund, past ALA President), and Lansing, MI (MLA meeting), and Houston (Installation of Texas Lawyers Auxiliary officers).  

In October I represented ALA in Washington DC as the National Capital Auxiliary hosted a luncheon to honor the spouses of the United States Supreme Court who are honorary members of ALA.  I attended the annual Dallas Lawyers Auxiliary Foundation’s charity fundraiser.  In November I went to Houston, Texas with Mary Ann Farris, Law Related Education Chair, to host our very first exhibit at the National Council for the Social Studies.  We distributed more than 800 packets of the newly revised “Laws, Rights, and Responsibilities” lessons, which are now on CD along with two mock trials performed by students from Saginaw Michigan Public Schools.  Our contacts touched college professors, state curriculum coordinators and classroom teachers from all over the United States and a few foreign countries.  We were entertained by Houston auxiliary members during our stay.  Our Mid-Year Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona was filled with constructive exchanges of ideas to move our organization forward while honoring our heritage of promoting the Rule of Law and the American Legal system.  Our guest speaker, retired Arizona Supreme Court Justice, Gary Nelson, had argued the original Miranda Case before the U. S. Supreme Court.  In March the Executive Committee met in Kansas City, Missouri to review the plans for the year and to refine the agenda for the Annual Meeting.  In May I traveled to Los Angeles to attend meetings with the Los Angeles Bench and Bar Spouses Auxiliary and the Law Guild of Beverly Hills.  As the ALA President during its 50th Anniversary, I have encouraged many past presidents to join us in Chicago at our celebration, which was chaired by past president, Cathryn Bomberger.   

 I was sworn in by the President of the Ohio State Bar Association at the ALA annual meeting in Chicago.  Five members of my home Auxiliary, the Columbus Bar Association Auxiliary, travelled from Columbus, Ohio to support me at my installation.  In October, I attended a luncheon meeting of the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary, honoring the spouses of the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, and was honored be to seated with the spouse of Chief Justice Roberts.  November found me in Atlanta, Georgia along with Mary Ann Farris and Lucy Harrison.  We staffed a booth at a conference of the National Council for Social Studies, and passed out promotional literature about the ALA and our Teacher of the Year awards.  Our midyear meeting was held in sunny Orlando, Florida.  In June I went to Ft. Worth, Texas, to the annual meeting of the State Bar of Texas.  In addition to attending a black-tie gala for the Texas Bar Foundation, I had the privilege of installing the officers of the Texas Lawyers Auxiliary.  In 2010 the ALA had 84 paid individual members, 84 life members, 22 local auxiliaries and 2 state auxiliaries.  Margaret Hampton from California received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Outstanding Individual Volunteer Award went to Aubrey Harris from Virginia.  We gave $500 each to 5 auxiliaries in our Auxiliary Support Program and we had three well-deserving teachers receive $1,500 each for our Teacher of Year awards. 

I became ALA President in September 2010 in San Francisco during the Annual Meeting.   What an honor for someone whose local auxiliary had been non-active for years.  My husband’s twin sister, Gay, and her husband Ken Kirkland joined us in San Francisco and were present when I was sworn in.  This made the event very special.  Gay loved the ALA group and they loved her!  I organized a Long-Range Planning Workshop that was held in Fort Worth in October.  The purpose was to explore the relevancy of ALA, our goals for the future, and a path to take to achieve these goals.  The workshop/retreat was titled “ALA-Relic or Relevant?” and was held at the Fort Worth Club in downtown Fort Worth.  I arranged for Tony Alvardo, Past Executive Director of the State Bar of Texas, to be the facilitator for our workshop.  After a day and a half of intense questions, discussions and brainstorming, we determined that the ALA is indeed relevant and set a course for change and purpose for the future.  I believe that those who attended were very proud of their association with the ALA and left the meeting with a greater commitment to the organization.  It was recommended by the group that the name American Lawyers Auxiliary be changed to American Lawyers Alliance.  A true highlight of my year as president was to attend the October Annual Luncheon honoring the spouses of the US Supreme Court, which is an annual NCLA event.  What a treat!  In February the primary topic of the ALA Mid-year Meeting was an in-depth report from the Long-Range Planning Workshop.  The Mission and Vision statements were revised after much discussion.  The recommendation to consider a name change was presented, discussed and tabled for future consideration.  During my year as ALA President, the ABA was in the process of updating and restructuring their website.  The ALA website at this time was part of the ABA website and was managed by ABA.    It was difficult to make changes in a timely manner, thus the information on our site was often outdated.  The ALA began to examine the possibility of creating and managing our own website.   I made two trips to Chicago to meet with ABA staff.    Sharon Chappelear and I learned from ABA tech staff how to create a new ALA website.  What a grand accomplishment for our organization.   It was exciting to be in Toronto for the 2011 ALA Annual Meeting and certainly an adventure for the ALA.   Katherine Sanders Reach, with the ABA, attended our meeting and presented the new ALA website.  What a pleasure to have worked with her and Josh Poje.   I have continued to manage our own, independent website.  www.americanlawyersalliance.org.   A new ALA Facebook group page was also formed and introduced at this meeting.   During the Toronto meetings the President’s gavel was passed to Natalie Aran.   Cheryl Lantz, President-Elect, accepted the gavel for Natalie because Natalie was in the hospital.  

Marc Staenberg, Beverly Hills Bar Association Executive Director installed the 2011-2012 Officers and Directors at the ALA Annual Meeting in Toronto.  I was installed in abstention and was disappointed not to be able to present the well-deserved gift to outgoing President, Lucy Harrison.  I was lucky to visit with the Texas Lawyers Auxiliary under the leadership of Jennifer Benesh and Grace Ann Vanderpool.  I also attended the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary Supreme Court Spouses Luncheon in Washington DC.  Rene Acosta, Nancy Butler, Sharon Chappelear, Lucy Harrison and Pauline Krieger were ALA Past Presidents who attended.   

What a wonderful time we had in New Orleans!  I could not believe (and am grateful for) how prompt everyone was.  We had much to be proud of.  Special thanks to Janet Bullinger for an incredible job planning our activities; everything was kept right on schedule.  The food was outstanding and we came home talking about the large meals.  We accomplished a great deal at both our Executive and Board of Directors meetings.  Mary Ellen Borgelt presented the monetary awards to well-deserving auxiliaries.  All the auxiliaries have done so much to promote law-related activities and encourage our youth to be good citizens.  Lucy Harrison did an outstanding job decorating the award dinner tables and making the winners feel very special.  Carol Reese (Santa Clara) and Cerlene Rose (National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary) won the Individual Volunteer Awards.  Eve Simons (Law Guild of Beverly Hills) and Jeanne Skilton (Michigan Lawyers Auxiliary, Grand Rapids Lawyers Auxiliary) won the Lifetime Achievement Awards; both women were truly deserving of this award.  Anne Santorelli did a tremendous job with the table programs, explaining why each awardee was nominated.   

Cheryl Lantz and I returned home after spending two nights and a whole day in Oklahoma.  Barbara Smallwood was a great hostess and provided us with a great itinerary.  We started the morning with the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor discussion before high school students.  This was televised to all the schools.  The Justice of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma sat across from Justice O’Connor and questions submitted by students were read to each.  Justice O’Connor congratulated Oklahoma on their implementation of the ICivics program in the schools.  The Justice stated that when given a test most students did not even know the branches of government.   Cheryl and I visited the site of the Oklahoma Federal Building Memorial.  It was so touching and if anyone is visiting Oklahoma City, they should not miss this memorial to all of the survivors and victims of the Oklahoma bombing.  The dinner that night consisted of many law school students and State Bar members.   Santa Clara County Law Advocates invited me to a luncheon and it was great to see old friends that belong to that auxiliary.  Janet and Lucy were busy to make the Chicago meeting fun.  We are not only a group of workaholics, but of social butterflies.  Our group is close-knit and we will be friends forever because we work for the same goals and are bound by the same purpose.  We only get together twice a year, but we have so much in common and so much to talk about during our time together.  Thank you for not only contributing, but being part of this sisterhood/brotherhood.  

A special delight for me was beginning my presidency by having my daughter swear me in, in Chicago, August 2012.  The organization had just that morning voted to change its name to American Lawyers Alliance.  The first project I worked on was contacting a graphic artist to design a new logo and stationery.  The Lady of Justice, in color, was chosen as our new emblem.  Also worked on changing our name with the IRS, bank accounts, the State of Illinois and our investment account.  As the year went on, the change had to be made on the “star” given to recipients of awards and also a new president’s vase was chosen with the new logo.  

Earlier I had traveled to Houston to install Lucy Harrison as the TLA president.  That fall I also attended the Washington D.C. group’s luncheon honoring the Supreme Court Justices’ spouses.  Our mid-year meeting was in Dallas, Texas, which I was unable to attend because of surgery I had recently had.  At that meeting the Auxiliary Support Awards were announced.  These are monetary awards going to many worthwhile auxiliaries for special projects.  Judy Weldy was also given the Individual Volunteer Award.  Before that meeting the By-Law Committee had thoroughly discussed needed changes to be made and grammatical mistakes corrected.  These were discussed and voted for by the Board of Directors, after which they were published in the spring newsletter, so they could be voted on in August at the General meeting.  That meeting was held in San Francisco in August, 2013.  There the by-law changes were approved.  We recognized our three outstanding Teacher of the Year finalists and they were presented their awards.  A combined incoming/outgoing presidents’ cocktail party was held in my suite overlooking the city.  It was a great success as everyone got to mingle with everyone.  That evening the new officers for 2013-2014 were sworn in by Guy Harrison.  Also, at that meeting we had a first for the organization, in that the Life Time Achievement Award was given to a couple, Linda and Robert Jarvis.  My year was enhanced by a fabulous board that worked together diligently.  I will always appreciate them for helping me keep American Lawyers Alliance’s legacy moving into the future.

My year as President of the American Lawyers Alliance gave me insight into just how dedicated our membership is.  We have talented, smart women who are committed to ensuring that ALA is the best it can be.  I was thrilled to be a guest at the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary annual luncheon for the spouses of the Supreme Court Justices.  What a treat to meet Mrs. Thurgood Marshall – she would liven up any party!  Even though the capital was shut down because of the sequester, it didn’t affect anything we did! Usually a tragedy or sad event brings people closer.  However, for our hardy group of ALA ladies, the cold and snow of Chicago in February bonded our souls together as nothing else could have!  With temperatures below zero at night, and in the single digits in the daytime, with the ever-present Chicago winds, we still managed to have such a great time!  

A record 11 auxiliaries received money from the ALA to continue their good work.  I travelled to Wichita, Kansas, to deliver the check to their auxiliary and had a delightful lunch with their Board.  However, being the Midwest, it was 78 degrees when I left home, and 45 when I arrived in Wichita!  We were all very proud to see Kitty O’Reilley receive the ALA Lifetime Achievement Award!  Not only is Kitty very involved in the national ALA group, she generously gives of her time to the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary as well.  And she travels with her husband all over the world, and she is also planning two weddings this year!  Our hats are off to you, Kitty. Ann Catchick received the Outstanding Volunteer Award, but she was unable to attend the meeting.  However, Jeanne Skilton delivered the award to her on their trip to Florida this Spring.  We hope Ann will be able to join us for a meeting in the future!  As usual, Janet and Lucy planned wonderful outings for us.  A highlight was the Ebony Fashion Show at the Chicago History Museum.  It was a truly nostalgic visit to the past with fabulous clothes from the past 50 years or so.  I can’t imagine wearing most of them, but some of the dresses were outstanding! My favorite meal was at the Ukrainian restaurant – who knew that country would be in the news soon after!  We were all at the long table and shared everything!  It was great fun and delicious!  

I view my year as an ‘organizational’ one.  We adopted a Conflict of Interest Statement, a Document Retention Policy, and an Ethics code.  We shared ideas and found ways to better promote LRE among our auxiliaries and alliances.  I will always treasure my year as president and the close friends that I have made because of that honor.

The 2014-2015 ALA officers were installed in Boston.  The officers were installed by my husband, John.  My son Matthew and his wife Katie traveled to Boston for the installation.  Regrettably, this year we lost two local affiliates.  Santa Clara County Law Advocates and Richmond Lawyers Auxiliary are no longer viable.  However, Jefferson County Bar Association Auxiliary in Beaumont, Texas has been re-established.  Lucy Harrison received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Awards Luncheon that was held at the Grove Restaurant in downtown Houston.  Also, we honored two other Texas ladies, Carolyn Clark and Phyllis Dent with the Outstanding Volunteer Award.  We honored Amy Dunn Taylor by giving her an Honorary Membership. We had a record number of applications for the Teacher of the Year.  The Auxiliary Support Committee awarded $4,000 to twelve auxiliaries from all over the U.S.  

We made a by-law change that changed the name of In-House Donations to Tribute-Memorial Fund.  Our website was greatly expanded this year.  As of August 31, 2015, we were released early from our rental obligation at the ABA Headquarters in Chicago.  This will free up monies to further support our projects.  There is a plan for retention of important papers.  We have had a very successful new project—Giving Back to the Community.  We donated a total of over 300 children’s books to a local charity and underprivileged school in Houston and to Kaleidoscope 4 Kids in Chicago.  A Booklet “What We Believe” was created to hand out to prospective ALA members.  

There were several highlights to my personal year.  Certainly, the two invitations I received to attend National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary events were highly memorable.  I attended their luncheon honoring the Supreme Court spouses, and I later attended their Essay Contest Awards Ceremony, held in the Supreme Court Building.  John and I were especially privileged to receive a private tour of the Supreme Court conducted by Supreme Court Docent Janet Bullinger.  Another highlight was helping host the Mid-Year ALA Meeting in my hometown Houston.  Our local auxiliary, the Houston Bar Association Auxiliary (HBAA), was very supportive of the ALA.  The HBAA donated numerous children’s books for our new book drive project.  The HBAA hosted a cocktail party for the ALA.  It was great fun to help organize and showcase some good restaurants and interesting places to visit in Houston.  For me personally, it was a special joy to experience two organizations, which over the years I have devoted time and energy to support, working harmoniously side by side.  The most important highlight was working with such an outstanding group of ladies this year.  I look back on a wonderful year of daily interaction with many capable and dear friends.  That is truly a special treat for which I thank you each and all.  

It has been an extreme honor and pleasure to serve as President of the American Lawyers Alliance.  The elected and appointed Board members were incredible to work with from the moment of their official election and confirmation.  The Executive Committee, Directors, Standing and Special Committee Chairs kept the ALA running like a well-oiled machine during the 2015-2016 Board year.  Following the Annual Meeting, I began my tenure by submitting articles for the newsletters.  I corresponded with committee chairs regarding membership rolls, the recognition of members as Outstanding Individual Volunteer and Lifetime Achievement awardees and the arrangements for the Mid-year meeting in San Diego, California.  I thoroughly reviewed the Guidelines for Committee Chairs with the goal of bringing them up to date.  At the mid-year meeting, the Executive Committee moved the revisions forward to be presented to the Board.   Having the jobs of the Chairs accurately described will assist in selection of members to fill those positions.  In October, I attended the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary Luncheon for Supreme Court spouses.  The event, held at the Congressional Country Club, was a lovely occasion.  I was welcomed as the ALA President.  Two of my table partners were retired Army General William Suter, former Clerk of the Supreme Court, and Mrs. Antonin Scalia.  The conversation was lively and political, reflecting the election year.    After the untimely death of Justice Scalia, I wrote a sympathy note to Mrs. Scalia on behalf of the ALA. 

The February Mid-year meeting included the recognition of Sharon Chappelear as the ALA Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Janet Bullinger as ALA Outstanding Individual Volunteer winner.  Also, on the agenda were the ALA Book Donation and the Auxiliary Support Award programs.  Through the internet, I was able to find Olive Crest as a suggestion for the Book Donation recipient.  Lucy Harrison selected this organization and the Director attended the meeting to thank us for opening the hearts and minds of children through books.  Following the completion of the meeting agenda, the State and Local Auxiliaries were rewarded for their work in furthering the tenets of the ALA.  The meeting ran smoothly and we had time to have a round table discussion of programs and issues of ALA local auxiliaries.

It was a high honor to serve as President of the American Lawyers Alliance, 2016 -17, alongside such an outstanding group of women, all seasoned volunteers, who gave generously of their time and support throughout the year. I want to particularly thank the State Bar of Texas for inviting all of us to be their guests at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel at a Reception Honoring Texas Lawyers in Elected or Appointed Positions in ABA — with congratulations on my election printed in the invitation and a proclamation read in my honor by State Bar President Frank Stevenson. High above the city in the famed Starlight Room, I’ll remember it for a lifetime. Being Texas-born and bred, Roger and I hosted the Installation Luncheon at Neiman Marcus San Francisco with special guest Chelsea Hollow of the San Francisco Grand Opera who sang an aria and “America the Beautiful.” My Theme was “Don’t Forget to be Awesome” and to illustrate it, I shared Texas’ pride in Helen Corbitt, whose Zodiac Room fame at Neiman’s downtown Dallas flagship store endeared her to the world. In Texas, it was an honor to attend Houston Bar Association Auxiliary’s Kickoff Luncheon in a beautiful home with such a great turnout and with Sue Bennett. The Austin Lawyers Auxiliary warmly honored me at their Couples Dinner, and Texas Lawyers Auxiliary Board Meeting reports were always well received. I thank everyone so much for their inspiration.

In D.C., in October, it was THE HONOR OF A LIFETIME to attend the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary Annual Luncheon Honoring The Spouses of The Justices of The US Supreme Court. I sat next to Mrs. Anthony Kennedy and with my superb DC host, Janet Bullinger. Justice Scalia had recently passed away in Texas. It was my honor to express deepest sympathies, both personally and on behalf of our State, to Mrs. Scalia and her daughter. The luncheon was capped off with violinists, lively Cerene Rose at the piano, a beautiful day, full house and presentation by Nordstrom’s fashion director from New York. The Miami Mid-Year Meeting was absolutely stunning. We had a full house of Board Members who gave generously of their time and thought into the day’s Long Range Planning Session, which yielded great insight and inspiration. Here is a Quick Summary: Message Basics: Mainly, we learned that to adapt to the current era (short attention spans) we needed to ‘ditch heavy mission statements,’ always share our full name, and give it (the mission) in two or three short sentences. Growth: Memberships in volunteer groups are in decline (we are not alone) across the country. To counteract, we brainstormed where we might find support now. Who, when, where and why others might join? Noting that travel is a barrier, we decided we could focus on spouses of lawyers (and lawyers) who are active in similar groups in the ABA. Strategic Follow-Through: Invite Officers and their spouses who are active in the 1) National Conference of Bar Presidents, 2) Bar Foundations, and 3)Bar Executives to an ALA event in New York. Wear bright ALA Name Badges, say our full name and be more of a welcoming presence at ABA.

At the Board Meeting, twelve auxiliaries were recognized with beautiful certificates and $4,000 from our Treasury. Pauline Kreiger was applauded for her $1,000 donation and sharp thinking. The Miami-Dade County Head Start Program was the recipient of our book donation. The handbook (Guidelines and Procedures) needed as written orientation for future Board Members is progressing. Sue Patterson received the Volunteer of the Year Award, and approval for Barbara Smallwood to explore getting a better return on our Carr Fund investments resulted in putting $100,000 in Blackrock and receiving greater returns. Our group was also enthralled with the Yard Bird in South Beach dinner and tours arranged by Janet Bullinger — who immediately started working on our New York fun! 

Judges Who Promote Civic Education. Under New Business at Kitty O’Reilley’s TOY Committee Meeting, Kitty pointed to the recent New York Times story, “Teaching Students that Judge Judy is Not a Supreme Court Justice,” which introduced us to the educational efforts of Judge Robert A. Katzmann, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, New York. We decided it would be worthwhile to also recognize a judge involved in civic education with an award, and to include it at the TOY Breakfast where three outstanding teachers are being recognized. In preparation for the New York Board Meeting, Mary Ellen wrote the Letter to Judge Katzmann, maintained contact throughout, and booked The Yale Club of New York for the Awards Breakfast. Mary Ellen and Lucy sent letters AND invitations to 40-plus lawyers and their spouses active in the similar groups, inviting them to our Awards Breakfast. Kitty expanded her invitations to previous attendees and key individuals, and secured a handwritten personal note from retired Justice David Souter to read to the winning teacher from their home state of New Hampshire. She also secured the attendance of D.C. auxiliary friend Janis Lamberth and her spouse, Senior Judge Royce Lamberth. Lucy contacted the Catholic Guardian Services of New York to receive our book donation. Evelyn Albright proposed increasing the Auxiliary Support Awards amount to $5,000. Janet booked exciting dinners at affordable restaurants and tickets to the Broadway musical, “Warpaint.” Newsletter deadlines were met with Jeanne Skilton as Editor, my Letters to the Board were sent to inform and inspire, and a full slate of officers, with Anne Santorelli as Incoming President, was readied for presentation and a vote. 

In the midst of these busy preparations, I had THE HONOR OF A LIFETIME attending The National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary 41st Annual Law Day Essay Contest Awards Ceremony, held at The United States Supreme Court with Justice Sotomayor in attendance as the official sponsor. Mrs. Thurgood Marshall was seated on the front row of a SRO audience of proud parents and teachers who witnessed the very happy, smiling, well-dressed fifth graders as each went to the podium and read his or her winning essay. The Board and Annual Meetings in New York were fabulous. Throughout the year, our Treasurer, Sharon Chappelear, kept us on-track financially and our Secretary, Rita Thompson, turned out the Minutes with accuracy and precision.  The Awards Breakfast at The Yale Club of New York was superlative with warmly welcomed ABA guests and a riveting videotaped acceptance from Judge Katzmann and remarks by his friend and colleague, Senior Judge Royce Lamberth, elevating the stellarevent.

I am grateful for all the preparations on the part of each and every Board Member for this meeting in New York, which resulted in its complete success and enjoyment. I so appreciate the exquisite hospitality and warmth shown each Special Guest at the Awards Breakfast attended by the outstanding teachers, their families, and their State Bar Presidents. You were all “AWESOME.”

I close with great heartfelt gratitude, Mary Ellen

This year as President has been a great honor and wonderful experience. The 2017-2018 Board have been a joy to work with, and have made my job so much easier, as well as enabling the ALA to have a very successful year.  August and September - commenced planning for the Mid-Year meeting in Vancouver, BC with Lucy Harrison and Janet Bullinger; wrote new President’s message for the website; communicated with Texas and Florida auxiliaries after hurricanes Harvey and Irma; wrote message for September newsletter, which told members of various award deadlines and information on Mid-Year Meeting, and stressed my goal to communicate as much as possible this year with members. 

October -attended annual luncheon hosted by the National Capital Lawyers Auxiliary at the Congressional Club in Bethesda, MD for the spouses of the Justices of the Supreme Court. I wrote an update email to the membership after this event, and again reminded members of various award deadlines and to send in their dues.  December and January – wrote a message for the January newsletter, which included registration information about the Mid-Year Meeting.   Reminders on deadline dates for applications for these awards and payment of annual dues were also included.  February -Sixteen board members attended our January 31-February 2 Mid-Year Meeting at the Four Seasons in Vancouver, B.C.  A total of 29 people registered for our events.  At our Board Meeting on February 1, we announced and distributed the Auxiliary Support Awards totaling $5,000 to ten Auxiliaries.  At our Awards Breakfast, we awarded Gina Rebman of Texas with the Outstanding Individual Volunteer Award and Martha Ann Franco of Texas with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  March and April – Prepared another message for Spring Newsletter and continued to communicate with the Chairs of the Meeting and Planning Committee and the TOY and JCE Award Committees.   May - I returned to Washington D. C. to attend the 42nd Annual NCLA Law Day Essay Contest Awards at the U. S. Supreme Court.  As a supporter of this event, I gave a short speech about ALA and why we thought this event so important.  

June – I prepared my final message for the June Newsletter, which included informing our membership that our 2018 Judicial Civic Education Award would be given to The Honorable Judge Ronald W. Lowe of Michigan.   We also announced the winners of the 2018 Teacher of the Year Awards.  The winners were Daniel Bachman of Massapequa High School, Massapequa, New York; Chris Cavanaugh of Plainfield High School in Plainfield, Indiana; and Catherine Ruffing of Centreville High School, Clifton, Virginia.    August – Our Annual Meeting took place from August 1-4 at the Swissotel in Chicago and 22 board members attended.  At our Executive and Board meetings, we voted to budget no more than $1,000 for 2018-2019 for retaining and electronic storage of all documents, minutes and historical items including photos.  We also voted to have the President, President Elect and Immediate Past President be two-year terms, and no second vice president, just a vice president for one-year term length.  New 2018 Procedures and Guidelines, prepared by Nancy Butler over the past couple of years, where handed out.  We also gave books to the Headstart Programs of the Chicago YMCA and heard about their programs.  The Awards Breakfast took place on August 3 at the University Club of Chicago.  That evening we had a wonderful dinner cruise on the Odyssey ship.  We also had wonderful evenings at RPM Italian and Tommy Gun’s Garage, and many members went to the Museum of Science and Industry, all arranged seamlessly by Janet Bullinger.  On August 4 we met at the Swissotel for the Installation of our new President, Joette Reger, who presided over the New Board Meeting.  

I was honored that Guy Harrison did the Installation in San Francisco of the ALA 2019-2020 Officers and Directors.  And then the work started.  The board was very agreeable in working, but some of the ladies wanted a change in their positions.   What could be wrong with that?  And nothing was.  We continued to operate as the well oiled machine that the ALA  always is!

Kitty O’Reilley had been giving much thought to a brochure that would better advertise our mission and goals to “promote understanding of the American Legal system through our national network of lawyers spouses.”  So, she took on chairman of the Marketing and Long Range Planning Committee.  Barbara Smallwood stepped up as TOY Awards Chair.   A Judicial Civic Education Award  was added to our list of awards so we are now giving five civic awards and they all needed Chairmen and committees/helpers.  Of course, we filled those positions. 

All was going well and we were anticipating our mid-year meeting in Austin on February 14 2020.  Awards were presented and a good time had by all.  The Austin Lawyers Auxiliary with Joette Reger and Lucy Harrison certainly made that happen.  We did have a very large black cloud hanging over our heads that would be CDC mandates trying to control our comings and goings.  The shut-down, as it will become known, came right after our successful Austin meeting.

We are a very resilient group of people so we became very familiar with ZOOM and the members hardly ever missed a beat.  

The Nominating committee came forward with a slate willing to take on the duties no matter whether in person or on ZOOM.  We made plans for the Annual meeting at the end of the year, but that wasn’t easy because we were in quarantine, no airline flights, most people not wanting to travel, so back to ZOOM.  The vote for officers and directors for 2020-2021 took place and the group goes on.

MY SINCERE thanks go  to all who helped with this year while I was in office as the President.   If you are reading this, you are included. 

Gratefully

Jaquie Rothermel

American Lawyers Alliance

President  2019-2020

What an honor and a privilege it was for me to serve as the new American Lawyers Alliance President for 2021-2022!  

First, a very hearty shout-out to Rita Thompson, who, over the past year, has led us through a most unusual season.  Despite having no in-person events, she has managed to keep us wonderfully informed and connected through her monthly ‘Coffee Chats.’  Like a maestro conducting a fine orchestra, she has kept ALA moving forward through this adversarial year with our Auxiliary Awards, Teachers of the Year, and our new Lillian B. Jarvis Award - all without missing a beat!

What We Accomplished...

We took a a multi-prong approach to taking our organization to the next level: 

1. First and foremost, we increases our membership with fresh, ambitious, hard-working individuals who strive to keep law-related education in our schools a priority.  With my new Membership Outreach Program, we were able to identify many potential new members who added value to ALA. 
2. We rolled out the new $10,000 Jurgemeyer Scholarship.
3. As our auxiliaries are the backbone of this organization, with the extra effort of our Auxiliary Liaison, we were able to keep them in the loop with us and us in the loop with them by getting monthly updates from each chapter on the exciting things they are up to and to recognize them accordingly.
4. We re-activated our Honorary Membership category and increased membership by making our past TOY winners and other VIP's Honorary Members. 
5. I maintained excellent communication by continuing with our monthly ALA News You Can Use and expanding its topics to include dates and deadlines, interesting articles, welcoming new members, auxiliary spotlights, plus lots of other fun things.
6. I updated our website to include ‘job descriptions’ for the various committee chairs, had a downloadable version of our letterhead, as well as easy access member email lists.
7. We hosted our first in-person Midyear Meeting on April 6-9, 2022 in San Antonio during Fiesta and had a terrific time!