From the President

I want to express my sincere appreciation to our Immediate Past President, Britney McPheron, who steadfastly led the MRWBA through the past bar year.  It was a daunting task to take on a leadership role as our city, counties, and communities were shuttered and so many individuals and organizations struggled.  Britney guided our association through the pandemic with confidence, patience, and a sense of humor.  And thank you to all of the Board members and our Administrator, Mary Kidd, who creatively pivoted to transform our programming to an all-virtual environment.

During the past bar year, as we were tucked away in our home offices and meeting only online, the MRWBA Board collaborated with a consulting team to develop a Strategic Plan for the organization.  The Board looked back at what we are proud of as an organization and how we can better serve our members and community moving forward.  As we progress through the 2021-2022 bar year, you will learn more about the Strategic Plan and help us implement the following themes which emerged during the planning process:

• Less is More
• Diversity Required to Represent Women in the Bar
• Inclusivity/Pathways to Leadership
• Honoring the Past While Moving Into the Future
• Use Our Power in Promotion of Members
• Membership Value + Requests for More
• Strengthening Our Internal Operations, Structure, and Capacity

This summer, as we cautiously step out of our pandemic bubbles and back into the “real world,” I think it is important for each of us to consider what lessons we have learned and what we want to take with us into the future.  Personally I treasure the flexibility, resilience, grace, patience, simplicity, and the intentionality I observed.   We learned how to cope, and dared to thrive, in unfamiliar situations and forbidding circumstances.  I realize that I desire more balance in my life, more time to focus on health and wellness, and the opportunity to reunite with colleagues, friends, and family who I couldn’t see in person. 

I encourage you to develop your own Strategic Plan--think about what the past year has taught you about your own life, both personally and professionally, and how you can strike a comfortable balance for yourself, your family, and your community in the future.

I look forward to reconnecting with all of you!

Mollie Barton