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VOL. 1 NO. 1
January 2008
membership update:
A report from the SOC Membership Committee
diversity matters
The ABA's New Diversity Center: How May We
Help You?
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guest column
An ABA Update
By Henry F. White, Jr., ABA Executive Director
 Thank you for the opportunity to comment in your first edition of the SOC e-News. Since the SOC, I have met twice with SOC Chair Deborah Enix-Ross to discuss and begin execution of the projects you identified at the SOC and with which you wish to engage. Some of these projects are already moving forward within the construct of the ABA's five internal priorities for FY 2008 and we are producing results. They are: Communications, Membership, Non-Dues Revenue, Planning and Human Resources. It's time for a short update.
Communications
Internal. We have developed an internal communications plan that, among other devices, consists of all staff meetings twice yearly, key manager meetings each quarter, senior manager planning meetings twice a month, monthly staff section directors meetings (to be attended by myself every other month) and weekly in-house lunchtime brown bags to educate our staff on all that is going on in the ABA. When in the office, I attend these brown bags and answer any questions on any ABA subject the staff attending might have. The principle is simple—communicate, communicate, communicate!!! We can never do enough!
External. After January 1, 2008, we will continue development and execution of an ongoing, robust external communication strategy to inform members and the general public of the work of the ABA through its sections, divisions, forums, committees and commissions, among others. And this effort will include ideas from all corners of the ABA and provide the Standing Committee on Strategic Communications opportunity for guidance.
Membership
Every Monday morning, Mary Cavallini, Director for Professional Programs, Membership and Marketing and Diane Bruhl, Director of Membership and Marketing meet with me to discuss membership numbers and trends. From these discussions, we are developing reports which not only inform us what the numbers are but how we are obtaining members, what markets need attention and what message should we be transmitting. As all know, enhanced ABA membership means not only a stronger ABA working for the good of the profession but also an opportunity to network for increased business opportunities. A very important adjunct to these efforts is development of retention plans and the opportunity for the Standing Committee on Membership to provide direction.
Non Dues Revenue
We are bringing together all of the key staff individuals associated with non dues revenue on a regular basis to develop the game plans to seize "low hanging fruit" and to prioritize and plan opportunities for the long term. The intent is to develop a robust menu of opportunities with which the Standing Committee on Non Dues Revenue can provide guidance.
Planning
Dolores Gedge and her great planning team, who reported directly to me, was shifted on December 1, 2007 into what is now called the Planning, Policy and Governance group. Using the extensive historical memory of what was the Policy and Governance group combined with Dolores' planning team, we hope to establish a plan of action and milestones for FY 2008 and beyond that will first include all of the major ABA internal programs such as the development of information systems, work spaces and real estate and the integration of our new Interactive Department which is creating a new, world class website. We look to the Standing Committee on Technology and Information Systems (SCOTIS) and the Long Term Planning Committee to provide additional vision in this area.
Human Resources
Human Resources has been moved from the Finance Group and reports to me directly. I am committed to developing a top-flight Human Resources Department and we are moving quickly to implement career paths, market compensation and training for ABA employees.
Some think that bringing the ABA central staff to a position of prominence may be too challenging but I disagree. We have great staff people and with your ideas we are unbeatable. The vision is simple—you, the members, join the ABA to engage in extraordinary, important work and we, your staff, by using the combined influence of the ABA's members and activities, can produce the most cost effective, most efficient support systems possible. This won't happen over night but I look forward to working with all of you to meet these challenges and engage in a very exciting 2008! Thank you for all your help.
The SOC e-News is published three times a year by the Section Officers Conference (SOC). Each issue will contain information and resources specially designed for Section, Division and Forum officers. Please feel free to contact us with your comments or questions, so we may include them in future editions.
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