NATLE FYI

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

The 4th Monday Zoom Series was a free-flowing exchange of innovative ideas.  The discussion ranged from membership recruiting to sponsors to calendar apps.  It was recorded in case you need a way to spend an hour…you might pick up a pearl.  Passcode: @R8+G#w#

A working group met with Kent to discuss evolutionary ideas that go beyond listservs.  The group was formed back in August during the presentation from Kent on their Listserv Survey results.  Billed as a listening session, the group highlighted the requests they’d heard from their membership, ie. more mobile-friendly tools, Slack-like functionality, and a little anonymity to ask "dumb questions”.  Given the expressed sense of urgency and the need to be on the cutting edge, Kent said their next step will be to conduct focus groups with attorney volunteers.  He is collecting names, though he didn’t list any criteria.  Please reach out to him if you have young/tech-savvy members who might be valuable to the discussion.  It was recorded.  Passcode: F1&F7V*Z

The Annual Meeting Planning Committee met to go over the proposed guest speaker, Amanda Kaiser, and her fee, the registration, and to fill out the agenda.  We’re excited about the speaker and hope that TLA staff in the membership director roles will be motivated and able to attend.  We don’t yet know where our program will be, ie. the Marriott vs. the convention center, so estimating the F&B and A/V is on hold.  AAJ has updated their main convention page, but there’s no registration link.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…Cue the Darth Vader music.  Yep, it’s going to be a tax prep weekend, and not just mine.  I’ll get together with my dad to sort out his forms and receipts for his accountant on Sunday afternoon.  With the coming snowstorm expected to bring another 6 to 12 inches, you’ll find me on my XC skis at Camel’s Hump at some point before I have to sharpen my pencil.

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

The Affinity & Justice Partner Working Group is submitting a recommendation for a potential new partner, Four Pillars Research, for this Committee’s approval at our March meeting.  The agenda/packet is in progress.

I had lunch this week with a friend who is the Assistant Vice President for Alumni & Donor Relations at my alma mater, The University of Vermont.  We talked about a lot of things, but the reason I bring this up is because of their internship program.  It’s ripe with students looking for short-term projects and she’d help us submit job description(s).  For example, part of the Strategic Planning goals is developing customizable templates for social media posts, marketing, and advocacy.  (Here’s a link to UVM’s style guide that might serve as a model for the variety of templates that we can provide.)  While you’re brainstorming approaches to getting from A to Z with your SP Team, consider out-of-the-box resources like your local colleges and universities!

The Annual Meeting Planning Committee has filled out with representatives from blue states and red, large and small TLA, big staffs and little.  They will meet next week to finalize the registration fee and discuss the agenda.  The AAJ room block rate is $269-$299/night with the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Residence Inn Philadelphia, and the Loews (for overflow).  AAJ’s registration page isn’t yet available, so stay tuned.

Ringler Associates has committed to sponsoring our Membership Luncheon in Philly and I’ll reach out to SBA Funding about their Mimosa Break next week.  We have several sponsorship opportunities at the Annual Meeting in July.  If you know of a potential Justice Partner who might appreciate this initial introduction to NATLE, please point them in my direction.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…if any of you have parents who were recommended for a senior’s driving test, perhaps by their PCP, you know it’s a touchy subject.  I alluded to a conversation several months ago in this space that I started to have with my father about his driving skills.  It was short and I quickly realized I wasn’t the best messenger.  I should have known better, he’s avowed for decades that “they would have to pry the keys from my cold, dead hands.”  Well, I thought, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.  He was scheduled for a test this past Tuesday and asked an old med school classmate to go with him.  When the call to let me know how it went never came, I thought maybe that meant the worst, and I didn’t want to call and poke that bear.  Turns out, the test was postponed a month because the assessor wasn’t available.  Friends’ parents have lost their driving privileges, so I understand the loss is real.  Someday, though...

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

“Membership” is the clear winner in the tally of most wanted topics from recent surveys.  The Annual Meeting Planning Committee is answering the call and is in negotiations to feature a speaker who conducts her presentations with workshops on engaging members.  She emphasizes that every position within the association is Membership – from the c-suite to the bookkeeper.  Anyone who comes in contact with a member represents the association and can benefit from the workshop exercises and envisioning how to adapt the ideas within their own TLA.  The hope is that this session will justify including as many TLA staff as possible.  Additional Planning Committee members are being recruited and the full committee will meet again soon.  In the meantime, AAJ is locking down room blocks with the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Residence Inn Philadelphia, and the Loews, so we should have information on our meeting location within the next few weeks.

The Affinity & Justice Partner Working Group met on Tuesday to review three potential new partners, Trial Structure, Four Pillars Research, and NITA.  Once the Working Group’s follow-up questions have been answered by the applicants, this Exec Committee will receive a recommendation.

We have several sponsorship opportunities at the Annual Meeting in July.  If you know of a potential Justice Partner who might appreciate this initial introduction to NATLE, please point them in my direction.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…I had my second shingles vaccine shot on Tuesday morning.  Spoiler alert…I survived despite the horror stories people feel strangely obligated to share.  A little backstory first…I treat myself to a monthly chef-hosted, 5-course dinner as often as I can.  Since it’s at his (and his wife’s) home, the group is limited to no more than 14, and we all sit around a big dining table in their living room.  I’ve been going to these dinners since 2018 (though not at all during the pandemic), and I remember the first time I heard someone make a comment that clearly revealed how he leaned politically.  I held my breath thinking, “this might be the moment I decide whether or not I feel comfortable coming in the future”.  Turns out, I was among a dozen like-(me)-minded intellectuals all very in-tune with the issues and personalities on the evolving political stage.  (Whew, I exhaled.)  Back to my shot…I’m on the younger end of the age spectrum with this group, so I felt OK sharing that I was about to have my second Shingrix dose.  I’m sure she thought she was doing me a favor by preparing me for the worst, but the woman across from me at last Saturday’s dinner said that after her second shot, she found herself curled up and drooling on her bathroom floor with terrible chills.  Ugh, why?  At most, she could have just said that everyone tolerates vaccines differently, and I’ll be fine.  So, yes, other than a red rash on my neck, I am fine, thank you.

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

The evaluations from the Winter Meeting are coming in and they’re all very positive.  Ben Goldstein, Steve Pontoni, and Barbara Jorden kept the program humming and as one evaluator wrote, “the format was great - just enough structure to keep things moving and yet enough time for the free flow of ideas. Thank you to the brilliant and generous members of NATLE."  Most respondents are happy with the Sat/Sun shift in programming.  I’m also collecting answers from a separate survey to non-attendees to understand the factors that went into the decision to skip it.  So far, “budget” and “busy time of year” are the main reasons.

I’m always jazzed after a conference – loving the ideas that come from the variety of attendees (staff and ED, newbies and long-timers).  Following up on several of them this week has included:

• Adding social media fields to member records
• Sending a save-the-date announcement for the Annual Meeting
• Creating a “directory” of conference registrants (with headshots) that will go out the week ahead of future meetings

The Annual Meeting Planning Committee will meet on Monday with Valerie O'brien, and co-chairs Paul Dullea and Griffin Gillis.  We received a great list of topic suggestions from the two surveys (mentioned above) and we’ve heard the call to include more programming for staff.  I'll send an announcement as soon as I get wind that AAJ’s convention registration page and hotel room block come open.

Our Affinity & Justice Partner Working Group is also meeting next week to review three potential new partners, one of which has already committed to becoming a Silver JP and all three want to join us in Philadelphia.

If you think of it when you speak to your Ringler Associates rep, please thank them for sponsoring one of our working lunches in Phoenix.  Also, Strategic Capital provided "wellness bags", SBA Funding kept us fresh with gum, and the Arizona Association for Justice plied us with boxes of delectable brownies!

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…on the first night in Phoenix, I had dinner with Barbara Jorden and Christina Busso at a restaurant named, ComicX, and (congrats) it’s not a big leap to assume that it’s superhero-themed.  I should have taken a pic of us with the Hulk, but he looked angry…or maybe that was his happy face…I can never tell with him.  We sat on the bar side where the décor is a mixture of DC and Marvel memorabilia.  On one wall, we each commented on the 9¾ train platform to Hogwarts – a clear reference to Harry Potter.  In the storyline, that platform isn’t visible to muggles.  Could we be…?!

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

It’s not too late to suggest any questions or ideas you’d like brainstormed during the Winter Meeting in Phoenix.  A Working Lunch for the purpose of brainstorming our Strategic Planning goals will take place tomorrow at noon (MT).  Barbara and I will co-facilitate this session and all responses will be shared with you after the conference.  Please make any additions to the shared document (spreadsheet) so we have the latest information to work with when we describe your planned action items, expectations/outcomes, and milestones.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…I’m hoping I thaw out on the flights to Phoenix today.  The temps in South Burlington are in the single digits below zero this morning.  Bringing only a light jacket meant for a chilly dash in from the airport parking garage.

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

Our Zoom Series on Monday was an informative presentation from Jennifer Adams, Editor in Chief of AAJ’s Trial magazine, on the findings from their recent reader survey.  The recording (Passcode: !8SKJ.sy) isn’t from the beginning, but Jennifer shared her PPT which was very self-explanatory.  (I forwarded the PPT and their article submission guidelines to the registrants.)

During the Winter Meeting in Phoenix, we will have a Working Lunch to brainstorm for our Strategic Planning teams.  If you're interested in getting involved, please let me know and we'll find the best team strategy for you.  If your team has any questions or ideas you’d like brainstormed, this is your chance!  Barbara and I will co-facilitate and all responses will be shared after the conference with your team leader to work into your goals.

If you are planning to attend the Winter Meeting, please register so I can provide an accurate count for the hotel this afternoon.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…now that Vermont actually has snow – enough to make a decent base on the trails – I’m getting together with a few friends on Sunday for our first XC ski day.  This full-body exercise gets the blood pumping and gives the lungs a workout.  The hair-raising downhills make all of the uphills totally worth it.  Even the occasional face-plant is a price I willingly pay for the chance to get outside and enjoy the birds, the woods, and the gift of good friends (who never tell anyone how high your voice gets as you shriek your way down a narrow, windy, tree-lined trail).

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

The Executive Committee met on Tuesday and delivered reports from each of the respective Strategic Plan teams.  If you had indicated an interest in participating on a team, by now you will have had an initial meeting to discuss action items, expectations/outcomes, and milestones.  If you're interested in getting involved, please let me know and we'll find the best team strategy for you.

Please join us this coming Monday for January’s installment of our Zoom Series.  Jennifer Adams, Editor in Chief of AAJ’s Trial magazine, will report on the findings from their recent reader survey and highlight takeaways for TLA publications.

Registration for our Winter Meeting in Phoenix is up to 26.  I’ve heard from one member who said AAJ’s room block for Saturday night is full and the hotel won’t budge to let AAJ expand the block.  There is a list of nearby hotels on AAJ’s website.  The NATLE event page is open for business!

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…YES!!  The sailboat has been sold to a nice couple and they are coming back tomorrow to hitch it up and tow it away.  Now it’s just the smaller sailboat, two canoe trailers, the enclosed trailer (a totally pimped out toy box with a price tag that scares people off), the 24’ Atlantic Salmon fishing canoe, and a gorgeous handmade wooden canoe.  Oh, and those last two have never touched water!

Good Afternoon and Happy Freaky Friday!

Just a reminder that the Executive Committee has its next meeting on January 17 and a big portion of the agenda will be discussing the Strategic Plan, as well as looking ahead to where we should be by the March EC meeting.  If you had indicated an interest in participating on a team, by now you will have had an initial meeting to discuss action items, expectations/outcomes, and milestones.

The Zoom Series this month, Monday, January 23, will be Jennifer Adams, Editor in Chief of AAJ’s Trial magazine.  She will report on the findings from their recent reader survey and highlight takeaways for TLA publications.  Please join us!

Registration for our Winter Meeting in Phoenix is up to 25.  I’ve heard from one member who said AAJ’s room block for Saturday night is full and the hotel won’t budge to let AAJ expand the block.  There is a list of nearby hotels on AAJ’s website.  The NATLE event page is open for business!

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…After treasuring a blissful two weekends in a row without a trip to my dad’s house in NH, I’ll head down there tomorrow to sell (and help load) 4 cords of very well-seasoned firewood and, hopefully, a sailboat.  The house is empty, but there are several big things left in the barn.  The realtor has been busy with showings, but the only serious offer pulled out after we politely declined their request to take the house off the market while they got around to selling theirs.  Is that even a thing??

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

I hope everyone’s holidays were happy and healthy.  My scale tells me I’ve put on my winter coat…and I’m not talking about a new parka.

The Executive Committee has its next meeting on January 17 and a big portion of the agenda will be discussing the Strategic Plan, as well as looking ahead to where we should be by the March EC meeting.  If you had indicated an interest in participating on a team, by now you will have had an initial meeting to discuss action items, expectations/outcomes, and milestones.

Our registration for the Winter Meeting is holding steady at 21 and I know of another half dozen who are waiting to see what their legislatures serve up early in the session.  Rumor has it that there’s a golf tournament in the Phoenix area that overlaps our meeting so rooms are going fast.  If you’re are even just thinking about coming, please register with AAJ and get a room!  I don’t have any leverage when it comes to AAJ’s room block.  The event page is open!

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…Hoping to keep the riff raff at bay around my dad’s empty house (that’s on the market in NH), I installed a Ring camera down there just before Christmas.  No sightings of wayward miscreants, but I enjoyed unnerving the realtor when I said “hi” through the camera.  It stopped him short and he looked around for me until I clued him in to the new camera.  The propane delivery guy got a disembodied “thank you”, too.  Who knew stalking could be so fun?

Good Afternoon and Ho-Ho-Ho- Happy Friday!

The wind is howling and the sky to the west is really dark, so I want to get this posted before the power goes!

Strategic Planning teams have been meeting to discuss action items, expectations/outcomes, and milestones.  At least a few strategies involve collecting input from membership.  Rather than bombard members with a bazillion emails, you will see a monthly email with the questions and/or requests for materials, etc.  Hopefully, this will be more tolerable and encourage responses.

Trial Structure is sponsoring the Sunday breakfast during the Winter Meeting.  The Planning Committee is looking forward to a good turnout given the relevant and timely topics.  Please help to spread the word that we’re trying a Saturday-Sunday program this year.  After the event, I’ll solicit feedback on the switch.  The event page is open and accepting registrations!

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

P.S. in case you’re still here…I noticed something missing when I pulled into the driveway at Dad’s NH house last Saturday.  The realtor’s lock box with keys for both the house and barn was gone.  So was the doorknob it had been hanging on.  The only thing left behind were fresh footprints – clearly made after the snow had stopped that morning.  The realtor arranged for a locksmith to replace/re-key the locks that night and the local police will now make routine checks when they’re in the area.  On the plus side, the deadbolts worked and the would-be burglar wasn’t serious enough to break any windows, so nothing was missing.  I’ll be so happy to see this chapter in the rearview.