NATLE FYI

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Town Hall on Wednesday!  We had 25 members come together for a very engaging conversation about the AAJ Partnership for Progress program.  The session was not recorded, but I made notes to capture the sentiments, like, an orientation on the PFP would be helpful for new, as well as seasoned, EDs, including better communication about the guidelines and expectations.  A summary will be shared with AAJ and we’ll work together on a follow-up program via Zoom.

The headcount for the wine country tour through Napa on Friday, July 18, jumped to 31.  We have a “black car” van tentatively reserved with room for 38.  IMPORTANT: If you’re arriving in San Francisco in time to leave the hotel by mid-morning and interested in going, we need to know ASAP.  This number will also help us approach potential sponsors in an attempt to minimize the ticket price.  Send me an email with the number of tickets to reserve and I’ll keep you posted as the plan evolves.  (NB, this is not the Social Event – that will be Sunday evening and details are TBA.)

The brochure for the NATLE Annual Meeting (July 19-21) is updated as session titles, speakers, and sponsors are confirmed.  The program includes topics for everyone – Brian Yacker will give us the latest in non-profit tax compliance, and we’ll also cover membership trends, leadership academies, graphic design and marketing for membership orgs, planning for ED/staff vacuum, and much more!  NATLE registration is open and applications for the Tommy Townsend Memorial Scholarship will be accepted until EOD TODAY!  Also, TLA Presidents (at the time of the conference) can register for the AAJ conference at 50% off with a promo code.

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

P.S. In case you’re still here…I stepped out of my comfort zone on Monday evening and attended a semi-monthly gathering of The Neighbors.  It’s a play-reading group in Burlington, Vermont, that just celebrated its 135th anniversary.  I’d asked about how to break into the group during a Drinking Gourd dinner last month, knowing that it was by-invitation only.  I’ve described the Drinking Gourd in this space before – a chef and his dessert-making wife host a monthly 5-course feast for the belly and soul.  It’s like a therapy session with the bonus of an amazing, plated meal served around their dining table set for 12, all for just $40.  Everyone is politically like-minded and eventually the conversation always comes around to the local, state, and federal scene.  As I’d hoped, two of the Gourd regulars are also Neighbors.  Irene was my “in”.  At 7pm, without more preamble than an introduction of the three of us guests, the first of three one-act plays was set.  The fun comes not just from the fact that the plays for the evening are known only to the readers, but the readers don’t even know who else has been assigned a part.  Props like tea trays and feather dusters and pillbox hats are not required, but certainly add to the comedy and theatrics of the actors who all read from their seats.  An article about the group appeared in Seven Days, a Vermont weekly, observed that “there’s a lot of gray hair now” – about what you might expect of a group founded in 1890 for “men and women of unusual intellect and culture”.  Looking at the faces (and hair) of the people sitting around the main room of the c.1850 carriage house, I firmly anchored the low end of the age spectrum.  Since this was just a recon mission for me to maybe expand my circle, I appreciated the welcome and easy conversation with the established members during the intermission without feeling like I was getting the hard sell.  In the old days, the gathering broke up in time to catch the last trolley of the night.  Now, despite an aspirational quitting time of 8:30, readings regularly drift past 9 or 10.  That might be my biggest barrier to making it a habit…this old girl likes her sleep and is usually curled up in bed by 9 with a book.

P.P.S. Sky watchers might see the micromoon this weekend.  It occurs when the moon is at its farthest from earth (251,650 miles) and looks the smallest.  Mini Moon, anyone?

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Town Hall next Wednesday, April 9 at 2:30pmET (1:30pmCT / 12:30pmMT / 11:30amPT):  If you participate in AAJ’s Partnership for Progress program, the NATLE Board of Directors urges all participating EDs to attend.  Whether you’re new to NATLE and this program or an old hat, this NATLE-only session will provide historical perspective, answer your questions, and address your concerns.  An email was sent to the 49 participating TLAs’ EDs yesterday with a link to an .ics file for your calendar.  I’ll send a few reminders Monday and Wednesday a.m.  (If you don’t know if your TLA participates, I have the list.)

The headcount for the wine country tour through Napa on Friday, July 18, is up to 22.  Planning for the van/bus, lunch reservations, and admission to 2-3 wineries is happening now, so we need to know if you are interested.  IMPORTANT: If you’re arriving in San Francisco in time to leave the hotel by mid-morning on and interested in going, we need to know ASAP.  This number will also help us approach potential sponsors in an attempt to minimize the ticket price.  Send me an email with the number of tickets to reserve and I’ll keep you posted as the plan evolves.  (NB, this is not the Social Event – that will be Sunday evening and details are TBA.)

The brochure for the NATLE Annual Meeting (July 19-21) is updated as session titles, speakers, and sponsors are confirmed.  The program includes topics for everyone – Brian Yacker will give us the latest in non-profit tax compliance, and we’ll also cover membership trends, leadership academies, graphic design and marketing for membership orgs, planning for ED/staff vacuum, and much more!  NATLE registration is open and applications for the Tommy Townsend Memorial Scholarship will be accepted until April 11.  Also, TLA Presidents (at the time of the conference) can register for the AAJ conference at 50% off with a promo code.

Travel Alert:  If you don’t already have a passport or REAL ID, the deadline to have one for domestic travel is May 7th.  A valid passport will still be accepted beyond the deadline if you don’t have the REAL ID card.

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

P.S. In case you’re still here…If I said I wanted to get off this roller coaster, you might ask if I mean the political one, the weather ride, or the money market.  I don’t think I’m alone in saying D.C. is bonkers these days and that affects Wall Street, but the weather is a close 2nd.  I woke up to 6 inches of heavy wet snow on Saturday morning and *poof* it was gone by Tuesday in the 63-degree temps.  Ushering in these temperature swings have been the high winds that wreaked havoc in the mid-country.  I’m eager to use my new deck, but haven’t bothered to set up the bistro table.  My dad even called to suggest I hold off, picturing me getting swept away as I carry out the tabletop that would act like a sail.  As much as I want to get off this wild ride, I know we’ll be back on solid ground eventually and I just need to hold on.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

An announcement about the wine country tour through Napa went out on Wednesday.  IMPORTANT: If you’re arriving in San Francisco in time to leave the hotel by mid-morning on Friday, July 18 and interested in going, we need to know so we can order the right-sized van/bus, make lunch reservations, and prepare the 2-3 TBD wineries.  This number will also help us approach potential sponsors in an attempt to minimize the ticket price.  I’ll resend the blast on Monday and we hope you’ll get in on this fun “extra”.  Send me an email with the number of tickets to reserve and I’ll keep you posted as the plan evolves.  (NB, this is not the Social Event – that is going to be Sunday evening and details are TBA.)

The first version of the brochure for the NATLE Annual Meeting is uploaded and will be updated as session titles, speakers, and sponsors are confirmed.  Join us in San Francisco (July 19-21)!  The program is designed to include topics for everyone – membership trends, leadership academies, graphic design and marketing for membership orgs, planning for ED/staff vacuum, and Brian Yacker will join us again to give us the latest in non-profit tax compliance!  NATLE registration is open and applications for the Tommy Townsend Memorial Scholarship will be accepted until April 11.  In early sponsorship news, Ringler Associates has committed to covering the Membership Luncheon and we have a first-time sponsorship to help with the A/V costs from the Milestone Foundation.

You must also register with AAJ via the AAJ Convention page – it’s FREE and ensures you have the badge that is required for admission to events like the Opening Reception and exhibit hall.  The confirmation email contains a link to make reservations within the room block.  We strongly recommend that you make hotel reservations ($299++/night) if you are at least on the fence about attending.  The room block rate cut-off isn’t until June 25, but it usually fills quickly and rooms can be cancelled up to 72 hours prior to check-in.  TLA Presidents (at the time of the conference) can register with AAJ at 50% off with a promo code.

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

P.S. In case you’re still here…It took me a while one morning this week to figure out why my pullover felt odd, like the neck was too tight.  Turns out, I’d pulled it on backwards so the tag was tickling my throat.  In my defense, I get dressed in the dark and my nearly-blackout curtains are to blame.  I like to ease my eyeballs into the daylight.  There’s nothing else that makes me grumpy like having to squint and feel my way around the bathroom, tipping over my toothbrush and grabbing the lotion instead of the toothpaste.  I love my vitamin D, but I take it in gradual doses.

P.P.S. Speaking of sunlight, if you’re in the eastern U.S. and an early riser on Saturdays, you may see a partial solar eclipse.  Hope you didn’t toss your special glasses from the total eclipse last April!

P.P.P.S. File the tax returns…check.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The CEO Compensation Survey results should be available as a draft next week.  I'm happy to share that version so you can tell me what may be missing.

The links to the Annual Meeting registration and room block via the AAJ Convention page are accessible.  We strongly recommend that you register with AAJ (it’s free for NATLE members) and make hotel reservations ($299++/night) if you are at least on the fence about attending.  The room block rate cut-off isn’t until June 25, but it usually fills quickly and rooms can be cancelled up to 72 hours prior to check-in.  TLA Presidents (at the time of the conference) can register with AAJ at 50% off with a promo code.

The NATLE Annual Meeting in San Francisco (July 19-21) is designed to appeal to those TLAs hoping to bring staff.  The Planning Committee has put together a program that will include topics for everyone – membership trends, leadership academies, websites, non-profit tax compliance, graphic design for membership org, planning for ED/staff vacuum, and the popular idea exchange from Miami continues!  NATLE registration is open and applications for the Tommy Townsend Memorial Scholarship will be accepted until April 11.  The “fun times” committee is working on a wine country tour through Napa for Friday (7/18) and we are hoping to attract sponsors to help minimize the ticket cost.  Ringler Associates has committed to sponsoring the Membership Luncheon and we have a first-time sponsorship to help cover our A/V costs from The Milestone Foundation, so if you already work with them, please share the love and say “thank you”!

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

P.S. In case you’re still here…Much like Miss Muffet, I was minding my own beeswax at my laptop one afternoon this week when a not-too-big, but big enough, spider came along. He must have been camped out in the track lighting above my desk and decided to stretch his legs.  As my eyes adjusted to the much-closer-than-my-screen critter, I readied a handy tissue and quickly restored my sense of being the master of my domain.  I skipped the curds and whey, which to me just sound nasty.

P.P.S. The bagel in the burning bush has vanished.

Good Morning and Happy Pi Day!

I’ve been hitting the refresh button on the AAJ Convention page – the links to the Annual Meeting registration and room block were to be open yesterday – but it’s not quite ready.  I’ll let you know. In the meantime, the Planning Committee for NATLE’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco (July 19-21) has designed the program to appeal to those TLAs hoping to bring staff. The brochure is in development and topics will include membership trends, leadership academies, websites, non-profit tax compliance, graphic design for membership org, planning for ED/staff vacuum, and the popular idea exchange from Miami continues! NATLE registration is open and applications for the Tommy Townsend Memorial Scholarship will be accepted until April 11. The “fun times” committee is working on a wine country tour through Napa for Friday and we are hoping to attract sponsors to help minimize the ticket cost.

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

P.S. In case you’re still here…Some people have pets who bring them “presents”. I’ve heard of cats who will deposit still-alive mice at their person’s feet with a look that says, “I’m giving you a chance to prove your worth by taking the next step to rid the world of this scourge.” Or more likely, a slightly macerated mole with, “See, I’m a mighty tiger. What have you done today?” No, instead my gift is in the form of half of a cinnamon raisin bagel, toasted thank you. Also, thoughtfully, it’s not on the doorstep of the back patio where I wouldn’t see it for another few weeks. It’s in the burning bush outside my kitchen window – high enough up and perfectly centered for the best viewing. Bagels are heavy, so I have to think it was hoisted in place by a squirrel. I choose to think of it as a present, but it may simply be that it was the best place to stash the cache.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The Planning Committee for the NATLE Annual Meeting in San Francisco met on Monday for a productive kickoff session.  The agenda came mostly together in an hour and an early version of the program will be issued as soon as we have links to AAJ’s registration page and room block.  Topics will include non-profit tax compliance, membership, leadership academies, websites, boards, planning for ED/staff vacuum, and the popular idea exchange from Miami continues!  NATLE registration is open and applications for the Tommy Townsend Memorial Scholarship will be accepted until April 11.  In the meantime, save the dates of July 19-21. 

If you attended AAJ’s Special COP meeting on Wednesday afternoon, you heard updates on recent threats to the rule of law, executive orders affecting DEI programs, and implications for non-profit associations.  An email with follow-up materials is in the works at AAJ and will be shared ASAP.

That’s the NATLE Weekly Wrap.  Have a great weekend and don’t forget to “spring forward” on Sunday!

P.S. In case you’re still here…I’m a horrible landlord.  I torment the squatters with smelly mothballs and vinegar, and bar access to the premises with netting.  My wannabe “renters” are of the black ‘n white variety – I don’t appreciate the threat of getting sprayed whenever I walk by the woodpile – as well as the feathered kind.  My project this weekend is to rig up netting underneath my new deck to prevent any nesting.  A few years ago, I felt guilty using my kitchen sink because I disturbed the young family of cardinals with a nest in the burning bush just outside.  The parents would take off when they’d see me appear behind the glass and I felt badly about their abandoned eggs.  It got to the point where I’d slowly peek around the edge of the window to see if they were home.  If they weren’t, I moved around like I owned the place, but if they were in the nest, I’d tiptoe up to the sink, bent in half so they wouldn’t see me, and go about my business.  Very awkward.  I want to avoid any guilt this year by making the attractive 8” wide cross piece under the deck off limits to real estate prospectors.

P.P.S. That and it's tax prep time.

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

If you know of websites that can help prepare for (or, uh, post-pare from) a disaster – there were several urls that came up in the first session during the Winter Meeting on “When Disaster Strikes”.  I’m collecting a list, so please share the urls!

In case you’d like a few bullets of what we covered at the Winter Meeting, here’s what I picked up:

* When Disaster Strikes - send me the urls
* Your Data Journey
            - Track what matters, not everything
            - Use what you already have
            - Start small (small wins build momentum)
* Working Lunch Idea Exchange – stay tuned for the Annual Meeting program!
* Start Using Your Data
            - Start small with Excel, grow into PowerBI
            - Simple data cleanup and using dashboards helps tell a clear story
            - Learn to leverage the data
* AI: How Are Members Using It?
            - 90% of law firms are investing in AI over the next 5 years
            - “AI will not replace lawyers, but lawyers who use AI will replace those who don’t”
* Creating a Culture Commitment with Data Insights
            - engagement opportunities lead to stronger commitment among members
            - track activities and engagement with help of a score card (of both individual attorneys and firms)
* From Prospect to President: Engaging the Next Gen of Donors
            - understand current trends and donor demographics
            - identify key challenges
            - navigate donor transitions, develop messaging strategies
            - identify best messengers
            - adapt strategies to attract and retain younger donors
            - “Refine you fundraising approach, enhance donor engagement, and ensure long-term sustainability”

This week’s 4th Monday Zoom Series discussing Asana was recorded.  Click here (or on the Events tab at NATLE.org) to listen to the webinar with Mary Kay Kennedy about this tool with uses from basic project management to a more comprehensive, whole-office collaboration.

The Planning Committee for the NATLE Annual Meeting in San Francisco is going to kickoff a brainstorming session on Monday, so now’s the time to chime in with any suggestions you have for topics and speakers.  Save the dates of July 19-21.  We’re working on the timing of the NATLE Board Meeting as well as a wine-country tour, so stay tuned!

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

P.S. In case you’re still here…Years ago, my mother told me that I used to get terrified going through the carwash.  Through a toddler’s eyes, that’s a legit reaction.  Like, going into the belly of the beast with no light at the end of the tunnel.  How could I know that it would only take a minute to get through.  Heck, a minute feels like an eternity to a three-year-old.  Fast forward half a century and I make great use of my unlimited pass to the new carwash facility next to my dad’s senior living community.  On my second visit this week, though, I momentarily put my car in reverse before quickly shifting back to neutral, but that was enough to activate the proximity sensors.  As the track sucked my car into the gaping maw with high velocity parotid glands (side water jets) and rotating uvula (overhead brushes), the dashboard warnings lit up like the 4th of July.  Anthropomorphizing my vehicle, it must have decided after 15 seconds that “this chick is toast, there’s no escaping certain death now” because the warnings just stopped.  My dad seems to think that going through the carwash is an ordeal.  He complains that it’s really loud, but at least he doesn’t cry and think that the end of the world is coming.

P.P.S. When I heard that JoAnn Fabrics was closing all of its stores, it made me nostalgic for the days when Mom and I would park our butts at the long tables covered with those giant pattern books.  She would flip through book after book looking for a pattern that looked like whatever outfit she was trying to create, while I busied myself with a book, too, trying to look adult-like, “Yes, I’m going to use a sewing machine to make something, just like you other ladies around this table.”  Actually, years later Mom had taught me enough that I made a few of my own clothes and several Halloween costumes.  I’ll admit that I haven’t darkened the door of our local JoAnn’s in years, but it seemed comforting to know that whenever I needed fabric it was there.  RIP to another institution.

Good Afternoon and Happy Friday!

The Winter Meeting was a success and I’m collating the evaluations.  Please fill it out to help future conference planning committees put together programs that are meaningful to you.  LMK if you need the link (I can’t figure out how to permission it for attendees.)  Also, several websites were brought up during the first session on “When Disaster Strikes”.  I’d like to collect a list, so please share the urls!

Register for next week’s 4th Monday Zoom Series, February 24 at 4pmET.  We will be discussing Asana, a tool with uses from basic project management to a more comprehensive, whole-office collaboration.

The Planning Committee for the NATLE Annual Meeting in San Francisco is going to kickoff a brainstorming session in early March.  Now’s the time to chime in with any suggestions you have for topics and speakers.  Save the dates of July 19-21.  We’re working on the timing of the NATLE Board Meeting as well as a wine-country tour, so stay tuned!

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

P.S. In case you’re still here…”Wait, you’re how old?!”  I get that a lot along with, “You look really familiar”, and the last time was this past Saturday evening during the Winter Meeting’s Opening Reception in Miami.  So, when I walked up to a cocktail table with my plate of food and asked the nice couple who were already there if I could share the real estate, I said to the gentleman who uttered those you-look-familiar words, "Yah, I get that a lot”.  I feel like I’m the vanilla ice cream that people add sprinkles (glasses) and various sauces (hair color) to when they think I look like someone they know.  Back in the ATLA days, I was regularly mistaken for the daughter of [fill in the blank, ie. law partner, past speaker, etc].  In college, the wife of our then-Senator Patrick Leahy tried to convince me, while I filled her bagel order, that I must have a sister.  (Spoiler, I checked with my mother who denied having any other kids.)  Before heading to Miami, I’d scanned the AAJ registration list and barely recognized any of the few names from Vermont, so imagine my surprise when I humored the gent and looked at his badge.  He was one of my members from back in the day at the Vermont TLA!  Between bites, we caught up on the last two decades.  In this sea of people, I happened to find an old friend.  What were the chances?!?

P.P.S. I think My Little Pony and a pack of Care Bears got together when the Fontainebleau needed to name their conference rooms.  In a parallel universe, Sparkle, Shimmer, Dazzle, and Trickle sound like Strawberry Shortcake’s “reindeer”.

Good Afternoon and Happy St. Valentine's (Fri-) Day!

The Winter Meeting Happy Hour is tonight (February 14), so meet at the Fontainebleau’s Bleau Bar, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association.  Please gather there to reconnect over a beverage!  (The timing is concurrent with the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus reception, so feel free to float between the two events.)

Register for this month’s 4th Monday Zoom Series, February 24 at 4pmET.  We will be discussing Asana, a tool with uses from basic project management to a more comprehensive, whole-office collaboration.

The Planning Committee for the NATLE Annual Meeting in San Francisco is going to kickoff a brainstorming session in early March.  Now’s the time to chime in with any suggestions you have for topics and speakers.  Save the dates of July 19-21.  We’re working on the timing of the NATLE Board Meeting as well as a wine-country tour, so stay tuned!

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

P.S. In case you’re still here…Should we mourn the death of the penny?  My first thought when I heard the not-so-new news on Monday, was of the copper-colored toy poodle, Penny, belonging to a couple that were longtime friends with my grandparents.  They brought this pint-sized version of my grandparents’ miniature poodle, Sandy, with them whenever they came to visit.  To this forever-the-pet-less seven-year-old who cherished every second with Sandy, the chance to cuddle with an even smaller doggy was irresistible.  Penny had other ideas.  As soon as Mrs. Boehme let her off her lap, that dog vanished under the couch just out of reach and ignored my pleas to come out to play.  Only reluctantly did she emerge when it was time for them to leave.  At least I got to pet her quivering head while she was in the safety of her owner’s arms.  That’s the long way of getting around to the realization that it won’t be long after the penny falls out of use that future generations may not know why so many reddish dogs, cats, and ginger-haired babies are named “Penny”.  That’s worth a moment to mourn.

P.P.S. A service dog accompanied a young woman at my Pure Barre studio this week.  I don’t know collies, but this looked like Lassie with German Shepherd coloring.  I struggled against the vortex=of-cuteness and stated out loud to no one in particular that it’s just not fair that you can’t love on a service dog.  They’re working, after all.  It would be like driving through construction traffic and jumping out of your car to hug the flagger…completely inappropriate.  The young woman understood my plight and said her dog totally knows she’s the most beautiful one in the room.  Maybe they just shouldn’t make working dogs that cute and hard to resist.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

The Winter Meeting registration is on par with last year and we always have room for more.  The Event page is open for registering through the conference, so we hope to see you!  If you arrive by late afternoon/early evening on February 14th, wear your Valentine’s Day finery and meet at the Fontainebleau’s Bleau Bar.  The Florida Justice Association is generously sponsoring a Happy Hour on Friday from 5p to 7p.  Please gather there to reconnect over a beverage!  (The timing is concurrent with the Women Trial Lawyers Caucus reception, so feel free to float between the two events.)

Register for this month’s 4th Monday Zoom Series, February 24 at 4pmET.  We will be discussing Asana, a tool with uses from basic project management to a more comprehensive, whole-office collaboration.

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

P.S. In case you’re still here…I’ve never smoked a cigarette in my life, so chain smoking is a concept I only observed from the backseat of a college boyfriend’s parents’ car.  Ahem, just to clarify, the parents chain-smoked in the front seat all the while that one time they drove us to dinner.  (We took two cars next time after that experience.)  Anyway, starting a new one as you extinguish the last one fits how I switched books one night this week.  I finished local author, Chris Bohjalian’s Double Bind, and would normally have waited until the next night to start a new book.  I was too wound-up from the O Henry-like, “wait, what??” ending and wasn’t anywhere near sleep mode.  I immediately picked up my next book, CJ Box’s Paradise Valley, read and reread the first page while my brain adjusted to the new characters and setting, and happily banged out the first few chapters before turning out the light.  I may have stayed up a little later than usual, but it was way healthier than chain smoking.

P.P.S. I spotted two robins this morning – the usual harbingers of spring in these northerly parts – probably in the area to check out the real estate prospects.  They were so fluffed up in our below-freezing temps, they looked like might be regretting their decision to come back so soon.