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President's Message

January, 2010

Although changes have come early in this New Year, I would like to first take this opportunity to wish you all a happy new year, filled with the hope of good things to come in 2010.
While recognizing the recent economic and personal challenges we have faced, I would like to take a moment to briefly focus on the Boston Chapter’s progress, successes and upcoming events.
·        Lorraine Curry and the Membership Committee have done an extraordinary job maintaining a solid membership base. With their consistent outreach and enthusiasm, our membership has remained stable through a difficult economy.
·        Deb Maguire and the Program Committee have continued our highly successful monthly educational luncheons with relevant and timely programs which further assist us in managing our firms.
·        Clare Marie Wheeler and Marybeth Celorier, together with their committee, carefully planned and hosted our 5th One-Day Educational Conference. The day-long event closed with an opportunity for both Members and Business Partners to mingle and celebrate the Chapter’s 35th Anniversary.
·        Dot Downey and the Business Partner Committee have continued to foster the important relationship between our chapter Members and Business Partners, while garnering support of our Chapter through successful social events and sponsorships.
·        Joe Migliore and his committee have kept us informed as to the ever-changing events and news of the Chapter and the ALA. In addition, he has put together a new resource library for the Chapter which should prove useful to many of us, as needs arise, for us to seek resources relating to law firm management. (Details for use of library will be announced and available on our website.)
·        Barbara McCarthy and the Community Relations Committee have once again invested much effort into reaching out to our community. With constant enthusiasm and compassion, this group has helped make a difference within the Boston community. In addition, a new program was created to assist the law firm managers of two local non-profit legal assistance organizations to become Members of our Chapter.
·        The Boston Chapter CLM Study Group has a 100% success rate, with 10 CLM’s in the Chapter!
 
These programs and initiatives would not be possible without the constant interest and involvement of all of our members, combined with the coordination, management and positive energy of those members on the Executive Board. Instrumental in making all of this work, Dan McCormack, Kevin Costello, Ian Breslin and Joanne Schnare, on a daily basis, are tuned in and eagerly contributing to the Chapter.
Although we have much to look forward to, we have suffered great losses, with the recent passing of a beloved member, Liz Ounanian, preceded earlier in the year by the sudden loss of long-time member and good friend, Walter Turnbull. We keep Liz and Walter in our memories, remembering their friendship and their many contributions to the Chapter. Both contributed a great deal to the Chapter, the ALA, and are greatly missed.
2010!  We do have much to look forward to; attending chapter-sponsored events, responding and working with our business partners and, of course, attending the Annual ALA Conference right here in our own backyard. Take advantage of educational opportunities, networking, and resources by attending some or all of the conference - Boston is already well represented in its involvement in the planning of the conference and in leading many of the sessions. I hope to see you at our monthly luncheons and events this year. Join us in celebrating the new year by getting  reacquainted and reenergized! 
Janice Hayes
Boston Chapter ALA President


President-Boston Chapter ALA

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Being a member of ALA Boston Chapter has its advantages including: educational programs, monthly meetings, a job bank, special interest group programs and events. Learn more and become a member today.

The Boston Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators serves nearly 200 members, a diverse group of managers and decision makers who represent most of the law firms in the greater Boston area. Recognizing the importance of business partners to its membership, the Boston ALA has designed a Business Partner Program that promotes the development of partnership opportunities between our firms and the businesses that service our industry and contribute to our success.