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President's Message

April 2008

I am honored to serve in the role of President of the Boston Chapter and look forward to the coming year.

In looking forward, it is important to reflect back and acknowledge the efforts and accomplishments of those who have made the Boston Chapter the dynamic organization that it is today. The Chapter has thirty-four years of accomplishments, including subtle yet significant changes that have occurred this past year under the leadership of Marybeth Flynn.

The hiring of Carol Windsor, Boston ALA’s first Chapter Manager, was announced in January. Carol’s role will play a vital part in coordinating the many administrative tasks of the Chapter. Her presence will ensure continuity from year to year and ultimately lead to a reduction in third-party administrative fees paid out by the Chapter.

Within the coming weeks and following months of reviews and fine tunings, the Communications Committee will unveil the Chapter’s new and improved website. The upgraded site will have a new professional appearance that will enhance communications among members while offering easier access to new information and resources.

The Vice President of Programs now has an active role with all educational and networking events such as the Small Firm Round Table meeting, Human Resources Round Table meeting and the One Day Educational Conference. This insures that ALA’s mission is upheld while avoiding program redundancies.

The Vice President of Vendor Relations streamlined the sponsorship program strengthening sustainable ongoing vendor support. Further, the Committee is committed and focused on high caliber events (with the recent Fenway Park reception demonstrating the results of their efforts) and is working with the Membership Committee to reach out for support from the membership.

Having received ALA’s award of excellence, the Community Relations Committee has re-examined its own goals and mission and is working with all Board members to broaden their reach and impact to the organizations being supported.

In conjunction with the efforts of a Boston Chapter member, the Board has agreed to pursue a formal collaborative effort with the Massachusetts Bar Association. When completed, this long-term project will strengthen the two organizations working relationship for years to come.

The aforementioned accomplishments and changes are not based on impulse or a single idea, but rather represent the cumulative successive efforts of the Boston Chapter Board of Directors from one year to the next. With the infrastructure that is in place, it will be difficult to distinguish between the origination and implementation date of an idea.

In considering the needs of Region One of the ALA and the Boston Chapter, the Board has proposed an alternate year schedule for our One Day Educational conference. Commencing in November 2009, the alternating year schedule is intended to maximize networking opportunities, prevent an over saturation of similar topics, enhance monetary subsidiaries for members and avoid a deletion of our one limited resource--namely volunteers.

As the incoming President, I have been fortunate to interact with members of the local Regional Management Team as well as with members of ALA’s National Board of Directors. I am pleased to report that there is a consensus of envy, excitement and expectations of what Boston has done and what it can still accomplish. The Boston Chapter Board of Directors welcomes your feedback, your ideas and even your criticism. In return, all that is asked is that every perceived problem be accompanied by a proposed solution and that every proposed solution has a supporting volunteer. Boston’s membership is what makes the Chapter great and working together we can continue to have rewarding and exciting experiences.

Dan McCormack
President-Boston Chapter ALA

Previous President's Messages:

Select from list April 2008January 2008October 2007June 2007July 2006June 2006April 2006March 2006December 2005October 2005August 2005April 2005January 2005July 2004June 2004