Page 10 - January 2020 BarJournal

COLUMN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SEEING CLEARLY

INTO THE FUTURE

Rebecca Ruppert McMahon

appy New Year! – Collaborate with existing organizations for to-day success of law firms, agencies and
We are off and running into non-lawyers. other organizations.
a new year and a new decade. – Review our current dues structure. – –Expanding our engagement in the roll-out of
Inside the CMBA, we are also at • Programs & Services: Strengthening our the Say Yes to Education legal services platform
Hthe beginning of a new, three-year sections and committees to emphasize bar throughout the Cleveland Metropolitan
strategic plan approved by the Board of Directors. fundamentals in the delivery of best-in- School District.
This new plan carries forward our Vision 2026 class programs and services that will attract, • Thought Leadership: Continuing our
first approved by the Board of Directors in 2016, include and engage diverse professionals. To evolution as the go-to organization for matters
as well as the most impactful of our strategies advance our efforts in this area, we will build of law and justice by serving as a community
launched in connection with the plan that drove customized program portfolios such as: convenor and collaborating with others to
our efforts during the past three years. The highest – –Newly Admitted Passports for attorney address the significant issues confronting
functioning organizations are those that not only members within the first five years of Northeast Ohio. Chief within this area of focus
develop strategic plans but more importantly, practice and Practice Management Bundles will be:
actually execute their plans. As a result, I am for the more experienced attorneys that will – –Creating and implementing an outreach
excited to share the details regarding the course provide direct access to programs and events plans which will strengthening relationships
our Bar is charting for 2020 and beyond. focused on networking, client development, with local and statewide organizations, bar
Vision 2026: The Board reaffirmed that as we public speaking, managing others and associations and the community.
march toward 2026, our goal is to serve Northeast cultural competencies. – –Advancing inclusion and diversity efforts
Ohio as: – –In-house Counsel specialized programing that and awareness throughout the legal and
• an indispensable resource for professionals, will focus on both professional development business communities.
• the go-to organization on matters of law and and connecting with peer attorneys. – –Establishing and/or refining vehicles for
justice, and – –Law Student Gateways to resume community convening and sharing while
• a key community convenor and collaborator. development, interviewing techniques, providing thought leadership on key issues,
Mission: We will strive to achieve our Vision by networking and more so as to maximize including serving as an active voice in the
promoting the rule of law and the legal profession opportunities to land both pre- and post- discussion and development of greater
by supporting, empowering and celebrating our graduation employment. Cleveland’s next-generation Justice Center
members and the community. – –Exporting of CMBA programs to off-site and system of Justice.
Values: Underlying all of our efforts in firms and organizations so we can meet our The Board developed these areas of priority
pursuit of both our Vision and Mission rest four members where you practice. from a listening tour conducted with hundreds
core values: Conscious Inclusion; Professional – –Rewards Program for frequent flyers CMBA of members during the past year. As always,
Excellence; Innovative Leadership; and members as a way to say thank you for your the CMBA strives to provide members direct
Community Advancement. ongoing engagement. access to programs, events and opportunities
Over the next three years, we will concentrate • Leadership Development: Empowering and that will make practicing in and around greater
our efforts around four priority areas: developing emerging and established leaders Cleveland’s legal and business communities as
• Membership: Retaining, growing and continuing who represent the full spectrum of our legal rewarding as possible. But of course, none
to diversify our membership by enhancing community. This will involve: of these future plans will be possible without
the Bar’s value proposition and member – –Identifying and cultivating diverse pools of your involvement.
participation. Essential within this area will be established and emerging leaders to serve as Please plan to meet us at the Bar in 2020 and
our continued, intentional efforts to: leaders within our Boardrooms, Section and help us build our vision for the future. Together,
– Engage new/newer members in CMBA Committee leadership and more. we are the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar.
activities, including Leadership activities, – –Developing a Non-Profit Director Certification
younger member peer-to-peer recruitment Program for members interested in honing
to CMBA membership and activities; and law their skills for service on non-profit boards. Rebecca Ruppert McMahon is the CEO of the
student-focused recruitment efforts. – –Building a Legal Administrators Leadership CMBA. She has been a CMBA member since
– Develop complementary programs with affinity Program designed to connect our community’s 1995. She can be reached at (216) 696-3525 or
and other local bar associations. talented professionals who drive the day- rmcmahon@clemetrobar.org.