Page 17 - FDCC Flyer Summer 2021

Officer Reports
effective, purposeful engagement starts with new members. This year we revamped our mentorship program, so that immediately after orientation he or she is paired with a mentor who helps connect them to sections and programs. We will soon gauge the initial success of this program and improve it as necessary. For all members, substantive sections are the heart and soul of our organization, and we must constantly measure the health and vitality of our sections and make adjustments when appropriate in order to keep doing only what works. Some recently developed initiatives are also proving to bring excellent member value, including FedLife, FedServes, and FedCivility. Projects like these, which recognize that well-being
in life is a prerequisite to success as a lawyer, are invaluable and unique offerings to our members that will become mainstays in the fabric of our organization.
I believe in servant leadership. There are times when a leader must grab the banner, step in front, be the voice, and lead the charge. But there are other times when the most effective leadership is to equip and enable others to operate in their gifting, step out of the way, and let them shine. I can do both, but my leadership style is
to do the former when appropriate and the latter as a
matter of routine practice. As honored as I have been to chair CCS, the Law Firm Management conference, the Transportation section, and various other committees and initiatives, the highlights for me are the times when I equipped others to exercise their amazing talents.
Federation membership has been the most rewarding professional experience of my legal career. Like many of our members, I have realized great return on the business investment and become a better lawyer for my years of involvement. But to me, the FDCC is more than a great group of lawyers and business partners
- it’s family. My best friends on the planet are in this organization and I would trust my children with them. And because it’s family, it’s different. It means more and drives my willingness to serve, because when it’s family, it’s about what you give, not what you receive.
I promised my senior partner, mentor, and former FDCC president Vic Halbach when I joined that I would always serve when asked, and in the manner I could best be used. I am proud to have kept that promise and would be deeply honored and truly privileged to serve my Federation family as Secretary/Treasurer.
Johnny Sarber is an FDCC Defense Counsel Member and a partner with Carr Allison in Jacksonville, FL. Contact him at jsarber@carrallison.com.
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