Spring is an energizing time for the ISBA and the members who make it great.

Tra la, it’s May, the lusty month of May
That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray
Tra la, it’s here, that shocking time of year
When tons of little wicked thoughts, merrily appear!

—Lerner & Lowe, “Camelot”

Indeed, May is upon us, and while the Crown might have made it clear that in Camelot the climate must be perfect all the year, here in Illinois, we’re a bit more circumspect about May than Lady Guenevere. We have learned to curb our enthusiasm a bit and simply hope for some sunny, dry days to get that first barbecue or round of golf in as we await the end of graduation season. May, beginning in spring and ending in summer, is a month of beginnings and endings, and it also signals that the end of our ISBA year is nearly upon us.

President-elect Shawn Kasserman will be sworn in as your 147th ISBA president on June 1. And for the first time in 45 years, the ISBA Annual Meeting will be held in Chicago. I encourage you all, if you haven’t already done so, to register for the meeting, which will have a number of new activities and events for members, with the beautiful City of Chicago as our venue. Sue and I look forward to seeing you all in Chicago, where we will also welcome, in addition to President-elect Kasserman, newly elected Third Vice-President Perry Browder of Alton, along with Board of Governors and Assembly member electees. (Visit the Annual Meeting pages for more information.)

Getting involved

As this is being written, we have just entered ISBA election season and ballots have been sent out for the contested Board and Assembly races in Cook County. In the entire state outside of Cook County, there was not a single contested race for Board and Assembly vacancies. In fact, in several areas, there were not even enough candidates to fill all the vacancies in the Assembly. This means that some areas of the state will experience a shortfall in the number of elected Assembly members authorized by our bylaws.

As Sue and I traveled throughout Illinois over the past year, the most common question we received was “how can I become more involved with ISBA?” My standard reply was twofold: Nominate yourself for appointment on one of our 57 section councils and standing committees and join ISBA leadership by running for a position on the Assembly or Board of Governors. When you see the invitation to self-nominate for membership on a standing committee or section council, take it. When election season rolls around, create your nominating petitions on the ISBA website and contact your friends and colleagues to ask them to sign your nominating petitions. As little as 10 signatures is all that is needed to get on the ballot for the ISBA Assembly in your area. The process involved in these activities is so streamlined and automated as to take only a few minutes of your time to become a candidate.

Of course, once you decide to apply for membership, or run for a leadership position on the Assembly or Board of Governors, the job isn’t done once you’re elected. Just like running for your local city council or school board, there’s work to be done upon your appointment or election. ISBA counts on you, our members, to participate in our association so that we can continue to deliver to our members the best services and member benefits possible. But as a member of a committee or section council, you can influence the kind and nature of services we deliver. Those of us in leadership need your time and efforts to continue to be the premiere voluntary bar association in the country. Your contributions in leadership are not only valued, but necessary, so that we can continue to do the work that we do for our members.

In short, when the time comes to join ISBA leadership, take the time to become a leader. The work you will do is important; satisfying; and most important of all, fun. The networking, camaraderie, and opportunities to make a difference will be among the most significant and enjoyable experiences of your professional career.

Last but not least, thanks Mom!

In addition to golf, graduations, and barbecues, May is also the month when we pause to honor our mothers and wives on Mother’s Day: Sunday, May 14. Many of us have stories and fond memories of how important our moms were and are in our lives and to the successes and blessings in our careers in the law. As we remember and honor our mothers, wives, and daughters on their special day, I want to thank our members who toil tirelessly for all they do for their families—and the ISBA family as well. It’s May!