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 President's Message
With less than a month left in my year as your Chapter’s President, one might expect this Newsletter would be devoted to a reflection on all we have achieved this year. To the credit of your Board of Directors and Committee Chairs, however, there is no pause in the work underway and our progress toward goals. In fact, your will note a bright thrust in our outreach for new members and pursuit of the renewal of all existing members. Membership, of course, is the life blood of any organization and it is certainly true of ACC Colorado. Happily, there is very good news for renewing as well as new members. First, local chapter membership will continue to be included at no additional cost with the dues paid to ACC of America. Second, the 2006 annual dues amount is $225.00; only modestly above the annual dues rate for 2005. Third, ACC continues to offer substantial dues discounts for larger legal departments that renew together on one group renewal form. You are all encouraged to renew your membership in ACC for 2006 and to join us in our quest to substantially expand our membership base in
Colorado
. For more on membership, see the article in this issue by Chapter Vice President and Membership Chair, Stephen Smith entitled, "Membership, Our Life Blood.” For more information on membership and links to renewal forms, membership benefits and a supporting article that is sure to be helpful to anyone who encounters client resistance to paying the cost of ACC membership.
On another important front, we are progressing with the development of s special organization for
Colorado
based General Counsel and Chief Legal Officers. The steering committee for this group has met once and will be moving aggressively ahead on the selection of a name and the balance of its organizational agenda between now and year end. For more on this work, see the article in this issue entitled “Emerging Forum for GCs” in which those who will be serving on the steering committee are named and some of the goals being considered by this group are mentioned.
Of special note is our monthly program schedule, including a double track CLE program in November featuring separate breakfast and luncheon meetings to accomodate members across the Front Range. On December 14, please plan to join us for our Annual Meeting and CLE luncheon, scheduled to be at a downtown location. And, on January 7th, 2006 don't miss our 2nd annual ski train to Winter Park, Colorado featuring a CLE program on ethics. Visit the chapter website for updates and registration details.
The first ever Gala hosted by your Chapter took place on October 8th and was a tremendous success. More than $12,000.00 was raised for the Denver Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (“DDVCC”) and we can be sure the public image of our Chapter as community service minded organization was significantly elevated. Plans are already in the works for a repeat event in 2006 with great enthusiasm already evident among those who want to continue in 2006 to serve on the ad hoc Gala Committee. For access to photos of this event and a report on the highlights, see the article in this issue entitled Gala Success Story.
And with another forward looking vision, those heading up our pro bono and community service have developed and are announcing a new award that will be conferred in the future upon members who make a significant difference by giving unselfishly of their time, talents and skills to the benefit of others. This developing area is discussed in the article entitled “Pro Bono Achievement Award.”
Many of you have not yet taken advantage of the ACC Chapter opportunities for involvement in the organization-building efforts that will be continuing for at least the next three years and the many related opportunities for networking, enjoyable gatherings and professional achievements with new friends and peers in the practice. I would again like to encourage you to come forward and experience what you have been missing. We have a number of openings on our standing committees, including Public Relations, Membership, Operations, Career Development, Programs, Diversity in the Practice and Pro Bono Practice. We also expect to have one or two openings on the Board of Directors. Please call me or our Chapter Administrator, Maita Lester at 303-831-4133 to express your interest in being a part of unified commitment to evolve of our
Colorado
chapter to meet and surpass the service levels and achievements of corresponding ACC Chapters in other states and municipal areas. You will be welcomed warmly and rewarded personally for your contributions.
Sincerely,
Sam Cheris
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