H C B A
P R E S I D E N T ’ S
M E S S A G E
Go rd o n Hi l l - Hi l l Wa rd He n d e r s o n
Ministries, and collected
and donated books and
then read to children in
The initial program was
poorly performing schools.
a success, but was refined
The BLI’s success was
and improved a few years
recognized last summer
later by Bob Nader and
when the organizers of The
others to more closely
Florida Bar’s Voluntary Bar
resemble the Chamber of
Leaders Conference asked
C ommerce’s Leadership
a delegation from our BLI
Tampa program. Now, the
— Scott Johnson, John
BLI takes participants
Kynes, and Lyndsey Siara
through eight modules
— to share the program
designed to get participants
with other voluntary bar
out in the community
associ ations from all over
and learn from some of
Florida. After this session, I
our finest leaders. Some
understand that several
highlights from this year’s
other associations are now
program will be visits to
interested in creating their
the Port of Tampa, Moffitt
own leadership programs.
Cancer Center, MacDill
It is incredible to see
Air Force Base, Tampa
how
the
Leadership
International Air port, and
Institute has grown from
of course, our Court house.
Caroline’s vision to today.
At each stop, the class will
And, contrary to my initial
tour the facilities, meet
concern, the BLI has
their leaders, and learn
worked very well as a
their secrets to success. In
complement to our Young
addition — and critical to
Lawyers Division. I look
the program’s mission —
The 2016-17 BLI class during their visit to MacDill AFB.
forward to getting to know
each BLI class plans and
this year’s class and
implements a community
watching them become the future leaders of this great
service project. The last few classes have volunteered at
Association and Tampa Bay. (Photos from the opening
the Shriners Hospitals for Children in conjunction with
reception with this year’s class on page 16.)
the East-West Shrine Bowl Game, served at Metropolitan
Continued from page 4
As promised, I am closing each of my articles by telling the story of attorneys who have
gone above and beyond in their civic involvement. However, rather than focus on the efforts
of just one lawyer this month, I wanted to highlight the efforts of our entire Young Lawyers
Division. The YLD has a long history of community service, but they have stepped up their
efforts even more this year. Under the leadership of YLD President Melissa Mora and her
Board, the YLD is undertaking two new community service projects this year, starting with
volunteering at Feeding Tampa Bay — a food bank that provides food to the more than 700,000
hungry in West Central Florida. The YLD will add another similar project in the spring, so I
wanted to personally thank them for their leadership and help in improving the lives of so
many in our community.
NOV - DEC
2017
|
HCBA LAWYER
5