PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
PRESIDENT ’ S MESSAGE
Andrea Lewis 2024-25 PBCBA President
It is with deep gratitude that I write this message as the new President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association . I would like to thank all of our members for entrusting me with this great privilege .
On June 8 , 2024 , the Palm Beach County Bar Association held its installation gala at the Eau Palm Beach . Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated Bar Association staff , the event was a tremendous success and our members enjoyed an evening full of great music , delicious food , and a lot of dancing . During the ceremony , the Honorable Sherri Collins swore in President- Elect , Jean Marie Middleton , and Directors , Jack Rice , Scott Perry , Lawonda Warren , Michael Kranz , Victoria Mesa-Estrada , Kelsey Burke , Kelly Schulz , and Nichole Segal .
The event also provided a wonderful opportunity to recognize Immediate Past President Grasford Smith for his many years of dedicated service to our organization and for his exceptional leadership throughout the last year . Grasford was recently elected to The Florida Bar ’ s Board of Governors where he will continue to serve lawyers from the 15th Circuit , as well as others from around the state .
As we embark on this new chapter , I am filled with a sense of optimism and excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead . We have some fantastic ideas for new programming , speakers , and events for our members . We will provide valuable opportunities for professional development , continue our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion , tackle difficult issues faced by women in the workplace , and further strengthen our focus on mental health .
Additionally , I will be implementing a new initiative called “ Thinking Outside the Bar ” which will be focused on the following :
Expanding Our Membership : We will work to increase our membership by doing targeted outreach and marketing , offering member discounts and incentives , and providing exclusive opportunities ;
Enhancing Member Benefits : Through community partnerships , we will be able to offer our members even greater benefit for their annual membership fee . We will strengthen our outreach efforts , engage with the public , and foster partnerships with outside organizations . By doing so , we can amplify our impact , provide value to our members , and support our community ; � Embracing Technology : We will look for ways to improve operations , member engagement , access to information , efficiency , and the overall effectiveness of our association through the use of technology .
On June 27 , 2024 , I met with all of our incoming Committee Chairs at the Bar office to discuss this initiative and plans for the upcoming year . We had a productive orientation meeting and it was wonderful getting to spend time with such an impressive group of leaders from our legal community . Given their talent and dedication to our organization , I am confident that the upcoming year will be full of quality programing , engaging speakers , and fun events .
Preparations are underway for the Board of Director ’ s annual leadership retreat which will be held August 2-4 , 2024 in Aventura . This retreat provides a wonderful opportunity for the Board to get to know each other , discuss its objectives , and strategize for the upcoming year .
I ’ m looking forward to working with our leadership , bar staff , and members to continue to improve what is already , in my humble opinion , the best local bar association in Florida .
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 3