PBCBA BAR BULLETINS pbcba_bulletin_sept2018 | Page 4

PRESIDENT’S M e s s a g e The PBCBA is Returning Home Gregory P. Huber 2018-19 PBCBA President On January 31, 2017 a fire started at the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s office after a vehicle crashed into a power pole. While the loss from the fire was devastating requiring the building to be gutted and rebuilt, we are beyond thankful that the fire occurred during non-business hours and none of the Bar’s staff was harmed. Being displaced for over 18 months was frustrating for the Bar and its staff, but under the guidance and steadfast leadership of our then, brand-new, Executive Director, Carla Tharp Brown, we persevered, and the Bar continued to operate “business as usual” without cancelling a single CLE or event. We made the most of a bad situation and took the opportunity to make improvements and upgrades to better serve our members. We are having a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and invite our members to stop by to see the new and improved office and join us in this celebration. Thinking about the upcoming Grand Re-Opening Celebration brings back memories from February 13, 2012 when the PBCBA, after decades of renting space, moved into its very own building located at 1507 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. This was no small feat and would not have been possible without the vision and leadership of the former Executive Director, Patience Burns, the hard work and determination of the past Presidents and Directors, and the many members who volunteered their time and skill throughout the selection process, closing and buildout. But, most importantly, the Bar never would have had its own home without the generosity of our members and community partners through room sponsorships and legacy brick purchases. Having our own building enhances the PBCBA’s ability to serve its members and provide more value. The estimated annual savings of more than seventy thousand dollars in rent has allowed the PBCBA to keep the dues among the lowest of comparable voluntary bar associations. The Bar also passes the benefit from the savings on to its membership in the form of reduced pricing on high quality programs and events. The state of the art seminar room allows the PBCBA to provide CLEs onsite avoiding expensive venue fees and parking costs which further helps to keep expenses down and provide better value to our members. In addition to the seminar room, the Bar office features a visiting attorney office, meeting space, conference rooms and soon we hope to have video conferencing capability which can be utilized by our members. The Bar office is a place where PBCBA’s members meet to network, learn, and advance their practices. We hope you will come visit and take advantage of all it has to offer. PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 4 Recognizing the Grand Re-Opening Celebration is another special day in the Bar’s history many members have reached out to the Bar asking how they can be part of the celebration. To commemorate this moment, we will have a Grand Re-Opening Celebration Plaque which will be proudly displayed in the Bar office. If you or your firm wish to be part of the celebration, please feel free to purchase a personalized plate that will be affixed to the Celebration Plaque recognizing you or your firm for your support helping the PBCBA return home. You can find more information at https://www.palmbeachbar.org/grand- re-opening-celebration/. Again, please don’t hesitate to contact me to let me know how I can be of service to you. Phone: [phone]; E-mail: [email protected]. Thank you,