SBAND PRESIDENT
THE ROLE OF
AN SBAND PRESIDENT
ZACK PELHAM
SBAND President
People often ask me, how is your year as
president going? And, how much time
away from the office does serving take? Or,
just what does the president of your bar
association do? My answers are generally
short. My year is going well, I make the time
away from my office work, and the president
leads board meetings, helps put out fires,
and speaks at official functions to name a
few areas of responsibility. In this column,
I’d like to expound beyond my typical short
answer to give you a better picture of what
an SBAND president actually does (for
you past-presidents out there – you know
experiences may vary).
I’ve made it a point to talk to your local bar
associations. So far in my term, I’ve had the
honor of speaking to the Ward County Bar
Association, Lake Region Bar Association,
Cass County Bar Association, and Greater
Grand Forks County Bar Association. I will
soon be speaking to the Upper Missouri Bar
Association and Big Muddy Bar Association.
I feel it is important to “show the flag.”
Outlining the various SBAND programs,
committees, and features available may seem
repetitive to some. But for our new attorneys,
it is probably the first they have heard of
these benefits. I’ve stressed the importance
of involvement – getting involved in your
local bar associations, local communities,
and with SBAND. What I have appreciated
most from these meetings is seeing the
generally younger attorneys who have taken
on leadership roles within these local bar
associations. It is in our local bar associations
that our state’s future leaders will be found
– leading the communities they practice in,
their clients through difficult situations, and
SBAND.
You have a dedicated group of leaders
serving on SBAND’s board of governors.
Each judicial district has an elected board
member. In addition, UND’s School of Law
dean, a representative of the young lawyer
section, and the ABA state representative
serve on the board. Take the time to look
up your representative and thank them for
their service. While I lead the agenda items,
our board members engage in thoughtful
and spirited discussion on the various issues
facing SBAND. And, of course, much of
the board’s direction is ably executed by
SBAND’s executive director and staff.
I’ve had the honor to speak at investitures
and new lawyer swearing in ceremonies.
These are great events. They are events to
honor those who have achieved great things.
While challenges abound for these new
judges and new attorneys, taking a moment
to recognize their accomplishments is
important.
We’ve all attended conferences. Being
SBAND president has given me the
opportunity to meet other leaders
from across the country at various bar
organization-centered conferences. I’ve
especially enjoyed interacting with bar
presidents from similarly sized states who
face many of the same challenges we do.
Interacting with a wider audience of bar
leaders advances our state bar in that these
contacts help foster ideas and resolve issues
we face.
SBAND faces challenges. There will
always be varying opinions, and there is
always a place for civil debate. But what I
have experienced as president of your bar
association are professionals dedicated to
serving their clients, their local communities,
and their state. I have seen first-hand the
array of programs, resources, and tools you
have available through SBAND. I encourage
you to engage your state bar association
through the numerous opportunities it offers.
Call for CLE Speakers
SBAND and the North Dakota CLE Commission sponsor seminars
and programs throughout the year in all sorts of formats, including
live, webinars, and IVNs.
We want to know about SBAND members who have ideas for topics
or who are interested in being a presenter.
Contact Carrie Molander at [email protected].
2
THE GAVEL