In this season of gratitude, I am moved to express thanks for the many people, programs and undertakings that have made 2012 another great year for LMA Midwest.
This year, our chapter offered stellar educational programming in each of our city groups, providing valuable professional enrichment to our members. The programs were presented live in our city groups and were also broadcast to locations where live programming was unavailable. This programming came to fruition under the capable leadership of president-elect Tina Johns and city group leaders Pam Champ, John Cornwell, Taryn Elliott, Maureen Farr, Pagette Fischer, Rich Marsolais, Nicole Weinacht and Jennifer Whitley and through the invaluable efforts of our chapter administrative assistant Melody Jean and many chapter members and volunteers.
We also launched a new and improved version of our chapter newsletter In the Loop. The new electronic format allows for greater accessibility and is now fully integrated with the new LMA website. Our chapter newsletter is a vital tool in keeping our geographically dispersed chapter members connected, as evidenced by its most-read column Loop’s Scoop. The revamped newsletter would not have happened without the dedicated leadership of committee chair Kristen Bugaris, editor Jennifer Gamber and board members Allen Chichester and Tina Johns and the praise-worthy efforts of the many chapter members and volunteers who contributed to the content and production of In the Loop.
We had several fun opportunities to network and socialize with fellow members this year, including at our annual meet the board event in February and our summer and holiday socials in each of the city groups. We also recognized the excellence among our peers at our annual Your Honor Awards (YHA) ceremony in February. These programs went off without a hitch under the expert leadership of committee chair Rachel Repke, YHA co-chairs Sydney Iglitzen, Joy Long and Megan McKeon and board member Bill Fitzgerald and with important efforts by city group leaders, members and volunteers. In addition, our solo and small firm marketer members networked and exchanged ideas throughout the year on account of the valuable leadership of special interest group chair Molly Kean.
Despite the prolonged economic recovery, our chapter membership steadily grew over the course of the year, with the help of new member recruitment efforts like our referral incentive program. These initiatives were enthusiastically led by committee chair Amy Jean and board member Sydney Iglitzen and benefited from the indispensable efforts of many committee members, city group leaders and chapter volunteers. We also are in the process of launching our sixth city group in Kansas City, thanks to the tireless efforts of Jane Shahi, the sage guidance of board members Anne Schuster and Rich Marsolais and the commitment of the many capable legal marketers who have agreed to lead our KC contingent.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the generous financial support of our many chapter and program sponsors and the talented man who garnered their support, immediate past president Gary Young. I also am thankful to treasurer Melissa Marshall and treasurer-elect Stuart Goodman, who kept all that money safe, sound and well spent, and secretary Rich Marsolais, who documented all of the important work our chapter committees and board did this year.
We will welcome several new LMA Midwest board members in 2013, namely Maureen Farr, Anne Gallagher, Lisa Sesti and Cere Woods, and we thank Gary Young and his astute nominating committee for carefully identifying such talented and committed individuals. I also am thankful to departing board members Allen Chichester, Melissa Marshall, Anne Schuster and Gary Young and returning board members Bill Fitzgerald, Stuart Goodman, Sydney Iglitzen, Tina Johns and Rich Marsolais for their thoughtful leadership of the chapter this year.
Finally, I am grateful to all of the members and volunteers who give us purpose and inspire us to serve. You have created a community that should be envied by other professions for its open exchange of ideas, commitment to a greater good and true camaraderie among its members.