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President's Message
by Dolores Gebhardt, Esq.
“Always over-deliver and under-promise.”
This is the message I received recently in a fortune cookie (thank you, PF Chang’s and Donna Frosco!). I was struck by how very appropriate this simple philosophy is for all of us as the carefree days of summer wane and we prepare to face new beginnings and new challenges this Fall.
Our children have returned to school – in my house, my younger daughter Jennifer, began her adjustment to the academic and social rigors of high school. My older daughter, Nora, bravely said goodbye to high school and all she holds dear, overcame her fear, and is forging her future at NYU. (And I, of course, had to overcome my own fear and let my firstborn fly the nest!)
We all have unpacked from our summer vacations and are ready to resume our careers and our work for the WWBA. There is much ahead for our organization that is new and different this year – even our venerable Annual Golf Outing will be held at a new venue: the beautiful Ridgeway Country Club. See you on September 13!
Our kickoff General Membership Meeting on September 22 features the combined talents of four of our committees - Education, Gender Fairness, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence –to present “Back to School: Bullying and Cyber-bullying Legal Primer 101” in collaboration with Pace Law School. For the first time, one of our CLE programs will be webcast! This is unprecedented exposure for our bar association, which allows us to expand our reach far beyond Westchester. Our Technology and Programs Committees now have a new task: to develop ways in which the WWBA can further its mission through the Internet.
Our Board has many new faces, all of whom bring fresh ideas and a renewed vigor to the WWBA. We have a new committee, Intellectual Property, and we look forward to its first program.
As we begin our work this month and meet our new challenges head on, let us all be inspired by the simple yet powerful words of the fortune cookie. Do not take on more tasks than you can complete. Take responsibility - don’t let your colleagues or co-chairs down. Share the work equally - there is more than enough for all. Do not be afraid to think outside the box, try something new, or ask for help. Remember, “WWBA” stands for “We Will Be Able!” We are a team, and together we can accomplish far more than any of us can individually.
As for me, September marks the true beginning of my term as President. The excitement of the Annual Dinner and Leadership Training are over, and now I roll up my sleeves and get to work. I promise only that I will do my best every day, and I ask the same of each of you. If we make this simple promise to each other, together we will over-deliver.
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09/13/2010 8:30AM
