WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
and What Does She Do?
In keeping with the theme of this issue of the Texas Paralegal Journal, I would like to share a little of the history about the position of Executive Director and how it came into being.
During fiscal year 1989-1990, the Board of Directors made the decision to hire an executive director for the Division, on a contract basis. The Board felt that having an executive director who was actually employed by the Division would provide a sense of continuity that the organization desperately needed. Applicants for the position were solicited by advertising in the Texas Bar Journal and in several of the larger newspapers across the state. The job description was very specific and it required a variety of educational and employment credentials. The goal was to hire someone who could step right in and start running the Division.
At the time of the interviews, the Board consisted of the following: Cathrue Benoit, Chair; Linda Manning, Secretary; Jan Soderman, Treasurer; Sharyn Aust Smith, Parliamentarian; and Linda Fiegner, incoming Secretary. The final interviews were held during the spring, 1990 Board meeting in Galveston. I took over as Executive Director on June 1, 1990.
At first, the position was part-time, and had only limited duties. My primary task was to assist the Division Chair with the overwhelming number of responsibilities that position entails. As a volunteer, the Division Chair cannot possibly run the organization without a certain amount of assistance, and that was my job. I was very fortunate to have Michele Boerder, CLA from Dallas as my first "boss."
During that first year, I concentrated on learning as much as possible about the Division and how it was organized, as well as acting as a liaison between the Division and the State Bar. It was definitely a learning experience. After the first year and a half, the Board made some additional organizational changes. The ultimate goal was to transfer as many of the administrative tasks as possible from the Board and Committee chairs to the executive director as possible. Among the responsibilities I assumed were maintenance of the by-laws and standing rules, coordinating the production of the Division's publications, and managing the membership renewal process, with the assistance of the State Bar's membership department. Previously, all of those tasks had been performed by Division volunteers.
Over the years, my position has evolved considerably. First, it has become a full-time position. Second, once the Division took control of its own funds, the position became that of accountant and financial manager as well. In addition, the Division has developed a brochure, it now has two official publications, and we offer a number of CLE seminars on a variety of topics. It is my responsibility to oversee all of those functions.
Of course, the primary responsibility of the Division's executive director is to implement the policies established by the Division's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is the controlling body of the Division and the executive director is essentially support staff for the organization. As I see it, my duty is to maintain the integrity of the organization and uphold its ethical standards. I sincerely appreciate the support of the members of the Board of Directors and all of the committee volunteers (both past and present) who have assisted me in shaping the duties of my position and in performing those duties. It has been a learning process and one that I continue to enjoy immensely. Thanks to all of you.
TEXAS PARALEGAL JOURNAL
Fall 1996
©1996 Legal Assistants Division, State Bar of Texas