PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Wendi Rogers, CLA, Acting President, 1997
On November 20, 1996, I assumed the responsibilities of President of the Legal Assistants Division. I am delighted to serve in this capacity and am deeply honored by the confidence placed in me by the board. I realize that I have enormous shoes to fill. The Division's prior leaders have made great strides with this organization in the past in an effort to improve our profession.
The Division has played an important role in my paralegal career. In fact, the moment I was eligible, I applied for membership. I read each newsletter from cover to cover and, like a sponge, I soaked up the information. I remember the Division's chairs throughout the years, portrayed on the front of each newsletter. Now that I look back on it, I realize that those past leaders were like stars to me. They seemed so strong and insightful. Actually, each time I meet one of our past leaders I am in awe of them. These women are truly amazing and they have been great role models for me. Now that I find myself in their shoes, I am overwhelmed. How can this once newborn paralegal lead such an amazing organization.
Taking on the duties of President of the Division is a very humbling experience for me. I realized very quickly that although leadership is important, this organization's success depends upon the dedication of its members. Without the hard work of its membership, our organization would not function. We have seen many successes since the organization's beginning in 1981. Our success can be attributed to our hardworking members and our many supporters among the State Bar. Realizing the recipe for success in the past, we look to the future. It is my hope that we will continue to appreciate our position in the legal field and our work as an organization which is part of the State Bar. This will enable us to enhance and improve the quality of legal services provided to the citizens of Texas.
I predict that the next two to three years will be monumental for our profession. Many paralegals have expressed their dreams for our profession and most see professional definition for legal assistants as the primary goal. Realistically, the only way we will successfully achieve our goals is to follow the recipe of our past successes and to continue to work together.
This organization is made up of a diverse group of individuals. These individuals practice in a wide range of specialty areas and live in a number of locales-from small towns to large cities. We must use our diversity as a strength and not let it separate us. Our differences are what should bring us together as an organization. Each of us has special knowledge, education, skills or talents that can be utilized for the benefit of the Division and our profession. If we work together as a united team we can successfully educate the legal community about our value as professionals. This educated legal community will then provide us a vehicle by which we can assume a professional definition.
So let us set some goals for 1997. Let us show our support for the Legal Assistants Division by inviting a friend to become a member, thereby increasing our team. Get involved and put your talents to work.
TEXAS PARALEGAL JOURNAL
Spring 1997
©1997 Legal Assistants Division, State Bar of Texas