A Message From Our President

I would like the thank the Philadelphia Chapter of the ALA for allowing me to serve as President for the 2022-2024 term.  Our new Board of Directors features some new faces as well as the return of many loyal leaders.  All are proud to be serving the Philadelphia Chapter and join me in our dedication to our membership and partnerships.

 The Philadelphia Chapter was founded in 1975 with a handful of Legal Administrators who wanted to create an organization through which they could share industry knowledge as well as offer a peer network to exchange advice, guidance, and friendship.  Now, our Chapter consists not only of approximately 200 members from small, mid-size, large firms and in-house legal departments from the Greater Philadelphia and surrounding areas, but we have over 50 Business Partners who offer industry insight and keep us on task with new trends.  Quite an accomplishment!

 Our Chapter has received many accolades and awards including the National Idea Award and the National Presidents’ Award of Excellence.  We have increased our visibility in the community by chairing book drives for The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, organizing holiday toy drives for the Center for Child Advocates and volunteering at, and making monetary donations to, the Gift of Life Family House and PAWS.  The new Board and I will continue to strive to further our accomplishments and continue our involvement in the community.

 While times have certainly changed and continue to change, we will continue our many traditions and start new ones.  Our Board is committed to thinking outside the box to continue to grow the Chapter and support its members. In this, I will offer some challenges, to help get the most out of your membership with this Chapter.

 Our Education Committee is on task with scheduling monthly education sessions and roundtables. They find and vet speakers and ensure sessions are relevant and accessible. I challenge you to attend some sessions and participate in roundtables.

 Our Technology & Communications Committees are going to be busy keeping us all up to date with events and news by managing our website and social media presence. I challenge you to share our events and news and tag us when you are at events. Help us get our name our there.

 Our Business Partner Committee will continue to offer fun and exciting networking and social events so we can continue to find solace in the community we have built. I challenge you to meet someone new at the next event you attend. A new Member and Business Partner. 

Our Membership Committee will continue to strengthen our Ambassador Program which will give our members an excellent opportunity to be involved. They will also be ensuring you know how to get the most out of your membership.  I challenge you to respond to list serv questions and use the list serv when you need advice.

Our Diversity Committee will ensure our membership, partnerships, events, and educations exude Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging, as we continue to celebrate diversity in our Chapter. I challenge you to visit our DEIA page and continue learning and reading and being an Ally to those underrepresented communities.

Taking on this role as your president is exciting, but also terrifying and is going to challenge me. A friend (met through the ALA of course) told me “Well…. that that’s a good thing!” So, remember, in these moments of challenge, we grow and build our resilience capacity. It helps heighten our sense of awareness and can sharpen our thinking. And, if used correctly, can be helpful to overcoming obstacles in everyday life.

If you have any questions about how to get involved, please feel free to contact me or any Board member.  Please visit our website and calendar of events often. Share your news with us so we can share on our website and LinkedIn page.

As I close out, remember that our Business Partners are exactly that – Partners. We don’t call them vendors because we build relationships with these industry leaders, it is not purely transactional. They are here to help and enrich our chapter. Even if you do not need their service today, build that relationship. I can say that our Business Partners are the best in the industry. They know their stuff and are always happy to help. Talk to them, meet with them, engage with them. You might not need them now, but you never know when you will need their advice or services.  You can also help make an introduction to someone that might be able to use their services – the best type of compliment!

Thank you again for allowing me to serve as your President.  I look forward to meeting you or seeing you again at an event! 

 


 

 

    Krista Hart, Philadelphia Chapter President 

    Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel, LLP
    Email: [email protected]