President's Message
by Pam Buchnoff  

     Well, another year has come and gone, along with my term as President of SJALA.  I leave with both sadness and relief.  I hope I have made a difference in the association, however, it’s a big responsibility and I’ll be glad to turn that over to the new President.  I also leave with some serious thoughts about what has been going on in our country in the last few months and feel so fortunate that my only problems stem from trying to get more member involvement, never having enough time for anything, and the fact that life is just moving too fast!!!

     The election results are in and the results are as follows:

President	Charlene Bullock
Vice President	Carol O’Neil
Board Member at Large	Pam Buchnoff
Secretary	Holly Silver
Treasurer	Teresa Petty
CAPA Primary	Diedre Wilton
Capa Secondary	Gael Storm
NALA Rep	Debbie Dodd

     Charlene will do a great job as President, but she will need some new committee chairs.  The annual planning meeting will take place on Saturday, January 5, 2002 to plan next year’s events.  Please give Charlene a call if you are interested in attending.

     I want to thank all of the 2001 Board Members and Chairpeople.  Everyone worked extremely hard this year to work on increasing our membership, arranging interesting and informative programs, getting our name out to the legal community by helping with the Bar Picnic and the Heart Run and setting up the educational seminar.  Give yourselves a big pat on the back for all of your hard work.  It was very much appreciated and you should all be recognized for your hard work!! 

     Finally, in light of the recent events in our country, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what is important and what is not.  I have decided what is not important is the criticism and Monday morning quarterbacking that goes on not only in our own association but in each of our offices and lives.  If you give ten people the same directions to complete a task, each one of them will do it differently, because we are all distinct and unique in our own ways.  I ask only that if you are not willing to step up to the plate and take on a job, please do not criticize how it is done by someone who has taken on the responsibility and given of their own time and effort to do it.  I have watched with amazement and wonder at everyone in the country coming together to give support to the people affected by the terrorist attacks.  I think it would be wonderful Christmas present to each other if we followed through on that support in our own lives with the people we work and associate with every day.  Happy Holidays and God Bless America!!!

Pam Buchnoff, CLA President, SJALA