Seeing it
ABA President Bill Bay. (Photo courtesy of Thompson Coburn)
My wife and I had one of those rare evenings at home several years ago. We sat outside enjoying the sunset. Everything looked great to me. The house. The yard. It seemed like after 30 years, our home was exactly the way we always envisioned it. Comfortable. Familiar. No need to do anything but enjoy it. That’s what I told her. It is how I felt. I was trying to be positive.
She smiled and responded, “You don’t see it, do you?”
I said honestly, “I do not.”
Spoiler alert: That was not the right response.
Don’t get me wrong. She loved the house, the memories, the traditions, the great times we celebrated with family and friends. But she also saw the need to make changes in the yard, lights and deck. In the house, she wanted it to be brighter and more welcoming. New fixtures. Countertops. Backsplash. Whatever that was. I learned later. A built-in bookcase. A serving area. I could go on. These were things she knew needed to be done from years of welcoming people to our house.
But I was too comfortable with the familiar to see it. And I did not want change. The upheaval, the expense, the risk of finding unexpected things that would have to be addressed and cost more time and money. I was more comfortable with staying the course. Our home was just fine. Really.
As you might expect, I went with her approach. It took some months, but our house was much improved. It was more functional, lighter, and the yard easier to enjoy and maintain. It was better suited to welcome our kids and grandchildren for visits. And to host neighbors and friends. It really was better.
She was right. I hadn’t seen it.
In light of that experience, I have been thinking about our association. It’s a wonderful home. Full of history. Tradition. Friends. It’s a familiar place with familiar experiences, faces, acronyms, entities. It’s comfortable. I like it all. But does everyone feel that way?
Home improvements
I suspect that sometimes we don’t see it. The changes that are needed to make our home more welcoming, simpler to access and understand, easier to make a connection.
I believe this is the time for change. To renovate our association house. To strive to meet lawyers where they are. To answer the questions they ask: “What’s in it for me? Why should I make this my home?” We need to embrace change to address the concerns and needs of new generations.
It won’t be kitchen counters or bookcases or backsplashes or fixtures. Instead, we must focus on member engagement and member experience. Simplify the process of joining, engaging and paying dues. Provide access to all we have to offer. Develop and embrace new leaders. Tell our story. Be a clear voice. Lead the profession.
The truth is, we are part of something special. We are one great association. We have made a difference for nearly 150 years. If we want to make a difference for the next 150 years, we have to make changes.
So our goal is simple. We want to be a place where every member of our profession can belong. A place where value and opportunity are abundant. Where members can connect to their passion. Where they can forge connections that will last a lifetime. We want to meet attorneys where they are and provide what they want in the way they want it. After all, isn’t that what we strive to do when we welcome others to our homes?
Let’s decide today we will embrace change, move beyond the familiar and strive to make our home more inviting. We can do that while we remain faithful to who we are, what we stand for and what we do.
I hope you see it. There was a time I didn’t, but I do now. Welcome home.
This story was originally published in the October/November 2024 issue of the ABA Journal under the headline: “Seeing It.”
Follow President Bay on Twitter @ABAPresident or email [email protected].
