Having been only recently sworn-in as the President of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers, I haven’t yet fully wrapped my brain around the enormity of this honor. My fellow board-members have done a great job of pushing me to become “presidential,” starting with the task of an introductory letter to the membership. While I have much to learn and am going to need their patience in the process, after our Board Member Retreat, the very first thought I want to convey to our general membership is: WOW!!! We are gonna knock your socks off!

If your interest in the organization has waned, if you’ve become too busy with the tedious tasks of work and home to pay attention to DAWL, or if you’ve just never been the type to become involved, things are going to change in a big way for you this year. Our Board has come up with some great ideas and events designed to better integrate our membership, facilitate communications, and foster friendships – while at the same time expanding our outreach not only to one another, but to the community and those in need.

On June 12, 2008, we held our Installation Dinner at McCormick & Schmick’s in Oak Brook. We enjoyed the company of nineteen of the esteemed judges of the 18^th Judicial Circuit, the Circuit Court Clerk, the State’s Attorney, the Public Defender, the County Board Chairman, and several of the best and brightest lights in our legal community. Chief Judge Ann Jorgensen (soon to be “Appellate Court Justice Ann Jorgensen”) did the honors of swearing in the Directors, the Board Members, and the President. The Installation Dinner marked the inception of the Inspirational Woman Award and a call to all members to “Aspire to Inspire!” We have entered the era of the Inspirational Woman, and it is my hope that we will all strive to act as beacons to our peers and communities. (Please visit our website at www.dawl.org to learn more about what it takes to be an Inspirational Woman.)

This year, we are asking our members to simply make an effort – make the effort to attend meetings, to support the organization, to participate in social events, to network with your peers, to help others. We recognize that finances may be tight for some, but it costs nothing to communicate with one another or to volunteer your time to assist with event-planning and philanthropic activities. The first thing I invite all of you to do is to enroll in our e-mail list-serve, dawl@yahoogroups.com   By enrolling, you enable yourself to share information, seek and/or offer advice or referrals, and simply network with other members. It is also a means for us to keep you informed as to the latest DAWL happenings so that you can fit us into your busy schedule! You may enroll by e-mailing the Group Administrator (that would be me) at shelmoore@sbcglobal.net and I will add you to the list. In addition to the list serve, members are invited to register with the website; you can do so by visiting www.dawl.org.   In an effort to be more environmentally friendly and mindful of increased postal costs, we are moving towards a paperless information distribution system – your cooperation and participation in the e-mail and website ventures is critical to our success.

Our Board has an amazing and inspiring level of energy and synergy – as a Board, and as an organization, we are truly greater than the sum of our parts and we are working hard to inspire you to become part of that synergistic energy! Working together, we can accomplish great things individually, collectively, and for the greater good. Here are a few things we are working on for the year ahead:

·         A Powder POWER Puff Golf Outing & Girls Night Out – come out and play with us! Don’t worry if you don’t golf – this is all about having fun, relieving stress, and hanging out with the girls.

·         First Fridays Power Lunch Bunch Meetings – come out and network! No pressure, no speeches. Just an opportunity to connect with other members.

·         Judges & New Lawyers Reception – meet and mingle the judges; meet and mentor a new lawyer.

·         More Networking Opportunities!! The Christmas Party and a special Martinis & Manicures event are sure to provide great times and foster good relations with other members and our peers in the Bar Association.

·         The Zoo Ball in conjunction with the DAWL Foundation to benefit the Child Friendly Courts Foundation

·         More CLE!!

·         2^nd Annual HATS OFF! Kentucky Derby Party to benefit Reins of Change/Horses Healing Hearts

·         Making Over Lives – this is a new project we’re spearheading to help at-risk women improve their lives. Charity is good for the soul, and this event is sure to provide perspective and a greater sense of appreciation for the opportunities and blessings we have received.

In order for our organization to thrive and succeed in our goals, we need your participation – we want you to give a little of your time, your talent, and if you are able, your money to help finance some of our charitable ventures. We intend to incorporate standing committees to encourage more member participation and provide leadership and volunteer opportunities. So when you complete your membership form, please let us know which of the above noted events and philanthropic activities has your interest – we’ll put you on the committee and put you to work!

Mahatma Gandhi said, “You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing there will be no result.” The people who make the most significant differences in our world are not those who are fearless, but those who fear that they will not make a difference, but make the effort anyway. Fearlessness is not necessary for great change, but willingness is. Aspire to Inspire – be willing to make a difference.