Every January brings a new group of Board Members eager to lend their skills and expertise to The Pro Bono Project to help us continue to flourish as we respond to the ever-changing civil legal needs of the communities we serve. This year is no different, as we welcomed them on Wednesday, January 22nd at our New Board Members' Orientation, held in the Boardroom at The Bar Center.
Board Chair, Jan Hayden of Baker Donelson, 2nd Vice-Chair Norm Rubenstein of The Zeughauser Group and The Project's Executive Director, Rachel Piercey, conducted the Orientation, which was immediately followed by the January Board Meeting and a Welcome reception.
New members this year include:
Patrick Fraizer
Pan-American Life Insurance Company
Pamela V. Hansen
Capital One
Chauntis Trenelle Jenkins
Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson, LLP
Robert A. Kutcher
Chopin, Wagar, Richard & Kutcher, LLP
Steven J. Lane
Herman, Herman & Katz, LLP
Wendy Hickok Robinson
Entergy
As part of their orientation, new members learn about The Project's vast history and involvement in the community. They see how it fits into the legal landscape along with other non-profit legal service providers that compliment The Project's efforts.
They are then briefed on the duties and responsibilities of board members and given their Board Book, which details the governance and operations from A to Z for the entire organization.
Finally, the new members meet the entire staff, who provide them with a snapshot of staff's responsibilities and the various areas of law with which they deal daily.
"The session is designed to give the new board members a good understanding of the organization and the challenges, opportunities and successes it has experienced over the years as it strives to fulfill its mission," explained Executive Director Rachel Piercey.
Board members serve for two years, with an option to serve a second two-year term, unless they are elected to the Executive Committee. Then, they will rotate off the Board the year after they serve as Board Chair.
"The New Board Member Orientation gives us the opportunity to spend time with new members so that we can begin to learn what their strengths are and how they will best be able to serve the mission of the organization. Our goal today is to provide them with a primer, the rest will follow as they attend and participate in the organization's activities and eventually better learn role they can play," said Ms. Piercey.
The Board, Staff and Friends of The Pro Bono Project welcome these new Board members and look forward to working with them in the coming months.