 Going Forward
By Michael C Woodward
Early returns, with renewal memberships still coming in at a healthy rate, indicate the election by approximately 45 per cent of the practising bar to continue CBA membership. Two obvious conclusions can be drawn at this point. Firstly, in contrast with the 55 year universality system, these can be expected to be stronger and more committed members than was the case previously. As an organization governed and controlled by volunteers, these “voluntary” members likely represent a new resource for the B.C. Branch as it moves forward. The second conclusion is that, as expected, and as budgeted for by our Provincial Council, the B.C. Branch will have fewer financial resources, and will, on an ongoing basis, be assessing both its extensive range of programs and terms of access to those programs.
I look forward to working with the B.C. Branch Executive Committee, Provincial Council, and senior staff in making these necessary decisions, all with the view of keeping the CBABC vibrant and effective. Calls for nominations for elected members of Provincial Council are included with this issue of BarTalk. The deadline for submission of nominations is March 23, 2005. I encourage all members of the profession who believe they could contribute, to consider placing their names in nomination. It was most gratifying to see that last year, contested elections occurred in seven of the eight counties from which Council members are elected.
The Law Society’s announcement of the resignation of Executive Director James Matkin, QC, and of the $290,000 severance payment included the comment “As a result of Mr. Matkin’s resignation, it is no longer necessary for the Executive Committee to carry out an investigation.” That is obviously true, but, equally this represents the loss of an important opportunity for the Benchers to articulate, for the profession generally and for the previous and next incumbent, the standards expected of the individual appointed to this key position in the organization.
I dare say it would have assisted all to know whether the Executive Director, given the leadership role inherent in this position, is expected to meet an elevated ethical standard, and if so, what that standard entails and what behaviours that standard might prohibit. The settlement with Mr. Matkin means that, if the Benchers wish to articulate such standards, some new avenue of expression will have to be found.
This article was published in the February 2005 issue of BarTalk. © 2005 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved. |
