It is easy to break one reed, but hard to break many.

By Stephen Mcphee

This past February our CBA Branch very quietly achieved a milestone of some significance. I thought that event should not go unnoticed and the people responsible for that event should receive the proper recognition and thanks.

If I could, I would contact each of those responsible personally and express my appreciation for their contribution and stress the importance of their continued contribution to the success of our organization. That would take awhile. There are more than 6500 of you. You are our members.

You see, in February, while we have continued to grow our membership year over year since 2005, we achieved a 96 per cent membership renewal rate in our regular five year + category. Up to now, we have already been achieving renewal rates more than 90 per cent, and been leading the CBA across Canada in membership. Our renewal percentages far outstrip “normal” rates of voluntary professional associations in North America. But 96 per cent!

And so, I thought it was timely to thank you, and explain why your ongoing contribution is so important.

First, the thanks. There are so many volunteers who work hard on our committees, Sections, conferences and forums to further the goals and ideals of the CBA. You contribute your time, your professional energy, and your personal life to meetings, task forces, working groups and numerous other CBA activities. You contribute to initiatives and programs that provide significant benefits to all lawyers and the justice system as a whole.

And then there are even more members who express their support by making the decision to renew their membership; enroll for the first time, or return to the fold after an absence when they realize the significance of belonging to the CBA. Please note that I didn’t say these members “just” express their support by their membership. I know it is an important commitment; and a financial commitment.

Why is it important? It is not about more membership dollars. We are a non-profit organization. Each year we have very hardworking staff working with Caroline Nevin to ensure we have a solid budget, and we stick to it. We will work with whatever budget we have year to year.

It is about credibility and clout. Your credibility and clout. When we, as an organization take positions on important issues – important issues to our profession and our justice system, we are well received. We are taken seriously. Not because of the particular eloquence of any individual in our organization who happens to be the spokesperson at that time or place, but because CBA is representative of our profession and is able to credibly say we speak for our profession. You give us that credibility and clout.

That is the message I have taken to our various county and city Bars these past few months, and that is the message I have taken to the managing partners of our largest law firms when I have met with them. And it is a message that has resonated with those I have spoken to.

So, thank you, all of you members, volunteers and staff. Thank you for your continuing contribution to the growth of our CBA, and the growth of our credibility – your credibility as lawyers in a strong, representative, professional organization.

If there are any of you who wonder why anyone would volunteer or how you can get more involved, I am happy to share with you how personally and professionally fulfilling it has been for me and put you in touch with a like-minded volunteer in your community or firm. Look out for the committee volunteer forms that come with this edition of BarTalk, as that is a very good first step.

Once again, thank you, all of you, for your commitment and your contributions.

This article was published in the April 2011 issue of BarTalk. © 2011 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.