An announcement from our Vice-President/President-Elect…
The legal profession, including firms, libraries, and schools are in the midst of change. Technological advances, such as AI and data analytics, new processes, such as knowledge management, coupled with client demands are bringing unprecedented changes to how lawyers, librarians, paralegals, and staff do their jobs. These changes have forced professional membership organizations to reimagine their missions and reassess how to provide value to members.
An important first step in the self-evaluation process is gathering feedback from our members. Although online surveys provide a quick method of polling members, it is equally important to engage members and I believe to do so requires face-to-face conversations. In-person meetings allow for a more dynamic discussion and free exchange of opinions and ideas, not constrained by a survey. One important aspect of any conversation is listening. As Pat Wagner pointed out in “Reaching the Invisible Customer,” a program at the 2018 AALL Annual Meeting, “Listening puts the other person first. … Listening requires a willingness to accept one’s own ignorance. … Listening requires a willingness to learn.”
LLNE is a great organization and is doing great things. However, we must take the time to reflect and ask can we be doing anything differently? The answer may be no – stay the course. If so, great, but we should not take anything for granted.
Beginning in Portland, Maine, on October 12th I will be conducting a “listening tour.” The tour will make its way through the entire LLNE territory. Currently, meetings have also been scheduled in Augusta, Maine (Oct. 12), Concord, NH (Oct. 16) and South Royalton, Vermont (Nov. 8). All members are encouraged to attend and give LLNE your feedback. See LLNE Listening Tour for a running list of dates and locations. Member engagement and involvement is vitally important to any professional organization.
I look forward to meeting you.
Robert DeFabrizio, LLNE Vice-President/President-Elect