Academy Seeks to Develop Future Bar Leaders
By Bill Conger

President John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”  As president of the Oklahoma Bar Association, an attorney and an educator, I am passionate about learning and leadership, and that is why one of the goals of my presidency has been to provide leadership training for tomorrow’s bar leaders.

After a highly successful, two-day OBA Leadership Conference in 2007, I decided to build on that strong foundation by developing a more extensive leadership program. I wanted to provide a continued opportunity to OBA members for leadership training and professional growth and will do so through the 2008-2009 Oklahoma Bar Association Leadership Academy.

The Leadership Academy format will differ from the Leadership Conference. The academy will include fewer people than the Leadership Conference -- about 20 individuals will be selected. However, more training sessions will be offered with the academy. I anticipate that there will be four sessions, beginning in the early fall this year and continuing through June 2009.

If you are selected and attend this program, you will learn what it means to be a leader. You will learn how to communicate, motivate and succeed not only in your law career, but also in service to professional, political, judicial, civic and community organizations. You will also have a chance to meet and interact with prominent legal and community leaders.

It is also of extreme importance to me that the Leadership Academy participants include members of the OBA who are from diverse backgrounds or who have historically been underrepresented in OBA leadership. If you fall within one of these categories, I urge you to consider applying for this opportunity.

My thanks to the Leadership Academy Task Force, led by Bartlesville attorney Linda Thomas and Oklahoma City attorney Laura McConnell Corbyn. The work and continued work of the task force is much appreciated. Task force members are Chris Camp, Martha Rupp Carter, Dietmar Caudle, Charles Chesnut, Robert Farris, Charles Geister, Celeste Johnson, Patrick Layden, Michael Mordy, Jon Parsley, Giovanni Perry, Keri Williams and Judge Richard Woolery.

Who is eligible?
Any OBA member, including 2007 Leadership Conference participants.

How do I apply?
Fill out the application form by May 30.

What is the cost?
The OBA will pay for the program, accommodations and food, but participants will be responsible for their own travel.

Why participate?
You will benefit personally and professionally by learning about professional leadership. You will be exposed to the legislative and judicial systems; you will interact with high-level state and local officials and judges – and meet many attorneys from the private and public sectors.

Questions?
Call or e-mail Co-Chair Linda Thomas at (918) 337-0947, ltlaw@sbcglobal.net or OBA Educational Programs Director Donita Douglas at (405) 416-7028, donitad@okbar.org.

What are the training dates?
August 21 & 22, 2008
January 22 & 23, 2009
April 23 & 24, 2009
May 21, 2009