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Governance & Membership

President's Message - February

Do a Good Turn Daily

By D. Kenyon Williams Jr. 

2025 OBA President D. Kenyon "Ken" Williams Jr.

“Do a good turn daily” has been the slogan for both the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for over a century (well before I was a Boy Scout in the ‘60s). In today’s vernacular, we might say, “Do a good deed daily.” For many, this may evoke the old comedy routines showing a scout “helping” (dragging) an elderly woman across a busy street and the scout stating, “There you are, ma’am, safely across the street.” To which the elderly woman replies, “But, young man, I did not WANT to cross the street!” followed by a rim shot and laugh track.

For the literal-minded lad that I was at age 10 and a half (my scoutmaster let me start the program a little early because I persuaded him that the activities of Cub Scouts did not call to me – I was certain I was ready to run wild in the woods!), this meant that every day, I intentionally looked for a “good deed” I could do for someone. I did not think about the slogan any more deeply than perceiving it as another “check-the-box” requirement of being part of that organization. It was not until much later in life that I came to see the deeper meaning of the concept. For me, it is another way to teach and learn that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Personal satisfaction and reward come from freely doing good deeds for others (notwithstanding the oft-quoted notion that “no good deed goes unpunished”).

I look at this year as one of opportunity for the OBA – the opportunity to find more satisfaction in what you do with your time (both professional and personal), what and who you know (professionally and personally) and how you make your part of the world a better place.

Over the last 47 years of my membership in the bar, I have been fortunate to serve on many of its committees and sections, having chaired several of them. One of the most exciting opportunities I had was as vice president when I chaired the Professionalism Committee at the request of 2023 President Brian Hermanson. In that role, I interacted with many of our state’s county bar associations and OBA sections by generating monthly “Professionalism Moments” and coordinating CLE presentations on the topics of professionalism and civility. From that interaction and my service on the Board of Governors, I learned and am inspired by how many great things our members are doing, quietly and without concern for credit or thanks. In addition, I saw the professional and personal relationships of our members that are constantly being formed and reinforced through members’ involvement in our association. If you are still thinking about what committees, sections and/or divisions in which to participate, call any of our officers, your district governor or the executive director and let us help you find one or more areas of service that will allow you to shine, grow and befriend some of the finest people on the planet, our association’s members.

On a related note, please plan to join the Board of Governors and many of our members on March 25 for this year’s OBA Day at the Capitol event. The expertise of Oklahoma lawyers is an excellent resource for lawmakers when legislation is considered, and now is the time to reach out to your state representative in advance of this annual opportunity to discuss legislative issues. Our members who participated last year were well received by their state representatives, and I am confident your participation will be appreciated this year!

Again, all you do as volunteers in service to the public and your communities is amazing and inspiring! I cannot say often enough how much I appreciate all that you do. It is an honor to represent our association this year as your president. Let’s find a “good turn” to do together! 

D. Kenyon “Ken” Williams Jr. is a shareholder and director at Hall Estill in Tulsa.


Originally published in the Oklahoma Bar Journal – OBJ 96 Vol 2 (February 2025).

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.