WEST VIRGINIA BAR FOUNDATION
                                                                             ANNUAL REPORT
                                                                    JULY 1, 2007-JUNE 30, 2008

During the 2007-08 fiscal year, the West Virginia Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors undertook several actions to achieve its goals of improving the administration of justice and the provision of legal services to West Virginia’s citizens.  The Board, which consists of a diverse group of fifteen lawyers from all parts of the state and all types of law practice, accomplished the following:

·         Amended the bylaws to enhance the operation and governance of the organization.

·         Elected new volunteer members of the policy making Board of Directors and selected qualified Officers.

·         Provided the largest amount of grants to worthwhile entities in the Bar Foundation’s twenty year history.

·         Received and approved the Independent Auditors’ Report for the 2006-07 fiscal year.

·         Worked with the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Advisory Committee to propose improvements to increase IOLTA funding for free civil legal services for low income citizens, in accordance with the Order of the WV Supreme Court of Appeals.

·         Held quarterly Board of Directors meetings and received reports and recommendations from the IOLTA Advisory Committee which also convened quarterly meetings.

·         Presented an IOLTA news conference and news releases with remarks by Supreme Court Chief Justice Maynard, Bar Foundation Vice President Harris, and representatives from the WV Bankers Association and State Bar to announce IOLTA distributions totaling over $13 million since 1990.

·         Continued the tradition of selecting extraordinary judges and lawyers as Bar Foundation Fellows. Less than 200 of the approximately 5,000 members of the judiciary and lawyers in the state have received this prestigious honor.

·         Named an outstanding Lawyer Citizen of the Year.

·         Made prudent financial decisions by paying off two significant loans early and by adding amounts to the Bar Foundation’s reserves.

·         Entered into equitable multi year lease agreements for the two Bar Foundation owned facilities housing the WV State Bar and the Lawyer Disciplinary Board/Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

·         With the assistance of the IOLTA Advisory Committee, distributed more than $575,000 to grantees during the fiscal year.

·         Worked with the Young Lawyers Section of the WV State Bar to update and distribute “A Practical Guide to Lawyer Trust Accounts” booklet for all WV lawyers with IOLTA accounts.

·         Introduced the newly expanded Bar Foundation website—-www.wvbarfoundation.org—-with a significant amount of information and photographs regarding the group’s services and activities.

·         Employed the first fulltime Executive Director staff person.

     The first several weeks consisted of setting up a formal office (a “palatial” former apartment over a garage behind the State Bar Center and the Lawyer Disciplinary Board offices on Kanawha Blvd., East in Charleston) including getting phone and fax lines, requesting a specific address (2008A Kanawha Blvd., East), purchasing office supplies and the biggest activity—buying and getting used to a new laptop computer, a copy/fax/scan machine and various programs that were new or more advanced to me (Vista, Quickbooks, Excell, etc.)!

     I spent a lot of time on the phone with “Help Desk” people (mostly located in India) before I found the best help desk assistance and information right in my own home—my wife, Rebecca! She had the patience and expertise to walk me through any situation when I became quite frustrated that “pushing a button” did not immediately get the necessary results!

     Let me say this very clearly——I wish to express my deep sincere appreciation and gratitude to the excellent staff persons at the WV State Bar—Connie, Hope, Cheryl and Kathy—who, for the fifteen years ending on December 31, 2007 when I left and continuing today, provided outstanding service to our WV lawyers. I now have a greater comprehension of how much they have accomplished as qualified and competent individuals.

     The other major technology that had to be put into effect was a Bar Foundation website. After an initial start and stop, we are very pleased with this website that contains a multitude of information and material regarding the Bar Foundation and the important work in which it is involved. Nevertheless, in today’s world, a website must always be current, interesting and informative. So, please give us your comments, suggestions and criticisms about the website. We want it to be a website that you will use often.

     Finally, it seems that there are more and more blogs on the Internet. We don’t want to be left out, so The Tinderbox rides again! While I was with the State Bar, I did a column in every issue of the WV Lawyer magazine with that title. Now, The Tinderbox blog will be a shorter, more frequent discourse on one or more topics. You have just read the first official one! Check it out in the future whenever you have a few moments to spare.

     Take care.

     Tom

The website includes everything you want to know about the goals and successes, the programs and services, and the governance and actions that are undertaken to benefit the lawyers, judges and citizens of the State. It is the source of facts and materials that enables the Bar Foundation to achieve its mission of improving the administration of justice and the provision of legal services for West Virginia’s men, women and children.

The Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors—a diverse group of fifteen lawyers from all parts of the State and all types of law practice—is committed to accomplishing even more positive endeavors in the future. You can expect to see the West Virginia Bar Foundation continuing to work professionally, proactively and cooperatively to assist our State and its people.

Please give us your input about what we are currently doing and what suggestions you have for us.

Tom Tinder
Executive Director
304-343-9823
tom@wvbarfoundation.org