Happy Fall! It is certainly hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner as it seems like only yesterday that so many of you were in Atlanta for the NCBC Conference. We (my great staff and I) had a wonderful time hosting the conference. My thanks to Impact editor, Jan Zari, for publishing a bonus conference issue so those of you who were unable to attend in person could experience a little of the learning and fun. Our next annual meeting, a joint NCBC/FCCA (Federal Court Clerks Association) event, will be August 8-11, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting event.
I am honored and thrilled to begin my two year term as president of the NCBC. I realize, however, it will be very hard to measure up to my predecessor, Lee Ann Bennett, who did an amazing job leading our association. I am grateful that she will remain on the Board as the Immediate Past President. Lee Ann is not only a great clerk but has become a great friend. Eddy Emmons (Clerk, California Northern) will do double duty this year serving as both President-elect and Business Manager. Ken Hirz (Clerk, Ohio Northern) will continue to serve as Treasurer and Eileen Garrity was re-elected as Secretary.
The Board of Governors for the 2015-2016 year is:
¨ Mona Sparks, who will chair the Awards, Mentorship and Scholarship Committees
¨ Sabrina Palacio-Garcia, who will chair the Membership Committee
¨ Teresa Underwood, who will chair the Education Committee
¨ Vito Genna, who will chair the Outreach Committee
¨ Yvonne Cheroke, who will chair the Benefits Committee
The NCBC staff remains:
¨ Mary Lynn Wilson and Jennifer Paro, Co-Historians
¨ Joe Markley, Webmaster
¨ Jan Zari, Impact Editor
As you can see, I am certainly blessed with an outstanding team for the coming year. I hope you will reach out to any one of us with questions, concerns or suggestions. We all want the NCBC to be responsive to your needs and we need your input to accomplish that goal. If you are interested in serving on any committee, please let us know!
So, what is on the horizon for the coming year? As I write this, we are all operating under a continuing resolution that funds the government through December 11, 2015. What happens after that……..we shall see. We do know from Director Duff that the federal judiciary can operate independently from appropriated funds for a significant period of time.
So, in the unlikely event of a government shutdown on December 12, we will all continue to work and serve the needs of the bankruptcy community.
The NCBC will continue to focus on what we can provide to our members other than a great annual meeting. Our partnership with Jim De La Torre and FedAdvantage has proven to be a truly beneficial one. Jim gave five excellent presentations in Atlanta. He also committed to on-site financial education and planning programs for courts throughout the country. He is scheduled through January 2016 and continues to add more and more courts. This is a great benefit for our members and judiciary employees who may not yet belong to the NCBC. The bottom line is we want our coworkers to know as much as possible about their current benefits, opportunities that are available now and how to financially maximize their retirement. Thank you, Jim!
The NCBC will continue to work with the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, Judicial Conference Committees, AO councils and advisory groups, and other groups to advocate for the needs of bankruptcy courts. We are continuously asked for information and assistance – and we call on our members in that regard. It is critical that we find ways to provide solid information to decision makers. This fits right in with our principles of Leadership, Advocacy, Education and Solutions.
My best to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season!
I am honored and thrilled to begin my two year term as president of the NCBC. I realize, however, it will be very hard to measure up to my predecessor, Lee Ann Bennett, who did an amazing job leading our association. I am grateful that she will remain on the Board as the Immediate Past President. Lee Ann is not only a great clerk but has become a great friend. Eddy Emmons (Clerk, California Northern) will do double duty this year serving as both President-elect and Business Manager. Ken Hirz (Clerk, Ohio Northern) will continue to serve as Treasurer and Eileen Garrity was re-elected as Secretary.
The Board of Governors for the 2015-2016 year is:
¨ Mona Sparks, who will chair the Awards, Mentorship and Scholarship Committees
¨ Sabrina Palacio-Garcia, who will chair the Membership Committee
¨ Teresa Underwood, who will chair the Education Committee
¨ Vito Genna, who will chair the Outreach Committee
¨ Yvonne Cheroke, who will chair the Benefits Committee
The NCBC staff remains:
¨ Mary Lynn Wilson and Jennifer Paro, Co-Historians
¨ Joe Markley, Webmaster
¨ Jan Zari, Impact Editor
As you can see, I am certainly blessed with an outstanding team for the coming year. I hope you will reach out to any one of us with questions, concerns or suggestions. We all want the NCBC to be responsive to your needs and we need your input to accomplish that goal. If you are interested in serving on any committee, please let us know!
So, what is on the horizon for the coming year? As I write this, we are all operating under a continuing resolution that funds the government through December 11, 2015. What happens after that……..we shall see. We do know from Director Duff that the federal judiciary can operate independently from appropriated funds for a significant period of time.
So, in the unlikely event of a government shutdown on December 12, we will all continue to work and serve the needs of the bankruptcy community.
The NCBC will continue to focus on what we can provide to our members other than a great annual meeting. Our partnership with Jim De La Torre and FedAdvantage has proven to be a truly beneficial one. Jim gave five excellent presentations in Atlanta. He also committed to on-site financial education and planning programs for courts throughout the country. He is scheduled through January 2016 and continues to add more and more courts. This is a great benefit for our members and judiciary employees who may not yet belong to the NCBC. The bottom line is we want our coworkers to know as much as possible about their current benefits, opportunities that are available now and how to financially maximize their retirement. Thank you, Jim!
The NCBC will continue to work with the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, Judicial Conference Committees, AO councils and advisory groups, and other groups to advocate for the needs of bankruptcy courts. We are continuously asked for information and assistance – and we call on our members in that regard. It is critical that we find ways to provide solid information to decision makers. This fits right in with our principles of Leadership, Advocacy, Education and Solutions.
My best to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season!