This message has been cross posted to the following Discussions: Family Law and Dispute Resolution Section Board of Directors .
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Dear Friends:
My campaign is based upon four core principles:
(1) Experience. This includes more than three decades of legal and bar association experience and service. I am the only woman candidate for an officer position, i.e. secretary, who has six years of actual experience on the NJSBA Board of Trustees. I have also been privileged to chair Section/Committees. On an almost annual basis, I have presented programs at Annual and Mid-Year meetings. I started ADR Day in New Jersey, and now, nearly 18 years later, I am once more chairing ADR Day (on June 7, 2013 at the Law Center). I teach ICLE courses regularly, including mediation training courses, which I, along with others, started more than a decade ago. I also mentor lawyers, including many seeking to become Dispute Resolvers.
(2) Diversity. The current Nominating Committee slate for officers of the NJSBA consists of all white males, no women and no other minorities as "designated" in the NJSBA Bylaws. As a woman, I will bring much needed diversity to the Executive Committee.
(3) Inclusion. I will work constructively and collaboratively with the officers and the members of the NJSBA Board. As I have told many of you, my door will always be open for dialogue and discussion about your needs and concern.
(4) A real focus on member benefits and services. During my years on the Membership Committee, I created, or helped to initiate, many member benefits ranging from free legal research for NJSBA members through Fastcase, new member "Mixers" ( I created this one); new member orientations; membership drives and receptions; shredding "parties" at the Law Center; and member Round Tables and Receptions, mixing seasoned leaders of the Association with new members.
My focus as your officer, and eventually as your President, will continue to be on member services and benefits, including jobs and much needed health insurance coverage through the Association.
The tasks may be daunting. But, as my colleagues will tell you (see portion of their letters attached), I have never shied away from hard work or difficult challenges.
My opponent does not talk much about his NJSBA activities because he does not have much to talk about. He is fairly new to the NJSBA Board of Trustee and his resume contains scant information about his contributions to the Association.
It's time to make the New Jersey State Bar Association truly inclusive and responsive to the needs and concerns of its members. Please join me in my grassroots campaign for NJSBA Secretary by taking a few moments to forward my message to your own contacts.
Please vote for me, BONNIE BLUME GOLDSAMT for Secretary of the NJSBA, TOM PROL for Second Vice President and CHRISTINA VASSILIOU HARVEY for Trustee-at-Large. Thanks so much!
Bonnie
Endorsements. Organizations: Solo and Small-firm Section; Women in the Profession; Dispute Resolution Section; LGBT Rights Section; Somerset County Bar Association; Women Lawyers in Bergen County
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Bonnie Blume Goldsamt Esq.
Verona NJ
(973) 857-6220
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