April 2004
Board approves first dues increase in six years, expands member and
public programs
At its March 19 meeting, the Board of Governors approved, by a vote
of 35 - 3, a $14 dues increase raising the Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05) dues
from $210 to $224 for active members. The increase, which is the first
in six years, will fund continuing programs, improve existing programs,
and provide new member and public services.
"The Finance Committee carefully considered all budget requests
before proposing the $14 increase," says committee chair Dean Dietrich.
"We turned down some requests and reduced funding in other areas. By
managing our administrative costs, we've been able to keep dues at the
same level since 1999." The 1999 dues increase was $35.
Expanded programming. The proposed budget includes
expansion and development of three programs: a law office management
assistance program; a pro bono initiative; and WisLAP. The three
projects, which were approved by the board after considerable study,
will require additional funding of $151,900.
• The Law Office Management Assistance Program
will provide law practice management resources to members. It will help
attorneys better manage their practices with the goal of decreasing
professional errors, grievances and malpractice actions against lawyers,
and clients harmed by lawyer error or misconduct.
• The Pro Bono Initiative is a statewide
coordinated program that will reorganize and increase pro bono efforts
in Wisconsin. The initiative, in collaboration with the judiciary, legal
service groups, and the profession, improves public access to the legal
system, promotes solutions to eliminate barriers to effective access to
the civil and criminal justice systems, and increases the availability
of pro bono resources.
• WisLAP will receive additional funding for
outreach efforts to educate attorneys about its confidential assistance
to lawyers, judges, law students, and their families in coping with
depression, alcoholism, and other chemical addictions, acute and chronic
anxiety, and problems related to the stress of practicing law.
Background. In November, the Revenue Review
Committee, appointed by President George Burnett, reported that nondues
revenue sources had been pushed to their limit and further revenue
generation would require greater investment. The committee also
referenced the Long-range Financial Report, which indicated that due to
rising costs, continuing the current public and member services would
result in a deficit in FY05.
The final budget will be presented to the board for approval at the
May board meeting.
Inside the Bar
