BOARD SEEKS INPUT ON STRATEGIC PLANNING INITIATIVES

The West Virginia Bar Foundation's Board of Directors seeks your input to shape the future of the Foundation. Earlier this year, Foundation Fellow Tom Heywood led the Board in creating its first ever Strategic Plan. The picture shown above is from the Strategic Planning Retreat.

The Foundation approved seven strategic planning goals for 2024-2029. The Subcommittees listed below will be meeting over the next several months to determine programs and initiatives to implement these goals.

If you have ideas or suggestions or if you are interested in volunteering on a subcommittee, please contact Tessa White at [email protected].

DEVELOPMENT, FUNDRAISING, AND FINANCE - David Morrison (chair), Judge Patrick Flatley, Judge Patricia Hill, Debra Kilgore, Bunmi Kusimo-Frazier

• Increase fundraising efforts to raise the Justice Fund to $2,000,000 or more
• Increase the amount of the Larry V. Starcher Public Service Scholarship to remain current with the cost of tuition and fees at the WVU College of Law
• Increase our operating budget to facilitate the hiring of another part-time staff person to assist and support the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.

ENGAGEMENT, COLLABORATION, AND OUTREACH - Teresa McCune (chair), Teresa Dumire, Jill McIntyre, Suleiman Oko-Ogua, Dean John Taylor

• Take full advantage of the Foundation’s new website and create a social media presence that can increase awareness of the Foundation’s work in an effort to gain more contributions to further our goals.
• Create programs to increase the profile and outreach of the Foundation, including but not limited to, collaborating with other organizations to improve the administration of justice throughout West Virginia.

STRENGTHEN FROM WITHIN - Chazz Printz (chair), Judge Jack Alsop, Sandra Chapman, Barry Taylor, Tom Tinder

• Foster greater engagement and participation of our Members with the goal of increasing the number of Members who contribute annually to the Foundation and who regularly participate in the work and programs of the Foundation in communities across the State.
• Create a Rising Stars program for Young Lawyers who have completed the Lawyer Leadership Institute to become involved in the work of the Foundation.

LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE A WV BAR FOUNDATION FELLOW

The West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellows distinction is an honor given to judges and lawyers whose professional, public, and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and honorable service to the legal profession. 

If you would like to nominate a judge or attorney for this honor, please visit www.wvbarfoundation.org/fellows and click "Nominate a Fellow". Nominations need to be submitted by October 31, 2024.

Click here to view past years' WV Bar Foundation Fellows.

LAST CHANCE TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATIONS

The West Virginia Bar Foundation awards grants to organizations which are involved in programs and activities to improve the administration of justice and educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities under the law in West Virginia.

Grant applications are accepted on a rolling quarterly basis. The next grant applications are due November 1, 2024. The average grant award is $1,000 - $5,000. Check out more information at our website.

UPCOMING BAR FOUNDATION DATES:

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE GREAT EVENTS!

• WV Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner - Thursday, April 10, 2025 - Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Charleston, WV.
• Lawyer Leadership Institute - May 16-18, 2025 - Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV.
• Fourteenth Annual Lunch & Laughs with a Legal Legend - Friday, September 5, 2025 - The Erickson Alumni Center, Morgantown, WV.