- Presided over by President John H. Tinney, the Bar Foundation Board meets in person and by teleconference.
LOOKING BACK-
As the Bar Foundation completes another calendar year, it is always beneficial to look back at what has been accomplished in the past 12-24 months. The Bar Foundation, through its Board of Directors, has achieved the following goals:
* IOLTA Program-Distributed over $920,000 to entities providing free civil legal services for low income West Virginians and implemented the IOLTA Comparability Rule, as approved by the WV Supreme Court.
* Grants-Authorized more than $55,000 to groups to improve the administration of justice, a 400% increase over what had been distributed in the previous four years.
* Bar Foundation Fellows-Selected thirty-two judges and lawyers to be awarded this prestigious honor.
* Finances-Received two clean annual independent audits, paid off more than $180,000 for all loans from the WV State Bar and added to reserve funds.
* Governance-Made decisions and took actions to operate the Bar Foundation in the most effective and efficient manner.
MOVING FORWARD-
As the policy making body for a striving organization, the Board of Directors has the following plans for the near future:
* IOLTA Program-Implement the IOLTA2 automated database and enhance the working relationships with the State’s more than eighty banks as interest rates increase from their historic lows.
* Finances-Continue prudent financial operation and become debt-free by 2011.
* Education-Educate the general public with facts and information regarding the Bar Foundation, the legal profession and the justice system.
* Legal Entities- Expand cooperative programs and services with other groups and organizations in the legal community.
HAPPY NEW YEAR-
The West Virginia Bar Foundation and its Board of Directors, a diverse group of fifteen lawyers from all parts of the State and all types of law practice, wish you, your family and loved ones a Happy New Year and hope that 2010 is the best year ever for you!