CONSTITUTION DAY-
On Friday, September 17, a Constitution Day ceremony was held at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse in Charleston, as well as at various locations throughout the state. In Charleston, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Joseph Goodwin lead the event, which included his remarks about the recently deceased Senator Byrd, who formulated the Constitution Day federal legislation, a proclamation from Governor Joe Manchin, comments on the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government by Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, House Speaker Richard Thompson and Supreme Court Justice Thomas McHugh, respectively, the reading of the Bill of Rights by students and citizens and patriotic songs sung by the George Washington High School Chorus.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS-
On September 9, the Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting at the law offices of Bowles, Rice, McDavid, Graff and Love in Charleston with participation from around the state by the diverse group of lawyers and members of the judiciary who serve as Board members. Action was taken on negotiations with the WV StateBar regarding the two buildings owned by the Bar Foundation and rented for use by the State Bar and the Lawyer Disciplinary Board/Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel, the approval of a revised balanced budget for the current 2010-2011 fiscal year, as well as reports from the Strategic Planning and Grants Committees.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES-
More than 6,900 West Virginia students did not graduate from high schools in 2009 – equating to $1.8 billion lost lifetime earnings in West Virginia for that class of dropouts alone. Today’s students are tomorrow’s work force. Are you doing everything you can to ensure they are college and career ready? There is an easy way to help – sign up to become a mentor today! The Education Alliance offers two volunteer driven programs around college and career readiness – WV eMentoring and Walk the Talk. Both programs are a life changing opportunity for everyone involved! Check out www.EducationAlliance.org for more information! The Alliance is looking for mentors whose jobs require postsecondary education—apprenticeship programs, professional school, two-year, four-year, or graduate degrees. To volunteer as a mentor, please contact Program Director Emily Schoen at (304) 342-7849 or emily@educationalliance.org.