I would like to discuss abortion, stem cell research, same sex marriage, the war in Iraq, oil drilling in Alaska and/or slots.  But I’m NOT going to. As President, my job is not to divide, but to unite us.

Unity is the foundation of momentum and growth.  It is the glue in friendship and the source of group accomplishment.  For example, the Bull Roast has many unifying factors.  It’s fun, we all like that.  It is informal and family friendly.  The bench and the bar break bread together supporting a worthy charity (Pathfinders) and have an enjoyable afternoon, all at the same time.

I was reading the other day about this enormous group of people who united for the wrong purpose concerning a construction project.  It seems that their motives were selfish and arrogant, which ultimately caused the downfall of the project.  You see, they were all of one mind and they all spoke the same language.  However, after an intervention that was “out of this world,” they lost the ability to communicate with each other which caused them to go around babbling in their own little groups.

The events we plan, and which you attend, promote the unity necessary to succeed and grow.  I again want to thank each of you who have joined, rejoined or caused someone else to become a member of the Baltimore County Bar Association.  The growth of our Association is proof of your most excellent response.  However, this is not a time to sit back and rest.  The success of our events is due to your participation.  The Banquet was jammed, the Bowling Tournament is sold out and the Bull Roast was successful because each individual took the time to participate.  The CLE’s and Committee dinners are very well attended, even though some events are more lively than others (Family Law Dinners!).  For the most part, especially as lawyers, we will always debate the issues of the day but when it comes to the Baltimore County Bar Association, let us agree to focus on common ground and sustain this momentum of unselfish involvement.  Remember the legal system is a tanker not a speed boat.  Everything takes more time than you expect.  I remember the story of a 50-foot ocean wave rushing toward the beach and how all of the people were grabbing their children and belongings and running feverishly in the opposite direction.  All except one young man who stood there with a smile on his face.  You see he was a surfer.  What others saw as a problem, he saw as an opportunity.  Unity is like surfing.  Let’s catch the wave.