Big Ideas ALA President’s Letter

ALA Is Ready to Get 2022 Started

Happy New Year, ALA! If you are anything like me, then you are probably still getting through the crazy of the end of the year at your firms and closing the books on 2021. You may also be working on new strategic plans and business at your firms, too. I hope that you all have been having a great holiday season and were able to take some time to be with family and friends to celebrate another trip around the sun.

Michael T. Bumgarner, CLM, CPA, CGMA

We’ve been up to some exciting things. For example, have you checked out the new platform for ALA’s Online Community? It’s a great way to connect with members with easier chat functions and cleaner posting and organization. I’ve enjoyed the social media-style format. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check it out.

ALA has continued working hard through the end of the year and making progress on many of our strategic direction initiatives. We’ve also made some updates to the coming year regarding our in-person events including the new vaccination requirement. To enable in-person events to take place with lower risk to participants, effective January 1, ALA is requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for admittance to all ALA in-person meetings and events. You will be required to show either proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of arrival on-site. It’s going to be a busy and exciting year, and we look forward to having you all with us for the events we have coming up.

Another one of ALA’s initiatives is to increase the visibility of the Certified Legal Manager (CLM)® program and to highlight its importance. Is this the year you decide to take the test? We’ve got an article in this issue where members share how earning the credential has benefited them and their careers — it might be the inspiration you need to register for the exam this year! We’ll be auditing the program to identify any gaps and ensure that it satisfies current needs. Be sure to check it out.

Finally, if you haven’t had the chance to check out the awards program and the new requirements for the Elevate ALA Award, we invite you to do so. It’s a great way to highlight what you, your chapter or your fellow members have been doing. The call for submissions is still open until January 21.

Hope everyone is off to a great start for 2022! More to come from ALA soon.