IndyBar: IndyBar Seeking 2024 Leaders

The nomination period has begun for the 2024 boards of directors for the Indianapolis Bar Association AND the Indianapolis Bar Foundation. There are also opportunities for service with the association’s section and division executive committees. Volunteering with IndyBar is an invaluable opportunity to play a role in the future of our legal community.

The following vacancies exist for the association’s board of directors for the coming year and must be filled by an attorney or judicial member. Board service will begin on Jan. 1, 2024. Self-nominations as well as nominations of colleagues are both encouraged.

• 1st vice president (one-year term and will automatically assume the office of president-elect in 2025)

• Treasurer (two-year term, 2024 and 2025)

• At-large director (five positions, each two-year terms, 2024 and 2025)

The 2024 IndyBar Association Board of Directors will be led by David Duncan of Scannell Properties. Lee Christie of Christie Farrell Lee & Bell will assume the role of president-elect.

The IndyBar Foundation Board of Directors has the following vacancies for 2024:

• 1st vice president (one-year term and will automatically assume the office of president-elect in 2025, preference given to current board members)

• Treasurer (one-year term, preference given to current board members)

• Secretary (one-year term, preference given to current board members)

• DEI director (one-year term)

• At-large director (six positions, each two-year terms, 2024 and 2025)

The 2024 IndyBar Foundation president will be Travis Jensen of Johnson Jensen LLP. Briana Clark of Dentons Bingham Greenebaum will assume the role of president-elect.

Learn More: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the ideal board candidate?

There is no “ideal” leadership candidate. IndyBar wants its leadership to include individuals with diverse practice and life backgrounds so that it can make well-rounded decisions that reflect its entire membership. IndyBar seeks true diversity in its boards. The Nominating Committees of both organizations will endeavor to choose slates of nominees, which reflect IndyBar’s geographic, ethnic, racial, identity and practice area diversity while recognizing leadership and service to the local bar.

What do board members do?

The role of each board differs. Association board members are responsible for strategic thinking, planning and evaluating on behalf of the association.

The foundation board is a fundraising board. These leaders bring creativity and energy to actively raise dollars to support the charitable activities of the local bar and other law-related Indianapolis bar organizations. They both “give” and “get” with a minimum annual personal donation of $300 while working as a team to meet an annual fundraising goal that is typically at least $300,000.

While IndyBar staff and volunteers typically execute IndyBar programs, the boards are responsible for adding energy to the ideas and policies generated, elevating the positive profile of the organizations and their endeavors, actively and visibly attending/supporting bar programs/events, and planning for the needs of central Indiana legal community members.

Excellent board members are prepared, visibly support the organization, keep their commitments, speak their minds, build relationships within the board, adapt personal experiences to make the association more dynamic and understand the resources available within the association.

What do board members get in return for their service?

Previous IndyBar Board members have attested to the tremendous value of board service. In addition to impressive line items for their resumes, they have reported significant professional and personal benefits, including: the opportunity to meet, work with and learn from community leaders; the chance to share their own knowledge, expertise and training with others; professional recognition that elevates their stature within the community at large; valuable work experience that opens the door to new career opportunities; and relationships with new friends and lifelong mentors.

How much time does board service require?

Although board members must be willing to invest time preparing for and thoughtfully participating in board meetings, the time commitment is not onerous. The board meets at least nine times a year for no more than one and a half hours, has a two-and-a half-hour summer assessment progress meeting and holds an overnight planning retreat every November. The association’s overnight retreat will be Nov. 9-18, 2023, and the foundation’s will be Dec. 7-8, 2023. Board members are expected to attend the Bench Bar Conference and serve as a board liaison to a committee or working group and miscellaneous other educational programs and activities.

How do I nominate a candidate?

Complete the online nomination. The IndyBar will then contact the candidate with the link to the board application.

Can I nominate myself?

Yes. IndyBar members may nominate themselves for board service by following the same procedures they would use in order to nominate someone else.

What’s the nomination process?

Submit a nomination at indybar.org/board through Aug. 1, 2023. Nominated members will be asked to supply more information to the nominating committee no later than early August. The committee will review the nominations based on the criteria and will request interviews with all candidates no later than early August. All IndyBar members submitting letters of interest will receive an interview. Once interviews are completed, the committee will then recommend one candidate per position for the slate, which will be presented to the current board of directors. For the association only, if no vacancies are contested, the board of directors will accept the slate. The foundation board of directors votes upon the foundation slate. Both slates will be posted on the IndyBar website no later than Oct. 4, 2023.

What if I’m not selected?

Each year there are more applicants than spots available, so it is likely that well-qualified, interviewed candidates will not be slated. A member of the organization’s nominating committee will telephone all interviewed candidates with the goal of speaking with each within five business days. Each organization’s president-elect will endeavor to discuss the myriad other volunteer opportunities within the IndyBar for the coming year with all applicants. It is our goal to enhance engagement opportunities for all members.

Who can answer other questions that I have?

For more information about the nominating process, or about nominating criteria, contact IndyBar Executive Director Julie Armstrong at [email protected] or 317-269-2000.•