President’s Message

Fellow CALA Members and Business Partners,

I would like to welcome everyone to the 2021/2022 Chapter year!  I am looking forward to serving as President of the Chapter and I feel especially fortunate to have such dedicated Members and Business Partners for the year ahead.  

As we enter a new Chapter year, I want to reflect on some of the challenges that arose over the course of 2020/2021 as well as recognize how adaptable our Members, Business Partners and Board have been in overcoming them.

When COVID-19 forced us all into a “new norm”, we had to pivot to adapt to a changing environment in our personal and professional lives.  Everyone has stepped up to embrace our virtual sessions and other networking opportunities.   I would like to thank all of you for your commitment to supporting one another during these trying and turbulent times.  It is easy to steer a ship in calm waters but it takes a leader to do so in a tsunami. 

Once again CALA has received the 2021 Presidents’ Award of Excellence!  It is an honour bestowed by ALA to recognize Chapters for their effective and collaborative efforts to support ALA’s mission and goals.  Each year we strive to provide extensive professional development opportunities and develop collaborative environments to empower our Members to lead in the business of law.

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, our Chapter was able to provide a number of excellent and well attended social and educational virtual events including:

  • Stampede Trivia Event
  • Cocktails and Conversation
  • Handling and Wiring Trust Funds
  • Diversity to Inclusion: A Social Uprising
  • CALA/ALA Membership Benefits Session
  • Inspiring and Creating a Respectful Workplace
  • Wine Tasting
  • Virtual Culinary Holiday Social
  • Donation to the Calgary Food Bank of nearly $1500

 

I would also like to give a special shout-out to our Business Partners whose sponsorship of CALA significantly contributes to the success of our Chapter.

Our Committees and Sub-section leaders have been busy too!  The CALA Salary Survey Committee has been working hard on the 2021 salary review.  Thanks to Cali Oppenheim, Debbie Davis and Patti Sinclair for their time and efforts in completing this valuable resource.  Rada Baljak and Dorota Ulkowska (Shing Digital) are Co-Chairing the new Diversity and Inclusion Committee along with support from Emily Ross, Jennifer Vuong, Korrie Girvan , Shannon Anderson (Ultimate Recruitment) and Craig Fisk (Ricoh).  Our Sub-section leaders, Kevin Larsen, Catina Larsen, Nyla Mawji and Vern Barnard have organized and kept us knowledgeable about issues related to each of the specialized areas of law.

The Board is meeting in June for its annual Strategic Planning Meeting so expect another exciting year of programs and events this year.  CALA has a great slate of Board Members and I am excited to be working with the team to create a full calendar for the Membership.  Look forward to more information about where the Chapter year will take us!

Stay safe and well!

Sincerely,

Robert McLauchlin
President 2021/22

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