Back to the future--it's about leadership.

• Author: Hawkins, Scott G.
• Position: President's Page

The present is never only the present. It is one moment in a going concern.--Professor Heclo

In preparation for the Bar presidency, a good friend gave me the book On Thinking Institutionally, in which Professor Heclo stresses how critical it is that today's leaders think broadly about enhancing their institutions, mindful of what has been important to leaders in the past. Leaders should see themselves as stewards on a continuum of those leaders who have come before and those who will follow. As stated by Dr. Heclo: "The present is never only the present. It is one moment in a going concern."

This principle--known in Latin as "usufruct"--applies to all institutions. All institutions are going concerns-- whether The Florida Bar, the judiciary, or the legislature. This principle applies equally to our law firms, the government offices we work in, and the educational and not-for-profit entities we counsel.

I raise this point now to underscore that The Florida Bar is an institution with a rich history and purpose. For those privileged to serve in leadership, it is readily apparent that in leading the Bar, one builds on the foundation laid by presidents of the past and is mindful of one's responsibilities toward the future. Further, as with all great organizations, key work is done through leaders who add definition to a president's goals. In this regard, I want to briefly mention work of leaders who have served this year and to comment on the future. In identifying the matters below, I do so in no particular order.

Merit Retention Education Program. As in the past, The Florida Bar is endeavoring to take an active role in promoting balanced information regarding the merit retention election in November 2012, which will involve three justices and 15 appellate judges who stand for retention. The Bar's efforts are focused on building broad partnerships as symbolized by the press conferences conducted in Tallahassee and Miami, which featured Gov. Reubin Askew, U.S. Senator and Gov. Bob Graham, National Bar Association President Daryl Parks, former ABA Presidents Steve Zack and Sandy D'Alemberte, Lazaro Mur, chair of the Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and leaders from the Florida League of Women Voters. The broad public support is encouraging and a salute to the fine work of the program's leadership team, including Board of Governors members Sandy Diamond and Sean Desmond (who is also president of the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar.)

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