NDAA's sunshine act.

• Author: Reams, James M.
• Position: National District Attorneys Ass'n

I NEVER THOUGHT OR DREAMED that I would be president of NDAA. When I was asked to be the New Hampshire State Delegate, I was honored to represent my state. When I arrived at my first Board meeting in Spokane, I did not know a soul at the meeting. I was fortunate enough to meet Paul Logli and Josh Marquis in the lobby as they discussed Media Relations. It struck me that important things were being discussed and debated at NDAA.

I attended a new member's breakfast with others new to the Board. But it did not quell my anxiety about being over my head by being on the Board. As an aside, I can say that I met other new members that became and remain friends to this day. I suspect that they felt the same way that I did at the breakfast. Little did I know how being on the Board would change the direction of my life in so many ways.

I became fast friends with many of the Board members as we discussed national issues. I continued to be impressed with the caliber of my colleagues and the discussions that occurred around the table. In spite of differences of opinion, region and party, the discussion and, at times, arguments, were civil, respectful and friendly. Maybe this is the type of debate that the public yearns for in our national politics.

As I became acclimated to the Board and my new friends and colleagues, I realized that it was a time of great change taking place at NDAA. There were discussions about changes in the organization including transparency, accountability and being more responsive to our fellow DAs and the public. Being argued was the necessity of being more nimble as an organization, so we could respond to the challenges facing law enforcement.

Soon Paul Logli became president and asked me to serve on his Executive Committee, which I agreed to do. At our first meeting in Galena, IL, we learned from the executive director that a former bookkeeper had probably stolen money from NDAA. The Executive Committee had to formulate a plan of action immediately. Needless to say, it was the entire topic at the Executive Committee meeting. Ultimately, it was clear that over $400,000 was taken. This was a foreshadowing of things to come.

Later that year, Paul Logli called and asked me to become treasurer because he was on the Nominating Committee and the current treasurer, Joe Cassilly, was term limited. He called because I had attended Finance Committee meetings. Again, no good deed goes unpunished. I told him I would be happy to serve in what...