Forty-eight of the incoming leaders of the State Bar of Michigan's committees and sections received a half-day orientation at the Sheraton Lansing Hotel during the State Bar's Third Annual Bar Leadership Institute (BLI) held on July 22, 1999.

The BLI provides the new leadership with an overview of current Bar projects, as well as the mechanics of setting up meetings, managing the committee/section finances and complying with lobbying rules and restrictions. The overall purpose of the BLI is to build a strong foundation for a productive relationship between the State Bar, committees and sections.

The conference opened with State Bar Executive Director D. Larkin Chenault, who presented an overview of Bar structure and discussed the State Bar's Long Range Plan. Section and committee chairpersons were briefed on the Access to Justice Development Campaign, Open Justice issues, the services available to committees and sections, media relations, lobbying, and State Bar financial and scheduling procedures.

BLI attendees listen to various presentations on current Bar projects.

State Bar Secretary Bruce W. Neckers (left) and lobbyist David S. Haynes at this year's BLI.