NAELA News August, 1999 - National Academy of Elder Law ...

NAELA News ● August 1999
President’s Message
(continued from page 14)
a careful examination of possible objectives
that, if achieved, would be the basis
by which we will successfully attain
the goal. Our initial thoughts are more
fully developed in a position paper that
includes the identification of the task
force members. The position paper is
available upon request from NAELA.
Practice Development -
NAELA’s Development, Training
and Education of Members
The second area is the development,
training and education of members,
identifying as a goal renewed examination
of ethics within the elder law practice.
President Morgan appointed
Clifton Kruse to chair NAELA’s Professionalism
Task Force, which will help us
develop NAELA’s position on critical
changes in the ABA Model Rules of Professional
Responsibility that will impact
the practice of elder law. One recommendation
to the task force is a plan that
would effectively present NAELA’s position
to the ABA, and in other forums.
The task force is currently working on a
proposal to develop a NAELA ethics
conference.
Substantive Law - NAELA’s
Focus on Capacity and
Guardianship
The third area represents academywide
interest in NAELA, focusing on the
substantive areas of capacity and guardianship.
The focus involves the examination
of how these subjects are embraced
by practitioners from assessment,
diversion and engagement to litigation,
and expanding the context to the
elder law attorney as guardian, trustee
or estate administrator. Accomplishing
the capacity and guardianship goal has
been initiated through the targeted objective
of re-convening NAELA’s Wingspan
Guardianship Conference Task
Force. Another position paper, further
explaining the goals and objectives in
this area, is available from NAELA.
The challenge of the objectives associated
with each goal requires such
timing, planning and budgeting that the
objectives will not be realized during my
term in office. Hopefully, this advanced
planning, started during President
Morgan’s year and continued through
my term will be NAELA’s goals and objectives
that will be realized for many
years to come.
We invite you to learn the history of
NAELA, to experience the camaraderie
of NAELA’s members and to join in the
challenge that awaits NAELA, it’s members
and elder law attorneys at this turn
of the year, the decade, the century and
the millennium.
At the NAELA Business Luncheon,
Becky Morgan gave the President’s
Award to the National Senior Citizens
Law Center. Burton Fretz, NSCLC Executive
Director, accepted the award with
powerful remarks about the partnership
of NAELA members and NSCLC to advocate
and litigate the elder law issues
of the day, striving to serve older Americans
in the judicial process. As Burton
closed, Anne leaned over to me and commented
that he nailed it.
Laury Adsit, NAELA’s Executive
Director, then delivered the executive
director’s remarks which were unique.
Laury had on her mind and in her heart
concerns about community and the tragedy
that occurred in Littleton, and that
had just happened in Atlanta that day. Her
comments stirred us all. Anne leaned
over to me and said again, “She nailed it.”
Now I must admit I was already anxious
about my remarks. This didn’t help. With
controlled terror, I gave these remarks:
The History, The Spirit, The
Challenge and The Charge
It’s either the end of a long night
Or the beginning of a longer day.
After a day of getting ready to leave
the office
Anne and I have finished a night of
getting ready to leave home.
It’s approaching 2 a.m. as Anne
finishes packing the last of five carry
on bags to take on the flight with
Catherine, Abe and Win.
Add that to the eight huge pieces of
luggage,
the box of sundry mechanical and
entertainment gadgets for a 7-hour
flight,
and three book bags, containing
homework due once they return to
school
and you have a logistical nightmare;
for any one that is but the logistical
general – Anne
We’re heading to San Diego for the
NAELA Symposium
Where we will be reminded of history,
inspired by kindred spirits,
Where we will focus on the challenges,
embrace the commitment and carry
the charge.
The History
The Johns Family
The history of Anne, Catherine, Abe,
Win and me
Has been chronicled through the years
at NAELA events.
When honored at NAELA events, I
have at times invited Anne, Catherine,
Abe and Win to accept the honor with
me.
In 1995, at the symposium in New York,
when inducted as a NAELA Fellow,
I asked Anne to stand, in recognition
with me
As my wife, my children’s mother, my
companion, my lover and best friend.
In 1996, at the symposium in Boston,
When honored as the second Theresa
Award winner
I asked Anne and all my children to
stand, accepting the award as the
Johns family as I spoke about kindred
spirits.
Last year, at the 10th anniversary of
NAELA in the Bahamas,
When elected president-elect of
NAELA,
Anne, Catherine, Abe and Win joined
me in celebration when I noted how
Each of us are kindred spirits in the
NAELA family.
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