Full Report - the Missouri Bar

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the loss of a law practice. When using this service, office computers and servers are automatically backed up and the data is stored off site. CoreVault’s cloud backup, recovery, and hosting solutions feature personal service from certified professionals that help law firms nationwide reduce costs, minimize risks, and ensure data availability 24/7. Discounts for Software In 2012, agreements were entered into with CLIO, a cloud-based practice management software company, to offer discounts to Missouri Bar members. Additionally, agreements for discounts for Missouri Bar members were negotiated with Easy Soft for their Easy Trust software, and STI offering discounts on PracticeMaster, a practice management program, and TABS 3 billing software that integrate together. Other Member Benefits The Missouri Bar has negotiated with various insurance companies to offer discounted or very desirable rates for Missouri Bar members. Endorsed or recommended insurance services include professional liability, cancelable and non-cancelable disability insurance, and retirement planning. In addition, UPS offers shipping discounts and discounts at UPS stores as a member benefit. Law Practice Management Services The Missouri Bar offers assistance with managing a law practice through the following services: • A practice management advisor on staff to answer questions and provide resources; • An online Law Practice Management Center rich with resources of all types on starting and managing a law practice; • A lending library of resources; • Various law practice management educational programs offered throughout the year; and • The annual Solo and Small Firm Conference. Member Communications (continued from page 25) of regularly appearing Missouri Bar publications is Precedent, which made its debut in 2007. Published quarterly, Precedent is a practice-oriented publication with recurring features on such issues as ethics, practice tips, work-life balance, legal technology, professionalism, and the business aspects of running a practice. In addition, each issue of Precedent includes one or more features providing in-depth coverage of timely issues facing the legal profession or justice system. Precedent is available to members either in hard copy form or electronically. 28 The Missouri Bar’s Homepage Newsletters Many committees and sections of The Missouri Bar also regularly publish newsletters – either as hard copies or electronically – to inform their members of developments in particular areas of the law. In addition, members receive special mailings throughout the year for meeting registration, committee materials, and more. The state bar regularly includes those materials on its website for greater ease of access and registration. The Missouri Bar takes pride in bringing printed versions of these publications to its members via its own in-house printing facilities. From inception to mailing, Missouri Bar equipment and personnel are responsible for the development and production of all publications, resulting in tremendous cost savings and the freeing up of resources for other programs of interest. To that end, The Missouri Bar will continue to invest in equipment that will allow it to more efficiently and effectively meet the individual needs of its members.
Information Technology Information technology advances at The Missouri Bar during the past year were dominated by the development and implementation of a new eCommerce system. Items offered for sale though The Missouri Bar include CLE publications, CLE programs, and event/conference registrations. In the past, transactions with The Missouri Bar were completed in various, and often labor intensive, methods. This resulted in extra work for bar staff and an inconsistent purchasing environment for members. To move forward, it was determined that an eCommerce system was needed that could be integrated with the organization’s membership management database. Also, due to the often complex pricing structure for CLE programs and conference registrations, it was also necessary to have a system that was highly customized. To that end, in late 2011 the development of a new eCommerce system was initiated. An internal team was formed and requirements of a new eCommerce system were documented. After a bidding process, a contract was signed with a third party company with experience in custom development of eCommerce systems and their integration into the state bar’s membership management application. During the last half of 2012, the eCommerce application and its numerous customizations were developed. In mid-December 2012, the eCommerce application was launched. Though there are still improvements that need to be made, the goal of creating a system that has the desired customizations and integration with the membership management application was achieved. Other projects completed throughout the year include a major software upgrade of The Missouri Bar’s membership management application (iMIS), continued upgrades of the organization’s website to help meet the needs of members and the public, and information technology infrastructure upgrades. In addition, the election of members of the Young Lawyers’ Section Council took place using an internally developed online voting application. The goal is to utilize electronic voting using this method for all Missouri Bar elections. Projects planned for 2013 include: • Adding refinements and additional functionality to the eCommerce system launched in late 2012. • Installing and implementing IT support equipment associated with the addition of a third floor to The Missouri Bar Center. • Upgrading IT infrastructure to better manage higher website usage during peak periods (MCLE reporting, dues processing, online voting, etc.). • Developing and using online voting processes for Missouri Bar elections. • Creating an online fundraising application that will streamline the donation process. • Upgrading The Missouri Bar’s internal network/domain controllers. • Implementing, in conjunction with the eCommerce system, online payment of MCLE late fees. • Migrating and upgrading the dues process to a new server. • Making improvements to the MCLE process, including opening submission of hours at the beginning of the reporting year and allowing online submission of previous MCLE hours. • Investigating listserv replacements that will better meet the needs of both the organization and its members. • Creating a custom time tracking/timesheet application for internal use at The Missouri Bar that will allow for easier tracking of staff hours and less labor associated with managing staff hours. 29
Page 1 and 2: Serving Our Members & Communities T
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Mes
Page 5 and 6: Leadership Patrick B. Starke Presid
Page 7 and 8: The Missouri Bar Center The Missour
Page 9 and 10: Professional Development Continuing
Page 11 and 12: The sales of electronic MoBarCLE de
Page 13 and 14: The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Pr
Page 15 and 16: where there is a significant need f
Page 17 and 18: choose from a wide range of very hi
Page 19 and 20: tion among lawyers across the state
Page 21 and 22: years of practice) to the bar who a
Page 23 and 24: the News Reporters Handbook and was
Page 25 and 26: Member Communications The primary p
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Page 31 and 32: assists the Missouri Girls State an
Page 33 and 34: Gender & Justice Committee William
Page 35 and 36: The Missouri Bar 2012 Actual Fiscal

Full Report - the Missouri Bar

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