SCBA New Executive Director
by Barbara Yonemura

I am pleased to announce that Carol Prosser is the new executive director of the Sacramento County Bar Association. There are many unsung heroes and heroines among our membership -- people who do the less-publicized work of the SCBA without recognition or expectation of accolades. For the past 21 years, we have been blessed with a staff member of the same caliber. No one has shown more devotion to the SCBA than Carol. She has seen many of us come and go, providing support and encouragement along the way. In recent years, the business of the SCBA could not have continued without Carol, who was officially Executive Assistant to the two previous Executive Directors.

Carol provided the link and continuity during the time when the executive director position was vacant-six months in 1999 and for sixteen months prior to her appointment in January 2001. This was especially difficult because of staffing shortages and turnovers that required Carol constantly to train new people. There was a brief period in 2000 when she was the only staff of SCBA. Carol's assumption and continuation without change in title in 1999 and as "acting" executive director in 2000 was particularly admirable because in the first instance she knew we were searching for someone else to fill the position, and in the second instance she was not certain what SCBA would do. Carol assumed a leadership role in the office in several ways. Even before city attorney and former SCBA President Sam Jackson threw out the challenge to me to produce a volume of SCBA history comparable to one recently published by the Calaveras County Bar Association, Carol had been gathering materials and holding preliminary informal discussions with author and retired lawyer John Andrew. After Jackson's challenge, she contacted Calaveras County and obtained a copy of their book and a similar publication by the Orange County Bar Association and began to outline a project for the SCBA Council to consider.

Carol has hired able and enthusiastic staff that is focusing on member development and service, support of committees and sections and increased effectiveness of our Attorney Referral, Indigent Defense Panel and Fee Arbitration services. The atmosphere in the SCBA Office has never been better, in part because we have a group of hardworking people who want to see us grow, and in part because Carol, by her attitude and example has set a tone that is positive as well as professional.

A native of the Sacramento Valley, as a young adult Carol moved from her birthplace in Oroville to Los Angeles. She returned about 22 years ago, settling in Sacramento where she really feels at home. Lucky for us! We've been remiss in not announcing Carol's appointment, a decision that was made by the Bar Council in December. Unfortunately, that lapse may be a holdover in the "taking her for granted" category-a fate suffered by many executive directors, I'm sure. It is not one that shall continue as she begins a different and difficult expanded role.

Bar Council is reviewing in detail the recommendations of the ABA audit team. At the same time, Carol is independently looking at areas where she can make changes in office procedures and in the documentation of SCBA policies. Today's realities dictate that we take measures toward efficiency and competence in the future. A small staff and precious volunteer time can be effective only if we "work smarter, not harder." Much of SCBA success will depend upon how well Carol and her staff are able to work with you as members. Please welcome her to her new role and help her to help us by getting to know her and her staff, respond to their calls and emails, tell them in advance when you are having an event or see an issue on the horizon that should be brought to Carol's or the bar council's attention. Carol Prosser can be reached at 448-1087, Extension 204.