COLUMN
“My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.”
— Abraham Lincoln’s farewell address on Feb. 11, 1861, in Springfield, Ill.
BY FRANCIS A. ADEWALE
Friends, this will be my last column as your treasurer. It has been a joy serving our Bar Association. Even a much greater joy: writing this column for the past two years. As you all know, I have the distinction of serving two terms as treasurer and was elected as president-elect earlier this year. The Board of Governors at its last meeting in Moses Lake elected my learned colleague, Kari Petrasek, as the next treasurer. She will be taking over this column in the October issue. This column and our finances are definitely in good hands.
The WSBA treasurer is a unique position. Elected by the Board of Governors to provide oversight on the management of the financial assets and liabilities of the organization, it gives the occupant of the office the opportunity to view, probe, and examine the accounts of the organization. It is also a position of trust and utmost fidelity. As I wrote a while ago on these pages, “The role of WSBA treasurer has not always been as expansive as it is currently. The position has evolved over the years … .” In my first column as your treasurer, I made a solemn promise to be transparent in reporting on, as well as guarded in protecting, our heritage—the practice and business of the WSBA.
I have tried my best to make our Bar Association’s books and accounts transparent and open to all its members. I have endeavored to translate arcane fiscal policies to more digestible, readable, and understandable policy documents for all. In the last two years, I am proud to say that I have never missed writing this column for an issue of Bar News. I have brought to the fore both the familiar and the recondite, the complex and the uncomplicated WSBA accounting policies and processes to help make the WSBA’s fiscal governance accountable to you—the members and the public.
At a recent event, one of our members asked why I made such a big deal of transparency in accounts and finance policy of the Bar. I explained to him that most of the misunderstanding that occurs among members, staff, and the Board of Governors largely comes down to communication. We are either “speaking at each other,” without an appreciation of the other’s point of view, or doing “predatory listening,” hearing only what will justify our assumptions of the other. When we make plain our ideas, suggestions, and policies, as well as listen to one another with clarity and purpose, we will get past our misunderstandings.
That same member then asked whether, during my term as treasurer, I have had to refrain from disclosing information in this column. I responded with resounding candor, “Yes! But not very frequently.” I explained that during the negotiation of the WSBA office lease, I could not write about it, so as to protect our organization’s interest. Even when we had negotiated the best deal, I had to hold back and refrain from celebrating it on this page, at least until the deal was finalized (See an upcoming issue of Bar News for more details about the lease, which was extended at favorable terms for 10 years at the WSBA’s existing location with a 45-percent reduction in space).
As I sign off as your treasurer, I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish. We have never spent beyond our means. Throughout my tenure as treasurer, we never operated on deficit. In fact, we increased our reserves. Despite the instability in the economy, we stuck to our conservative budgeting and had zero substantial queries from audits. These are not only my accomplishments but yours as members of this great organization, too. Thank you for your comments, rejoinders, questions, and encouragement. One of our members who resides in Montana informed me that each time he opens an issue of Bar News, he’s delighted to read my column. Thank you, Joe!
Of course, I owe a debt of gratitude to WSBA finance staff led by the indefatigable duo of Director Tiffany Lynch and Controller Maggie Yu, as well as members of the WSBA Budget and Audit Committee during my first and second terms: Governors Matthew Dresden (District 7), Erik Kaeding (District 8), Nam Nguyen (District 10), Mary M. Rathbone (District 4), Kari Petrasek (District 2), Brett Purtzer (District 6), and Alec Stephens (At Large), all on the committee during my first term; and Kristina Larry (District 8), Brent Williams-Ruth (At Large), Kevin Fay (District 9), Tom Ahearne (At Large), and Jordan Couch (At Large), all on the committee during my second term. They all helped make the WSBA accountable and fiscal policy compliant. Two of my predecessors—Dan Clark and Bryn Peterson—were also a huge help. They shepherded our Bar Association through the COVID-19 years and ensured that the legacy of prudent management of our license fees, which sustain this Association, lives on.
As the treasurer that implemented the annual budget retreat during my first term, I also believe that this new tradition has enabled our Association to plan and focus better.
There is no better way to end this last installment than to wish my good friend Kari Petrasek well as she assumes the reins. As Abraham Lincoln expressed in the quotation at the beginning of this article, “To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything.”
So long, everyone.