The 2006-2007 year began with great urgency to meet strategic goals in both raising the membership rolls and increasing funding for future scholarships. One area that has drawn immediate interest and a sense of organizational pride is the SBAA Website. Prior years saw few updates. This year we made a consciences effort to regularly update the website on a monthly basis, resulting in more “hits” to the website each month. On average, the SBAA website sees a thousand or more visitors to its site each month. If you have not already done so, please visit the site at www.serbbar.org when you have a chance. You may also update your personal information on the website if there has been a change in your employment or home status. Please use this website for contacting SBAA Headquarters with any questions or comments on how to make the organization better for all its members.
As our membership rolls have increased, so has our budget. Dues letters were sent in early January, and if you have not already done so, please pay your dues in a timely fashion. This will help the SBAA continue to grow, pay for ever increasing operating costs and allow for an increase in member benefits over the next few years. We envision a growing need for an open forum on our website that will allow for open communication between members, allow for referral opportunities, and be able to assist new members to the bar with employment opportunities.
Our featured attraction once again was the Seventeenth Annual Scholarship Gala, held November 11, 2007 at the University Club in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to awarding $5,500
in four scholarships to highly qualified law students, The SBAA was pleased to award its 2006 Czar Dusan Award to Mr. John Ostojic in recognition of his many years service and commitment to the public and legal profession, both here in the United States and at the International Criminal Court at the Hague, Netherlands. We are also pleased and honored to present the 2006 Major Feldman Merit Award to Mr. Vlade Divac, former National Basketball Association star and now generous philanthropist and founding member of the Group Seven Children’s Foundation whose generous contributions have provided material, moral and emotional relief to the children of the former Yugoslavia ravaged by years of war and economic suffering. The Gala was a huge success and received
very positive responses from all who attended and sponsored the event. We have set a date for next year’s Gala for November 17, 2007, also at the University Club and invite all members to attend what hopes to be a wondrous evening of festivities. I would also like to thank, once again, all of our gracious guests and sponsors for the generous support given at the 2006 Gala. Their support greatly contributed to the tremendous success we had this year
In closing, I would like to remind the members that on May 16, 2007 the SBAA will hold its Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. I encourage all members either to attend or to provide some input into the organization through any comments you may have. We are looking forward to a wonderful new
term with Ms. Ryann Whalen as our incoming President and I am sure she would appreciate any helpful comments in making the organization better for all members. Thank you for all those who assisted and supported me throughout the year.
Paul I. Djurisic, President
