NJCCA President's Message

by Lee Bream

To the Membership,

This is my last message as President of NJCCA.  At our Annual Membership Dinner on November 20, the gavel will pass to Valerie Camara.  I hope all of you can join us for the evening and have a great time with the thespian comedy of the Capitol Steps.  Alas, they won't have the draw of a Tina Fey but they offer great political satire.

While I am not a Luddite, I am having an increasing problem with the social networking sites for legal professionals, such as Linked In and Martindale Counsel to Counsel.  First, I am receiving an ever increasing number of invitations to join networks -- and from many people I don't know.  Second, if you want to join someone's network, you must first become a member of the hosting website.  Third, about a year ago, I became concerned about identity theft and started cutting back on the personal information I provide to public websites.

And once you're on someone's network, what is supposed to happen?  I've linked to maybe about two dozen attorneys I know through NJCCA.  I have received no follow-up emails from them, but I do receive notices that the linkages are expanding -- at levels two, three, or six levels removed from my friends.  
So, if you send me a LinkedIn invitation and I don't respond immediately or not at all, don't be offended.  I just may be weighing my options.  And besides, when you can network through NJCCA and our programs and events, what else do you need?

Other miscellaneous thoughts:

• We will miss Richard Mannella, who resigned his Board position to accept a new position in Greensboro, NC.  We will also miss Arthur Saiewitz who had been on the Board as Past President.  His terms ends on November 20th.  Thanks to Giuliano Chicco who works behind the scenes to publish this Newsletter on a monthly basis.
• They should abolish use of "Reply All".  Please consider who needs to see your reply before you hit the button.  
• Does anyone who smokes and drives actually use their car ashtray anymore?  You may find this story amusing, "BUTT, I DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS LITTERING."

Please plan to attend our November 20th Annual Dinner at the Whippany Marriott on Route 10.  The wine tasting, hosted by yours truly, starts at 5 pm.  We'll be tasting six wines suitable for Thanksgiving.  As in prior years, some of the supply is given away as door prizes.

Lee Braem
President NJCCA