Our committees are the very heart of LMA Midwest. Comprised of member volunteers, they are what make our chapter work. We welcome and encourage our members to participate in any of the chapter's committees. It is a wonderful way to learn and improve your skills, expand your network and add continuing value for your fellow members and for our chapter.
We have a variety of committees to meet the needs of our ever-growing chapter. Committee chairs are appointed by the sitting chapter president and serve for one calendar year. If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact our committee chairs directly or any of our board members. Please do join us!
Membership
The Membership Committee serves as the member retention, renewal and outreach arms of LMA Midwest. We have recently restructured this committee to encompass a wider range of membership-related activities. The new and improved Membership Committee will engender greater participation and greater opportunities to introduce legal marketing and our community to marketing practitioners in area law firms and related service provider industries.
The Membership Committee is responsible for initiatives that recruit new members, retain valued current members, welcome new members and forge alliances with other associations. Our chapter president will always be available to answer questions about membership in LMA or inquiries regarding individual membership matters. However, the committee will gladly respond to member inquiries regarding LMA as well as the status of individual Midwest chapter memberships.
Under the auspices of the Membership Committee, the following subcommittees interact to enhance member development and outreach.
New Member Welcome Subcommittee
The New Member Welcome Subcommittee is responsible for contacting new members to welcome them to LMA Midwest, facilitating introductions to current members and providing a personal resource to answer questions about LMA. In addition, the committee hosts welcome lunches for new members several times a year.
Active Members Subcommittee
The Active Members Subcommittee concentrates on keeping current members just that – current members! This committee maintains statistics on membership attendance and trends.
Membership Retention Subcommittee
The Membership Retention Subcommittee is responsible for identifying the reasons members leave the chapter. They also maintain contact with members nearing their membership renewal date and can answer questions regarding LMA Midwest membership renewal. In the event that a member fails to renew his or her membership, members of the committee will follow up with that member to determine the reason for not renewing.
Prospective Members Subcommittee
The Prospective Members Subcommittee is responsible for identifying and tracking prospective members.
Data Management/CRM Subcommittee
The Data Management/CRM Subcommittee is tasked with researching, selecting and implementing the best approaches for managing the contact information for the chapter.
Programs
The Program Committee is the "brains" of LMA Midwest. Members on our Programs Committee are responsible for selecting, planning and implementing LMA Midwest's educational luncheon programs as well as our winter and summer socials and special events that are thought-provoking and just plain fun.
City Groups
Special Programs
The Special Programs Subcommittee coordinates high-quality events that may include practice-specific round tables, workshops, such as the MBA Day Camp, a wine-tasting class and informal LMA "Unpluggeds," to name some examples from past years.
This year, Special Programs will also coordinate our Pro Bono/Community Outreach initiatives, which may include our holiday clothing and toy drive as well as other volunteer opportunities. LMA Midwest is dedicated to giving back to our community through our membership's professional resources and personal generosity.
Shared Interest Groups
Launched in 2009, the Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) are a complimentary benefit of LMA Midwest, and include the Technology SIG, the Solo Marketer SIG and the Young Members SIG. These groups facilitate dialogue and create networking opportunities for LMA Midwest members with common interests. Anyone who is a member of LMA Midwest and has an interest in participating in the discussions and information relevant to the groups may join.
Click here to register for these SIGs.
Marketing/Public Relations
The Marketing/Public Relations Committee is the public face and voice of LMA Midwest. This committee is tasked with promoting the reputation and goals of LMA Midwest, improving awareness of our profession and our organization and enhancing our credibility. Committee members disseminate information about LMA Midwest events, activities, educational seminars and networking opportunities through a wide range of media including the chapter’s Web site and chapter newsletter, In the Loop.
In the Loop
In the Loop is an e-newsletter written and produced by LMA Midwest members. A branch of the Marketing/PR Committee, the In the Loop editorial board is responsible for distributing three to four issues a year, covering a myriad of pertinent legal marketing topics. Issues include member profiles, information on marketing and related subjects, announcements, chapter member news, new member listings, editorial content, book reviews, recaps of recent LMA events and photos galore! Like to write or have an idea for an article? This is a great opportunity to put your journalism skills — professional or amateur — to work.
Sponsorship
Our Sponsorship Committee is responsible for obtaining sponsorship for the chapter's various events, including our monthly luncheons and the Your Honor Awards. (LMA Midwest Conference sponsorships are handled by our LMA Midwest Conference Committee.)
Web Site/Technology
The Web Site/Technology Committee maintains the LMA Midwest Chapter Web site — www.lmamidwest.org. This includes updating events, chapter news, board and committee membership and other related information.
Your Honor Awards
Our annual LMA Midwest "Your Honor Awards" recognize exemplary initiatives undertaken during the previous year. The chair is responsible for duties including, but not limited to, selecting and securing a venue; disseminating nomination forms; enlisting judges; working with the sponsor to create the awards ceremony program and selecting speakers and presenters; catering, budgeting, registration and all other aspects relating to the event.
2011 Midwest Conference
The co-chairs and committee of this popular and well-attended event will coordinate all aspects of the LMA Midwest biennial conference held in Chicago including choosing and securing the venue; issuing an RFP for speakers and selecting speakers; budgeting; obtaining and organizing sponsors and exhibitors; Web site creation and maintenance; all marketing and informational communications between the committee and the membership and sponsors/exhibitors; speaker materials and attendee materials; menu planning and keynote speakers; all registration responsibilities; and all other aspects relating to the conference. Visit http://www.lmamidwestconference.com/ for more details.