NHBA MEMBER RECORDS’ Coordinator Anna O’Neill is a good listener. "That’s very important in my position," she explains. "Bar members often call me to discuss status changes and I can sometimes save them time, money and worry by citing the various options so that they can make informed decisions."

Anna has worked for the NHBA for 13 years, from 1985 to 1993 and from 1999 to the present, and has seen many changes. "Technology now provides our members with more choices than ever before, and of course, the organization has grown, too," she says. Keeping member information as up-to-date as possible has been greatly enhanced by the ever-expanding database and communications technology that the NHBA maintains.

Anna maintains a database that lists pertinent information for all members, whether they are in an active or inactive status. Although much of her work is still done by phone, (603) 224-6942, ext. 208, members can also contact her by e-mail, aoneill@nhbar.org, by mail: 112 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301, and through the "For Members" section of the Web site. Members can submit an address change form online and print out a status change form for mailing.

Members appreciate her patience and insight in walking them through procedures and it is not uncommon for her to receive letters and cards thanking her for her careful and considerate assistance. "If a member decides to go inactive or to retire for whatever reason, he or she needs to know how the decision may impact CLE credits, trust accounts, and dues’ payments," explains Anna. "I can help with that."

Anna decided to make it a function of her position to personally call any members who were nearing suspension for non-payment of dues. "First, I try to find out why people are late—sometimes there are very good reasons," she says. "Then, I try to help them figure out how to solve the problem—and it seems to be working. I started with a list of 47 members this past year who were in danger of administrative suspension—and we ended up with only 10 suspensions—out of about 5,000 members."

People look forward to hearing from Anna. "One member, who lives out of state, waits for my call every year," she says with a laugh. "He uses it as his reminder to send his dues packet back!"

Currently, the Association has almost 25 members in the active military service, most of them in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. Anna is often in contact with them or family members and receives occasional letters updating her on the service members’ activities.

Anna tries to put a "human face" on her work. She believes that the NHBA is continually moving forward with providing what is most important to its members—service. "I love my job," she says. "I enjoy talking to the members. I like hearing about their families, their life changes. And, I appreciate their sense of humor."

Anna’s contribution to the NHBA is her compassion and willingness to go the extra mile to help members. "I just treat them the way I like to be treated," she says.

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New Hampshire Bar Association
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