LAGBAC FOUNDATION UP AND RUNNING

The LAGBAC Foundation (“Foundation”) was incorporated in December 2003. During 2005, the Board completed the arduous process of submitting an application to the Internal Revenue Service to obtain 501(c)(3) status, submitting a Charitable Organization filing with the State of Illinois, and preparing guidelines for awarding grants. The stated organizational purpose for the Foundation is as follows:

This Corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, and in particular, to engage in research and education pertaining to: 1) To research, analyze, compile, publish and distribute educational materials to enable lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed and questioning attorneys to become more proficient in their profession. 2) To assist, conduct or sponsor educational conferences, forums and seminars. 3) To study and educate the general public about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed and questioning attorneys.

Part of the Foundation’s mission includes awarding grants to individuals and entities which seek to conduct research and/or provide educational opportunities which are aligned with the Foundation’s mission. However, the immediate need is focused on fundraising so that the Foundation may embark on its mission. A fundraising event is planned for late spring or early summer. Stay tuned for more information.

PRESENTATION AND PANEL DISCUSSION TO BE HELD

The John Marshall Law School Gay and Lesbian Legal Alliance (“GALLA”) has several upcoming events of interest. On Monday, March 14, 2005, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., GALLA, the American Constitution Society, and Swartz, Greenberger & Krauss are sponsoring a presentation and panel discussion about SB 3186, the amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act. Speakers include Representative Sara Feigenholz, Rocco Claps, Senator Carol Ronen, Michael Pollack, Professor Mark Wojcik, Steve Herseth, Arthur Johnston, and Michael McHale. Please RSVP to 5sullivan@stu.jmls.edu.

On March 23, 2005, GALLA will be hosting Out at Work, NOT Out of Work Part II: How to Approach Sensitive Issues on Your Resume and During an Interview. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. at The John Marshall Law School, 315 South Plymouth Court, Room 526. Refreshments will be provided. Those interested may sign up for mock interviews on March 23, with interviews to be held on March 29 and 31.

On March 25, 2005, GALLA will also be hosting “Meet the Bar” night from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sidetracks on Halsted.

WINTER TREATS FOR OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS

We all wish spring were here already, but the bitter cold of winter hangs on. During this transitional period between winter and the bounty of summer, birds are often without sufficient food to provide energy. If you are an avid birder, or just want to give your feathered friends a little help making it through to the bounty of summer, you can provide a high energy food source for next to nothing by making your own suet. The ingredients are simple. Melt one part beef suet in a pan. Mix in one part peanut butter, and six parts cornmeal. When thoroughly mixed through, spoon the cornmeal and peanut butter mixture into paper-lined muffin tins, old paper milk carton, or similar container. Let the mixture cool. If you don’t plan to use the suet immediately, store in the freezer until needed.

You can also add other ingredients, such as sunflower seeds, raisins, or other small fruit and nut pieces. Keeping the birds happy in the winter will ensure they stick around for the summer to eat all of the bugs that attack your garden plants.

2005 VANGUARD AWARDS TO BE HELD IN APRIL

The Annual Vanguard Awards will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2005 at the Standard Club, 320 South Plymouth Court in the Grand Ballroom. A reception will be held beginning at 11:30 a.m., with lunch to follow at 12:15 p.m. The Vanguard Awards are sponsored by LAGBAC, The Asian American Bar Association, The Chicago Bar Association, The Cook County Bar Association, The Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, and LAGBAC and serve to honor the institutions and lawyers who have made the law and legal profession accessible and reflective of the community at large. This year LAGBAC has chosen to honor Sebastian T. Patti, Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Please join us in paying tribute to one who has done so much for the community. Tickets are $60.00 per person. For reservations, contact Tamra Drees at 312-554-2057 or tdrees@chicagobar.org. Mention you are purchasing a ticket with LAGBAC when making your reservation.

ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT TO CONVENE TASK FORCE ON JUDICIAL REFORM

Chief Justice Mary Ann McMorrow has requested the participation of the various bar associations, including LAGBAC, in convening a task force to explore judicial reform. Topics the task force would address include voter education, interest in a diverse bench, ballot issues, court funding, methods of judicial selection, judicial evaluation, and the tone and conduct of campaigns. Susana Darwin, a former president and member of the Board of Directors, has graciously agreed to take time from her busy schedule to represent LAGBAC in this endeavor. Susana also serves on LAGBAC’s Judicial Evaluation Committee.

ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE

In an effort to generate revenue for programs and events, the Board of Directors have launched an initiative to offer advertising space in LAGBAC’s newsletter to individuals and companies seeking to reach LGBT attorneys. The Board of Directors would like feedback from the membership regarding this initiative. Please contact us at lagbac@ameritech.net with your comments.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE PRIDE PARADE EVENT!

June is just around the corner and that means LAGBAC will once again be hosting the Judge’s Pride Parade Event Sunday, June 26, 2005. Please watch your email and LAGBAC’s website for further details.

©2004 chilagbac.org