Which do you prefer: In-person or remote CLEs?

The MCBA held its annual CPLR update with Burt Lipshie this past week. While we were very happy to have 50+ attendees, we were surprised to see that only 4 people — including the presenter and the seminar chair — attended in person.

A similar trend appears to be happening with MCBA committee and section meetings. Since we’ve added a hybrid option to meetings, very few people have shown up to meetings in person.

We’re wondering if this is the future of CLE programs and meetings? Do members prefer to attend CLEs and meetings via Zoom instead of in-person? Or is it that we’re still finding our way out of the COVID way of life? Or perhaps that we’re worried about the current increasing infection rates?

Admittedly, I’ve gotten used to attending Zoom and Teams meetings instead of getting in my car and driving downtown.

The interesting twist is that our members are still showing up to in-person social events. Our annual Law Week reception hosted 125 people at Woodcliff last week. (Many thanks to all of you who came out). And our recent Solo/Small Firm Conference hosted 50+ people in person several weeks ago. We’re also hearing about people attending other conferences in-person.

So, is it that for routine meetings and shorter CLEs, we’re doomed to Zoom, while at the same time we’re willing to show up to larger networking events and conferences?

If that is the case, aren’t we missing an important part of those shorter CLEs and meetings — the camaraderie that comes with seeing each other in person? As I wrote last month, we need to come back together! It’s been too long, and we need to try to get back to where we were before the pandemic. We need to socialize, break bread and see each other in person.

I also wonder how remote CLEs and committee meetings will impact MCBA programming and the MCBA budget in the future. As we opt for Zoom CLEs, will we all use remote CLE providers such that the MCBA will become less and less relevant in the business of providing CLE programs? And will our committees and sections have less programming because we’re not meeting in person?  Hmmm…

Let me know your thoughts by email at [email protected].

While we’re talking about what you think, have you completed the short survey that we sent out recently. The survey has some basic questions about priorities to help shape our direction in the coming years. We’ve had a good response, but we want to hear from more of you.  It only takes 2-3 minutes to complete to let us know what YOU think should be the priorities of the MCBA.  Please also feel free to circulate the survey link to other attorneys at your firm and in your circle — they don’t have to be members to participate in it. We appreciate your help and your input!  If you didn’t receive the survey, simply email [email protected] for the link.

And finally, a reminder about our 2022 Installation in the Park on June 15. We will be installing Langston McFadden as MCBA President along with the MCBA Board of Trustees, and Pamela Reynolds as Foundation President along with the Foundation Board of Directors at Ellison Park, Sycamore Lodge starting at 4:30 p.m. There will be food, fellowship and fun … and it’s FREE! But we need RSVPs so please do so in advance. RSVP to Susan Hearn at [email protected].

Bradley Kammholz is the 2021-22 President of the Monroe County Bar Association and is a partner at Kammholz Rossi PLLC. He can be reached at [email protected].