Message from the President, April 2026

This time of year in the annual GBA cycle always brings to mind leadership and service.  At our March membership meeting, we recognized Centennial Award winners Teresa Vincent and Jim Slaughter.  This award is co-sponsored by the NC Bar Association and recognizes outstanding and exemplary community service.  In her remarks, Judge Vincent recalled the quote (often attributed to Shirley Chisholm or in a different wording to Muhammad Ali) that “service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”  Jim recalled times and ways that GBA members have been deeply involved as leaders and volunteers with almost every major project or initiative in the city.

Many of us may recall another quotation on this topic:  “With great power comes great responsibility,” the immortal advice of Uncle Ben to young Peter Parker.  As attorneys we may not generally view ourselves as powerful in the ways that Spider-Man is.  Certainly, a law license doesn’t come with web shooters, though some of us may develop a degree of Spidey-sense to look out for our clients.  We do hold a set of specialized skills that empower us to make significant impacts to our community.  These are not only about legal knowledge, but things like careful planning, foresight, analysis, communication, and leadership.  And these powers come with the responsibility to use our gifts and skills to improve our city and our community in what ways we can.  When we invest our time and our commitment into service, we have an impact far greater than our numbers.

This month, we also recognized members in the Herb Falk Society, for more than 75 hours of pro bono work in the last year.  In April, we’ll recognize members for our second year of the Robert Cone Society, for community service outside the sphere of legal services.  We also know that many of you engage in a variety of forms of service, but choose not to complete the reporting forms.  Perhaps you prefer not to be recognized, or maybe you’re so busy in service you don’t have time to fill out extra paperwork.  Regardless, clearly, many of you are paying your rent to live on this earth, and are keeping alive the legacy of leadership by GBA.

As an Association, it is important that we lift up our models and examples of service.  Generally, this is not because they long for recognition; true service is not offered as a tool to seek the applause of our peers.  Rather, as we recognize them, we inspire ourselves and others to stay involved.  Whether reported and recognized or not, I hope each of you are continuing to find the ways you can use your super-powers to make a difference for others around you.

Hon. Bill Davis
President, Greensboro Bar Association
and the 24th Judicial District Bar