Message from the President, May 2018

Greensboro Strong.
Surely you’ve seen the phrase in the past seven days, maybe as a hashtag on social media, or on those green T-shirts everyone’s wearing. Here, it’s not some generic marketing slogan — “(Insert-your-city-here) Strong.” It means something in Greensboro. Greensboro Strong means we count our blessings even in our darkest times.
-Margaret Moffett, News & Record, April 21, 2018

On Sunday, April 15th, at about 5:15 p.m., an EF-2 tornado tore a path of destruction through a large swath of East Greensboro.  One Greensboro resident lost his life when a tree fell on his car, and damage inspections revealed that 1,007 structures were impacted by the tornado, including three elementary schools.   The immediate response from the community to aid those in need and assist with clean-up efforts has been truly inspiring.  However, after the debris and downed power lines are cleared, there will remain many unmet needs that our members can help meet.  Here are some ongoing relief efforts:

• To help provide support to those impacted by the tornado, the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro created the East Greensboro Tornado Relief Fund and the Guilford County Schools Classroom Tornado Relief Fund.  The Foundation will coordinate grants from the East Greensboro Tornado Relief Fund with guidance from the City of Greensboro and the United Way of Greater Greensboro.  The Guilford County Schools Classroom Tornado Relief Fund will support tornado relief efforts at Hampton, Erwin, and Peeler Elementary with guidance from GCS Superintendent Dr. Sharon Contreras.  Donate at https://netcommunity.cfgg.org/east-greensboro-tornado-relief-fund.
• Make a donation to the Interactive Resource Center for $25 or more and receive a “Greensboro Strong” T-shirt provided by Triad Paw Prints.  100 percent of donations will go directly to the areas impacted by the recent tornado.  Donate at www.interactiveresourcecenter.org.
• Goodwill is accepting household goods, including furniture, clothing, home goods, and school supplies from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays at all Goodwill locations.
• The United Way of Greater Greensboro is accepting monetary donations. Donations can be made online at www.UnitedWayGSO.org, as well as mailed or dropped off at United Way of Greater Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville St., Greensboro, 27405.  Checks should indicate the donation is for “Tornado Relief.”
• On a brighter note, I hope you will all plan to come to the GBA’s final event of the 2017-18 programming year – the annual picnic at the Greensboro Grasshoppers’ game on Sunday, May 20th!  This year we are combining forces with the High Point Bar Association, and with the larger size of our group, we have reserved a nicer area of the ballpark for our picnic – the Sunbrella shade zone.  The picnic will feature an all-you-can-eat picnic lunch, beverages, and draft beer, and is open to members and their families.  The fun kicks off at 2 p.m.  Hope to see you there!

Lastly, it has been a true honor and privilege serving as the GBA’s President this past year.  Thank you for entrusting me with the leadership of this unparalleled bar association.  I am very proud of everything we have accomplished this year, and I cannot thank all of you enough for your support and encouragement.  I leave you in the most capable hands of incoming President, the Honorable Teresa Vincent, and ask only that you continue your enthusiasm, energy, ideas, and activism into her term.  I wish you all a wonderful and memorable summer!

At our April 19 member meeting, President Sarah Roane was recognized with a heartfelt token of appreciation for her dedicated service and commitment to GBA during her presidency.