BarTalk August 2004
Volume 16, Number 4

What voluntary membership means to you

By decision of 52.7 per cent of members voting in the recent Law Society of B.C. referendum, the practice fee for 2005 will not include a Canadian Bar Association fee for the first time in 55 years. The possibility of this outcome was prepared for, at both the National and Branch levels, and there were contingency plans prepared in advance. The end result has some practical implications for the lawyers of B.C.

First, you (or your firm) will receive a membership renewal invoice which will be mailed in October. Unlike past practice, you will have to write separate cheques to the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society. While the concept of two cheques is new, the reality is that the total dollar figure will not be appreciably different than in previous years.

Most law firms will likely adjust to the change quite easily, however some public sector and corporate counsel lawyers will need to address this with their employers for the first time. The Branch will provide any assistance you need, including help with “building the business case for membership.”

Second, there will be a shift in the provision of services at CBA. Lawyers renewing their CBA membership will have access to the same services and programs offered in the past, although funding and administrative support will be directly affected by the total number of members signing-up. Advocacy, government relations and legislation and law reform efforts will continue. Sections will also continue – they are continually rated one of the profession's most valued professional development and networking resources. The Directory will continue, publishing the contact information for all practising lawyers (not just CBA members). As well, all the networking and practice support the CBA provides will continue, as will the publication and distribution of BarTalk.

Non-members will experience the most significant change – a large differential in fees for accessing products and services the CBA provides (e.g., Directory, Sections), no access to some services, and no access to large portions of the CBA Web site including all archived Section materials, archived publications, PracticeLink, the lawyers group RRSP discount, and other services.

Third, you can expect to see new revenue-generating activities as well as policy decisions that add direct value to CBA membership. Suggestions to date include providing members with free “preferred area of practice” listings and Web site hotlinks in the Online Directory, and free access for universal firm librarians to the Branch’s online Section materials. We are considering all options.

There is a commitment by the staff and Executive Committee of the Branch to seek out and act upon all member suggestions for how best to ensure the CBA gives back the best possible value for the membership dollar. If you have ideas, please let us know by sending an e-mail to cba@bccba.org.

This article was published in the August 2004 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2004, all rights reserved.