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President’s Message

The Saratoga County Bar Association just turned one hundred years old. As part of that celebration, we have been reviewing historical documents and photographs related to the Bar. One document that stands out is "A Manual of Information" published on our 50th Anniversary in 1961. The opening quote comes from Theodore Roosevelt:

Every man owes some of his time to the upbuilding
of the profession to which he belongs.

While many things may have changed since 1961, the premise that every member of our community carries a unique burden of promoting the legal profession remains intact. In that regard, I defer to the Foreword from that 1961 Manual as it simply says it all.

It is the hope of your officers to achieve an expanded program of activities this year for our Bar Association. This program embraces several main endeavors, namely:

1. Improvement of our public relations by offering the aid of our Association and profession to worthy civic projects and those engaged in such projects;
2. Provide information and education to the public on legal subjects and our legal system, and show the importance and necessity of our profession in society;
3. Establish contact with business and other professional groups for a mutual friendly relationship and an understanding of each other’s problems so that we may help each other;
4. Extend our meetings to include educational features without detracting from our excellent social relationship;
5. Continue our efforts to improve and expand Court facilities in this County.

This program will require the earnest efforts and cooperation of every member of our Association. The effectiveness of our Association depends directly on our membership. It is hoped that consideration of the foregoing program will stimulate thought and action by all of us. We welcome your help and assistance.

The previous Foreword was likely drafted by one of the officers from that year, two of whom remain vital members of our Bar. The officers from 1961 were: President Alfred L. Simon, Vice President J. Raymond Amyot, Secretary John L. McMahon and Treasurer David A. Wait.

As we go forward this year and into our next century, let us not lose sight of the fact that the “effectiveness of our Association depends directly on our membership.”

Matthew L. Chivers