PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: “T.A.G.” – You’re It!

AMANDA ARRIAGA, TEXAS CASA

Coming from a state government background, one thing that is always top of mind as we spend money is: “This is not our money. This is the taxpayers’ money.”

I want to encourage you, when you volunteer for or give resources to a non-profit organization, to play a game of “T.A.G.”: Transparency – Accountability – Governance.

The Austin Bar Association and Austin Bar Foundation are non-profit organizations. So, this isn’t our money either. It comes from you, our members, as dues or as donations by you or your workplaces. That’s why we owe you transparency, accountability, and good governance in all we do.

In May of 2021, we passed a policy to require bids for any purchase of goods or services over $1,000. This policy was meant to ensure we have good governance and also provide diverse businesses the chance to compete for our business.

Last summer, a question arose from some members as to whether we were adhering to this policy, since from their perspective, it didn’t seem like much had changed. That feedback was well taken, and I want to let you know that we conducted a full RFP (Request for Proposals) process for the major expenses and events we had during this bar year. This includes our gala venue, the Marriott Downtown; our Bench Bar venue, the Norris Conference Center; and the publishing of Austin Lawyer, which is now handled by a company called Sail House Publishing.

The full text of the policy can be found on page 7 of this issue. If you know of any business that should be added to the list for when we have expenses over $1,000, please contact me at amanda@austinbar.org AL