STRATEGIC PLAN 2000: THE PROCESS

The Federal Power Bar Association, established in 1946, was sharply focused on those few lawyers practicing energy regulatory law at the federal level. With about 1800 members, two formal chapters, and rampant change in the energy industry, the association's leadership decided it needed to take a fresh look at why we are in business and for whom.

From September 1998 through March 1999, a Board Ad Hoc Committee conducted interviews of association members, lapsed members, prospective members, committee chairs, and staff. To supplement this information, baseline membership, fiscal data and the leadership's own extensive knowledge of the association and of energy law were also explored. All of this helped assure that the association's plan would respond to the identified needs of current and potential members and be flexible enough to deal with emerging situations. Participants at every step were encouraged and willing to explore new ideas and approaches. Diverse opinions were invited and respected as the planning process unfolded. The leadership retained what works best for members and in order to be attuned to the most current ideas, initiated a planning process that would:

• Examine current realities
• Make reasoned assumptions about the future
• Review the association mission
• Develop goals which reflect the needs of its members
• Assure the ability of the association to achieve its goals
• The Board Ad Hoc Committee who helped shape and develop the strategic plan included:

EBA'S MISSION

The foundation of the EBA's Strategic Plan 2000 is provided by EBA's Mission Statement. This statement establishes criteria for the EBA's major areas of activity and provides the framework for selecting action priorities.

"THE MISSION OF THE ASSOCIATION IS TO ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF THOSE WHO PRACTICE AND ADMINISTER ENERGY LAW."

This mission positions EBA to:

• Provide an ongoing forum and network for the discussion and communication of energy issues among all segments of the energy industry.
• Focus its efforts on serving the changing needs of current and prospective members.
• Remain the preeminent bar association for energy law.

HOW ENERGY LAW IS CHANGING

No one can predict the future. Nevertheless, participation in a forum that monitors and discusses today's trends can certainly enhance one's ability to make sound projections about tomorrow. Consider these widely accepted theories and assumptions about the near future.

BY 2002, THE ENERGY INDUSTRY AND ENERGY LAW WILL:

• be redefined in part by innovative rules and policies developed by state and federal regulators
• continue to respond to an evolving competitive environment
• be driven less by regulation and more by transaction variety
• find that US regulatory models are used as templates by other countries
• see more dependence on dispute resolution
• see dramatic changes because of “customer choice” options
• be involved with more mergers and disaggregation involve global markets for energy and related products
• see new business opportunities at all levels of the unbundled energy chain
• need to reflect new sources of energy
• find more work in the environmental arena due to the search for "green" energy
• have to deal with emerging technologies
• involve more internet-based businesses and services
• use new, faster tech-based research methods and decision-making tools

EBA STRATEGIC PLAN 2000 AN EXPANDED VISION

To carry out its mission and vision for the future, EBA identified specific goals in six areas:

• Programs and Services
• Membership
• Association Governance
• Law Students and New Attorneys
• Government Relations
• Image and Identity

Achieving these goals will drive EBA's structure, governance and budgeting. Many of the following programs and activities are already in motion, with others in varied stages of implementation. These goals not only reflect our strategy for the future, but our vision of success.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

PROGRAMS AND SEMINARS: We envision an increase in the number of high quality, timely, affordable educational programs and seminars offered by the association, its chapters, and its committees in Washington, DC, and across the United States. Program content will often focus on pertinent local, state and federal issues as well as antitrust, financing, international, regulatory, contractual and transactional issues. Programs will be evaluated for relevance on an ongoing basis.

WEB SITE: A frequently visited, interactive web site linking members and the public at large to useful information.

JOB BANK: An expanded job bank available to benefit EBA members.

JUDICIAL OPINIONS: Timely dissemination and synopses of judicial opinions.

ENERGY LAW JOURNAL: The Journal's increased scope reflects EBA's expanded vision.

DIRECTORY: The Directory continues to be published each year.

ASSOCIATION AND MEDIA ALLIANCES: Strong alliances with related associations and the media continue to be developed.

NEW COMMITTEES: As needed, new committees will be established.

MEMBERSHIP

EXPANDED OUTREACH: EBA will identify and focus on recruitment from new member segments, such as state and local practitioners and regulators across the United States and lawyers specializing in all aspects of the changing energy industry.

CHAPTERS: EBA will have at least three chapters fully operational by 2001.

DIVERSITY: Through outreach programs, gender and racial diversity will be increased across the association.

CONTINUED HIGH MEMBERSHIP RETENTION: EBA retention rates remain above the national average (85-90%) for professional organizations, and include the retention of more senior members of the association.

GROWTH: Membership numbers will surpass 2000 by 2001.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES: A large pool of leaders in both the public and private sectors will be recruited, relying heavily ontask forces and committees as a training ground and the openness of the new nominating procedures to encourage upward mobility of members.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: EBA's superior administrative staff will be expanded to meet the growing program and service needs of members.

ASSOCIATION GOVERNANCE

NEW NOMINATING PROCEDURES: Greater access and opportunity for involvement in EBA's nominating processes which have been revised by the general membership to include: (1) The open nomination of candidates in addition to those presented by the Nominating Committee; (2) The publication of criteria for each board of directors and officer position; (3) A thirty-day notice requirement for dissemination of the slate prior to voting; and (4) Announcement of the process used by members of the Nominating Committee.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE TRAINING: Annual board and committee training enhances members' knowledge and effectiveness.

LAW STUDENTS AND NEW ATTORNEYS

OUTREACH: Energy law students will continue to be actively recruited, and a vital network with energy law professors will be developed.

TUTORIAL PROGRAMS: EBA's outreach to entry-level attorneys and others new to the field will be expanded through special tutorial programs.

REGULATORY AGENCY INTERNSHIPS: Support of internships at federal regulatory agencies will continue with possible expansion to state commissions.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

AN APOLITICAL ASSOCIATION: EBA's non-partisan political posture remains firmly in place.

AN ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP: EBA's membership participates in public policy initiatives and activities at local, state and national levels.

A VALUABLE RESOURCE: EBA's role as a valuable resource to government is reinforced and relationships with other pertinent government agencies are established.

EBA IMAGE AND IDENTITY

NEW NAME: A new name, the Energy Bar Association, reflects changes in the industry, the profession, the association, and helps promote broad-based membership.

NEW VISUAL IDENTITY: A new, dynamic and visually engaging logo reflects image and identity changes.

ANNUAL REPORT: An "Annual Report"will be developed in either print or electronic format to inform members about the activities and finances of the association.

EBA AWARD: The Board will explore the establishment of a prestigious award to recognize outstanding achievement in the energy law profession.