and DUI defense. Nasty cases, sometimes nasty clients, and really nasty opposing counsel. However, the attorney I worked for was a wonderful employer and I loved my job. Around the time my husband was due for a transfer, he April Fools’ed me that we were coming to Minot, North Dakota. Several weeks later, he really got that assignment. I cried.
Soon after arriving in North Dakota in 2002, I got a job at Lamont & Skowronek, P.C. where I met Mary Sue Knutson, CLA. Mary Sue invited me to a WDALA meeting, and I think I’ve been a member ever since. The first position I took was Region II Director. When asked, I remember thinking, “Who, me?? Why would you want ME to be a director of anything?” I don’t think I honestly wanted to be the director, but hesitatingly said “yes.” For quite a few years I was only involved with the Region II group, and didn’t get to know Bismarck members at all. I attended a few seminars, but mostly kept to myself.
In 2008, I agreed to serve as WDALA’s secretary and started to become more familiar with the business part of WDALA and my fellow board members. In 2009, I attended my first NALA convention (San Diego, California) and roomed with Melissa Hamilton, ACP and Melissa Klimpel, ACP. This was a pivotal experience, because it was during this convention that it finally sunk in for me that being a paralegal is a real career, and I really like it. And it also helped me understand WDALA’s relationship to NALA, and what associations can offer its members.
Being the “president” of anything is not a life-long dream for me, and I am already finding out one of the hardest things is finding people who are willing to serve. I truly understand the time limitations – most days I come up a day late and a dollar short, and there is never enough time in the day to cross off all the to-do’s I somehow start my day thinking I can accomplish. Aside from being a paralegal and WDALA’s current president, I am a mother; I am a wife; I am a daughter of aging parents; I am a sister; I am a friend; I am a homeowner; I am trying to be healthier physically; and I am an active member of a church and sing in the choir. Each of these roles requires time, but it is important for all of us to do the things that really touch our hearts. WDALA has done a lot for me over the years – I have gotten jobs, avoided jobs, made friends, networked in a variety of ways, and felt like I am part of a team. I didn’t start getting much out of it until I started putting something in. Although asking people to do things and delegating tasks does not come naturally for me, I know it will be an experience that will help me grow in ways I probably don’t even know yet (and probably won’t necessarily like).
I have on my desk a “Seize the Day” daily calendar. Each day it has a small, positive message. I save the ones that mean the most to me. As I started writing this article, the one I kept looking at and thinking about says this:
“A satisfying life is not measured by what you have, but by what you give.”
So, even though I don’t “have the time” and don’t feel qualified, I am going to give back to WDALA by continuing to serve. I also want to thank those who have agreed to serve WDALA in any manner for 2017-2018, and those who have served in the past. If you have not felt ready to be involved yet, please take a little time to think about what you would like to get out of being a member of WDALA, and, in turn, what you can honestly give to help WDALA be the association each member hopes it will be. There are many small ways each member can make a difference, and I look forward to serving with you.
Afton J. Basden, CP
WDALA President