PERSONAL STATEMENT OF
LINDA LU
FOR NAPABA VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT

I respectfully submit this statement in support of my nomination as NAPABA’s Vice President for Finance and Development for the 2009-2010 term. As VP-Finance and Development, I will strive to accomplish the following goals:

• to create and implement innovative ideas to generate sponsorship opportunities and galvanize fundraising efforts in these challenging economic times;

• to maintain the fiscal integrity of the organization so that it can continue its growing and expanding mission on sound financial footing; and

• to support the NAPABA President, officers, and regional governors in any capacity to the benefit of the organization.

The 2009-2010 term will continue to present hard economic times. This means NAPABA will be competing for sponsorship dollars from even more limited resources. As such, it is our responsibility to make the business case for our potential corporate and law firm sponsors to make supporting NAPABA a priority – they should invest, and continue to invest, with NAPABA over other organizations if need be. How do we do this? There are generally two reasons to sponsor an organization like NAPABA: (1) to demonstrate good corporate citizenship, supporting NAPABA’s mission; and (2) to leverage NAPABA’s network. As such, as VP-Finance and Development, one of my goals will be to create and develop innovative strategies to help our members and friends make the business case to apply their limited funds to sponsor NAPABA.

Although this would be my first office with NAPABA, if elected, I have actively participated as a moderator and panelist at numerous NAPABA conventions. Additionally, I have held leadership positions in NAPABA’s affiliate organization – the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago (AABA Chicago). With AABA Chicago, I served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Board Member for many years, where my responsibilities included fundraising and seeking sponsorship opportunities. Outside of the Asian American legal community, I have also had numerous roles in fundraising. As VP and Member of the University of Chicago Alumni Board of Governors, one of our primary functions is to create and implement giving opportunities. As co-chair for my collegiate 5 th, 10 th, and 15 th year reunions, we set records for fundraising.

As an in-house attorney for Allstate, as well as a law firm attorney, I understand the importance of an organization like NAPABA to its individual members and the Asian American legal community. It would be my honor to join NAPABA’s leadership and continue to carry out its tremendous mission. It would also allow me to give back to NAPABA and show my appreciation for being selected as a 2008 BU 40 recipient. I thank you for your consideration.