by Scott Mitchell (AL)
As we begin a new year, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your NCACC president and to stay connected with colleagues across our nation. We are so much more than colleagues. As Frans LaBranche was fond of saying, we are like family. This past fall has been especially busy, and I am pleased to share some recent highlights, along with a few reflections on the importance of supporting one another in the work we do.
In October, the Executive Committee convened in Fort Worth, Texas, for our fall meeting. In years past, the fall meeting was typically held at the site of the annual meeting scheduled two years later. However, after adjusting our site selection timeline at the recommendation of our partners at Maritz, this year’s fall gathering became a “president’s choice” meeting.
I selected Fort Worth primarily for its central location and proximity to a major hub airport, but it quickly exceeded my expectations. We met at The Harper Hotel which is located on Main Street in a beautifully restored century-old office building. By chance, our visit coincided with Fort Worth’s Michelada Festival, so we were treated to a lively street celebration filled with music, food, and local vendors. Clarissa Hodges graciously shared her local knowledge, leading us to a wonderful Sunday evening dinner at Joe T. Garcia’s.
Monday morning, we turned our attention to business. The Executive Committee spent significant time reviewing the financial health of NCACC and discussing the goals and priorities of our committees for the coming year. After concluding our work, we were able to visit the Fort Worth Stockyards and witness the famous cattle drive. Fort Worth is a welcoming and vibrant town, and I hope we will have the opportunity to return one day for an NCACC conference.
One of the great privileges of serving as president is representing the NCACC at meetings of other court-related organizations. In December, I attended the Conference of State Court Administrators’ Midyear Conference in Savannah, Georgia, where I shared information about the work of appellate clerks and the NCACC. I also had the opportunity to participate in their educational sessions and listen to discussions on issues that closely mirror our own, including budgeting, technology, and relationships with vendors, among others. I will soon attend the midyear meeting of the Council of Chief Justices in San Juan, Puerto Rico. These experiences help ensure that the important work of the NCACC and its members is visible and well understood.
At this past summer’s annual meeting, during the “What’s Bugging You” session, someone asked a powerful question: “Who takes care of us when we take care of everyone else?” Unfortunately, time ran out before we could explore it fully, but that question has stayed with me.
Being a Clerk of an appellate court can be all-consuming. We seem to be always on call. We serve as the institutional memory of our courts. We support our judges and justices, oversee finances, research issues, solve problems, know the rules, serve as the public face of the court, lead our staff, serve on committees, draft orders, maintain statistics, and navigate technology we never expected to master. While some may assume our jobs are easy, we know how demanding they can be. In many ways, being a Clerk reminds me of the Peace Corps slogan: “The toughest job you’ll ever love.”
And while it is a job we love, it can also be stressful and exhausting. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance, both physically and emotionally, is essential, but far easier said than done. Like many of you, I began the year with good intentions about exercise and healthier habits. Recently, I saw an internet meme parodying a collegiate athletic commitment saying someone had flipped their New Year’s resolution from Planet Fitness to McDonald’s. I felt seen. As sincere as my intentions were, my workout record so far matches Bluto’s GPA in Animal House: 0.0.
Beyond workplace stress, this time of year can be especially challenging. Studies show that many Americans experience a decline in their mood during the winter months, with increased fatigue, depression, and loss of interest in activities they normally enjoy. It is a reminder that we all carry professional and personal burdens, often at the same time.
That brings me back to the question: Who takes care of us?
The answer, I’ve realized, is that we take care of each other.
Our friendships and professional bonds within the NCACC are what sustain us. We understand one another’s challenges because we live them every day. We offer advice, perspective, encouragement, and sometimes simply a listening ear. Countless times, I have picked up the phone to call another member to talk through an issue or seek guidance. I know many of you have done the same.
That is the true strength and beauty of this organization. None of us has to face our work alone.
If you ever need advice, support, or simply someone to listen, please do not hesitate to reach out to your colleagues in the NCACC. I, like so many others, am always just a phone call or text away. Together, we take care of one another, and that makes all the difference.