GOAL I
     To promote improvements in the administration of justice.
     
     Strategies:
     · Pursue improvements in the United States Virgin Islands court system, including seeking proper funding for the judicial branch of government and more efficiently utilizing existing resources.
     · Review and evaluate the judicial selection process and make appropriate action recommendations thereon.
     · Develop and implement a fair and impartial judicial evaluation process for public dissemination.
     · Advocate the application of technology to advance the administration of the Virgin Islands judicial system.
     · Continue to develop effective systems for liaison with the United States Virgin Islands courts.
     
     GOAL II
     To ensure the highest standards of professional competence and ethical conduct of the membership.
     
     Strategies:
     · Improve the system of attorney discipline in the United States Virgin Islands.
     · Develop and implement a program to promote professionalism by members of the Association.
     · Pursue the establishment of mandatory continuing legal education requirements by Territorial Court rule with requirements for training in professional responsibility, ethics, law office management, and legal malpractice prevention.
     · Provide broad-based delivery of affordable continuing legal education opportunities to the members of the Association.
     · Develop programs to assist new, as well as experienced, attorneys to ethically and competently practice law.
     · Institute preventative, restorative, and intervention programs to help lawyers before complaints develop.
     
     GOAL III
     To monitor and advocate public policy issues affecting the judicial system and the legal profession.
     
     Strategies:
     · Establish and maintain an effective government affairs program.
     · Identify and address public policy issues affecting the administration of justice and the practice of law and report the status to members through bar publications.
     · Develop effective government affairs liaison with the judiciary and other professional associations to enhance the Bar's government affairs program.
     · Enhance recognition and acceptance of the judicial system and the role of the legal profession in a free society.
     · Develop effective grassroots support systems and capabilities as a key element in the Bar's government affairs efforts.
     
     GOAL IV
     To promote service to the public by members of the Bar.
     
     Strategies:
     · Identify and encourage the pursuit of community service opportunities where the skills of the legal profession and volunteer bar leaders can best be applied.
     · Identify and address the legal needs of the people of the United States Virgin Islands and encourage lawyer participation in existing public service programs.
     · Establish and maintain relationships with other organizations to jointly provide programs of service to the public.
     · Enhance recognition and acceptance of the responsibilities of the legal profession to serve the public good.
     · Develop programs to recognize the public service activities of members of the Bar.
     
     GOAL V
     To improve the public's understanding, appreciation, and respect of the law and the role of the legal profession.
     
     Strategies:
     · Utilize an effective communication mix and strategy to promote the understanding, appreciation, and respect for the law and the legal profession's role in a free society.
     · Strengthen existing programs to provide law-related education to Virgin Islands youth and develop new programs to expand the Bar's law-related education efforts.
     · Develop public relations programs to promote a positive image of lawyers including an effective public education and information programs to assist the public in recognizing legal needs.
     · Develop programs to respond to unfair criticism of the judiciary and the judicial system.
     · Provide information and educational opportunities to assist members in educating the public about the law and the legal profession's role in our society.
     
     GOAL VI
     To promote the availability and delivery of legal services.
     
     Strategies:
     · Strengthen and expand existing programs such as Legal Services of the Virgin Islands and the Territorial and Federal Public Defender's Offices that provide legal assistance to individuals unable to afford an attorney.
     · Identify and establish programs to provide for the delivery of legal services to those individuals able to afford an attorney, but unable to obtain legal assistance otherwise.
     · Identify and address the legal needs of those in need such as the poor, the elderly, the physically and mentally challenged, children, the homeless, immigrants, and disaster and crime victims.
     · Identify and implement alternative dispute resolution programs, including a fee dispute mechanism to arbitrate claims between members and their clients.
     
     GOAL VII
     To serve as the territorial representative of the legal profession
     
     Strategies:
     · Establish and maintain appropriate mechanisms to preserve the unified bar association as the most effective means to serve the public good and represent the interests of the legal profession in the United States Virgin Islands.
     · Continue to identify and address issues affecting the legal profession, as well as broader issues that affect the administration of justice.
     · Disseminate information to members and non-members through programs and publications such as the Bar newsletter and website, public forums, and news releases.
     · Provide information on demographic trends and changes in public attitudes that enhance the administration of justice and the practice of law.
     · Establish a Virgin Islands Bar Foundation and cooperate with the Foundation to identify needed programs and projects.
     · Establish and strengthen cooperative relationships with other territorial professional associations in the United States Virgin Islands.
     
     GOAL VIII
     To provide programs and services for the professional growth and effectiveness of the members.
     
     Strategies:
     · Provide membership services to assist lawyers in providing high quality legal services in an efficient, cost-effective manner.
     · Consider the development of programs to help new lawyers learn the customs and practices of law in the United States Virgin Islands legal community and to strengthen their practical knowledge about the practice of law and law office management.
     · Incorporate and utilize new technologies to facilitate the practice of law by members of the Association.
     · Provide information on technologies and systems that are applicable to the practice of law.
     · Promote collegiality between the bench and bar though social events.
     · Enhance the existing scholarship program and develop mentorship programs and other assistance for United States Virgin Islands law students to facilitate their legal studies and return to the Territory to practice law.
     · Encourage educational and information programs about professionalism, professional responsibility, and ethics.
     · Assess the needs of members practicing in areas that are not readily accessible to the courts of the United States Virgin Islands and provide services to meet their identified needs.
     · Establish formal and informal programs designed to assist lawyers in addressing the stresses involved in the practice of law and quality of life issues.
     
     GOAL IX
     To encourage participation by all lawyers in the activities of the Association.
     
     Strategies:
     · Identify means to increase participation in the activities of the Bar by all members with specific emphasis on young lawyers, women, public service attorneys, and solo practitioners.
     · Actively solicit members of the Bar for their desire to serve as officers of the Bar, members of Bar committees, and participate in specific Bar activities.
     · Disseminate information to member on activities and accomplishments of the Bar.
     · Expand existing liaisons with other legal organizations, including, but not limited to, the American Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the National Bar Association, to facilitate the goals of the Virgin Islands Bar Association.
     · Study the implementation of sections by area of practice as vehicles to involve members in the work of the Bar.
     · Expand orientation and education programs for officers, members of the Board of Governors, and committee members as volunteer leaders.
     
     GOAL X
     To uphold the honor, dignity, and integrity of the legal profession.
     
     Strategies:
     · Increase recognition of the importance of the rule of law in society so that a more complete understanding of the legal profession's role in the preservation of a democratic society is achieved.
     · Develop programs to recognize the role of the courts and legal profession in a free society.
     · Monitor and actively prosecute the unauthorized practice of law in the Territory.
     · Establish programs to recognize lawyers as members of a learned profession and the practice of law as a public service.
     · Develop coordinated support for judicial efforts concerning civility including advocating the establishment of professionalism reform initiatives.