President Rick Pierce's Message

Rick Pierce
August 2023

Greetings NACM members and court stakeholders:

Thank you for the honor to serve as your president of NACM. I have the wonderful opportunity to work with outstanding court professionals in my office in Pennsylvania and now build upon professional relationships forged while attending NACM conferences and committee meetings.

Throughout our careers in court management, we have learned how essential trusting relationships directly correlate to success. We are keenly aware of the challenges posed when forming these bonds with co-workers, court users and court stakeholders. When attempting to start or grow trusting relationships be it with a peer, a supervisor, or a court partner as an individual or as a collective (like NACM) we may encounter resistance. This obstruction may appear in the form of a psychological “wall” or “silo.” Humans tend to willingly operate in a setting that is familiar; even one that is undesirable is usually preferred over the unknown. We often build these walls or silos to protect ourselves. Occasionally we view those outside our “wall” as an “intruder” or an instrument of undesired change. We may even lash out and tell the individual (or organization) to “stay in your lane.” When we are the ones attempting to relate or perspective take of those behind the barrier we may experience disappointment, rejection, perhaps humiliation.

What is our response, or perhaps what should be our response to these negative reactions? Hold fast. Stay the course. If we as leaders to our staff, as peers or as direct reports to our judges and administrators continue to demonstrate our trustworthiness through word AND deed, we will have an opportunity to break through these psychological walls or barriers. As I attempted to demonstrate in Tampa at the NACM conference, the “rope” that represents hope, courage and many other valuable attributes, will provide the tool to reach over, beyond, around, even through any “wall” or “silo” intentionally or unintentionally created by our desired target.

Relational power is what we must demonstrate, and relational power is what all of us possess. Relational power seeks out the mutual interest or common need for both or all parties in a relationship. Relational power is generally balanced for a mutual gain or “win win” scenario. As court professionals we must continue to use relational power to every person we touch, a peer, supervisor, a self-represented litigant, a victim and so many others. Connection with our court customers, partners, peers and employees will help instill the public’s trust and confidence in our courts across this nation.

Trusting relationships is the one valuable asset we can take with us throughout our lives. I have been blessed personally and professionally with wonderful relationships that have enriched my life. It is my hope that you have as well.

Rick Pierce
NACM President, 2023-2024

President’s Message – May 2020

05/22/2020

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06/25/2020

06/11/2020

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June 2020

Our nation and the world are mourning the passing of George Floyd and others like him who lost their lives under similar circumstances. Our sincere condolences go out to all who cared for him and others like him. Our country is in turmoil and people want change as demonstrated by the peaceful protests happening everywhere. It is time to mend the divisiveness that racism and inequalities have created.

The National Association for Court Management (NACM) holds firm to our core values of strengthening court professionals by engaging the court community and justice partners. As court leaders, we will continue to help bridge the gap between the courts and our communities by remaining committed and dedicated to diversity in our membership and in our education. It is time like these that we go back to our Core and are reminded about the purposes and responsibilities of courts. Namely, to promote justice and to protect individuals against the arbitrary use of governmental power. We must remind ourselves and our communities of these purposes. But in order to fulfill these purposes, we must educate the people in our communities and give them the tools needed to reform our system so that all individuals are treated equally regardless of their race, gender, sexual preference or economic status. NACM’s vision to be a voice for the court management profession obligates us to speak up and be part of the discussion to create well-governed courts and provide access to justice for all. We know that this work requires our deliberate efforts to provide a safe environment for further dialogue and reflection. We will meet this challenge through integrated educational sessions that address our differences.

NACM stands in solidarity with those who aim to improve the courts and equality for all. We further acknowledge the pain, disappointment, and sorrow shared uniformly across the world and we will remain the organization that provides leadership and quality educational opportunities for court leaders of today and the future.

Will Simmons, President
will@nacmnet.org

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12/13/2017

President Rick Pierce's Message

Rick Pierce
August 2023

Greetings NACM members and court stakeholders:

Thank you for the honor to serve as your president of NACM. I have the wonderful opportunity to work with outstanding court professionals in my office in Pennsylvania and now build upon professional relationships forged while attending NACM conferences and committee meetings.

Throughout our careers in court management, we have learned how essential trusting relationships directly correlate to success. We are keenly aware of the challenges posed when forming these bonds with co-workers, court users and court stakeholders. When attempting to start or grow trusting relationships be it with a peer, a supervisor, or a court partner as an individual or as a collective (like NACM) we may encounter resistance. This obstruction may appear in the form of a psychological “wall” or “silo.” Humans tend to willingly operate in a setting that is familiar; even one that is undesirable is usually preferred over the unknown. We often build these walls or silos to protect ourselves. Occasionally we view those outside our “wall” as an “intruder” or an instrument of undesired change. We may even lash out and tell the individual (or organization) to “stay in your lane.” When we are the ones attempting to relate or perspective take of those behind the barrier we may experience disappointment, rejection, perhaps humiliation.

What is our response, or perhaps what should be our response to these negative reactions? Hold fast. Stay the course. If we as leaders to our staff, as peers or as direct reports to our judges and administrators continue to demonstrate our trustworthiness through word AND deed, we will have an opportunity to break through these psychological walls or barriers. As I attempted to demonstrate in Tampa at the NACM conference, the “rope” that represents hope, courage and many other valuable attributes, will provide the tool to reach over, beyond, around, even through any “wall” or “silo” intentionally or unintentionally created by our desired target.

Relational power is what we must demonstrate, and relational power is what all of us possess. Relational power seeks out the mutual interest or common need for both or all parties in a relationship. Relational power is generally balanced for a mutual gain or “win win” scenario. As court professionals we must continue to use relational power to every person we touch, a peer, supervisor, a self-represented litigant, a victim and so many others. Connection with our court customers, partners, peers and employees will help instill the public’s trust and confidence in our courts across this nation.

Trusting relationships is the one valuable asset we can take with us throughout our lives. I have been blessed personally and professionally with wonderful relationships that have enriched my life. It is my hope that you have as well.

Rick Pierce
NACM President, 2023-2024