A few words about the annual Directory.

Members will notice some changes when the 2004 Bar Journal Directory hits their desks in September.

Sure it is still the big Bar telephone book it has always been, but this year listings of Florida Bar officers, committees, and sections; information about state and federal courts and government; legal aid offices, and national and state legal associations have been relocated to the Bar's Web site. Also moved to the Web are listings of voluntary bar associations, information about the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, and Florida law schools.

Journal Editor Cheryle Dodd said changes were made because by the time the Directory is printed in September, much of its information is outdated.

"Another reason for removing some of the content in the annual Directory to the Web site is the increased printing and mailing expenses," Dodd said. "The Bar's membership grows by 2,000 new members every year, which dramatically affects the cost to produce the annual Directory."

Although advertising revenue reimburses some of its expenses, a significant portion of the Bar's budget supplements the Directory's production, she said.

Dodd said economic consequences, in addition to concerns about providing up-to-date information, led the Board of Governors to decide to take advantage of the Bar's Web site by transferring some sections from the print Directory to the Web site.

Last year, the Board of Governors recognized that the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar were dated by the time the Directory was printed and decided to remove that section to the Bar's Web site. The rules may now be referenced at www.flabar.org, where any changes are immediately incorporated as soon as they are available from the Florida Supreme Court.

On the Web site, you also will find the most current member information: mailing and e-mail addresses, telephone, and fax numbers.

"During fiscal year 2003-04, the Bar's Membership Records Department made 40,053 changes to members in good standing data," Dodd said. "Because all changes to members' records are entered daily, the Web site is a valuable referenee for attorneys and their office staff."

The member information on the Web site also provides date of admission, board certification, circuit and county location, and status (member in good standing, inactive, retired). Bar members may also be located by geographic area.

"The information traditionally provided in this Directory has not been eliminated, but is now obtainable in its most current form on the Bar's Web site," Dodd said. "Please take advantage of www.flabar.org to benefit your daily legal practice."