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COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE
Throughout my practice I have been committed to providing service to my community. As a native of Darien, my focus has been on work that would benefit Darien.
In May, 2005, I was honored by the Fordham Law School Alumni Association - Connecticut Chapter with its "Distinguished Alumnus Award." In making the presentation, Judge Dennis Harrigan said that Mr. Reilly combined both an exemplary career in law with dedication to pro bono service in the finest tradition of Fordham Law School.
In 2003 I was awarded the Pro Bono Award for service to the Connecticut Bar Association since 1991. This is an award given to only a few members of the bar each year, and I am quite honored by the distinction.
Early in my career I became a member of the Executive Committee of Darien's United Way. In that capacity I became familiar with the wide ranging work of the United Way. I soon became chairman of the Business Campaign, and a year later I headed the annual United Way Campaign in Darien. I led the campaign for two years.
I was then asked to join the Board of Trustees of my high school alma mater, King School in Stamford, CT. I changed my focus from United Way to King School and to the benefits of its alternative to Darien schools. Soon after joining the Board of King, the school consolidated with its neighbor, Low-Heywood Thomas School. After the first year as a consolidated school, I was asked to become president of the Board of Trustees. I held that position for seven years.
After a long run on the Board of King & Low-Heywood Thomas School, I was tempted to become involved in governmental activities in Darien. I became a member of Darien's Charter Revision Commission, and I served in that capacity for two years. At the end of the Charter Revision Commission's work, I was asked to become a member of the lead governing body in Darien, the Board of Selectman. I was elected one of five members of the Board of Selectmen in November, 1999.
In November 2001 I was elected to the Darien Board of Education. As the Board grapples with issues of curriculum change, enrollment growth, facilities replacement, teacher and administrator supervision and budgets, I hope to participate in upholding the great reputation that the Darien school system has earned over the years.
Each of my pro bono activities has given me an opportunity to serve my community. In the United Way, KLHT School, the Charter Revision Commission, and the Darien Board of Selelctmen, my service led to leadership roles in which I was able to help guide each organization in substantive ways. I have been privileged to gain the respect of many of those with whom I have worked so that I could make a difference to those organizations. Now as a member of the Darien Board of Education I hope to provide important guidance to the school system. In this way my commitment to community service has provided great satisfaction to me.
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