In late July, paralegals from 45 states gathered in Charleston, South Carolina for 3 days of networking and continuing legal education. A great meeting in a great location! This year's program featured six institutes providing in depth education in corporate law, discovery, elder law, intellectual property and trial practice. In addition, attorney Virginia Koerselman-Newman presented the Essential Skills Institute, a program designed for those preparing for the Certified Paralegal examination.

One of the highlights of the NALA Annual Convention is the announcement of NALA's donation to a charitable organization which serves military personnel and families. This has become a tradition during the NALA convention. NALA convention attendees and members have contributed to such charities as the Blue Star Mothers and the USO. This year's charity was the Wounded Warrior Project. The amount donated was in excess of $6,000, a wonderful tribute to the work of this terrific organization!

October 1 Deadline for Member Exchange Presentations, July 2015, Tulsa, OK

In addition to the institute programs, the educational program for the NALA convention includes the popular Member Exchange presentations. Four NALA Member Exchange presentations offered in Charleston received high ratings from all attendees. Special thanks to the following members who participated in the 2014 Member Exchange program:

Lydia Herrera Brackett, ACP, FRP
Patricia Gustin, CP
Kristine M. Hill, ACP, FRP
Kimberly J. Houser, ACP
Cynthia L. Patterson, ACP
Sharon G. Robertson, ACP, NCCP
Belinda Ann Thomas, ACP, NCCP

The Member Exchange Program is an important part of the educational program of NALA as well as a wonderful professional development program for members. This program offers members an opportunity to share expertise, present successful strategies and heighten their profile in the paralegal profession. These prestigious presentations focus education and imagination on the realities of paralegal work. Click here to download the 2015 Member Exchange brochure and presentation proposal form.

Members learn best by sharing experiences and this is THE program to share with others your expertise and successful strategies. Member Exchange presenters are not compensated for their efforts, however, those selected may attend all of the educational programs of the Institutes free of charge.

Voting and Election Results

The following NALA members comprise the NALA Board of Directors for 2014-15:

President
Kelly A. LaGrave, ACP

First Vice President
Cassandra Oliver, ACP

Second Vice President
Jill I. Francisco, ACP

Secretary
Melissa J. Hamilton, ACP

Treasurer
Debra L. Overstreet, ACP

Region 1 Director
Elisse Stern, ACP

Region 2 Director
Belinda A. Thomas, ACP, NCCP

Region 3 Director
Nancy Nugent Beaty, ACP, MA, FRP

Region 5 Director
Cheryl J. Nodarse, ACP

Region 6 Director
Melissa M. Klimpel, ACP

Region 7 Director
A. Teresa E. Phillips, ACP

Region 8 Director
Deana M. Waters, ACP

Region 9 Director
Mary L. Theroux, ACP

Continuing Education Council Chair

Nancy L. Jordahl, ACP, FRP

Professional Development Committee Chair

Jillian L. Sherman, ACP

The chairs of the NALA Certifying Board, Jaye L. Koch, ACP, and the Advanced Certifying Board, Janie M. Boswell, ACP, serve as non-voting members of the NALA Board of Directors.

There were 11 candidates for the NALA Board of Directors this year. We appreciate all who expressed an interest to serve NALA in a leadership position. We are grateful for the enthusiastic interest of members from throughout the United States.

NALA Bylaw Amendment

The NALA Board of Directors recommended for adoption by the membership amendments to the NALA Bylaws related to the structure of the Board of Directors. During the 2013-14 year, a committee of the NALA Board of Directors reviewed NALA's governance structure. The parameters for this review and possible changes included cost savings and the continued ability of the Board of Directors to address the needs of the organization quickly and decisively. The committee studied the question of reducing the size of the board while maintaining a high level of service committed to guiding NALA in pursuit of its mission. The report of the committee concluded that it would be possible to reduce the number of members of the board of directors over a multi-year transition period. This idea was discussed with NALA members during the NALA Membership Forum at the convention. Work on this project will continue in 2014-15.

The NALA Board of Directors determined that one cost-saving step may be taken this year is to combine the two vice president positions into one. Proposed bylaw amendments to provide for combining the vice presidents were presented to the NALA membership for vote. The amendments were approved by the NALA membership. These changes will become effective for the elections in July 2016.

2014 NALA Award Recipients Honored

Former NALA President Debra J. Smith, ACP, of Champaign, Illinois, and former board member and chair of the NALA Continuing Education Council, Sharon A. Werner, ACP, were among the NALA members honored for exceptional volunteer service and leadership during the 2014 NALA Annual Meeting. Ms. Smith is the recipient of the 2014 NALA Founders Award; Ms. Werner is the recipient of the 2014 NALA President's Award. Read more about this by click the following links.

These awards recognize the vital role volunteers play in the sustained growth of NALA and its programs. We are grateful to all for their contributions on the national and local level to the benefit of all paralegals! Visit the meeting app to learn more about these worthy recipients.

2014 NALA Annual Report Now Available

The 2014 Annual Report reviews the accomplishments of NALA during the last fiscal year. This includes a summary of the auditor's report for the fiscal year ending April 30, reports of the NALA Board of Directors, Certifying Boards, and NALA Committees. This is a good summary of a GREAT year for NALA. Through this document, members may learn about NALA activities and the direction of NALA in the year to come.

The annual meeting material is available without a login. You may access it through the NALA web site by clicking the images above, and through the NALA 2014 app in the iStore and GooglePlay. The NALA meeting app will be available until September 1. It will be available again with information about NALA's 40th Anniversary Celebration in early 2015.

July August 2014

Digital Format Only!
July 2014 Facts & Findings Now Available!

How to Get Your Copy

The July/August 2014 issue of Facts & Findings is now available in digital format. This is the only format for this issue. NALA members and Facts & Findings subscribers may access the digital issue in several ways. Using your member/subscriber login and password (shown above), the issue is available through these avenues:

* Click "Current Issue Information" - this opens a page that describes the issue's articles. This page includes links to the individual articles as well as the entire issue in pdf format and in digital - flip book format.

* The current issue of Facts & Findings is available through the F&F app. in the iStore and Google Play. The app includes the last five issues as well.

If you need your NALA Login: Call or email NALA Headquarters (918) 587-6828. nalanet@nala.org. Members, the login info is also included in your e-newsletters from NALA, and on your membership card.

Paralegal CLE now available for your iPad and Android Device!

Paralegal CLE by NALA is now available in the iStore and GooglePlay for your mobile devices!

Through this app, you may purchase or access previously purchased NALA Campus Self-Study programs and Advanced Paralegal Certification courses.

Today, there are 35 self-study programs offered by NALA through these web-based educational programs. These include:

*   7 Certified Paralegal examination prep courses
*   3 general education courses
*   25 Advanced Paralegal Certification courses

CLE Credit is available for completion of web-based programs, on the basis of 10 hours for the general review and CP Exam prep courses, 20 hours for completion of multiple module APC courses, and 10 hours for the one-module APC PI Specialty courses. Check the courses for more info.

NALA Campus Self-Study courses and the Advanced Paralegal Certification courses are on the internet at www.nala.org>Continuing Legal Education>Online Education. Click below for access to the apps for your mobile devices:

40th Annual Convention

July 22-24, 2015

Hyatt Regency Hotel

Tulsa, Oklahoma