2014 here we come! This is my first President's Message, so bear with me as I try to get into the swing of writing to you all on a monthly basis. Some of you that see me often may find these messages redundant. Others have no clue just who I am. So please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Marisa Green and I am CFPA's 2014 President. A very wise man once said "with great power come's great responsibility". Ha, it may not have been said by the wise man a few of you are thinking of either. I don't know that I would go so far as to say that CFPA has great power, but we do have a great amount of responsibility, to you, our members.
This coming year, with another incredible Board of Directors and Rock Star set of volunteers (if you are interested in volunteering please contact us); we will work to continue providing our members with the best we can in Continuing Legal Education, Networking opportunities and Community Service.
We will also continue with our mentoring program. It is still in the preliminary stages so if you are interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee, please contact me at president@cfpainc.org.
We are finalizing our plans for CLE's, mixers and community service projects in 2014. I hope to have a detailed list of what to expect from CFPA by the January newsletter, so stay tuned.
I tend to get a little wordy, so I appreciate that you take the time (or not) to read our newsletter, with so much to say and so much to do, I must inform the masses!
So, were you at CFPA's 30th Anniversary Holiday Social? If you were not, you missed quite a party. Fun was had by almost all. I say almost, as I have not heard feedback from "all" so I do not wish to draw erroneous conclusions. Please feel free to visit or like our Facebook page and see all the fun you had, missed or cannot remember.
Our 4th Quarter community service fundraiser was, as always, included at our Annual Social. This quarter benefited "Lungs for Brent". As you all may or may not be aware, Brent Snyder received a life-saving double lung transplant on December 6, 2012. Our Annual Social celebrated his one year Lungiversary. That is a new word I made up, I happen to like it, so please no criticism on my spelling and grammar. As I am sure you can imagine, the costs/expenses associated with having a double lung transplant are astronomical and will continue for the rest of his life having to be on countless post- transplant/anti-rejection meds. CFPA was honored to assist Brent in raising much needed funds to assist in his future care. The official tally is not in, but "word on the street" is that CFPA raised approximately $4,665.00. That amount is due to the combined efforts of ALL of our Patron Sponsors generosity and the raffle and silent auction event. Thank you so much to all who contributed to this worthwhile cause. I cannot express enough how proud I am to work with such a giving and caring organization.
As my reign begins as President, I want to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to serve you as an organization. I will do my best to make you as proud of me as I am proud of being able to serve you.
We appreciate U.S. Legal Support, Inc.'s sponsorship of our newsletter this month and as a continued supportive Patron Member of CFPA. If you wish to know more about U.S. Legal Support, Inc., please click on the link to their web site.
(Brent Snyder and Marisa Green at the Annual Social)
Marisa Green,CP, FRP
Certified Paralegal/Florida Registered Paralegal
CFPA President - 2014
President@cfpainc.org
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CFPA Scholarship Winners ...
CFPA is pleased to announce
the Scholarship Winners for 2013
 Student Scholarship Winner
Angel E. Sanchez
Valencia Community College 
ACP Scholarship Winner
Theresa K. Thomas, CP, FRP  |
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Paralegal of the Year ...
Congratulations to CFPA's Paralegal of the Year
McDonald Toole & Wiggins, P.A.  Left to Right: Lisa Marcum, FRP; M. Gary Toole, Esq.; Michelle Preiser
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And the President's Award goes to ...
The outgoing CFPA President has the honor or recognizing one of CFPA's members by awarding them with the President's Award for going above and beyond the call of duty.
This years recipient of the 2013 President's Award is
JEAN HINTON, CP, FRP.
Jean is an incredible asset to CFPA and we thank her for all of her support!!!  |
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Lungs for Brent ...
I wanted to take a moment to share with those who were unable to attend CFPA's Annual Holiday Social that on 12/6/13 we celebrated my son Brent's 1 year anniversary post double lung transplant!! This has been a long, hard and emotional journey for our family and this is a great milestone!!
Although transplant is not a cure for Cystic Fibrosis and he will continue to battle this disease as well as fight off post transplant rejection for the rest of his life ... he is finally able to BREATHE!! He was able to resume a lot of the things in his life like the ability to attend school and continue his college courses at ITT Tech and will be graduating on 12/14/13 with high honors and on the Honor Society. He will also be celebrating his 25th birthday on 12/19/13.
 1 Year Lungiversary Cake I can't thank CFPA enough for the continued support of our family and my son through this journey pre-transplant and post-transplant. Thank you to all of the Patrons and Members who have supported the CFPA sponsored events ... without your support I honestly don't know how we would have managed all of this! It really means the world to our family!!
Cassie Snyder, ACP, FRP; Kaitlin Snyder; Brent Snyder
Here is an awesome interview Brent did last year about a month after his transplant at Florida Hospital South. He has been truly blessed with the gift of life received from his donor and the amazing care he is receiving from his Transplant Team at Florida Hospital.
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Double Lung Transplant Gives New Life to 23 Year Old
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As the holidays and new year approach I can't help but think about all that has happened this past year be truly thankful for all of our blessings!! Have a happy and safe holiday and a very blessed New Year!
Sincerely,
Cassie Snyder, ACP, FRP
CFPA Director, Editor and
Membership Committee Chair
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Orlando Union Rescue Mission Charity Event ...
One Purse Community Challenge Event
Raises Money for Orlando Union Rescue Mission
A recent event for the non-profit organization One Purse successfully raised $1,222 for Orlando Union Rescue Mission, an organization dedicated to helping at risk women and children in Central Florida. The Central Florida Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators and Central Florida Paralegal Association, Inc. co-sponsored the event, which was held at the law offices of Zimmerman, Kiser, Sutcliffe on Thursday, October 24th from 11am-2pm. Jason's Deli provided lunch to shoppers for the event.
The organizers collected approximately 175 purses and sold about 75 of them. In addition to Central Florida Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators and Central Florida Paralegal Association members, local law firm employees and their family members were invited to the event. This resulted in spreading One Purse's mission to approximately 300 members of the Orlando legal community.
One Purse partners with non-profit organizations to help raise funding and awareness for projects that are meeting the needs of vulnerable women and children. The charity is based on Heather Case, One Purse's founder, realization that money used to purchase an expensive purse could instead be used to help those in need. One Purse sells new and gently used purses and donates the proceeds to various charities.
The One Purse Community Challenge event specifically benefited the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. Elizabeth Lynn, Manager of Volunteer Services, attended the event to greet shoppers and distribute handouts about the organization. Orlando Union Rescue Mission provides transitional housing for single women, single mothers, and married couples with children. Each resident is assigned a case manager to help them achieve lasting success on their own. The proceeds of the event will go toward supporting Orlando Union Rescue Mission's current services.
Many thanks to the law offices of Zimmerman, Kiser, Sutcliffe for hosting the event and Jason's Deli for donating lunch. For more information on One Purse visit onepurse.org. For more information on Orlando Union Rescue Mission visit ourm.org.
Press Contacts:
Pat McLeod
PMcLeod@mtwlegal.com
407-246-1800
Valerie Navin
valerie@websterlawgroup.com
407-425-2583 ext. 111
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CFPA Membership Renewal Time ...
 IT IS THAT TIME OF THE YEAR ...MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME!!!
Active Member $50.00 Associate Member $40.00 Patron Member $75.00 Student Member $20.00 Membership renewal is due and payable before January 1, 2014. A $10.00 reinstatement fee must accompany payments postmarked after December 31, 2013. PayPal posted after December 31, 2013 also must reflect the late fee. Active Members who are NOT a CP and/or FRP are required to provide attorney attestation.
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY so that we can accurately record any changes to our database. **IF YOU joined CFPA under the 1/2 price time period, YOU ARE now required to renew your membership at the amount stated above to continue your membership. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Membership Chair, Cassie Snyder, ACP, FRP at Membership@cfpainc.org.
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Want to Spread Some Holiday Cheer ...
Children's Home Society
Needs Your Help
This Holiday SeasonThey are in need of non-perishable food items donated for Thanksgiving and grocery store gift cards for the turkey. Their food pantry is very low.
They also need assistance with their annual Holiday Toy Drive. They have between 1500-2000 deserving children and teens who they try to provide gifts for each year. Some come from very low income families and some are in the foster care system. They want to make sure they ALL have gifts this holiday season, but they definitely need the help of caring community members like you to accomplish this goal!
There are two options when it comes to gift giving: 1) They have a Holiday Wish List that includes gifts that appear on many of the children's lists, so we can use as many of those items as they can get!! (Wish List - CLICK LINK BELOW) and 2) They can create "angel tree ornaments" which include information on individual children and their wishes so people can go shopping for (i.e. "sponsor") specific children or families. Either option helps tremendously!
WISH LIST
Please contact the Children's Home Society point of contact person below if you have any questions, or if you or your firm would like to help or sponsor some of these needy children!
Meghan Ewing Pfleiderer
321-397-3004 - Office
407-274-8173 - Cell
Meghan.Pfleiderer@chsfl.org
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CFPA on the Web ...
You can find CFPA on these social networking sites:
Facebook
Linked In
Twitter
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OCBA's 2014 Law Week ...
CFPA is co-chair of the Sub-Committee, Pathways in Law program for OCBA's 2014 Law Week and we are looking for some awesome volunteers to help our designated chair, John Starks, with this event! Part of this event, will be helping with the following tasks: - Coordinate speakers for this event
- Coordinate with Parramore Kidz Zone and Farmworker Ministry in transporting the children to the courthouse
- Coordinate either obtaining sponsors to provide pizza and drinks for kids' lunch
- Coordinate with the League of Women Voters for the Pathways In Law cake for the kids
- Coordinate with the Judicial Co-Chair in putting together a mock trial with the kids.
- Coordinate volunteers to help assist with the Pathways in Law program on the designated date which will be sometime during the week of March 24, 2014, spring break for Orange County Public Schools
If you're interested in representing CFPA on this OCBA Law Week Subcommittee, please email Pathways in Law Subcommittee Co-Chair, John Starks, at John.Starks@disney.com or 2014 OCBA Law Week Co-Chair, Nikki Rodeman at nikki@floridabusinesslaw.com. |
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From the Editor ...
 | | Cassie Snyder, ACP, FRP Editor - Carpe Diem Editor@cfpainc.org |
If you would like to be a "Sponsor of the Month" or if you have any legal articles or topics of interest that you would like to see covered in the next issue of the Carpe Diem please feel free to share them with me.
Article submissions by CFPA Members on legal related subjects are published upon approval and discretion of the Editor. There is no charge for these items to be published
Sponsor the Month $30.00
Sponsor the Month w/ Advertisement in Newsletter $50.00
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Membership Corner
Welcome New Members:
Holly Howard
Ruth Lozano
Linda McLain, CP
Riesdorph Reporting Group, Inc.
Angel Sanchez
Gail Waxman
Michelle A. Whittles
For Membership Information and Application CLICK HERE
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April Orlando
20 North Orange Avenue
Suite 1209
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.649.9193 Fax: 407.245.7099
Toll Free: 888.311.4240
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