NORTHEAST TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF PARALEGALS, INC Annual Report to the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.

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1 NORTHEAST TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF PARALEGALS, INC Annual Report to the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. Submitted by: Javan Johnson, ACP, TBLS-BCP, NALA Liaison HISTORY The Northeast Texas Association of Paralegals, Inc. (NTAP) formerly, Northeast Texas Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NTALA), was organized in 1988 to meet the growing needs of the paralegals/legal assistants of the Northeast Texas area, as well as further members professional development and promote advancement of the legal profession in the Northeast Texas area. On June 21, 2006, the Northeast Texas Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NTALA) changed its name to the Northeast Texas Association of Paralegals, Inc. (NTAP). BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP NTAP meets once a month during the noon hour. These meetings cover general business of the association. Each year, ten of our twelve monthly meetings include a special guest speaker. The speaker presents a topic for the purpose of continuing legal education. One hour of CLE credit is allowed for each speaker meeting. Contingent upon its current year s financial position, NTAP provides a scholarship program for students attending Kilgore College with the aim of promoting education for those aspiring to become legal assistants/paralegals. NTAP publishes a monthly newsletter, The Key Note, which is provided to each member. The newsletter contains a copy of membership meetings, as well as articles of interest, activities of various committees, and notification of upcoming events and seminars. NTAP participates in community service projects. This year, NTAP is supporting the Rainbow Room, part of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services NTAP provides an employment job bank in which members are 1 P age

2 notified of job postings. As a member of NTAP, a member has the opportunity for personal growth and development through education and interaction with likeminded professionals. GENERAL INFORMATION NTAP s fiscal year is January 1 to December 31, with elections being held at the December membership meeting. Board of Directors meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month during noon at a designed office or by teleconference. General membership meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at noon at The Roc. ELECTIONS Elections are held in December for officers for the following year. The President-Elect from the previous year is automatically President for the next year. Therefore, no nominations are received for the office of President. LEGAL EDUCATION Continuing legal education meetings are held monthly from February through November. These meetings are held at noon, and a speaker presents a legal topic. Education Chairperson. This year, speakers and topics have been: June 2016 Clay Zelbst Judgment Collection July 2016 Jonathan Wharton Judicial Immunity August 2016 Carson Runge - Communication October 2016 Megan Pionkowski Benefit of Using Record Retrieval Service November 2016 Terry Cole US Dept of Labor New Overtime Rules and FMLA Relationships December 2016 Javan Johnson, ACP - Ethics February 2017 Sharon Wright Estate Planning March 2016 Judge Vincent Dulweber What Attorneys Miss When Attending a Hearing/Trial April 2017 Jonathan Wharton - Contracts May 2017 Casey Goolsby Fiduciary Duty 2 P age

3 NTAP S YEARLY SEMINAR NTAP is planning a Fall seminar. The location and topics are still in the pre-planning stage. SCHOLARSHIP NTAP awards a student scholarship for students enrolled in the paralegal program at Kilgore College. However, such scholarship is contingent upon the amount of money available and budgeted for other current year. This year, NTAP has budgeted $ toward its scholarship fund. Student applications are due in April of each year MEMBERSHIP NTAP s current membership totals 18 members: Active/Voting: 9 Active/Non-Voting: 5 Students: 1 Sustaining: 3 Associate: 0 Dues are $35.00 for active membership; $35.00 for associate membership; $25.00 for student membership; and $ for sustaining membership. NTAP is averaging approximately persons at each monthly meeting. We have also seen an increase in the number of guests who have shown an interest by attending membership meetings. We are in the process of organizing a membership drive. NTAP is attempting to make attending membership meetings a convenience by providing lunch at each meeting. Since our membership meetings are conducted during the noon hour, many members arrive late, or will not attend meetings, due to having to pick-up or miss out on lunch. This year, our meetings are held at The Summit a meeting center, where a plated lunch is offered. FINANCE At the beginning of each fiscal year, a yearly budget is established and approved by the Board of Directors and the membership. NTAP depends upon membership dues, sustaining 3 P age

4 membership support, seminars and occasional fund raisers to meet our financial needs. FUNDRAISERS NTAP published a cookbook entitled A Taste of Justice which consists of tried and true recipes provided by the members. The first order of cookbooks sold out. We currently have approximately 60 cookbooks available for sale. The cost is $10.00 and information is on our website. NTAP has participated in another fundraiser with Newks, where one evening was dedicated to our organization, and Newks donated 10% if their sales for that evening to our association. We plan to repeat this fundraiser. NALA LIAISON NTAP S NALA Liaison is responsible for attending the annual meeting of NALA if at all possible. For the past several years, NTAP has been unable to finance sending its Liaison to a NALA convention. However, the Board of Directors will be revisiting this option and trying to find the funds to support the trip. NEWSLETTER NTAP s Key Note is published once a month, with copies being provided to the membership, associations who are members of the Alliance, sustaining members, and to other associations requesting subscriptions. Minutes of membership meetings are published, as well as officer s reports, monthly reminders and articles of interest. Members are encouraged to contribute articles to share with others. PUBLIC RELATIONS The Public Relations Chairperson is responsible for posting all association events in local newspapers, State Bar Paralegal Division website, NTAP website, and Facebook. PARALEGAL OF THE YEAR NTAP s Paralegal of the Year is a special honor which is voted on by secret ballot at our December membership meeting. The recipient of this award is not disclosed until following the January installation 4 P age

5 ceremony of incoming officers. The previous year s recipient presents the Paralegal of the Year with a plaque as a commemoration of the honor. NTAP s Paralegal of the Year for 2016 was Nadriette Hardeman. COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS At the Board of Directors workshop meeting held every January, NTAP determines its community project for the year. This year, NTAP has chosen The Rainbow Room. The Rainbow Room is a housing center for children in child protective custody. NTAP supports the Rainbow Room by taking up a monetary collection at each membership meeting. At the end of the year, all money collected throughout the year will be matched by NTAP and given to the Rainbow Room. This past December, the funds were used to purchase diapers, ointment and wipes (much needed items) for donation to the Rainbow Room. EMPLOYMENT REFERRAL NTAP provides an employment referral service to members as a benefit of membership. Area law firms routinely place listings for employment opportunities which they may have with the Employment Chairperson, Andrea Brunson, CP. The employment opportunities are then passed along to NTAP members. NTAP S WEBSITE: OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS Maria Sturdy, President Patricia Aguilar, First Vice-President, CLE Program/Education Chair: Nadriette Hardeman, CP, Second Vice President, Membership Chair Cindy VanBlaricom, Secretary Stacey Bunt, CP, Treasurer Javan Johnson, ACP, TBLS-BCP, NALA Liaison and Parliamentarian Javan Johnson, ACP, TBLS-BCP, Scholarship Chair Nadriette Hardeman, CP, Employment Referral Chair Javan Johnson, ACP, TBLS-BCP Parliamentarian Patricia Aguilar Technology Chair Nadriette Hardeman, CP Key Note Editor 5 P age

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