NATIONAL FEDERATION OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS (NFPA)

Transcription

1 NATIONAL FEDERATION OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS (NFPA) Policy Meeting Fall into Minnesota Colors Hilton Minneapolis/St Paul Airport Mall of America, Bloomington, Minneapolis October 15 and 16, 2011 Saturday, October 15, 2011 I. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by President Tracey Young, R.P. II. III. Presentation of Colors. Pledge of Allegiance led by Tracey Young, R.P. Introductions and Recognitions - President Tracey Young, R.P. 1) Introduced the NFPA Board comprising: Theresa Prater, RP, Vice President and Director of Profession Development Robert Hrouda, Vice President and Director of Positions and Issues Jessica Swedenhjelm, RP, Pa.C.P., Vice President and Director of Membership Suellen Honeychuck, RP, Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification Isabel A. Quintana, Vice President and Director of Marketing Karen A. Santagata, RP, Treasurer and Director of Finance Cheryl Corning, Secretary & Director of Operations Theda Yandell, RP, Director, Region I Cindy Welch, RP, Director, Region II Cherylan Shearer, Director, Region III Valerie Dolan, RP, Pa.C.P., Director, Region IV Lizbeth Bialis, Director, Region V Georgette Lovelace, RP, Board Advisor 2) Introduction of Special Guests: Michele Pfeiffer, CLA, President, California Alliance of Paralegal Associations Scott Hauert, President, American Association for Paralegal Association 3) Recognized RPs who achieved the certification during the past year, asked those present to stand. Asked CRPs who achieved the certification to stand. 4) Recognized all RPs in the assembly, asked those present to stand. 5) Recognized all CLAs/CPs in the assembly, asked those present to stand. 6) Suellen Honeychuck, Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification, recognized associations that met the challenge issued in 2010 to credential new

2 RPs prior to the 2011 Convention. Philadelphia Paralegal Association had the most new RPs. The Cleveland and Georgia Paralegal Associations were also recognized. 7) Tracey Young also announced that there were six observers from the Minnesota Paralegal Association and three observers from the National Capitol Area Paralegal Association. 8) Memorial observance for paralegals who passed away during the past year Georgette Lovelace, RP Rita Davis Baker Dallas Area Paralegal Association Glenda Barber, RP Dallas Area Paralegal Association Barbara Carlucci Illinois Paralegal Association Gisela Miller Philadelphia Paralegal Association Ann Moore Dallas Area Paralegal Association Betsy Ann Searcy Southside & Central Virginia Paralegal Associations Sharon Wilbert, RP Rochester Paralegal Association IV. Roll Call of Associations - Cheryl Corning, Secretary & Director of Operations 43 associations present and credentialed Quorum Established V. Credentials Report - Cheryl Corning, Secretary & Director of Operations The Credentials Report was adopted. VI. VIII. IX. Standing Rules The meeting Standing Rules were adopted as presented Convention Patty Meagher, Minnesota Paralegal Association and Host Coordinator welcomed the delegates and thanked everyone who made the 2011 Convention Possible. She stated that there were 279 people registered, 177 people attended the Thursday CLE programs and 102 people signed up for the social event. She also thanked the corporate partners and Minnesota companies who supported the conference. Convention Business 1) Tracey Young, RP, issued the Status of the Federation address. 2) Following her introduction, Linda Juteau, the parliamentarian, delivered a short address on Parliamentary Procedure and Robert s Rules of Order. 3) Report of the Nominations Committee - Becky Kerstadetter, Chair Call for nominations from the floor; there were none.

3 The Committee announced that the Slate of Candidates comprises the following: Vice President and Director of Profession Development Theresa Prater, RP Vice President and Director of Membership Jessica Swedenhjelm, RP, Pa.C.P. Vice President and Director of Marketing Melissa Leslie Treasurer Karen Santagata, RP Margaret (Maggie) Haase, RP The Polls closed, and balloting for elected positions took place under the aegis of the Nominations Committee. 4) Cheryl Corning, Secretary and Director of Operations, reported on the Wednesday, October 13, and Thursday, October 14, NFPA Board Meetings, which included Consent Calendar items. a) The Hawaii Paralegal Association will host the 2015 conference b) Consent Calendar items include the following Agenda Topics: #9 to provide for separate accounting of PACE funds to delegates #10 to provide for separate accounting for PCCE funds to delegates #2 to add a new section to the NFPA CLE Recognition Program Guidelines dealing specifically with credit allowed for those participating in the updating procedures for PACE and PCCE and for updating the study manuals for those exams. #13 to allow the Host Association to designate a local charity for which Donations will be accepted, and if the Host Association does not wish to designate a charity, then the NFPA Board of Directors may designate a charity. #6 Policy to require that NFPA follow International Trademark Association Guidelines for consistent use of trademarks and service marks in print materials and on NFPA website. c) None of the above-referenced agenda items were approved by the NFPA Board of Directors. 5) Maggie Haase, R.P., Arkansas Paralegal Association moved to remove Agenda Item #2 (CLE Credit) from the Consent Calendar. Wisconsin seconded. The item did not receive a majority vote of the delegates and stayed on the Consent Calendar. 6) Pat Lyon, RP, Rhode Island Paralegal Association moved to remove Agenda Item #13 (Charity designation) from the Consent Calendar. 24 associations voted to remove, 3 associations abstained. The Item will be brought to the floor for discussion and a vote. 7) Becky Kerstadetter, Nominations Committee Chair, reported on election results:

4 Theresa Prater, RP, was re-elected to the position of Vice President and Director of Profession Development. Jessica Swedenhjelm, RP. Pa.C.P,, was elected to the position of Vice President and Director of Membership. Melissa Leslie was elected to the position of Vice President and Director of Marketing. Karen Santagata, RP, was re-elected to the position of Treasurer. 8) Agenda Topic #13 (Charity selection) was brought to the floor by the South Florida Paralegal Association. The topic was approved with verbiage changes by 31 yes votes and 14 no votes. It is recorded as Resolution ) Agenda Topic #12 was brought to the floor by the Oregon Paralegal Association. This item sought a change in the bylaws to clarify the term Voting Member. The item passed by a vote of 40 yes and 5 no. It is recorded as Resolution ) Agenda Topic #1 which concerned the appointment of NFPA ABA Approval Representative to synchronize the appointment with the ABA schedule. The item passed by a vote of 44 yes, with 1 delegate absent from the room. It is recorded as Resolution THE POLICY MEETING SESSION ADJOURNED AT 11:55 A.M. FOR LUNCH POLICY MEETING AWARDS LUNCHEON Becky Kerstadetter, Nominations Committee Chair, gave a short report on Coordinator Positions. Georgette Lovelace, RP, gave a short presentation on the NFPA Scholarship Awards Process NFPA Awards presented during the luncheon included the following: 1) PACE Awards presented by Suellen Honeychuck, RP a) PACE Ambassador Award Michael Wallace, Central Connecticut Paralegal Association 2) Pro Bono Awards presented by Theresa Prater, R.P. a) NFPA Association Pro Bono Award Cleveland Association of Paralegals b) Individual Pro Bono Award Rox Ann Mack, Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association 3) Thomson Reuters Scholarships presented by Thomson Reuters Representative Scott Freedman a) $2, Scholarship Austin B. Prendergast, Rhode Island Paralegal Association b) $3, Scholarship Mary Hanson, Sacramento Valley Paralegal

5 Association 4) Paralegal of the Year Award presented by Jessica Swedenhjelm, RP, Pa.C.P. Mariela Evora Cawthon, Dallas Area Paralegal Association 5) Local Outstanding Leader Award presented by Jessica Swedenhjelm, RP, Pa.C.P. Collette A. Lemke, Illinois Paralegal Association 6) Honorable William R. Robie Award presented by Tracey Young, RP Michele Boerder, Dallas Area Paralegal Association 7) Jessica Swedenhjelm announced the Association Recognition Program Member Get a Member Program which will be awarded to the association that achieves the highest number of new members between the period of August 1, 2011 to August 1, This was a preliminary announcement. The rest of the program will roll out at the 2012 Convention POLICY MEETING AFTERNOON SESSION October 15, 2011 I. The Afternoon Session was called to order by President Tracey Young, RP, at 1:35 p.m. II. II. III. IV. The Exempt/Non-Exempt Committee comprised of Marie Koster, Collette Lemke and Mianne Besser presented a report. The Strategic Planning Committee Report was presented by Debra Hindin-King, Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association The PCC Exam Committee Report was presented by Maggie Haase, Arkansas Paralegal Association. Agenda Item #4 concerning the allocation of PACE funds to the Foundation for the Advancement of the Paralegal Profession (FAPP) was brought to the floor. A motion to postpone discussion on the matter until 4:30 p.m. was passed by the delegates. V. Agenda Item #11 concerning budget modifications was brought to the floor. The vote was 44 against and 1 for. The item did not pass. VI. Agenda Item #5 concerning the audit of NFPA s books every three years instead of every two years was brought to the floor. The item passed by a vote of 43 for, 1 against and 1 abstain. The item is recorded as Resolution The meeting recessed for the Afternoon Break at 3:10 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 3:30 p.m. VII. Agenda Item #7 concerning the elimination of the Vice President of Marketing Position was brought to the floor. The item did not pass; the vote was 44 no and 1abstain.

6 VIII. Agenda Item #8 concerning an earlier time line for presenting the draft budget to the delegates was brought to the floor. The item did not pass; the vote was 43 no, 0 yes, and 2 abstain. IX. Agenda Item #4 concerning the allocation of PACE funds to FAPP returned to the floor for discussion. The item did not pass; the vote was 19 yes and 21 no. X. The Nominations Committee opened nominations for Region Directors from the floor. There were no nominations, and the matter closed. Election of Region Directors, where applicable, took place following the adjournment of the meeting. XI. Tracey Young announced that the White Pelican Bay Room was available if the delegates needed to caucus. THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:50 P.M NFPA POLICY MEETING MORNING SESSION Sunday, October 16, 2011 I. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by NFPA President Tracey Young, RP. II. III. IV. Tracey Young announced that the First Time Winner was Lisa Lynch from the Dallas Area Paralegal Association Passing of the Torch to the 2012 Annual Convention Host Coordinator Patty Meagher, Host Coordinator for the Minnesota Paralegal Association, passed the torch to Sherri Schrader, Rachael Foulk and Seymour the Moose, Alaska Paralegal Association. Patty also thanked everyone who helped make the 2011 Conference a success. Rachael Foulk, Alaska Paralegal Association, gave a presentation on Alaska and the 2012 Convention to the delegates. Adoption of the 2012 Budget - Karen A. Santagata, RP, Treasurer The Treasurer moved that the 2011 Budget be approved as presented. The delegates voted unanimously to adopt the Budget. V. No new agenda items were brought to the floor. President Tracey Young, RP, closed the agenda items. VI. Installation of Officers - Linda Juteau, Parliamentarian 1) Prior to installing the slate of elected NFPA officers, Ms. Juteau stated that the duties of each office are outlined in the NFPA By-Laws. 2) Ms. Juteau administered the officers pledge, congratulated the new Board and declared the newly elected officers of NFPA installed. 3) The 2011 NFPA Board of Directors comprises the following:

7 President Tracey Young, RP Vice President and Director of Profession Development Theresa Prater, RP Vice President and Director of Positions and Issues Robert Hrouda, RP Vice President and Director of Membership Jessica Swedenhjelm, RP, Pa.C.P. Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification Suellen Honeychuck, RP Vice President and Director of Marketing Melissa Leslie Treasurer and Director of Finance Karen Santagata, RP Secretary and Director of Operations Cheryl Corning Director, Region I Theda Yandell, RP Director, Region II Cindy Welsh, RP Director, Region III Cherylann Shearer Director, Region IV Valerie Dolan, RP Director, Region V Lizbeth Bialis VII. Final Announcements 1) President Tracey Young, RP, announced that the Board Meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. and that Coordinator Interest Forms are due by October 21, ) Kathleen Miller, RP, Representative of the Foundation for the Advancement of the Paralegal Profession (FAPP), announced that she was selling FAPP-related items as a fundraiser for FAPP. 3) Membership Vice President Jessica Swdenhjelm, RP, Pa.C.P., reminded the delegates about the Member Get A Member Program. President Tracey Young, RP, challenged the Associations to strive to have at least two new RPs credentialed by Convention time next year. The Association with the most RPs and CRPs will be recognized at next year s Convention. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:45 A.M.

8 Respectfully submitted, /s/cheryl A. Corning