Unlock Your Leadership Potential with LEAD: 
Empowering NALA Members to Lead with Confidence

Deadline to Apply is July 21, 2023, 5:00 PM CT 

Calling all NALA members! Ready to unlock your leadership potential and take NALA to the next level? Introducing LEAD, our exciting new Leadership Exploration and Development program. LEAD is designed to enhance your leadership competencies, opening doors to expand your leadership opportunities. Whether you're aiming for NALA leadership or local Affiliated Association leadership roles or just want to improve your leadership skills at work or in the community, this comprehensive program can equip you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities you need for success. Applications are now open for the inaugural class of LEAD, but hurry! Only 18 NALA members will be selected for the 2023-2024 training. Don't miss your chance to be part of this prestigious NALA program. Apply today!  

Attention legal professionals! Are you an expert in your field and interested in sharing your knowledge with paralegals from across the nation? The 2024 NALA Conference & Expo in Louisville, KY, from July 11-13, 2024, is the perfect opportunity to showcase your knowledge and contribute to the professional development of the legal community. We invite you to submit proposals to present at least two sessions, either feature or CP Review, during the 2024 conference. We are accepting proposals until September 1st. While sharing your expertise and shaping minds is reason enough to present, we also cover conference registration, travel, lodging, and meals for our presenters. We look forward to seeing your proposals! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to make a difference! Submit your proposals here.

Our very own NALA Board President, Debbie Overstreet, ACP, has some exciting updates for you! Be prepared to hear about the fantastic things we have in store for June and beyond. You don’t want to miss this month's details. Click below to see what’s happening at NALA!

NALA Volunteer Spotlight – Dana Welcker, ACP

In each monthly newsletter, an outstanding NALA volunteer is featured in the NALA Volunteer Spotlight. This spotlight includes the volunteer’s professional achievements and fun facts about them. We hope you enjoy this opportunity to get to know your fellow NALA members on a more personal level!

In this month’s spotlight, we would like to introduce you to Dana Welcker, ACP. Please click here to read the June Volunteer Spotlight!

Voting for Active type members is open until July 7th for the 2023-2024 NALA Board of Directors election. The positions being filled are vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and at large directors (2 seats open). If you are eligible to vote, you should have received a voting invitation on June 13th. For more information about the candidates and the voting process, visit our website.

In addition to the 2023-2024 NALA Board of Directors election, there are also several proposed bylaw amendments. This video goes into detail about the proposed amendments, including why they are being proposed and what impact is expected. NALA's President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer come together to discuss the proposed amendments and give clarification to help Active type NALA members make an informed decision when voting. You can watch the video here.

To view the proposed bylaw amendments, visit our website and scroll down to Proposed Bylaw Amendments. They are also listed in your May 2023 issue of Facts & Findings.

Do not forget to vote in the 2023-2024 NALA Board of Directors election by July 7th at 9 AM CT.

Voting is open until June 30th for the Affiliated Associations election. Designated voters, you should have received a link to cast your vote. Be sure to submit and confirm your vote, as it will not count if it is not confirmed. If you have any questions, please reach out to affiliates@nala.org.

June is Pride Month, so there's no better time to discuss LGBTQ+ equality. The Equality Ohio Legal Clinic, CHROMA Consulting, and Kate Mozynski, Esq. teamed up to create a resource to guide you through 1) understanding sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, 2) discrepancies between legal and lived equality, 3) representing or providing services for LGBTQ+ clients with cultural humility, and 4) creating an inclusive legal practice. To learn how to serve your LGBTQ+ clients with cultural humility, read the article here.

Join Alabama Association of Paralegals, Inc. members, Adrienne Berry, ACP, and Laura Reaves, ACP, on June 20th for their presentation on transparency and innovation in your organization.

The Merriam-Webster definition of innovation is, “The act or process of introducing new ideas, devices, or methods.” It is well known that the only thing constant in the world is change. Some people oppose change, and some people embrace change. The one thing that is certain is that change keeps things fresh and constantly evolving.

Keeping things fresh is important in organizations. You do not want your organization to become stale, to be mundane. You want your organization to be exciting, be current with the times, embrace the relevancy of now, be diverse, be welcoming, and ultimately say to prospective members, “There is value in what we have to offer.”

By the end of this session, affiliates should see the importance of being transparent within their organization and keeping their organization up to date with the culture around them. They will have some ideas for keeping their organization innovative and engaging their members.

This year’s Conference & Expo will be held in Boston from July 12-14. Prices go up on June 23rd, so register now to save money! Visit our website to choose the attendance option that works best for you. We offer in-person, virtual, and single day pass options. Register today!

Be in the now. Be in the know. Be NALA.

Thank you to those who attended the CP Exam Development Forum in May! It was a huge success! The data showed that it had the highest attentiveness (98%) and interest (94%) rates! 

If you submitted an application to volunteer on the CP Exam Development Commission (CPEDC), the Certifying Board will be reviewing applications throughout the summer.

We anticipate that final decisions concerning the appointment of volunteers to the CPEDC will be made by the end of summer and that panel members will begin activities in September, at the earliest. Each CPEDC applicant will be notified via email of the Certifying Board's decision. 

Please email your questions to mdrew@nala.org.

We have important information for you on the cost of recertification. Starting on January 1, 2024, your recertification fee will vary, depending on whether you are a NALA member. For more information, visit our website.

Congratulations to our 103 new Certified Paralegals (CPs) from April 2023! After months of arduous work and dedication, you have earned this prestigious certification from NALA. You have joined a group of dedicated professionals who make up the paralegal community. This certification shows that you are committed to upholding the highest standards of professional excellence and ethical behavior. As a CP, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that you can use to help make a difference in the legal field while excelling in your career. You can become a leader in the paralegal profession and show others what it takes to be successful. We are so proud of you and look forward to seeing what amazing things you will do in your paralegal career.

Are you looking for a summer accessory that reflects your journey to success? Look no further than NALA’s royal blue beach towel! Featuring the NALA logo and a compass and emblazoned with the inspiring words "Your Career is a Journey,” “Make a Splash,” it is not just a comfortable accessory but also a reminder of your aspirations. This towel is perfect for your next beach trip or pool day. At just $22, it's an affordable way to bring a little motivation to your summer adventures. Buy yours today and make a splash with NALA!

As a NALA member, you receive exclusive local and national discounts on hundreds of products and services.

To access these deals, go to the Affinity Discounts page on our website and log in.

NALA is implementing new rates for group membership. If your company, firm, or organization would like to purchase NALA memberships for your staff, there is a discount for buying them for 5-99 staff members. The new rates are listed below.

Active members, keep in mind that your $80 education voucher can be used toward conference registration. If you aren’t already registered for this year’s conference in Boston from July 12-14, now is the perfect time to register before prices go up on June 23rd. Save up to $80 on your in-person, single day pass, or virtual registration here.

NALA has a special resource for paralegals! The Paralegal Resource Directory provides you with top-notch legal support services. Being a paralegal is no easy feat, but with this directory at your disposal, your job can become easier. Whether you're looking for a process server or litigation support, you'll find it all in NALA's Paralegal Resource Directory. Don't wait any longer to check it out here and see how it can save you valuable time and energy!