BPA Paralegal Pipeline February 2011
Content
Brevard Paralegal Association
February 2011
The Paralegal Pipeline
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President’s Message Annual Meeting Notice Speaker Bio PAF News Florida Registered Paralegal February Meeting Info BCC Paralegal Program Community Service Remembrances 2010 - 11 Board Listing Sponsors Community Service Flyer Declaration of Candidacy Proxy NALA Updates BCAWL Community Law School Flyer 12-13 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 5-7 8 9 10 11
President’s Message
So if you're one of those work-all-day, eat-lunch-atyour-desk type of paralegals, here's some food for thought, pardon the pun. When you skip your lunch break on a regular basis, you're setting yourself up for burnout; eventually waking up one day less than thrilled with the job you have. If you don't feel passion about your job, your performance is more than likely to suffer. After all, who really does a good job at something they hate? Use your energy wisely. Try doing something different, or even productive, during your mid-day break. Take an exercise class. Get out into the sunlight and do some stretches. Visit your kid at school. You'll find that when you return to the office you're refreshed, and that refreshed feeling can lead to new ideas you didn't have when you left. If your firm is one that frowns on lunch breaks, invite key employees or decision-makers with you. If those people take lunch, it may change what the expectations are. This month's speaker is Stephanie Reid, a Senior Compliance Analyst and Educator who is going to explain the ins and outs of HIPAA and The HITECH Act. Please join us on February 10th at the Suntree Country Club.
Regards,
Happy February everyone! I just read a great article about why taking a lunch break will make you a better employee. For years I was one of those martyr-like employees who worked through her lunch because of a heavy workload and a greaterthan-average sense of loyalty to her employer. Not that one shouldn't be a loyal employee, but there comes a point where you just have to draw the line. Getting out of the office, or even just away from your desk helps your mind to recharge. It's not good for anyone to have to exert a constant effort for that many hours non stop. I know my brain can't take it every day!
Kim
Pursuant to Bylaw 3.16, notice is hereby given to the Active, Student, Associate and Honorary members of the Brevard Paralegal Association that its Annual Meeting will be held as follows: Thursday, April 14, 2011 6:00 to 8:00 pm Suntree County Club Melbourne, Florida Pursuant to Bylaw 3.10, only Active members in good standing with Brevard Paralegal Association and the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. will be entitled to vote. A slate of declared candidates and proxy forms are attached, pursuant to Bylaw 3.11.
February 12th and 22nd
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The Paralegal Pipeline
Speaker Bio
Stephanie Reid
Stephanie Reid, CHC is lead educator of compliance initiatives at Health First, Inc., a local healthcare organization with four notfor-profit hospitals and over 6,500 associates. She designs, coordinates and conducts system-wide compliance training for all corporate officers, associates, physicians, and other health care professionals, as well as develops role-based compliance curriculum for personnel working in highrisk areas. She also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Brevard Community College's Health Sciences Institute. She earned her BS and MS at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio and completed postgraduate work in healthcare corporate compliance at The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
PAF, Inc. News
www.pafinc.org
C’MON BPA’ers! We need help with our basket to be raffled for the upcoming Spring Seminar. We didn’t contribute at the fall seminar! Let’s not fall down on the job this time. BPA has 2-3 months to put the basket together. So put your creative thinking caps on for donations (either cash or an item) for a basket encompassing the Spring 2011 theme of "Weekend of Wishes...a pampered paralegal".
Big Bend – Chapter Meeting, 02/10/2011, 12:00 p.m., Capital City Country Club, 1601 Golf Terrace Dr., Tallahassee, Topic “Bankruptcy” presented by David Howard Abrams Boca Raton – Chapter Monthly Luncheon, 02/10/2011, 12:00 p.m., Bogart’s Bar and Grille, Cinemark 20, 3200 Airport Road, Boca Raton, Topic “Medicare Set-Asides Compliance & Other Litigation Issues” presented by Finnie Cook, PhD, MSCC Hillsborough – Chapter Monthly Luncheon, 03/01/2011, 12:00 p.m., TAMPA CLUB, Bank of
America Plaza, 101 E. Kennedy Boulevard, 41st Floor, Tampa, Topic TBA
Palm Beach – Chapter Dinner Meeting, 02/09/2011, 5:30 p.m., Crown Plaza Hotel, 1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, Topic “Sex, Drugs, and Worker’s Compensation (Part II), presented by Philip G. Thompson Pinellas – Chapter Dinner Meeting, 02/08/2011, 6:15 p.m., Antonio's Pasta Grill 2755 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater Southwest Florida – Chapter Dinner meeting, 02/17/2011, 5:30 p.m., Double Tree Guest nd Suites, 12200 Tamiani Trail, 2 Floor, Naples Suncoast – Chapter Dinner Meeting, 02/07/2011, 5:30 p.m., Marina’s Jack in the Bay Room, Sarasota Treasure Coast – Dinner Meeting, 02/17/2011, 6:30 p.m., Cobbs Landing, 200 N. Indian River Drive, Ft. Pierce, Topic “Child Support Guideline Changes”
February 15th Florida Registered Paralegal
The grandfathering clause in the Florida Registered Paralegal Program will sunset on MARCH 1, 2011. After MARCH 1, 2011, you must meet the education/work experience OR certification requirement eligibility. If you are using grandfathering as the basis for registration, your completed application including attorney attestations MUST be dated on or before MARCH 1, 2011. AFTER MARCH 1, 2011, YOU WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO USE EXPERIENCE ALONE (THE GRANDFATHERING PROVISION) AS A BASIS FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR REGISTRATION.
The Paralegal Pipeline
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Brevard Community College Paralegal Program
Roma Molinaro, CP, FCP, FRP, MLA
Community Service
Ashley King, subbing for Toni-Marie D’Alessandro, CP, FCP, FRP
Membership
53 Active 7 Students 2 Honorary
February CLE/Networking Meeting
Shout out to Ashley King for helping out with Community Service for the next couple of months!!
BPA providing CLE Opportunities
BPA’s January Meeting included a raffle available only to BPA members for registration fees to this week’s seminar by BCC Technical Advisory Committee for the Paralegal Program. The winners were Diana Jacobs (student) and Julie Hochard. Just another reason to join and encourage your fellow paralegals to join BPA!
The Technical Advisory Committee for the Paralegal Program will host its annual seminar, Elder Law and Nursing Home Liability Seminar, at the BCC Melbourne Campus. The course is pending approval from NALA for three or four hours of CLE. For further information, contact Roma Molinaro at [email protected].
Brevard Paralegal Scholarships
BPA is pleased to announce the award of its 2010 Scholarships. Jasmine Williamson, who is currently enrolled in the paralegal program at BCC, was awarded a $500.00 Scholarship to continue her studies at BCC. Ashley King, a BCC paralegal program graduate, was awarded the “Roseann Nelson, CP” Professional Development Scholarship. Roseann Nelson, CP was a founding member of BPA and the long time paralegal to Leonard Spielvogel, Esquire. Ms. Nelson exemplified the professionalism required to be a successful paralegal and was a great mentor to all members of Brevard County’s legal community, in particular its paralegals. Mr. Spielvogel, wanting to honor his paralegal after her untimely passing, endowed a scholarship to BPA to be maintain in Ms. Nelson’s name. The “Roseann Nelson, CP” Professional Development Scholarship was established to encourage chapter member to attain the CP, ACP, or CFLA designation, through the National Association of Legal Assistant (“NALA”) and the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. (“PAF”).
SUNTREE COUNTRY This month, BPA will be CLUB collecting financial donations for Brevard County Legal One Country Club Drive Melbourne, FL 32940 Aid, located in Rockledge, When: Thursday, Florida. BCLA is a non-profit February 10, 2011, organization with the mission 6:00PM “To provide high quality legal assistance to protect Distinguished Guest: personal safety, establish Stephanie Reid, CHC family stability, and ensure equal access to justice for Topic: Jumping low income and Through the Hoops of the disadvantaged persons.” A HIPAA and HITECH Act flyer detailing BCLA’s impact Members $19.00 on Brevard is attached at the Non-Members $21.00 end of the newsletter. Pay at the door on day of event. Please Make Checks Payable to: Brevard Note: A member may County Legal Aid attend the meeting without dinner for a Please Call (321) 631-2500 charge of $7.00. Nonif you are Interested in Members may attend one meeting without Volunteering Opportunities (1) dinner with no charge. Thereafter, a charge of $7.00 per meeting without dinner will be assessed. RSVP: Please contact Sabine Martel for entree selection and any additional information at: [email protected].
February Birthdays
Nicole Dooley Meg Johnson Tracy King Jenny Lawton Seal Mo Martens Patty Wright
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The Paralegal Pipeline
Newsletter Advertising
Half Page $100/Year Or $55/6 months Business Card $50/Year Or $30/6 months Special rates available for one-time ads Submit business card or ad artwork, preferably in .jpg or .bmp format to Kimberly. Nowakowski@ Health-First.Org or send it to: Kim Nowakowski c/o Health First, Inc. 6540 US Hwy 1 Rockledge FL 32955 The Paralegal Pipeline advertising reaches people throughout Florida. The publication’s revenue supports scholarships and various community service projects, which enables your costs associated to advertising here to be tax deductible. Please make your check payable to Brevard Paralegal Association. Thank you.
2010-11 BPA Board of Directors & Committee Chairs
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Kim Nowakowski, RP, FRP
kimberly.nowakowski@ healthfirst.org
Student Liaison Eveling B. Raymond
[email protected]
Vice President Tracy A. King
[email protected]
Job Bank Coordinator Kim M. Dexter, ACP, FCP
[email protected]
Treasurer Patricia Bieringer
[email protected]
Local Bar Liaison Debra A. Clarke, CP, FCP, FRP
debra.clarke7@yahoo.
Secretary Silvia Cowan
[email protected]
Meetings Sabine Martel
[email protected]
Director-at-Large Cathleen M. Cummings, FRP
[email protected]
Membership Tracy A. King Newsletter Editor Cathleen M. Cummings, FRP Jessica Pauley Bill Hickman Nominations/Elections Nicole Dooley, CP, FRP Publicity Cathleen M. Cummings, FRP Ways and Means Vacant OTHER POSITIONS Historian/Photographer Kim Nowakowski, RP, FRP PAF Website Danielle T. Pirolo
[email protected]
Immediate Past President Debra A. Clarke, CP, FCP, FRP
[email protected]
Parliamentarian Toni-Marie D’Alessandro, CP, FCP, FRP
[email protected]
BPA is on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter!
Search “Brevard Paralegal Association” and join! We list useful links, information regarding upcoming meetings and events, and it’s an opportunity to network with fellow members!
COMMITTEE CHAIRS Entertainment Nicole Dooley, CP, FRP [email protected] Budget Patricia Bieringer [email protected] Bylaws and Standing Rules Maureen “Mo” Martens, CLA, FRP
[email protected]
Meeting Policy Reminder
Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(6) if you RSVP for a dinner and do not attend the meeting, you will be sent an invoice for the cost of the dinner. If you cancel your reservation less than 10 days prior to the event, you will be sent an invoice for the cost of the dinner.
Community Service Toni-Marie D’Alessandro, CP, FCP, FRP
[email protected] Ashley King
Education/Scholarship Roma Molinaro, CP, FCP, FRP, MLA [email protected]
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The The Paralegal Pipeline The Paralegal Pipeline Parale gal Paralegal Pipeline
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The Paralegal Pipeline
"Big Flowers from a Little Shop"
Buds Etc...
A Unique Floral Studio Buds Etc... Owners Patti and Doug have opened their dream shop in Melbourne Florida! A country cottage style setting under a huge Florida Oak tree is where this quaint shop brings a Fresh Idea to the floral industry. Patti, with 30 +years experience in the flower business brings Value and Quality to each Unique Design using your choice of fresh or silk flowers. Specializing in Wedding and Parties! Bring in your ideas and have them become a reality! Make an appointment to see our many photo albums. Patti has created wedding flowers for thousands of brides! She has first-hand knowledge of all the latest trends and fantastic items available for the modern or traditional bride. Rentals also available: archways, pillars with huge arrangements, centerpiece stands and much more... Silk designs and interior decorations for your home and office are always available! Our owner/designer will create individual designs for All occasions with Style and Class. Come in and browse our large selection of affordable flowers. "Big Flowers from a Little Shop” We are committed to bring you the finest, freshest, highest quality flowers from our shop to your home and office. Buds Etc... Has a Home Staging Department! With so many homes on the market; we give sellers helpful advice and an affordable plan to get their home ready. We’ll have your home Packed, Cleaned and Staged. So you can put your "Best foot forward" in this busy real estate market. Have your home ready for the potential Buyers, Be Clean, Organized and Uncluttered. Let the experts at Buds Etc... Do it all. Call in your order today (321) 254-0551 Order Flowers Online www.BudsEtc.net
LAW OFFICES MICHAEL KAHN, P.A.
(321) 242-2564 Fax (321) 254-2127 Email: [email protected]
482 North Harbor City Blvd Melbourne, Florida 32935
Brevard County Legal Aid is committed to providing high quality legal aid and assistance to protect personal safety, establish family stability, and ensure equal access to justice for low income and disadvantaged persons. This month’s community service project will benefit a local non-profit organization that provides legal services to indigent citizens of Brevard County. BCLA was established in 1970 by the Brevard County Bar Association when Bar members recognized the need to provide the county's low-income persons with meaningful access to the civil court system. The program began with one part-time person who performed intake and matched clients with pro bono attorneys. BCLA screened clients for eligibility then referred clients to attorneys who provided representation at no charge. Today, BCLA has a staff of 11 including 6 attorneys. The pro bono program has continued to grow and offers attorneys many options to serve the poor. Four hundred Brevard County attorneys support the pro bono effort through BCLA.
Direct Legal Services
BCLA provides direct legal services in the following areas:
Family Law Domestic Violence Guardianships Consumer cases that exceed small claims Landlord/Tenant with meritorious defense in dispute with private landlord Loss of money or property with meritorious defense Employment Law Court appointments for children aging out of foster care Wills/Advance Directives Clinic Foreclosure Mediation Legal services, as needed, by persons over 60 years of age or by persons diagnosed terminally ill
Pro Bono Attorney Recruitment
BCLA is a proud participant of the Florida Bar One Campaign: “One client. One attorney. One promise.” In October 2009, the Supreme Court’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono launched the “One Campaign.” The One Campaign allows attorneys to renew the promise to “Never reject the cause of the defenseless or oppressed or delay anyone’s cause for lucre or malice.” BCLA hosted the official kick-off and launch of Florida’s One Campaign, and recruited more than 50 attorneys to sign up for trainings and accept pro bono cases.
Other Services
BCLA provides weekly free advice clinics and referral services for those who do not qualify for direct legal services. BCLA also coordinates and collaborates with other agencies, such as Salvation Army and Serene Harbor, on projects that will benefit the community and its less fortunate residents. Projects include, but are not limited to, community education, adopt an agency, victims of domestic violence, and volunteer lawyer mentoring. BCLA offers various training sessions in areas, such as:
Children’s Law Family Law Employment Law Mortgage Foreclosure
DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY
I, _______________________, certify that I am an Active Member in good standing with Brevard Paralegal Association, and I hereby declare my candidacy for the following position for the 2011-2012 term of office: President Vice President Treasurer I further certify that: 1. 2. I am an Active Member of Brevard Paralegal Association. If I am declaring for the position of President, I have served on the Board of Directors of Brevard Paralegal Association for at least one year. If elected, I will serve to the best of my ability and will abide by the Bylaws and the Standing Rules adopted by Brevard Paralegal Association. Secretary Member-At-Large
3.
Date: _________________ Name: Address:
Please return to: Nicole Dooley, Chairman of Elections 304 S. Harbor City Blvd., Suite 201 Melbourne, Florida 32901
DESIGNATION OF PROXY AND ALTERNATE PROXY
Instructions and General Information 1. If you cannot attend the Brevard Paralegal Association (“BPA”) Annual Membership Meeting on April 14, 2011, you may designate one BPA Active member to cast your vote during the meeting. In the event the primary designee is not able to attend, a second BPA Active member may be appointed as an alternate. Any Active member may hold your vote with the exception of the BPA President. Make sure that your named proxy holder and alternate proxy holder plan to attend the Annual Meeting. If your proxy holder and/or alternate proxy holder have to leave the meeting before its conclusion, another member cannot hold your proxy. No proxy or alternate proxy holder may be designated after April 1, 2011. Your “Designation of Proxy and Alternate Proxy” form must be sent to the BPA Secretary. IT MUST BE IN THE SECRETARY’S HANDS BY NO LATER THAN APRIL 1, 2011.
2.
3.
DESIGNATION OF PROXY AND ALTERNATE PROXY
I, , a BPA Active member, hereby appoint , a BPA Active member, to serve as my proxy holder at the BPA Annual Meeting in Melbourne, Florida on April 14, 2011. In the event my named proxy holder is unable to hold my proxy, I hereby appoint , a BPA Active member, to serve as my alternate proxy at said Annual Meeting. Dated: , 2011.
Signature
X
Print or type your name
Address Send original Designation of Proxy to: Nicole Dooley, Chairman of Elections 304 S. Harbor City Blvd., Suite 201 Melbourne, Florida 32901
NALA Updates January 30, 2011 By Patricia C. DeRamus, ACP, FRP NALA Applications for the May Certified Paralegal Exam are Due April 1, 2011 April 1 is the deadline date for applications for the Certified paralegal examination, May 2011 testing! Application forms may be found on the NALA web site, Certification/Examinee Information. The NALA Certifying Board utilizes the network of ACT to administer the examination. This can be costly to the examinees. As a solution, NALA will also open testing sites outside of the ACT network in schools or employer locations for students and employees. Details and an application form to qualify as a testing center are on the web at Certification/Qualifying as a Testing Center. APC – New Course ALMOST Ready! Another new course from the Advanced Paralegal Certification Board! Criminal Litigation is in its final production stages and should be available within the next 30 days. This is a terrific course, covering constitutional rights, offenses and defenses, proceedings, trial, post conviction proceedings, appeals, juveniles, and technology. Updates and more details to follow. 2011 Annual Meeting News The January issue of Facts and Findings had voting information for the 2011 annual meeting, and the office notice of the annual meeting of members. All of this information is now on the NALA web site, at Members Area/2011 Annual Meeting Information. Information on this page includes: Declaration of candidacy forms, and additional information, for those interested in running for national officer or director of regions 2, 3, 4, and 8. Information about voting and filing y our designation of proxy if you are a voting member and unable to attend the annual meeting. Deadlines for filing membership resolutions and proposed bylaw amendments.
The Designation of Proxy form is on the NALA web site, and may be completed electronically. The link is found on the 2011 Annual Meeting Information Page. The featured speakers of the 2011 Annual Summer Institutes, July 27 – 30 in Dallas/Plano, Texas will be provided soon. To start….the instructor for the Litigation/Technology Institute will be Matt S. Cornick, Esq. of Atlanta, Georgia. He has been teaching Civil Litigation, Legal Research, Family Law and Introduction to Law and Ethics to paralegal students for over twenty years. SIDEBAR – Please Note! FRP GRANDFATHER PROVISION TO SUNSET The grandfathering provision of the eligibility requirement to become a Florida Registered Paralegal will sunset March 1, 2011. After March 1, 2011, a paralegal will not be able to use grandfathering to register as an FRP and must meet the education/work experience or certification requirement for eligibility. For more information about the FRP Program and the application for becoming a Florida Registered Paralegal, visit www.floridabar.org/frp
Space Coast Community Law School Seminar Schedule Spring 2011
Building C: All seminars are held in the Atlantic Room except on 2/10/11 we meet in the Space Coast Room:
February 3: 6-8pm: U.S. Constitution, Amendments -Judge Vincent Torpy February 10: 6-8pm: Foreclosure - George Gingo and Jim Orth February 17: 6-8pm: Elder Law - Robin Peterson February 24: 6-8pm: Criminal Law - Robert Anderson March 3: 6-8pm: U.S. Constitution, Articles - Judge Silverman March 10: 6-8pm: Contract Law - Lisa Hogreve March 17: 6-8pm: Bankruptcy - Roy Praver March 24: 6-8pm: Consumer Law- James Torres
© 2010 BCAWL
February 2011
The Paralegal Pipeline
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President’s Message Annual Meeting Notice Speaker Bio PAF News Florida Registered Paralegal February Meeting Info BCC Paralegal Program Community Service Remembrances 2010 - 11 Board Listing Sponsors Community Service Flyer Declaration of Candidacy Proxy NALA Updates BCAWL Community Law School Flyer 12-13 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 5-7 8 9 10 11
President’s Message
So if you're one of those work-all-day, eat-lunch-atyour-desk type of paralegals, here's some food for thought, pardon the pun. When you skip your lunch break on a regular basis, you're setting yourself up for burnout; eventually waking up one day less than thrilled with the job you have. If you don't feel passion about your job, your performance is more than likely to suffer. After all, who really does a good job at something they hate? Use your energy wisely. Try doing something different, or even productive, during your mid-day break. Take an exercise class. Get out into the sunlight and do some stretches. Visit your kid at school. You'll find that when you return to the office you're refreshed, and that refreshed feeling can lead to new ideas you didn't have when you left. If your firm is one that frowns on lunch breaks, invite key employees or decision-makers with you. If those people take lunch, it may change what the expectations are. This month's speaker is Stephanie Reid, a Senior Compliance Analyst and Educator who is going to explain the ins and outs of HIPAA and The HITECH Act. Please join us on February 10th at the Suntree Country Club.
Regards,
Happy February everyone! I just read a great article about why taking a lunch break will make you a better employee. For years I was one of those martyr-like employees who worked through her lunch because of a heavy workload and a greaterthan-average sense of loyalty to her employer. Not that one shouldn't be a loyal employee, but there comes a point where you just have to draw the line. Getting out of the office, or even just away from your desk helps your mind to recharge. It's not good for anyone to have to exert a constant effort for that many hours non stop. I know my brain can't take it every day!
Kim
Pursuant to Bylaw 3.16, notice is hereby given to the Active, Student, Associate and Honorary members of the Brevard Paralegal Association that its Annual Meeting will be held as follows: Thursday, April 14, 2011 6:00 to 8:00 pm Suntree County Club Melbourne, Florida Pursuant to Bylaw 3.10, only Active members in good standing with Brevard Paralegal Association and the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. will be entitled to vote. A slate of declared candidates and proxy forms are attached, pursuant to Bylaw 3.11.
February 12th and 22nd
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The Paralegal Pipeline
Speaker Bio
Stephanie Reid
Stephanie Reid, CHC is lead educator of compliance initiatives at Health First, Inc., a local healthcare organization with four notfor-profit hospitals and over 6,500 associates. She designs, coordinates and conducts system-wide compliance training for all corporate officers, associates, physicians, and other health care professionals, as well as develops role-based compliance curriculum for personnel working in highrisk areas. She also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Brevard Community College's Health Sciences Institute. She earned her BS and MS at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio and completed postgraduate work in healthcare corporate compliance at The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
PAF, Inc. News
www.pafinc.org
C’MON BPA’ers! We need help with our basket to be raffled for the upcoming Spring Seminar. We didn’t contribute at the fall seminar! Let’s not fall down on the job this time. BPA has 2-3 months to put the basket together. So put your creative thinking caps on for donations (either cash or an item) for a basket encompassing the Spring 2011 theme of "Weekend of Wishes...a pampered paralegal".
Big Bend – Chapter Meeting, 02/10/2011, 12:00 p.m., Capital City Country Club, 1601 Golf Terrace Dr., Tallahassee, Topic “Bankruptcy” presented by David Howard Abrams Boca Raton – Chapter Monthly Luncheon, 02/10/2011, 12:00 p.m., Bogart’s Bar and Grille, Cinemark 20, 3200 Airport Road, Boca Raton, Topic “Medicare Set-Asides Compliance & Other Litigation Issues” presented by Finnie Cook, PhD, MSCC Hillsborough – Chapter Monthly Luncheon, 03/01/2011, 12:00 p.m., TAMPA CLUB, Bank of
America Plaza, 101 E. Kennedy Boulevard, 41st Floor, Tampa, Topic TBA
Palm Beach – Chapter Dinner Meeting, 02/09/2011, 5:30 p.m., Crown Plaza Hotel, 1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, Topic “Sex, Drugs, and Worker’s Compensation (Part II), presented by Philip G. Thompson Pinellas – Chapter Dinner Meeting, 02/08/2011, 6:15 p.m., Antonio's Pasta Grill 2755 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater Southwest Florida – Chapter Dinner meeting, 02/17/2011, 5:30 p.m., Double Tree Guest nd Suites, 12200 Tamiani Trail, 2 Floor, Naples Suncoast – Chapter Dinner Meeting, 02/07/2011, 5:30 p.m., Marina’s Jack in the Bay Room, Sarasota Treasure Coast – Dinner Meeting, 02/17/2011, 6:30 p.m., Cobbs Landing, 200 N. Indian River Drive, Ft. Pierce, Topic “Child Support Guideline Changes”
February 15th Florida Registered Paralegal
The grandfathering clause in the Florida Registered Paralegal Program will sunset on MARCH 1, 2011. After MARCH 1, 2011, you must meet the education/work experience OR certification requirement eligibility. If you are using grandfathering as the basis for registration, your completed application including attorney attestations MUST be dated on or before MARCH 1, 2011. AFTER MARCH 1, 2011, YOU WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO USE EXPERIENCE ALONE (THE GRANDFATHERING PROVISION) AS A BASIS FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR REGISTRATION.
The Paralegal Pipeline
Page 3
Brevard Community College Paralegal Program
Roma Molinaro, CP, FCP, FRP, MLA
Community Service
Ashley King, subbing for Toni-Marie D’Alessandro, CP, FCP, FRP
Membership
53 Active 7 Students 2 Honorary
February CLE/Networking Meeting
Shout out to Ashley King for helping out with Community Service for the next couple of months!!
BPA providing CLE Opportunities
BPA’s January Meeting included a raffle available only to BPA members for registration fees to this week’s seminar by BCC Technical Advisory Committee for the Paralegal Program. The winners were Diana Jacobs (student) and Julie Hochard. Just another reason to join and encourage your fellow paralegals to join BPA!
The Technical Advisory Committee for the Paralegal Program will host its annual seminar, Elder Law and Nursing Home Liability Seminar, at the BCC Melbourne Campus. The course is pending approval from NALA for three or four hours of CLE. For further information, contact Roma Molinaro at [email protected].
Brevard Paralegal Scholarships
BPA is pleased to announce the award of its 2010 Scholarships. Jasmine Williamson, who is currently enrolled in the paralegal program at BCC, was awarded a $500.00 Scholarship to continue her studies at BCC. Ashley King, a BCC paralegal program graduate, was awarded the “Roseann Nelson, CP” Professional Development Scholarship. Roseann Nelson, CP was a founding member of BPA and the long time paralegal to Leonard Spielvogel, Esquire. Ms. Nelson exemplified the professionalism required to be a successful paralegal and was a great mentor to all members of Brevard County’s legal community, in particular its paralegals. Mr. Spielvogel, wanting to honor his paralegal after her untimely passing, endowed a scholarship to BPA to be maintain in Ms. Nelson’s name. The “Roseann Nelson, CP” Professional Development Scholarship was established to encourage chapter member to attain the CP, ACP, or CFLA designation, through the National Association of Legal Assistant (“NALA”) and the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. (“PAF”).
SUNTREE COUNTRY This month, BPA will be CLUB collecting financial donations for Brevard County Legal One Country Club Drive Melbourne, FL 32940 Aid, located in Rockledge, When: Thursday, Florida. BCLA is a non-profit February 10, 2011, organization with the mission 6:00PM “To provide high quality legal assistance to protect Distinguished Guest: personal safety, establish Stephanie Reid, CHC family stability, and ensure equal access to justice for Topic: Jumping low income and Through the Hoops of the disadvantaged persons.” A HIPAA and HITECH Act flyer detailing BCLA’s impact Members $19.00 on Brevard is attached at the Non-Members $21.00 end of the newsletter. Pay at the door on day of event. Please Make Checks Payable to: Brevard Note: A member may County Legal Aid attend the meeting without dinner for a Please Call (321) 631-2500 charge of $7.00. Nonif you are Interested in Members may attend one meeting without Volunteering Opportunities (1) dinner with no charge. Thereafter, a charge of $7.00 per meeting without dinner will be assessed. RSVP: Please contact Sabine Martel for entree selection and any additional information at: [email protected].
February Birthdays
Nicole Dooley Meg Johnson Tracy King Jenny Lawton Seal Mo Martens Patty Wright
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The Paralegal Pipeline
Newsletter Advertising
Half Page $100/Year Or $55/6 months Business Card $50/Year Or $30/6 months Special rates available for one-time ads Submit business card or ad artwork, preferably in .jpg or .bmp format to Kimberly. Nowakowski@ Health-First.Org or send it to: Kim Nowakowski c/o Health First, Inc. 6540 US Hwy 1 Rockledge FL 32955 The Paralegal Pipeline advertising reaches people throughout Florida. The publication’s revenue supports scholarships and various community service projects, which enables your costs associated to advertising here to be tax deductible. Please make your check payable to Brevard Paralegal Association. Thank you.
2010-11 BPA Board of Directors & Committee Chairs
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Kim Nowakowski, RP, FRP
kimberly.nowakowski@ healthfirst.org
Student Liaison Eveling B. Raymond
[email protected]
Vice President Tracy A. King
[email protected]
Job Bank Coordinator Kim M. Dexter, ACP, FCP
[email protected]
Treasurer Patricia Bieringer
[email protected]
Local Bar Liaison Debra A. Clarke, CP, FCP, FRP
debra.clarke7@yahoo.
Secretary Silvia Cowan
[email protected]
Meetings Sabine Martel
[email protected]
Director-at-Large Cathleen M. Cummings, FRP
[email protected]
Membership Tracy A. King Newsletter Editor Cathleen M. Cummings, FRP Jessica Pauley Bill Hickman Nominations/Elections Nicole Dooley, CP, FRP Publicity Cathleen M. Cummings, FRP Ways and Means Vacant OTHER POSITIONS Historian/Photographer Kim Nowakowski, RP, FRP PAF Website Danielle T. Pirolo
[email protected]
Immediate Past President Debra A. Clarke, CP, FCP, FRP
[email protected]
Parliamentarian Toni-Marie D’Alessandro, CP, FCP, FRP
[email protected]
BPA is on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter!
Search “Brevard Paralegal Association” and join! We list useful links, information regarding upcoming meetings and events, and it’s an opportunity to network with fellow members!
COMMITTEE CHAIRS Entertainment Nicole Dooley, CP, FRP [email protected] Budget Patricia Bieringer [email protected] Bylaws and Standing Rules Maureen “Mo” Martens, CLA, FRP
[email protected]
Meeting Policy Reminder
Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(6) if you RSVP for a dinner and do not attend the meeting, you will be sent an invoice for the cost of the dinner. If you cancel your reservation less than 10 days prior to the event, you will be sent an invoice for the cost of the dinner.
Community Service Toni-Marie D’Alessandro, CP, FCP, FRP
[email protected] Ashley King
Education/Scholarship Roma Molinaro, CP, FCP, FRP, MLA [email protected]
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The The Paralegal Pipeline The Paralegal Pipeline Parale gal Paralegal Pipeline
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The Paralegal Pipeline
"Big Flowers from a Little Shop"
Buds Etc...
A Unique Floral Studio Buds Etc... Owners Patti and Doug have opened their dream shop in Melbourne Florida! A country cottage style setting under a huge Florida Oak tree is where this quaint shop brings a Fresh Idea to the floral industry. Patti, with 30 +years experience in the flower business brings Value and Quality to each Unique Design using your choice of fresh or silk flowers. Specializing in Wedding and Parties! Bring in your ideas and have them become a reality! Make an appointment to see our many photo albums. Patti has created wedding flowers for thousands of brides! She has first-hand knowledge of all the latest trends and fantastic items available for the modern or traditional bride. Rentals also available: archways, pillars with huge arrangements, centerpiece stands and much more... Silk designs and interior decorations for your home and office are always available! Our owner/designer will create individual designs for All occasions with Style and Class. Come in and browse our large selection of affordable flowers. "Big Flowers from a Little Shop” We are committed to bring you the finest, freshest, highest quality flowers from our shop to your home and office. Buds Etc... Has a Home Staging Department! With so many homes on the market; we give sellers helpful advice and an affordable plan to get their home ready. We’ll have your home Packed, Cleaned and Staged. So you can put your "Best foot forward" in this busy real estate market. Have your home ready for the potential Buyers, Be Clean, Organized and Uncluttered. Let the experts at Buds Etc... Do it all. Call in your order today (321) 254-0551 Order Flowers Online www.BudsEtc.net
LAW OFFICES MICHAEL KAHN, P.A.
(321) 242-2564 Fax (321) 254-2127 Email: [email protected]
482 North Harbor City Blvd Melbourne, Florida 32935
Brevard County Legal Aid is committed to providing high quality legal aid and assistance to protect personal safety, establish family stability, and ensure equal access to justice for low income and disadvantaged persons. This month’s community service project will benefit a local non-profit organization that provides legal services to indigent citizens of Brevard County. BCLA was established in 1970 by the Brevard County Bar Association when Bar members recognized the need to provide the county's low-income persons with meaningful access to the civil court system. The program began with one part-time person who performed intake and matched clients with pro bono attorneys. BCLA screened clients for eligibility then referred clients to attorneys who provided representation at no charge. Today, BCLA has a staff of 11 including 6 attorneys. The pro bono program has continued to grow and offers attorneys many options to serve the poor. Four hundred Brevard County attorneys support the pro bono effort through BCLA.
Direct Legal Services
BCLA provides direct legal services in the following areas:
Family Law Domestic Violence Guardianships Consumer cases that exceed small claims Landlord/Tenant with meritorious defense in dispute with private landlord Loss of money or property with meritorious defense Employment Law Court appointments for children aging out of foster care Wills/Advance Directives Clinic Foreclosure Mediation Legal services, as needed, by persons over 60 years of age or by persons diagnosed terminally ill
Pro Bono Attorney Recruitment
BCLA is a proud participant of the Florida Bar One Campaign: “One client. One attorney. One promise.” In October 2009, the Supreme Court’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono launched the “One Campaign.” The One Campaign allows attorneys to renew the promise to “Never reject the cause of the defenseless or oppressed or delay anyone’s cause for lucre or malice.” BCLA hosted the official kick-off and launch of Florida’s One Campaign, and recruited more than 50 attorneys to sign up for trainings and accept pro bono cases.
Other Services
BCLA provides weekly free advice clinics and referral services for those who do not qualify for direct legal services. BCLA also coordinates and collaborates with other agencies, such as Salvation Army and Serene Harbor, on projects that will benefit the community and its less fortunate residents. Projects include, but are not limited to, community education, adopt an agency, victims of domestic violence, and volunteer lawyer mentoring. BCLA offers various training sessions in areas, such as:
Children’s Law Family Law Employment Law Mortgage Foreclosure
DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY
I, _______________________, certify that I am an Active Member in good standing with Brevard Paralegal Association, and I hereby declare my candidacy for the following position for the 2011-2012 term of office: President Vice President Treasurer I further certify that: 1. 2. I am an Active Member of Brevard Paralegal Association. If I am declaring for the position of President, I have served on the Board of Directors of Brevard Paralegal Association for at least one year. If elected, I will serve to the best of my ability and will abide by the Bylaws and the Standing Rules adopted by Brevard Paralegal Association. Secretary Member-At-Large
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Date: _________________ Name: Address:
Please return to: Nicole Dooley, Chairman of Elections 304 S. Harbor City Blvd., Suite 201 Melbourne, Florida 32901
DESIGNATION OF PROXY AND ALTERNATE PROXY
Instructions and General Information 1. If you cannot attend the Brevard Paralegal Association (“BPA”) Annual Membership Meeting on April 14, 2011, you may designate one BPA Active member to cast your vote during the meeting. In the event the primary designee is not able to attend, a second BPA Active member may be appointed as an alternate. Any Active member may hold your vote with the exception of the BPA President. Make sure that your named proxy holder and alternate proxy holder plan to attend the Annual Meeting. If your proxy holder and/or alternate proxy holder have to leave the meeting before its conclusion, another member cannot hold your proxy. No proxy or alternate proxy holder may be designated after April 1, 2011. Your “Designation of Proxy and Alternate Proxy” form must be sent to the BPA Secretary. IT MUST BE IN THE SECRETARY’S HANDS BY NO LATER THAN APRIL 1, 2011.
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DESIGNATION OF PROXY AND ALTERNATE PROXY
I, , a BPA Active member, hereby appoint , a BPA Active member, to serve as my proxy holder at the BPA Annual Meeting in Melbourne, Florida on April 14, 2011. In the event my named proxy holder is unable to hold my proxy, I hereby appoint , a BPA Active member, to serve as my alternate proxy at said Annual Meeting. Dated: , 2011.
Signature
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Print or type your name
Address Send original Designation of Proxy to: Nicole Dooley, Chairman of Elections 304 S. Harbor City Blvd., Suite 201 Melbourne, Florida 32901
NALA Updates January 30, 2011 By Patricia C. DeRamus, ACP, FRP NALA Applications for the May Certified Paralegal Exam are Due April 1, 2011 April 1 is the deadline date for applications for the Certified paralegal examination, May 2011 testing! Application forms may be found on the NALA web site, Certification/Examinee Information. The NALA Certifying Board utilizes the network of ACT to administer the examination. This can be costly to the examinees. As a solution, NALA will also open testing sites outside of the ACT network in schools or employer locations for students and employees. Details and an application form to qualify as a testing center are on the web at Certification/Qualifying as a Testing Center. APC – New Course ALMOST Ready! Another new course from the Advanced Paralegal Certification Board! Criminal Litigation is in its final production stages and should be available within the next 30 days. This is a terrific course, covering constitutional rights, offenses and defenses, proceedings, trial, post conviction proceedings, appeals, juveniles, and technology. Updates and more details to follow. 2011 Annual Meeting News The January issue of Facts and Findings had voting information for the 2011 annual meeting, and the office notice of the annual meeting of members. All of this information is now on the NALA web site, at Members Area/2011 Annual Meeting Information. Information on this page includes: Declaration of candidacy forms, and additional information, for those interested in running for national officer or director of regions 2, 3, 4, and 8. Information about voting and filing y our designation of proxy if you are a voting member and unable to attend the annual meeting. Deadlines for filing membership resolutions and proposed bylaw amendments.
The Designation of Proxy form is on the NALA web site, and may be completed electronically. The link is found on the 2011 Annual Meeting Information Page. The featured speakers of the 2011 Annual Summer Institutes, July 27 – 30 in Dallas/Plano, Texas will be provided soon. To start….the instructor for the Litigation/Technology Institute will be Matt S. Cornick, Esq. of Atlanta, Georgia. He has been teaching Civil Litigation, Legal Research, Family Law and Introduction to Law and Ethics to paralegal students for over twenty years. SIDEBAR – Please Note! FRP GRANDFATHER PROVISION TO SUNSET The grandfathering provision of the eligibility requirement to become a Florida Registered Paralegal will sunset March 1, 2011. After March 1, 2011, a paralegal will not be able to use grandfathering to register as an FRP and must meet the education/work experience or certification requirement for eligibility. For more information about the FRP Program and the application for becoming a Florida Registered Paralegal, visit www.floridabar.org/frp
Space Coast Community Law School Seminar Schedule Spring 2011
Building C: All seminars are held in the Atlantic Room except on 2/10/11 we meet in the Space Coast Room:
February 3: 6-8pm: U.S. Constitution, Amendments -Judge Vincent Torpy February 10: 6-8pm: Foreclosure - George Gingo and Jim Orth February 17: 6-8pm: Elder Law - Robin Peterson February 24: 6-8pm: Criminal Law - Robert Anderson March 3: 6-8pm: U.S. Constitution, Articles - Judge Silverman March 10: 6-8pm: Contract Law - Lisa Hogreve March 17: 6-8pm: Bankruptcy - Roy Praver March 24: 6-8pm: Consumer Law- James Torres
© 2010 BCAWL
