NALS Foundation Making History

Some very exciting news to share with the NALS members and community. Last weekend (Aug 8-10), the Foundation Trustees all met for a retreat at the NALS Resource Center. One of their primary goals was to work on becoming more strategic in nature. Tammy Hailey, CAE, NALS Executive Director, was very instrumental in guiding the Trustees to reaching their goal. I was fortuntate to have been invited to participate (as Chair of the NALS Strategic Planning Committee).

I am please to announce that the Foundation is now working under their very own Strategic Plan. Oh, and not only do they have their Plan, but they also have a mission, core purpose, core values, an operational plan, and their very own "branding."

The Foundation's Mission: Dedicated to providing resources to promote and advance individuals in the legal services profession. From that mission, the Foundation has 4 goals: (1) Assist NALS Goal; (2) Be The Solution Goal; (3) Research Goal; and (4) Organizational Effectiveness Goal. And from the four goals come the strategies and actions to maintain the mission and goals.

Kudos to each Trustee who worked extremely hard. Your dedication to not only the NALS Foundation, but NALS as well, is exemplary.

Excelling in Life Without Acclamation

The world's attention is currently riveted on Beijing and the 2008 Summer Olympics. While we watch, hold our breath, cheer for the champions and weep with the also-rans, let us be mindful of those millions of people with talent and ability who never receive praise or recognition.

Free-lance writer Arlene Spencer of Indianapolis said, "A combination of good luck, opportunity, hard work and talent may lead a few to world fame and fortune. The absence of any one of these can make a difference between acclamation and anonymity." Spencer was writing about English poet Thomas Gray's poem, Elegy in a Country Churchyard wherein Gray describes "a fairly common phenomenon in our society--that of an outstanding person with talents only recognized by those people immediately surrounding him or her." Standing among the tombstones, Gray speculated that "some mute inglorious Milton here may rest."

Spencer continued, "The quest for excellence in any endeavor is worthy of our admiration and respect. We don't need to reserve those feelings for national heroes, sports figures, or stars of the entertainment world. The uncelebrated heroes in our midst are the ordinary people with noble motives who work to perfect their talents, and the teachers and volunteers who use their abilities to brighten the lives of others."

Inside NALS, it is our local members who are the uncelebrated heroes. They may not be nominated for the Award of Excellence or gain national recognition as officers or chairs, but they are the backbone of our professional association--the volunteers and supporters of current programs and mentors of future leaders. Gray would say they are gems of purest ray hidden on the ocean floor or flowers blooming in the desert unseen by anyone.

It is you, the member, who competes to the best of your ability and talent daily who has earned a Gold Medal, and with it the acclamation and respect of NALS.

Let Us Know

First, let me say I hope you all have a wonderful, safe and happy Fourth of July holiday.  The Fourth of July is my youngest son's birthday so it is always exciting. Additionally this year we just found out my oldest son and his wife are expecting my second grandchild this coming December so there is a lot to celebrate.

Now for the letting us know part, we are always looking at new ways to make your NALS experience even better. So please, if you ever think I wish NALS did this, or that, let us know. We love to hear from our members and we want to serve you the best that we can. Additionally consider what part you would like to play in the future development of NALS.  Are you involved at the local, state or national level?  Is there a project that you think is important that you would like to be involved in yourself? Consider whether or not you want to serve on the NALS Board or even the NALS Leadership Team.  Regardless of where you see yourself we want to hear from you, we want to meet and exceed your expectations for the future of NALS. Let us hear from you!

Happy 3rd of July!

I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a Happy (Day Before) Independence Day! I hope you are all going to celebrate with family and/or friends. Take the time to enjoy the freedoms we have and thank someone that has helped preserve them!

I will be celebrating all weekend with friends as tonight we kick it off with some baseball and hot dogs with fireworks to follow...not many things more American that that huh? Tomorrow in Tulsa there is a fireworks display along the Arkansas River that is normally quite impressive so we will probably gather to enjoy this and we will be cooking out Saturday with friends and neighbors...I recommend any and all of these activities for you and your families as well!

Have Fun People! And Be Safe!

Jay

Summer Conferences

The regional conferences are upon us--take advantage of all NALS offers by attending the regional conference closest to you. The Regional Directors and their respective committees have been hard at work preparing a great conference for you - the member. It's not too late to register for some of the conferences. Not only will you come away with great education, but you will meet members from all over your region. Those networking opportunities are "priceless."


If you're interested in a conference near you, check out the calendar pull down menu and choose c0nferences for a complete list of conferences in your area.


And speaking of conferences, I know you've seen all the information posted about the upcoming NALS conference to be held in Norfolk, VA. I don't know about you, but I'm anxious to participate.


I look forward to meeting members throughout my summer travels to the Region 3 and Region 7 conferences.

What's On Your iPod?

I have been interested in podcasting for several years now, maybe because it takes me back to my radio days at San Diego State University. Listening to a podcast is basically like listening to the radio. Sometimes, the content is a monologue, sometimes an interview, or a discussion among two or more individuals on a topic of interest. Some are wildly funny, others informative or serious. From an initial handful four years ago, there are now tens of thousands of podcasts out there with millions of subscribers. You can search for podcasts of interest at the iTunes store (most subscriptions are free) or through websites such as podcastalley.com. One of my favorites is Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing (http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/). Check it out and let me know what you think.

I'd also like to know what else you are listening to. What's on your iPod?

SPIRIT OF NORFOLK - DEADLINE EXTENDED!

Straight from Cathy Hankins over at the Conference Blog the deadline for the Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise has been extended to May 31st! This is due to overwhelming demand as there are currently 143 NALS members and guests registered for this event! That is more than one third of the boat!

If you have not registered for this event do so now! You do not want to hear how much fun it was, experience it first hand by registering today. DO NOT CALL NALS TO REGISTER. Contant Melanie Nissenson at (757) 217-0627 before May 31st to get the special NALS rate. This is a rate of $45 per person instead of the normal charge of $69 per person!

Check out the NALS Conference Blog at and find out the latest news and find out what is going on in the area!

Jay