Norfolk! The deadline is getting close!

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to remind you that the deadline for registering for the special rate on the Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise is in 2 Days! The price will go up after this date so don't wait any long to get signed up. The Sprit of Norfolk is offering NALS members attending the annual conference a special dinner cruise on Thursday, September 11th, 2008. Boarding begins at 6:30 p.m. and you'll cruise from 7- 10 p.m. The cost includes a cruise around the harbor, a buffet dinner and entertainment (DJ). Cost for NALS: only $45 per person inclusive. YOU MUST REGISTER BY 4/30/08 TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPECIAL RATE! (Retail is $69.03 per person—savings of $24.03 per person) If you register for the cruise after April 30th, your cost will be $69.03. DO NOT CALL NALS TO REGISTER! To sign up for the cruise, contact Melanie Nissenson at (757) 217-0627 before space fills up. Register by April 30, 2008 & SAVE!!!!

Also members are organizing a bus trip on Wednesday, September 10, to Historic Williamsburg. The price for this will be around $55-60 per person depending on how many sign up so if you want more details contact Jennifer Reed at the NALS Resource Center (reed@nals.org).

Another note, we're staying at the Marriott Waterside and the deadline for hotel reservations is August 10, 2008. The room block is filling up fast and the hotel does not have to add additional rooms to the block. Don't be left sleeping on the beach. If you have problems making room reservations for extra days contact the hotel directly during business hours (M-F, 9-4:30) and ask for in-house reservations. If you have trouble beyond that, contact Tammy Hailey, CAE, at the NALS Resource Center and she will work with our representative at the hotel. Pick up the phone and call 1-757-627-4200 and make your reservation today!

If you have not registered for the conference remember that the EARLY BIRD DEADLINE IS JUNE 1, 2008!

See you in Norfolk!!

Jay

Your Input is Important!

NALS has been the premier leader in the legal support professional industry since 1929. Many changes have occurred in the last 79 years, with more changes expected to happen in the future. To keep NALS as the premier legal professional association, the Strategic Planning Committee needs your responses. The Committee is constantly reviewing the focus of NALS and wants to stay abreast of members’ needs and desires for the future. The latest Environmental Scan is now available. NALS values your input, and in fact, the Strategic Planning Committee actually takes time to review the responses and, yes - we do review, discuss, and implement programs from what you tell us!

Thank you for participating in the first environmental scan. A new scan will be posted soon, look for notice of the availability of the new scan in E-News. The second scan deals with the generational issues and what you want NALS to offer to facilitate your position with your employer. Please take a few moments of your time to participate in this scan.

Thank you for your participation in this scan. Your insights make a difference. We will inform you about future opportunities to have your opinions heard. The results will be posted in June.

Exciting New Things at NALS!

Along with this new official NALS blog we have some other news to share with you that we think is exciting! First off you all have undoubtedly heard of Facebook and MySpace and many of you may have pages and profiles on them...if not I am sure your kids or grand kids do! Well there is a similar type of networking site for professionals call LinkedIn. This site give people the opportunity to make connections between other professionals in and out of your own industry. There are ways for people to recommend you and also places to look for and post jobs. I have used LinkedIn for a while now and I decided to set up a NALS Group! You are welcome to join and here is the link to the invitation: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/88334/315C7C5A8A58

Take the opportunity to set up your profile, join the group and begin building your network. Use this network as you see fit and enjoy seeing how many connections you can make!


Another exciting announcement we are making today is the addition of a new partner with NALS...George Washington University! The GW College of Professional Studies and its Paralegal Studies Program will grant advanced standing in their Masters in Professional Studies (MPS) in Paralegal Studies to individuals who have passed the PP or PLS examinations! As long as you can fulfill the obligations set forth in their advanced standing policy. This can save you thousands of dollars if you are looking to obtain your Master's degree so we urge you to check it out! For more information please call an Admissions Advisor at 1.866.232.0232 extension 3445 or go to http://www.gwu.edu/academics.cfm.

If you have questions about LinkedIn post in the comments and I will get back to you!

Jay

Cats, Chili, and Ranch Dressing

Have you started your spring cleaning yet? I can remember when deep cleaning was done every spring—not just the usual vacuuming, dusting, and straightening up, but washing walls, cleaning baseboards, upholstery, drapes, and chandeliers; winter linens were laundered and put away; storm windows and doors stored in the basement and screens put up. We cleaned out closets and polished everything in cupboards and drawers.

Many state and local associations are beginning their new terms and the old/new boards are exchanging files. Are you spring cleaning those files or are you going to start your year doing exactly what you’ve done before, recreating old programs with traditional and proven methods? What a perfect time to revitalize your association with fresh perspectives … new ideas to make even familiar, comfortable programs alive again.

I have a quilting cat named Sullivan (as in Gilbert and Sullivan). Sully inspects every piece of fabric that comes through the door, supervises all cutting, and frequently brings me pieces of fabric when I get stuck doing the same color palette or block over and over. For example, the NALS quilt now at the Resource Center was on my design wall for several days and I just wasn’t happy with it, but didn’t know what to do. Sully judiciously knocked several random blocks off the wall and then went and sat on a stack of fabric I had set aside. Lo and behold, those fabrics turned out to be just what the quilt needed.

In the current issue of Quilter’s Newsletter magazine, columnist Helen Kelley says that adventure is all about trying something new. Her family has always eaten their spicy chili with green onions, cheese and sour cream. Lacking sour cream one night, her husband liberally doused the chili with ranch dressing which was a revelation to Helen. “If I can look beyond the usual ways that I do things, the ways that I’ve done things before, and if I play a bit and am impulsive, then perhaps I can relearn the old excitement of spontaneity. Exploring expands our horizons and our hearts. I’ve discovered the fun of savoring chili with ranch dressing. With a little derring-do and imagination …I can regain the zest that once flavored my days.”

I hope you and your association embrace the flavor and excitement of exploring new ways to do things this spring. If needed, I can send Sully over to knock a few blocks off the wall ….

Always Moving Forward

 We enjoyed having all the members that attended the Professional Development Conference here in Tulsa last month. It was particularly special this year to have the members visit their new home here at the NALS Resource Center.  We have already scheduled a couple of meetings here at the RC for the months ahead.  NALS of Oklahoma will be holding their annual meeting here at the end of April on the 25th and 26th. Additionally, the NALS Foundation will be conducting a strategic planning session here August 7th - 10th. 

Staff is already hard at work to make the Norfolk meeting a special experience this coming September. Make your plans now to join President Dee for "Shore Leave" in Norfolk. The hotel room block is filling fast and there is a discounted dinner cruise that is available but to receive the special rate you must register with the cruise company by the end of April. Be sure to check out the Norfolk blog for all the latest details. 

Julie Abernathy, PP, PLS your President-Elect will be coming into the RC this weekend to begin the planning process for the 2009 Professional Development Conference. We are always looking at ways to improve the conferences and welcome your input. The PD conference will be March 12-14th, 2009 at the Doubletree Warren Place hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. That means that Julie will be installed as president on Friday the 13th of next year! Spooky? :)  

I will be traveling to Tucson, Arizona June 26th for the NALS Region 8 conference. I always enjoy attending the regional conferences because I get the opportunity to meet with more members one-on-one.  I want to thank Region 8 for inviting me to this event and I look forward to meeting those in attendance.

Your NALS staff is here for you should you have any questions or need our assistance. Please feel free to contact any of us at any time. Have a blessed week!

Julie Abernathy, NALS President-Elect

Hello everyone! I would like to introduce myself to you. I have been a member of NALS since 1975 (yikes) when I joined the Waco chapter (TX). In 1977, my husband’s job transferred us to Austin, and I have been a member of Austin LSA, Inc. for over 30 years. I have two grown children who have given me three beautiful granddaughters. I am single. Some of the fun things I love to do are traveling, spending time with my friends, reading murder mysteries and romance novels, hiking in Big Bend National Park, riding my mountain bike with my oldest granddaughter, and sitting on my back patio on a beautiful Spring morning sipping coffee and reading the Sunday newspaper.

I am truly looking forward to an exciting year of planning this year as NALS’ president-elect. I will begin my quest to fill all the positions for chairmen and committee members for the 2009-2010 leadership team this summer. I have been invited to attend several regional conferences, and I am looking forward to meeting many more members this summer during my travels.

insideNALS Now Online!

This is the kick off of a new NALS blog keeping you all up to date as to what is going on around NALS and the NALS Resource Center! Posts will be made by all staff members as well as some board members to keep you in the loop as to what is going on at NALS.

More Later...keep your eyes open!

Jay
NALS Communications Manager