And The 2010-11 Fiscal Year is Off and Running

Wow! It's hard to believe that I was in Tulsa this time last week. How quickly everything went by. And, of course, there was no time to quietly reflect before I had to jump right back into work. I'm sure many of the other attendees feel the same.

We made some important announcements in Tulsa. First of all, the Online Learning Center will now be available to members only. Members will need to log in to get into the OLC for education/professional development sessions, for the Online Study Group, and for national committee meetings. Follow the instructions on the Member Log in page.

Lots of terrific stuff is planned for NALS trip to Branson. Conference information is being posted to the web site and registration forms will be there soon. Don't miss out and don't wait to book your room. The room block is filling up fast.

[Drum roll, please] The 2011 Annual Educational Conference and National Forum will be held in [sound of cymbals crashing] Cincinnati, Ohio. Keep watching for more information.

The Life Membership option for national dues has been reopened at the bargain price of $1,500.

Don't forget to recruit five (5) new members in your membership category and NALS will waive your national dues. And be sure to Pay It Forward and give each of those five new members membership applications for them to recruit and get their dues waived too.

Send your suggestions and comments to thinktank@NALS.org. Be proactive and help steer the future of NALS.

Yes, it is thrilling being NALS President,but it's also a little scary and overwhelming too. I am proud and honored to serve you as your President. I am always available to members and I'm happy to answer nonmembers' questions. Email me any time at President@NALS.org.

Remember to Keep It Simple, Sweeties and THINK BIG!

PattiPP
Patricia E. Infanti, PP, PLS
NALS President

IS IT TRULY OVER?

One year ago, I was frantically finalizing everything to travel to Tulsa, OK to begin my term as NALS president. The 39th president at that. Jack Benny and I have a lot in common! (Ok, some of you younger members have no idea what that means, but that's okay.) Many of the past presidents before me said how fast the time will go, and as I was traveling throughout the United States during the months of April, May, June, July, August, October, and even November, I kept thinking it was going just fine -- until about a month ago when I realized everything I was doing in preparation for the Tulsa conference next week was all as "past president" and not as president.

During my installation speech, I spoke on change and how change needs to happen to us personally, professionally, and in our careers. I have seen a lot of change this past year. Many changes to how local and state chapters are now spending their energies and resources to suit the needs of their members (and future members). I encourage you to continue to seek ways to improve your services and opportunities to your members.

It has been a tough economic year, and NALS too has felt the repercussions. Many members lost their jobs or left the legal field to pursue employment in another field. NALS jumped in and offered waivers for dues for unemployed members, and many members took advantage of that waiver. NALS wants to continue to give its members "value" for your membership.

Now that the economy is bouncing back (and NALS membership numbers have been in a steady rise these past 3 months), NALS will continue to focus on value for its members. Obviously, value does not always mean monetary value, but many other ways to give you value as members of NALS.

I am composing this blog message exactly one week prior to the new installation of the 2010-11 Board of Directors of NALS. The incoming board is going to continue to think strategically and THINK BIG this coming year. I am sure more exciting announcements will be forthcoming. Watch the E-News and the e-zine "NALS docket" for details.

I want to thank each and every member of NALS for allowing me to serve as your President. I also want to express a warm heartfelt thank you to Tammy, Jay, Saundra, Diana, Jenni, and Shirley -- NALS staff. Without the staff members working hard and diligently, NALS would NOT be what it is today.

What an awesome association we all have in common. I have thoroughly enjoyed my term as your NALS president and look forward to many, many years of continued service to NALS as your past president.

Julie Abernathy, PP, PLS
NALS President 2009-10