Working Hard For Our Members: Recapping the August Strategic Planning and Paralegal Division Council Meeting

Ever wonder what the Paralegal Division Council does? Do you want to be more involved? Are you interested in leadership opportunities within the division?

We hope so. The council wants to provide members a better understanding of the workings of the Paralegal Division.  For starters, the council is composed of a chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, council members (12 total in groups of 4, each serving a 3-year term), and committee chairs. The council meets approximately on a quarterly basis to discuss and vote on business matters of the division.  At the beginning of each bar year, council members gather for a Strategic Planning Meeting to discuss goals for the upcoming year.  We’d like to kick off the year by sharing some of our plans and goals for the year.  Below are the highlights:

  • Collect short bios/headshots of council members to introduce the council to our members.
  • Create a division-focused “e-Bar” type of update with committee updates, upcoming division events, volunteer opportunities, etc.
  • Make the division’s Orientation Manual available on the website so those who are interested in leadership opportunities can find out more about council duties and obligations.
  • Promote our committees with a solicitation to get involved, along with a link to the Committee Sign-Up Form.
  • Move the scholarship application period to January through March of each year in an effort to increase application submissions.
  • Reach out to the Law Practice Management Section to offer to be “boots on the ground” for new technology.
  • Promote the new NCBA Member App (iPhones and Androids). There are many valuable discounts available on the app (and not just things for work). There is more information about this on the NCBA website and ncbarblog.com.  The Member App Code is memapp.
  • Increase networking opportunities to enhance the membership experience.
  • Change the Distinguished Paralegal nomination period to October through January.
  • Revive the Pro Bono Award with the winner(s) will be announced at our May CPE. The application will be revamped to allow for a group winner, instead of being limited to an individual winner.
  • Announce and recognize all of our award winners (Distinguished Paralegal, Student Scholarship Application, Member Scholarship Application and Pro Bono) at the beginning of the General Session at the May CPE. This way lunch can be used for the Annual Meeting and other announcements.
  • Create new essay topics for each of the Student and Member Scholarships.
  • Develop new topics for Webinars/Webcasts.
  • Research pro bono project opportunities.
  • Determine the location and date for the 2019 Annual Meeting (we are still under contract with Pinehurst for 2018).

Wow!  It is a lot of items, and you may ask how it all gets done. All of the above is accomplished by a dedicated group of paralegal volunteers and we would love for more members to come aboard and make this another great year!  Please contact Debbie Harris with any questions.

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