NATIONAL FEDERATION OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS, INC. Thursday, October 3, 2013 Hartford, Connecticut BOARD MEETING Board Members in Attendance: President, Robert S. Hrouda, RP VP/Director of Profession Development, Theresa A. Prater, RP VP/Director of Position and Issues, Lisa Vessels, RP, CP, FRP VP/Director of Membership, Cindy Welch, RP VP/Director of Paralegal Certification, Suellen K. Honeychuck, RP VP/Director of Marketing, Melissa Marquez Leslie Treasurer/Director of Finance, Georgette M. Pecoraro, RP Secretary/Director of Operations, Valerie A. Wilus, RP, PaCP Region I Director, Theda M. Yandell, RP Region II Director, Allen Mihecoby, CLAS, RP Region III Director, LaShonda Dillard Region IV Director, Donna M. Huntermark, RP, PaCP Region V Director, Beth Bialis, RP Board Advisor, Tracey L. Young, RP Managing Director, Dana Murphy-Love, CAE Members in Attendance: Cathleen A. Kohr, Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association Gaile R. Colaresi, New Haven County Association of Paralegals Cherylan Shearer, Michiana Paralegal Association Karen Mason, Hawaii Paralegal Association Rebecca Reedy, South Jersey Paralegal Association Angela R. Hopson, Indiana Paralegal Association Edna Wallace, RP, Indiana Paralegal Association Andrea Duncan, Kansas Paralegal Association Kathi Ingram, RP, Paralegal Association of Northern Virginia Ann Price Hodges, RP, Paralegal Association of Northern Virginia Karen Axell, RP, Paralegal Association of Northern Virginia Mianne Besser, Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association Dianne Carnes, Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association Heidi Rasciner, RP, National Capital Area Paralegal Association Anne Newcomer, RP, Pittsburgh Paralegal Association Monique Luck, Pittsburgh Paralegal Association Corinne Deering, Vermont Paralegal Organization Carie Tarte, Vermont Paralegal Organization
Diane Brown, Vermont Paralegal Organization Sue Beichley-Lewis, Washington State Paralegal Association Tamara McLendon-Coleman, South Florida Paralegal Association Mary Ann Myskiw-Jones, CP, South Florida Paralegal Association Becky Rolland, New Orleans Paralegal Association Lori Boris, RP, Minnesota Paralegal Association Eric Baker, Illinois Paralegal Association Kathryn V. Heller, Illinois Paralegal Association Christine Hansen, Illinois Paralegal Association Maggie Haase, RP, Arkansas Paralegal Association Mary McLaughlin, RP, Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association Christine Flynn, Philadelphia Association of Paralegals Babette Pace, Philadelphia Association of Paralegals Vivian Luckiewicz, RP, Philadelphia Association of Paralegals Judy Stouffer, RP, Philadelphia Association of Paralegals Kathleen Miller, RP, Oregon Paralegal Association Joyce Kent, RP, Oregon Paralegal Association Mary Ann Dvy, RP, Oregon Paralegal Association Maureen Provost, Capital District Paralegal Association Tracey I. Chandler, Capital District Paralegal Association Melanie Catineault, Rhode Island Paralegal Association Pat Lyons, Rhode Island Paralegal Association Josie Estes, Paralegal Association of New Hampshire Catherine Allard, Paralegal Association of New Hampshire Lori Wagner, RP, Northeast Indiana Paralegal Association Karen Cole Smith, Dallas Area Paralegal Association Carrie Thompson, Dallas Area Paralegal Association Lisa Lynch, Dallas Area Paralegal Association Sherry Barag, Montgomery County Paralegal Association Deb Arbuckle, Montgomery County Paralegal Association Lois Shaw, RP, Maryland Association of Paralegals Katherine Friedeman, Maryland Association of Paralegals Lynne-Marie Reveliotis, Massachusetts Paralegal Association Nancy Cominoli, RP, Western Massachusetts Paralegal Association Susan Dussault, Central Massachusetts Paralegal Association Nita Serrano, Tampa Bay Paralegal Association Yvonne DeAntoneo, Tampa Bay Paralegal Association Rachel Kittl Guests in Attendance: Dan O Leary, National Paralegal Reporter, ROI The Meeting was called to Order at 7:10 p.m. A motion was made to amend the Agenda to include a discussion regarding the nominations. The Board unanimously approved to amend the Agenda. The Board unanimously approved the Amended Agenda.
The following Consents, Minutes and Procedures that were approved as of this date in 2013 were read into the record: The following Minutes were approved: January 3, 2013 Telephonic Board Meeting January 22, 2013 Telephonic Board Meeting (Appoint Treasurer) February 2, 2013 Telephonic Winter Board Meeting April 23, 2013 Telephonic Board Meeting July 13, 2013 Telephonic Summer Board Meeting The following Consents were approved: Removing Tracey L. Young RP and Karen A. Santagata, RP as signatories and adding Robert S. Hrouda, RP and Georgette M. Pecoraro, RP as signatories to the bank and credit card accounts Charging $15 to NFPA members and $35 to non-nfpa members for Continuing Legal Education approval fees for state specific Certified Paralegal applicants Charging $25 fee to local students that are non-nfpa members for the 2013 Pro Bono Conference Approving Chester County Paralegal Association as a voting association of NFPA Approving Stephen Imondi, RP and Michelle Regnier-Birr as Governing Documents Co- Coordinators Approving Darol Ware as Technology Coordinator Approving Tammy Penn, CKP as Regulation Review Coordinator Mary McLaughlin, RP as Member Benefits Coordinator The following Procedures were approved: Secretary and Director of Operations Coordinators (Section 12) Special Elections for Board of Directors (Sections 5.2, 5.9 and 5.12) Board Advisor, Tracey L. Young, RP reminded everyone regarding nominating individuals from the floor and that she should be notified so that the individual(s) can participate in the Meet the Candidates forum.
President, Robert S. Hrouda, RP reported that the following individuals are guests of NFPA for the 2013 Convention: Michelle Pfeiffer, President of CAPA and Steven Dayton, President Elect of AAfPE Secretary and Director of Operations Valerie A. Wilus, RP, PaCP reported that there are 51 NFPA Associations - 49 were used to calculate Quorum (2 are on provisional status) - quorum is ¾ of 49, which equals 37-41 Associations Credentialed - we have Quorum to hold the 2013 Annual Convention. Vice President and Director of Membership Cindy Welch, RP reported that 35 individuals registered for the First Timer s Meeting. Secretary and Director of Operations Valerie A. Wilus, RP, PaCP reported that the 2014 Convention will take place in Dallas, TX and will be held at The Fairmont Dallas on October 9-12, 2014. The slogan is Live Large - Think Big in Texas. The charity is: North Texas Food Bank. NFPA will also be celebrating its 40 th Anniversary. Secretary and Director of Operations Valerie A. Wilus, RP, PaCP reported that the 2015 Convention will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii and will be held at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on October 8-11, 2015. The slogan is Paralegals in Paradise. Secretary and Director of Operations Valerie A. Wilus, RP, PaCP reported that the 2016 Convention will be held in Burlington, Vermont and will be held at the Hilton Burlington on October 20-23, 2016. Secretary and Director of Operations Valerie A. Wilus, RP, PaCP introduced Becky Rolland from the New Orleans Paralegal Association who gave a presentation on the proposal for the 2017 Annual Convention. Region IV Director, Donna M. Huntermark, RP, PaCP moved to approve New Orleans Paralegal Association as the host association of the 2017 Annual Convention. The Board unanimously approved New Orleans Paralegal Association as the host association of the 2017 Annual Convention. RESOLVED, that the 2017 Annual Convention will be held by the New Orleans Paralegal Association. Vice President and Director of Membership Cindy Welch, RP reported that there are no new member benefits to discuss at this time. The current membership numbers equal 8347 members of association members, 164 individual members, 93 student members, 7 military members, 107 association members, 8 organization members - 8726 members total. There was discussion regarding online membership applications and how individuals will be directed to a local member association. Vice President and Director of Marketing Melissa Marquez Leslie reported that we have a new Corporate Partner Program brochure. That there is a new level entitled Friend for a $1,000 investment, which will be posted on the website. The enewsletter, which is
a bi-monthly newsletter, increased its subscribers by 980. There are 3 banner ads available. The Paralegal Reporter now has a directory listing page, which is also listed on the website. Cathleen A. Kohr, Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association, discussed the pro bono procedures and responses from NFPA. Cherylan Shearer, Michiana Paralegal Association, discussed membership dues if the agenda topic is not passed. Ann Price Hodges, RP, Paralegal Association of Northern Virginia, discussed whether or not the CRPs and RPs renewal cards are being issued to recipients. Kathleen Miller, RP, Oregon Paralegal Association and FAPP Coordinator, discussed the Washington Limited Licensing Technician issues that will affect RPs which will require original documents and letters proving status. Eric Baker, Illinois Paralegal Association, discussed dues increase and how the increased funds be used. Maggie Haase, Arkansas Paralegal Association, discussed and requested an explanation regarding the Institution of Credentialing Excellence (ICE) program with regard to the PCCExam and the benefits of the certification process. Yvonne DeAntoneo, Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, also commented on the budget and the credentialing program. Mianne Besser, Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association, discussed advertising the Washington Limited Licensing Technician (LLLT) program and NFPA s position regarding the program. Mary McLaughlin, RP, Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association, commented that the 2005 Non-Lawyer Position Statement was well received in California. Kathleen Miller, RP, Oregon Paralegal Association and FAPP Coordinator, commented on the Non-Lawyer Position Statement, the outreach of the delegates/associations to update their members regarding NFPA membership/benefits and discussed the PACE/PCCE credentialing. Treasurer/Director of Finance, Georgette M. Pecoraro, RP reported that there are 4 associations who are delinquent in their dues, but we have 2 new member associations. Non-dues income has increased due to webinars and banner advertising on the News You Can Use. Discussion also took place regarding the highlights and lowlights from 2013 budget, such as no in person board member meetings, worked hard with little money, there was little travel and it has affected coordinators and member associations. Our Management Company and ROI have been great partners with us during this year. Education income and PACE/PCCE income, including review courses, has been positive.
Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification, Suellen K. Honeychuck, RP reported on the PACE exam scoring runs done twice a year August/February 15 65 candidates recently took the PACE exam 48 passed (1 st run pass rate was 85% and the 2 nd run pass rate was 66%). Discussion also took place regarding contact with Washington State regarding the LLLT program and certification exams. Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification, Suellen K. Honeychuck, RP reported on the PCC exam a total of 282 candidates took the PCC exam 220 passed since the pilot exam - there is a 78% overall pass rate. Discussion also took place regarding the Assurance of Learning Program that is being developed with PES 2 schools (West Virginia and Boston) are looking to use PCC exam as an exit exam. Vice President and Director of Position and Issues, Lisa Vessels, RP, CP, FRP reported that NFPA will hold a 2014 Joint Conference, which will include a conference fee. Four associations have expressed an interest in hosting the 2014 Joint Conference, and 3 returned the Interest Form - Oregon Paralegal Association, Tampa Bay Paralegal Association and the Massachusetts Paralegal Association. Discussion also took place regarding holding the Board Meeting in conjunction with the 2014 Joint Conference. Vice President and Director of Position and Issues, Lisa Vessels, RP, CP, FRP moved to hold the Joint Conference for 2014 in Boston, MA at a local venue in the Spring - exact date to be determined, venue - to be determined, at a non-hotel facility which allows outside catering, provided that a reasonably priced hotel can be determined. The Board, by majority vote, approved to hold the Joint Conference in the Spring of 2014 in Boston, MA to be hosted by the Massachusetts Paralegal Association contingent upon that a non-hotel facility that allows outside catering can be located and a reasonably priced hotel can be determined. RESOLVED, that the 2014 Joint Conference will be held in Boston, MA and be hosted by the Massachusetts Paralegal Association contingent upon that a non-hotel facility that allows outside catering can be located and a reasonably priced hotel can be determined. Vice President and Director of Profession Development, Theresa A. Prater, RP reported that the 2014 Pro Bono Conference has been budgeted to be held via webinar and a small fee may be assessed. Lori Wagner, RP, Strategic Plan Coordinator, discussed the Strategic Plan with the Board and member attendees. The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 p.m.