Affiliates Meeting &
Affiliates Exchange

Affiliated Associations Annual Meeting
 
Sharon G. Robertson, ACP, Affiliated Associations Director
Debbie J. Sawyer, CP, Affiliated Associations Secretary

1:30–5:30 p.m.

2008 Affiliates Exchange

The Power of the Web:
How Your Association Can Benefit From Today's Technology

Los Angeles Paralegal Association
      Bobby T. Rimas, Paralegal
Cheryl Winston, Paralegal

North Carolina Paralegal Association
Erin B. Galloway, CP
Brenda Mareski, CP

This presentation will explain how start-up, low-tech, or small paralegal associations can move from paper-based operations to automated solutions to benefit members through efficiency and technology. The speakers will explain how a website can help develop, strengthen, and advance the paralegal profession by increasing membership and attendance at events. The website as an aid to developing revenues, networking opportunities and exposure within the legal community will also be covered. Attendees will learn how a website can be an effective marketing tool to disseminate information and advocate the benefits of a local paralegal association to members and the community at large.

	Mr. Rimas specializes in immigration and employment, and has been a member of LAPA since 1996. He serves on the LAPA Board of Directors which has been cited by the Los Angeles Mayor for exemplary leadership and service to the local paralegal profession. Mr. Rimas serves in the capacities of LAPA Vice President of Marketing & Planning, NALA Liaison, Website Committee Chair, and sits on the Advisory Board of the University of La Verne's Legal Studies Department.  He also is an Adjunct Faculty Member of West Los Angeles College.  Bobby earned his Bachelor's Degree in History from UCLA and his Paralegal Certificate in Litigation/Corporations from the UCLA Extension Attorney Assistant Training Program.
Ms. Winston is a litigation paralegal in the Business Trial Practice Group of the Los Angeles firm of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, LLP. She began her career as a legal clerk in the US Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Illinois and has since had extensive experience in technology support and training in a number of law firms. She is on the LAPA Board of Directors, co-chairs the Litigation Section, and is Board Advisor to the Student Advisory Committee. She has a BS in business and a paralegal certificate in litigation.
	Ms. Galloway is the Trademark Administrator for worldwide operations of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. She is At-large Director of NCPA and has also served as President, District Director, and Student/School Relations Chair. She is Vice President of the Research Triangle Paralegal Association and is a member of the Legal Assistant Division of the North Carolina State Bar. Her BA in Communications is from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her paralegal certificate is from Meredith College, Raleigh, NC.
Ms. Mareski is a senior paralegal at Bank of America where she works in corporate investigations, check fraud, and electronic payments. She has served in leadership roles for NCPA since 2000 and published an article in the May 2005 issue of Facts & Findings on the Check 21 Act promoting electronic processing of checks. She attended Central Michigan University, earned her paralegal Diploma from Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC, and received her CP credential from NALA in 2000.

Honoring Affiliate Award Recipients

The NALA Affiliate Awards are presented each year to NALA members or committees of affiliated associations, where a majority of the committee members are NALA members, in
recognition of their contribution to the goals and programs of an affiliated association.

Designees are nominated by their affiliated association for such contributions as assisting with and organizing CLA study groups, working with bar associations on behalf of the paralegals in the area, planning educational programs, and developing a pro bono or other community involvement program for the association. These examples serve only as guidance for the affiliated association - the association may set its own standards for recognition.

The affiliated association may designate one recipient for an affiliate award each year. There is no selection process on the part of NALA for the affiliate award. NALA will recognize these
recipients by presenting a framed award to each recipient during the affiliated associations meeting.

By virtue of the award, each recipient is nominated for the Outstanding Achievement Award conferred by NALA.  The recipient of this national award will be announced during the NALA Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, August 1.

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