Volunteering – Make Your Mark

As a NALA member, you have the exclusive opportunity to get involved in NALA leadership and make your mark not only on the association but also on the paralegal profession. Active type members can volunteer on NALA’s committees and Board of Directors.

If you are a student or associate/sustaining member of NALA, you can still get involved. A great way to share your insights with a large legal audience is by writing an article for Facts & Findings. You can enhance your portfolio and expand your professional network. To learn more about submitting an article, click here.

Active type members, we encourage you to keep reading to discover how you can make your mark by volunteering for NALA leadership. Here is an overview of each of NALA’s committees, along with the Certifying Board and Board of Directors.

Continuing Education Council:

– Plans conference education sessions
– Develops, coordinates, and facilitates continuing education programs and certification review courses
– Produces Facts & Findings (The CEC Chair serves as editor of Facts & Findings)

Professional Development Committee:

– Maintains the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
– Maintains the Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Paralegals
– Provides articles for Facts & Findings (particularly the Q4 Professional Development edition)
– Oversees the research and publication of the National Utilization and Compensation Survey
– Keeps up to date on activities affecting the paralegal profession
– Oversees the development of professional development courses

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee:

– Furthers NALA’s goals to encourage, support, and maintain high standards in diversity, equity, and inclusion
– Monitors diversity, equity, and inclusion trends and issues
– Works to address diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster meaningful, open, and constructive dialog
– Works within NALA to celebrate the diversity of its members and leaders
– Strengthens diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives throughout NALA

Certifying Board:

– Committed to setting, improving, and evolving the professional certification standards by which paralegals demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skills, and integrity
– Responsible for the content, standards, and administration of the Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Program
– Composed of Advanced Certified Paralegals (ACPs), attorneys, and paralegal educators

Board of Directors:

– Active advocates and ambassadors for NALA and the paralegal profession
– Make policy, set direction, make decisions, hire and fire the CEO, and commit to NALA financially and programmatically
– Board members must be legally competent to enter into contracts, citizens of the United States, Active type members of NALA, and current CPs

If you are interested in volunteering for a NALA leadership position, you can fill out the volunteer interest form here. There is a place for everyone at NALA, and we rely on our members to get involved to help us fulfill our mission of equipping paralegals for the challenges of the future through certification, professional development, and advocacy. Together, we can ensure paralegals are known and valued as an integral part of the legal ecosystem.