2023 NALA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION
YOUR VOICE MATTERS 

NALA has continued to grow and prosper because our members are involved and invested in the growth of the paralegal profession. NALA is a membership organization. The individual voices of our members are incredibly important. Active type NALA members have the privilege of voting on important issues within NALA. They can vote for who they think is the best candidate to represent their interests on the NALA Board of Directors, and they can vote on proposed bylaw amendments. This voting guide will provide you with the necessary information about each candidate and any proposed bylaw changes, so you can make an informed decision when you cast your vote. 

ABOUT THE VOTING PROCESS 

All votes for Board of Director candidates and proposed bylaw changes must be cast BEFORE the Annual Membership Meeting at the NALA Conference & Expo in Boston, MA, on July 12th. We will be using a process where you submit your vote and then confirm it. Your vote will not officially count until you have confirmed it. Only Active type members who are in good standing 45 days prior to the Annual Membership Meeting will be qualified to vote. Voting will open on June 13th after the Virtual Candidate Forum and will close on July 7th at 9:00 AM CT. Election results will be announced during the Annual Membership Meeting on July 12th. 

MEMBER VOTING
HOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE ONLINE 
  1. On June 13th, you will receive an invitation email with a link to the ballot. 
  2. Click the link and make your selections. 
  3. Submit your vote. 
  4. You will receive a confirmation email to confirm your vote. 
  5. Review and confirm your vote by clicking the submit button. Your vote will then be officially counted. 
VOTE BY PROXY 

If you cannot vote online, you may designate NALA staff to cast your proxy vote. We must receive your Designation of Proxy form by July 7, 2023, at 9 AM CT. You can learn more and fill out the form here. 

ABOUT THE ELECTION

The following positions are elected by all NALA voting members: vice president, secretary, treasurer, and at large directors. All positions except for the at large director positions are elected for a one-year term and may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms. At large directors are elected for a two-year term and can serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms. There are two seats open for At Large Director positions.

On June 13, 2023, at 2:00 PM CT, NALA will be hosting a Virtual Candidate Forum. This will be the perfect opportunity to get to know the candidates and ask them questions.  

HOW TO ATTEND: Sign up here. The forum is free to attend, but space is limited, and attendees must register in advance. If you cannot attend this event, do not worry! The forum will be recorded.

2023-2024 BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES
CHERYL J. NODARSE, ACP
CHERYL J. NODARSE, ACP

CANDIDATE FOR
VICE PRESIDENT

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PEONCA S. GRIER, CP
PEONCA S. GRIER, CP

CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY

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DEBBY J. SAWYER, ACP
DEBBY J. SAWYER, ACP

CANDIDATE FOR TREASURER

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SARAH DUGGAN, CP
SARAH DUGGAN, CP

CANDIDATE FOR
AT LARGE DIRECTOR

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JEANNE MARIE ELLIOTT, ACP
JEANNE MARIE ELLIOTT, ACP

CANDIDATE FOR
AT LARGE DIRECTOR

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AIROLYN LOGGINS, ACP
AIROLYN LOGGINS, ACP

CANDIDATE FOR
AT LARGE DIRECTOR

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BRIDGET M. STUHR, ACP
BRIDGET M. STUHR, ACP

CANDIDATE FOR
AT LARGE DIRECTOR

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Each candidate for the NALA Board of Directors recorded a video so you could get to know them better. You can watch all seven videos on NALA’s YouTube page.  

PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENTS

The NALA Board of Directors is recommending, for adoption by the members, various amendments to the NALA Bylaws. 

  1. 3.21 (to delete the refund section) 
  2. 4.3(A) (to delete the requirement that directors be actively employed) 
  3. 4.4 (to add the DE&I Chair as a voting member of the Board of Directors) 
  4. 6.2(A) (to delete the requirement that officers be actively employed) 
  5. 12.1(C) and (D) (to change the ability to pass amendments to the Board of Directors) 
  6. Throughout the bylaws, to change the term from “legal assistant” to “paralegal/legal assistant” 

To read the current and proposed language for the bylaws listed above, click here. 

If you need further information, this video goes into detail about each proposed amendment, including why it is being proposed and what its impact is expected to be. NALA’s President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer come together to discuss the proposed amendments and give clarification to help Active type NALA members make an informed decision when voting opens on June 13th.

2023 NALA ANNUAL MEETING

The 2023 NALA Annual Meeting will be held on July 12th at the NALA Conference & Expo in Boston, MA. Election results will be announced during this meeting. For more information, visit the 2023 Annual Meeting News page. 

COMMITTEES

Certifying Board 

The NALA Certifying Board is committed to setting, improving, and evolving the professional certification standards by which paralegals demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skills, and integrity.

Continuing Education Council (CEC)

  • Plan conference education sessions
  • Develop, coordinate, and facilitate continuing education programs and certification review courses
  • Produce Facts & Findings

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

  • Further the goals of the Corporation to encourage, support, and maintain high standards in diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Monitor diversity, equity, and inclusion trends and issues
  • Work to address diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster meaningful, open, and constructive dialog throughout the Corporation to celebrate diversity of its members and leaders
  • Work within the Corporation to celebrate the diversity of its members and leaders
  • Strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives throughout the Corporation

Ethics Committee

This committee shall report any violations of the Code of Ethics adopted by the Corporation to the directors for appropriate action.

Professional Development Committee (PDC)

  • Maintain Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  • Maintain Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Paralegals
  • Provide articles for Facts & Findings
  • Oversee the research and publishing of the National Utilization and Compensation Survey
  • Keep up to date on activities affecting the paralegal profession
  • Oversee the development of professional development courses

Want to become more involved? We have committee volunteer opportunities that contribute to the overall success of NALA.

Volunteer Form