diamsdiams diamsdiams

diams Presidentrsquos Message

diams Important Announcement amp Reminders

diams Fall Seminar November 4 amp 5

diams Our Association amp Chapters

on Facebook

diams Deadline Membership Renewals HAVE

EXPIRED without reinstatement feemdash

Online Membership Access to be

deactivated

diams Spring Seminar Rotation

diams Request for Volunteers from Your

Paralegal Advocate Team

diams NOTICE STUDENTS

Publishing Opportunity

diams Scholarship for Students

diams Award Scholarship for Members

diams NALA Campus

diams Get the Most from Your Paralegal

EducationmdashBy Lauren Printz

diams How Safe is Your Domain Name

mdashBy Nancy Harrison

diams State amp Chapter News

diams The 1 Myth You Should Never Believe

mdashBy Vicki Voisin ACP

diams Notice of Annual Meeting

diams Proxy for Annual Meeting

diams Election Announcementmdash

Declaration of Candidacy

diams 2011 Board Members amp Directors

diams NALA CPCLA Exam Schedule

diams Sustaining Members

diams Resources

diams The Paralegal Advocate Team

diams Deadlines and Contact Information

Tennessee Paralegal Association

Post Office Box 21723

Chattanooga TN 37424

diamsdiams E-Mail infotnparalegalorg diamsdiams Web Site httpwwwtnparalegalorg diamsdiams

Greetings TPA Members

Hope everyone is staying cool in this hot ldquoearlyrdquo summer

weather

We recently had our Spring Seminar hosted by our South-

east Chapter The topics were very informative and we had

a good turnout I want to thank the Southeast Chapter for

hosting a great seminar

The NALA Convention will be coming up on July 27-29

2011 Tammie Murphy CLA and I will be attending for

TPA We will be attending meetings and exhibits and will

be obtaining ideas from other Paralegal organizations to help

our association grow

At our recent board meeting at the request of the West TN

Chapter Chairperson and its members the board voted to

hold the West TN Chapter of TPA dormant for one year in

hopes that they could grow their membership and participa-

tion

Our Fall Seminar will be held November 4-5 2011 in Leba-

non Tennessee Our First Vice President LaFran Plunk is

working extremely hard on the seminar If you have any ide-

as for topics please contact LaFran Please check the web-

site for more details in the coming months

Hope you all have a safe summer and looking forward to

seeing each of you soon

Yours very truly

Sherri L Satterfield CP

TPA President

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spring Seminar Rotation Southeast 2011 Central 2012 West 2013 East 2014

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Request for Volunteers to join the Paralegal Advocate Team We want to put your skills

to work at what you do best You determine the time commitment We tell you what we need

and you tell us what you are able to contribute This is a great for adding to your resume and

opportunity to be more active in your Association while doing what you enjoy

diams Authoring articles on legal topics or additional information of interest for our Membership

diams Selection of relevant legal articles from various sources amp obtaining permission from author

for publication in The Paralegal Advocate

diams Requesting individuals in the legal field to write an article for The Paralegal Advocate

diamsProofreading submitted articles ampor final draft of The Paralegal Advocate for publication

diamsMarketing liaison ndash reach out to vendors in the legal field to see if they want to advertise in

our newsletter

diamsCreative submissions or standing column is another considerationopportunity

If you are interested in volunteering to join our Team please e-mail us at in-

fotnparalegalorg Thank you very much Your Paralegal Advocate Team

FALL SEMINAR

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 4-5 2011 WATCH OUR WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS TO BE POSTED

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Keep track of our Association amp Chapters on Face Book

Tennessee Paralegal Association

East Tennessee Chapter of the Tennessee Paralegal Association

Southeast Chapter Tennessee Paralegal Association

Central Tennessee Chapter of the Tennessee Paralegal Association

West TN Chapter of the Tennessee Paralegal Association

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spring Seminar Rotation Southeast 2011 Central 2012 West 2013 East 2014

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Request for Volunteers to join the Paralegal Advocate Team We want to put your skills

to work at what you do best You determine the time commitment We tell you what we need

and you tell us what you are able to contribute This is a great for adding to your resume and

opportunity to be more active in your Association while doing what you enjoy

diams Authoring articles on legal topics or additional information of interest for our Membership

diams Selection of relevant legal articles from various sources amp obtaining permission from author

for publication in The Paralegal Advocate

diams Requesting individuals in the legal field to write an article for The Paralegal Advocate

diamsProofreading submitted articles ampor final draft of The Paralegal Advocate for publication

diamsMarketing liaison ndash reach out to vendors in the legal field to see if they want to advertise in

our newsletter

diamsCreative submissions or standing column is another considerationopportunity

If you are interested in volunteering to join our Team please e-mail us at in-

fotnparalegalorg Thank you very much Your Paralegal Advocate Team

FALL SEMINAR

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 4-5 2011 WATCH OUR WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS TO BE POSTED

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Keep track of our Association amp Chapters on Face Book

Tennessee Paralegal Association

East Tennessee Chapter of the Tennessee Paralegal Association

Southeast Chapter Tennessee Paralegal Association

Central Tennessee Chapter of the Tennessee Paralegal Association

West TN Chapter of the Tennessee Paralegal Association

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTICE PARALEGALLEGAL ASSISTANT STUDIES STUDENTS

Looking for written articles from paralegallegal assistant studies students to publish in

our quarterly newsletters

Basic guidelines Articleessay can be up to 1 or 2 pages Topic should be on a current

legal issue topic or subject It can be an essay or informational piece on the chosen top-

ic Article can be sent by e-mail to infotnparalegalorg with subject heading ldquoStudent

article submission for review to the Paralegal Advocaterdquo ndash student will need to include

full name e-mail contact and school attending

The student if article is selected can add to their resume as being selected for publica-

tion in our newsletter amp will need to submit final in Word document for publishing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SCHOLARSHIPS

SPONSORED BY TPA

The Lawassa B Jones Scholarship (For ParalegalLegal Assistant Studies Major Students)

amp

A CPCLA Exam Scholarship (For Tennessee Paralegal Association Members)

For more information

GO TO OUR WEBSITE AT

wwwtnparalegalorg

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please forward any announcements for The Paralegal Advocate to in-

fotnparalegalorg Attn Paralegal Advocate Team

NALA CAMPUS LIVE

GO TO httpwwwnalacampuscom

Lauren Printz started her paralegal studies at Chattanooga State in 2009 and graduated Summa cum Laude in May

2011 She is the past Vice-President (2011) and past Secretary (2010) of the Chattanooga State Paralegal Association

and member of the Southeast Tennessee Paralegal Association Lauren also was the Lead Planner and Presenter for

the Chattanooga State Paralegal Internship Workshop (April 2011) The workshop was hosted by the Chattanooga

State Paralegal Association and Chattanooga State

Get the Most from Your Paralegal Education

Deciding to become a paralegal is a big decision Each of us has our own reasons for

wanting to become a paralegal yet we are not alone in our endeavor While the educa-

tional institution we are attending has a curriculum that will provide us with our edu-

cation and training there is much more that we must learn outside of the schoolrsquos cur-

riculum

We must learn that relationships and teamwork is a vital part of becoming a successful

paralegal Without teamwork how will we get help when we come across something we

have not yet experienced Are we going to ask our attorney how to file pleadings with a

court we have not yet worked in Probably not We need to have relationships with oth-

er paralegals that can help us through If you are of the mind that you donrsquot need rela-

tionships with other paralegals either within your firm or outside your firm you will

always be one step behind No one can do it alone

Relationships and teamwork can and should begin with your education Your fellow

students are there for the same reason you are so you already have something in com-

mon to build upon Perhaps you are having trouble in one of your classes but the person

two seats over seems to understand the material If you asked that person would they

help you Or perhaps you understand the material and someone wants your help are

you going to help them or leave them to figure it out on their own No doubt about it

helping each other with course material is a good way to begin a relationship When you

help one another you become a team working toward the same goal you both want to

be a successful student and a successful paralegal

Relationship building and teamwork also comes from participating in industry activities

and joining professional affiliations Your educational institution has several groups

and clubs that you can join that not only help build relationships but also help build

your resume And there are several professional affiliations for paralegals Join as many

as you can You will find great value in these affiliations Just take it from our area at-

torneys Look up an attorneyrsquos bio and see what professional affiliations they list Most

attorneys are able to list several affiliations because they know the importance of rela-

tionship building and teamwork

Donrsquot leave your success as a student and a paralegal to chance Become involved help

your fellow students ask for help Begin building the relationships that you will value

for a lifetime Become an active club member and join a professional affiliation be part

of a team Your educational institution will not do this for you It is up to you to make

your own success

By Lauren Printz

Paralegal

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How Safe is your Domain Name

When you think of business assets physical items probably come to mind first the

building you own or are purchasing your equipment your furniture You insure these

items against loss

What about your intangible assets Your electronic client files are highly valuable and

irreplaceable You perform regular backups And you periodically check your backup to

be certain you can actually reinstall the backed up information You keep the backup

disk or drive off site

Have you considered the safety of your domain name also known as your web address

or URL There are ways to protect this highly valuable and irreplaceable corporate as-

set

1 The user name and password for both your domain and hosting providers should be

in the companys permanent record assessable to two or three trusted individuals

2 The contact information with both providers should be updated as needed

3 The domain name should be owned by your company although your web developer

or hosting provider may be listed as a technical contact

4 Your domain registration renewal date should be noted in the tickler systems of two

or three staff members

If your domain name registration is managed by an outside source ask about their pro-

cess for tracking and secession

Loss of your company website and email can be devastating There are domain name

grabbers watching your domain expiration date waiting to grab it There is typically a

grace period where you can renew without penalty but why take the risk Track your

domain name expirations user names and passwords and protect your company invest-

ment and internet branding

Nancy Harrison

EverythingJustSocom

Web Development and Content Management

You are allowed to reprint articles published by Everything Just So if you credit the author and Every-thingJustSocom Content reproduced from Everything Just So may not be edited but you may use ex-cerpts When reprinting content you must include this reprint permission language at the end of the arti-cle If the content will be reprinted on your Web site or blog you must include a link to

Our Spring Seminar was held in April in Chattanooga hosted by the Southeast Chapter Our

Fall Seminar and Annual Meeting is coming up on November 4th amp 5th Please consider taking

an active role in your Association You can utilize any of the announcements andor forms in

this issue or in the alternative check with any of our Board members to see what assistance you

can provide that matches your preferences

The West TN Chapter of our Association continued their hosting duties at the Annual Law Day

Celebration for the Madison County Bar Association on April 29th in Jackson The Ernie Gray

Paralegal Utilization Award was presented to the attorney who was selected from paralegal

nominations that best utilized his or her paralegal The West Chapter has done this each year

for quite some time Recently the Southeast Chapter adopted this concept award and named the

utilization award after Judge W Neil Thomas III Our Spring Seminar fell on the same day as

Law Day this year and unfortunately many of the West Chapter members were not able to at-

tend

Our West TN Chapter always has devoted members that contribute immensely to our Associa-

tion and its Chapter The geographic location in the West provide many challenges for members

to be active in participation of their Chapter membership meetings and regular scheduled activ-

ities as a Chapter The West Chapter is going dormant for the next year and hopefully by this

time next year a new interest in active involvement for membership will be present The small

number of West Chapter members are electing currently to be members At Large

The Southeast Chapter has continued to have their Lunch lsquoN Learn meetings at the United Way

Building in downtown Chattanooga on the third Tuesday of each month Attendance varies from

14 to 20 + individuals with the exception of the last meeting which was held on an irregular

week the fourth week A alternate location at a different building nearby is being considered

for future use as conference room reservations are now limited preventing the regular scheduled

time for the meetings

Efforts to match twenty-seven Chattanooga State paralegal students to paralegals for shadow-

ing has been underway for the past few weeks Many more paralegal volunteers are still needed

The student observes a paralegal for two hours Also there is a template non-disclosure agree-

ment available if needed to present to the paralegalrsquos employer to obtain their approval Fur-

thermore a list is available of students with their availability to be matched to a paralegal

Please contact Laysha McCullaugh if you are able to have a student shadow you to get the full

details etc Thank you

Our new Central Chapter is meeting the challenge of growing their Chapter Rachael Reach and

Theresa Carrico have been promoting our Association at a number of local paralegal schools

Recently they spoke at two paralegal classes at Volunteer State Community College where

many of the students expressed interest in learning more about membership

Our East Chapter has been working on their book drive for the Knox County Jail Library (a pro-

ject started at the Public Defenderrsquos office) and assisting with Second Harvest Also they have

been working on a membership drive including calling current and recent members to see what

more can be offered to our Membership that is not currently being met

Myth Once you have your paralegal education and your job as a paralegal you dont have to do anything else to have a successful fulfilling paralegal career

Truth Your paralegal job and education are just the foundation for your career That foun-dation simply serves as a facilitator for the rest of your career much the same way a blank can-vas serves as the facilitator for a beautiful portrait

While your job may be interesting time-consuming and challenging it is not the sum total of your career Consider my situation for a moment

My entire working life has been spent in a small law office in a very small town This has been a job Ive enjoyed immensely The attorneys would come and goand name of the firm would changebut I remained like a favorite old shoe reliable durableand also knowledgeable

Had I remained in that comfortable cocoon where would I be today Probably preparing to retire with a cheese and cracker reception attended by people Ive known all my lifewonderful people I might add

Instead of choosing that cocoon I chose to make my world large and if I were to retire today (and Im NOT) I could at least expect good wishes from paralegals from every state in the US

How do you make your world large Here are some tips for you

Never stop learning If you follow the Thirteen Questions column in Paralegal Strategies youll notice that everyone says that to make your career interesting you must never stop learn-ing This includes new technology new systems and new areas of the law

Accept challenges If you think you cant speak before a large group of people or that you could never write an article for a professional journal youre dead wrong But how will you know what you can do if you dont try When youre asked to do this always jump at the chance What if youre not asked Volunteer Youll always be glad you did

Join groups and participate Joining groups (professional associations in particular) is like throwing a pebble into a pool of water and watching the ripples widen You will widen your circle of acquaintances (who will probably become best friends) as well as your professional network

You will be surprised at your capacity for growth The ripples spread even wider when you take an active part run for office serve on a committee and attend annual meetings Wide ripples are good for your career

Write and speak Considering your capacity for growth you will be shocked by the words that will come from your mouth and flow from your pen as you expand your horizons

Get out of your comfort zone When I traveled just from tiny Charlevoix to Detroit to join a professional association I might as well have been traveling to Mars Today I can maneuver most any travel and enjoy it immensely You can do this too but you have to take chances and leave your cocoon

Your career is always a work in process It doesnt happen all at once In fact it takes a lifetime As you take the steps above (and there are many others you will be painting on the can-vas where the brush strokes illustrate the bright colors youve chosen for yourself

Your challenge Consider the steps above and choose at least one challenge This will be your first step in painting the gorgeous picture that will in the end be your outstanding career

===================================================================

copy2011 Vicki Voisin Inc Do you want to use this article in your newsletter ezine or Web site You can so long as you include this entire blurb with it Vicki Voisin The Paralegal Mentor delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by achieving goals and determining the direction they will take their careers Vicki spotlights resources organizational tips ethics issues and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential She publishes a weekly ezine titled Paralegal Strategies and co-hosts The Paralegal Voice a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network More information is available at httpparalegalmentorcom

How Safe is your Domain Name

When you think of business assets physical items probably come to mind first the

building you own or are purchasing your equipment your furniture You insure these

items against loss

What about your intangible assets Your electronic client files are highly valuable and

irreplaceable You perform regular backups And you periodically check your backup to

be certain you can actually reinstall the backed up information You keep the backup

disk or drive off site

Have you considered the safety of your domain name also known as your web address

or URL There are ways to protect this highly valuable and irreplaceable corporate as-

set

1 The user name and password for both your domain and hosting providers should be

in the companys permanent record assessable to two or three trusted individuals

2 The contact information with both providers should be updated as needed

3 The domain name should be owned by your company although your web developer

or hosting provider may be listed as a technical contact

4 Your domain registration renewal date should be noted in the tickler systems of two

or three staff members

If your domain name registration is managed by an outside source ask about their pro-

cess for tracking and secession

Loss of your company website and email can be devastating There are domain name

grabbers watching your domain expiration date waiting to grab it There is typically a

grace period where you can renew without penalty but why take the risk Track your

domain name expirations user names and passwords and protect your company invest-

ment and internet branding

Nancy Harrison

EverythingJustSocom

Web Development and Content Management

You are allowed to reprint articles published by Everything Just So if you credit the author and Every-thingJustSocom Content reproduced from Everything Just So may not be edited but you may use ex-cerpts When reprinting content you must include this reprint permission language at the end of the arti-cle If the content will be reprinted on your Web site or blog you must include a link to

Our Spring Seminar was held in April in Chattanooga hosted by the Southeast Chapter Our

Fall Seminar and Annual Meeting is coming up on November 4th amp 5th Please consider taking

an active role in your Association You can utilize any of the announcements andor forms in

this issue or in the alternative check with any of our Board members to see what assistance you

can provide that matches your preferences

The West TN Chapter of our Association continued their hosting duties at the Annual Law Day

Celebration for the Madison County Bar Association on April 29th in Jackson The Ernie Gray

Paralegal Utilization Award was presented to the attorney who was selected from paralegal

nominations that best utilized his or her paralegal The West Chapter has done this each year

for quite some time Recently the Southeast Chapter adopted this concept award and named the

utilization award after Judge W Neil Thomas III Our Spring Seminar fell on the same day as

Law Day this year and unfortunately many of the West Chapter members were not able to at-

tend

Our West TN Chapter always has devoted members that contribute immensely to our Associa-

tion and its Chapter The geographic location in the West provide many challenges for members

to be active in participation of their Chapter membership meetings and regular scheduled activ-

ities as a Chapter The West Chapter is going dormant for the next year and hopefully by this

time next year a new interest in active involvement for membership will be present The small

number of West Chapter members are electing currently to be members At Large

The Southeast Chapter has continued to have their Lunch lsquoN Learn meetings at the United Way

Building in downtown Chattanooga on the third Tuesday of each month Attendance varies from

14 to 20 + individuals with the exception of the last meeting which was held on an irregular

week the fourth week A alternate location at a different building nearby is being considered

for future use as conference room reservations are now limited preventing the regular scheduled

time for the meetings

Efforts to match twenty-seven Chattanooga State paralegal students to paralegals for shadow-

ing has been underway for the past few weeks Many more paralegal volunteers are still needed

The student observes a paralegal for two hours Also there is a template non-disclosure agree-

ment available if needed to present to the paralegalrsquos employer to obtain their approval Fur-

thermore a list is available of students with their availability to be matched to a paralegal

Please contact Laysha McCullaugh if you are able to have a student shadow you to get the full

details etc Thank you

Our new Central Chapter is meeting the challenge of growing their Chapter Rachael Reach and

Theresa Carrico have been promoting our Association at a number of local paralegal schools

Recently they spoke at two paralegal classes at Volunteer State Community College where

many of the students expressed interest in learning more about membership

Our East Chapter has been working on their book drive for the Knox County Jail Library (a pro-

ject started at the Public Defenderrsquos office) and assisting with Second Harvest Also they have

been working on a membership drive including calling current and recent members to see what

more can be offered to our Membership that is not currently being met

Myth Once you have your paralegal education and your job as a paralegal you dont have to do anything else to have a successful fulfilling paralegal career

Truth Your paralegal job and education are just the foundation for your career That foun-dation simply serves as a facilitator for the rest of your career much the same way a blank can-vas serves as the facilitator for a beautiful portrait

While your job may be interesting time-consuming and challenging it is not the sum total of your career Consider my situation for a moment

My entire working life has been spent in a small law office in a very small town This has been a job Ive enjoyed immensely The attorneys would come and goand name of the firm would changebut I remained like a favorite old shoe reliable durableand also knowledgeable

Had I remained in that comfortable cocoon where would I be today Probably preparing to retire with a cheese and cracker reception attended by people Ive known all my lifewonderful people I might add

Instead of choosing that cocoon I chose to make my world large and if I were to retire today (and Im NOT) I could at least expect good wishes from paralegals from every state in the US

How do you make your world large Here are some tips for you

Never stop learning If you follow the Thirteen Questions column in Paralegal Strategies youll notice that everyone says that to make your career interesting you must never stop learn-ing This includes new technology new systems and new areas of the law

Accept challenges If you think you cant speak before a large group of people or that you could never write an article for a professional journal youre dead wrong But how will you know what you can do if you dont try When youre asked to do this always jump at the chance What if youre not asked Volunteer Youll always be glad you did

Join groups and participate Joining groups (professional associations in particular) is like throwing a pebble into a pool of water and watching the ripples widen You will widen your circle of acquaintances (who will probably become best friends) as well as your professional network

You will be surprised at your capacity for growth The ripples spread even wider when you take an active part run for office serve on a committee and attend annual meetings Wide ripples are good for your career

Write and speak Considering your capacity for growth you will be shocked by the words that will come from your mouth and flow from your pen as you expand your horizons

Get out of your comfort zone When I traveled just from tiny Charlevoix to Detroit to join a professional association I might as well have been traveling to Mars Today I can maneuver most any travel and enjoy it immensely You can do this too but you have to take chances and leave your cocoon

Your career is always a work in process It doesnt happen all at once In fact it takes a lifetime As you take the steps above (and there are many others you will be painting on the can-vas where the brush strokes illustrate the bright colors youve chosen for yourself

Your challenge Consider the steps above and choose at least one challenge This will be your first step in painting the gorgeous picture that will in the end be your outstanding career

===================================================================

copy2011 Vicki Voisin Inc Do you want to use this article in your newsletter ezine or Web site You can so long as you include this entire blurb with it Vicki Voisin The Paralegal Mentor delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by achieving goals and determining the direction they will take their careers Vicki spotlights resources organizational tips ethics issues and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential She publishes a weekly ezine titled Paralegal Strategies and co-hosts The Paralegal Voice a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network More information is available at httpparalegalmentorcom

Our Spring Seminar was held in April in Chattanooga hosted by the Southeast Chapter Our

Fall Seminar and Annual Meeting is coming up on November 4th amp 5th Please consider taking

an active role in your Association You can utilize any of the announcements andor forms in

this issue or in the alternative check with any of our Board members to see what assistance you

can provide that matches your preferences

The West TN Chapter of our Association continued their hosting duties at the Annual Law Day

Celebration for the Madison County Bar Association on April 29th in Jackson The Ernie Gray

Paralegal Utilization Award was presented to the attorney who was selected from paralegal

nominations that best utilized his or her paralegal The West Chapter has done this each year

for quite some time Recently the Southeast Chapter adopted this concept award and named the

utilization award after Judge W Neil Thomas III Our Spring Seminar fell on the same day as

Law Day this year and unfortunately many of the West Chapter members were not able to at-

tend

Our West TN Chapter always has devoted members that contribute immensely to our Associa-

tion and its Chapter The geographic location in the West provide many challenges for members

to be active in participation of their Chapter membership meetings and regular scheduled activ-

ities as a Chapter The West Chapter is going dormant for the next year and hopefully by this

time next year a new interest in active involvement for membership will be present The small

number of West Chapter members are electing currently to be members At Large

The Southeast Chapter has continued to have their Lunch lsquoN Learn meetings at the United Way

Building in downtown Chattanooga on the third Tuesday of each month Attendance varies from

14 to 20 + individuals with the exception of the last meeting which was held on an irregular

week the fourth week A alternate location at a different building nearby is being considered

for future use as conference room reservations are now limited preventing the regular scheduled

time for the meetings

Efforts to match twenty-seven Chattanooga State paralegal students to paralegals for shadow-

ing has been underway for the past few weeks Many more paralegal volunteers are still needed

The student observes a paralegal for two hours Also there is a template non-disclosure agree-

ment available if needed to present to the paralegalrsquos employer to obtain their approval Fur-

thermore a list is available of students with their availability to be matched to a paralegal

Please contact Laysha McCullaugh if you are able to have a student shadow you to get the full

details etc Thank you

Our new Central Chapter is meeting the challenge of growing their Chapter Rachael Reach and

Theresa Carrico have been promoting our Association at a number of local paralegal schools

Recently they spoke at two paralegal classes at Volunteer State Community College where

many of the students expressed interest in learning more about membership

Our East Chapter has been working on their book drive for the Knox County Jail Library (a pro-

ject started at the Public Defenderrsquos office) and assisting with Second Harvest Also they have

been working on a membership drive including calling current and recent members to see what

more can be offered to our Membership that is not currently being met

Myth Once you have your paralegal education and your job as a paralegal you dont have to do anything else to have a successful fulfilling paralegal career

Truth Your paralegal job and education are just the foundation for your career That foun-dation simply serves as a facilitator for the rest of your career much the same way a blank can-vas serves as the facilitator for a beautiful portrait

While your job may be interesting time-consuming and challenging it is not the sum total of your career Consider my situation for a moment

My entire working life has been spent in a small law office in a very small town This has been a job Ive enjoyed immensely The attorneys would come and goand name of the firm would changebut I remained like a favorite old shoe reliable durableand also knowledgeable

Had I remained in that comfortable cocoon where would I be today Probably preparing to retire with a cheese and cracker reception attended by people Ive known all my lifewonderful people I might add

Instead of choosing that cocoon I chose to make my world large and if I were to retire today (and Im NOT) I could at least expect good wishes from paralegals from every state in the US

How do you make your world large Here are some tips for you

Never stop learning If you follow the Thirteen Questions column in Paralegal Strategies youll notice that everyone says that to make your career interesting you must never stop learn-ing This includes new technology new systems and new areas of the law

Accept challenges If you think you cant speak before a large group of people or that you could never write an article for a professional journal youre dead wrong But how will you know what you can do if you dont try When youre asked to do this always jump at the chance What if youre not asked Volunteer Youll always be glad you did

Join groups and participate Joining groups (professional associations in particular) is like throwing a pebble into a pool of water and watching the ripples widen You will widen your circle of acquaintances (who will probably become best friends) as well as your professional network

You will be surprised at your capacity for growth The ripples spread even wider when you take an active part run for office serve on a committee and attend annual meetings Wide ripples are good for your career

Write and speak Considering your capacity for growth you will be shocked by the words that will come from your mouth and flow from your pen as you expand your horizons

Get out of your comfort zone When I traveled just from tiny Charlevoix to Detroit to join a professional association I might as well have been traveling to Mars Today I can maneuver most any travel and enjoy it immensely You can do this too but you have to take chances and leave your cocoon

Your career is always a work in process It doesnt happen all at once In fact it takes a lifetime As you take the steps above (and there are many others you will be painting on the can-vas where the brush strokes illustrate the bright colors youve chosen for yourself

Your challenge Consider the steps above and choose at least one challenge This will be your first step in painting the gorgeous picture that will in the end be your outstanding career

===================================================================

copy2011 Vicki Voisin Inc Do you want to use this article in your newsletter ezine or Web site You can so long as you include this entire blurb with it Vicki Voisin The Paralegal Mentor delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by achieving goals and determining the direction they will take their careers Vicki spotlights resources organizational tips ethics issues and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential She publishes a weekly ezine titled Paralegal Strategies and co-hosts The Paralegal Voice a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network More information is available at httpparalegalmentorcom

Myth Once you have your paralegal education and your job as a paralegal you dont have to do anything else to have a successful fulfilling paralegal career

Truth Your paralegal job and education are just the foundation for your career That foun-dation simply serves as a facilitator for the rest of your career much the same way a blank can-vas serves as the facilitator for a beautiful portrait

While your job may be interesting time-consuming and challenging it is not the sum total of your career Consider my situation for a moment

My entire working life has been spent in a small law office in a very small town This has been a job Ive enjoyed immensely The attorneys would come and goand name of the firm would changebut I remained like a favorite old shoe reliable durableand also knowledgeable

Had I remained in that comfortable cocoon where would I be today Probably preparing to retire with a cheese and cracker reception attended by people Ive known all my lifewonderful people I might add

Instead of choosing that cocoon I chose to make my world large and if I were to retire today (and Im NOT) I could at least expect good wishes from paralegals from every state in the US

How do you make your world large Here are some tips for you

Never stop learning If you follow the Thirteen Questions column in Paralegal Strategies youll notice that everyone says that to make your career interesting you must never stop learn-ing This includes new technology new systems and new areas of the law

Accept challenges If you think you cant speak before a large group of people or that you could never write an article for a professional journal youre dead wrong But how will you know what you can do if you dont try When youre asked to do this always jump at the chance What if youre not asked Volunteer Youll always be glad you did

Join groups and participate Joining groups (professional associations in particular) is like throwing a pebble into a pool of water and watching the ripples widen You will widen your circle of acquaintances (who will probably become best friends) as well as your professional network

You will be surprised at your capacity for growth The ripples spread even wider when you take an active part run for office serve on a committee and attend annual meetings Wide ripples are good for your career

Write and speak Considering your capacity for growth you will be shocked by the words that will come from your mouth and flow from your pen as you expand your horizons

Get out of your comfort zone When I traveled just from tiny Charlevoix to Detroit to join a professional association I might as well have been traveling to Mars Today I can maneuver most any travel and enjoy it immensely You can do this too but you have to take chances and leave your cocoon

Your career is always a work in process It doesnt happen all at once In fact it takes a lifetime As you take the steps above (and there are many others you will be painting on the can-vas where the brush strokes illustrate the bright colors youve chosen for yourself

Your challenge Consider the steps above and choose at least one challenge This will be your first step in painting the gorgeous picture that will in the end be your outstanding career

===================================================================

copy2011 Vicki Voisin Inc Do you want to use this article in your newsletter ezine or Web site You can so long as you include this entire blurb with it Vicki Voisin The Paralegal Mentor delivers simple strategies for paralegals and other professionals to create success and satisfaction by achieving goals and determining the direction they will take their careers Vicki spotlights resources organizational tips ethics issues and other areas of continuing education to help paralegals and others reach their full potential She publishes a weekly ezine titled Paralegal Strategies and co-hosts The Paralegal Voice a monthly podcast produced by Legal Talk Network More information is available at httpparalegalmentorcom

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given of the Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Paralegal Association to be

held at the Holiday Inn in Lebanon Tennessee on November 5 2011 During the Annual Meeting

the election of TPA officers for the year 2012 will take place

If you are unable to attend please forward your proxy vote to TPA Attn Annual Meeting ndash

TPA Secretary via e-mail to infotnparalegalorg designating who will cast your votes by October

30 2011 OR you may send your proxy vote with the member who will be casting your vote at

the meeting to be submitted prior to the election

__________________________________________________________________

PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE TENNESSEE PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5 2011

MEMBERrsquoS NAME ________________________________________________

DESIGNATED MEMBERrsquoS NAME ___________________________________

_______________________________________

Memberrsquos Signature

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note The slate of officers for our 2012 election

will be posted to members last recorded e-mail by October 16 2011

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT

If you wish to run for an office please fill out the below and submit to Attn Annual

Meeting ndash TPA Secretary by October 10 2011 at infotnparalegalorg

DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY

I hereby certify that I am an active member in good standing of the Ten-

nessee Paralegal Association and do hereby declare myself a good candidate for the office of

for the Tennessee Paralegal Association for the year 2012

If elected I promise that I will faithfully discharge all the duties of the office for which I am elected

This the day of 2011

Signature

Contact the officersboard members via our new e-mail address at

infotnparalegalcom or directly from our website at wwwtnparalegalorg

President Sherri L Satterfield CP Leitner Williams Dooley amp Napolitan Knoxville

First Vice President LaFran Plunk West Tennessee Legal Services Jackson

Second Vice President Christie L Gass Blue Cross Blue Shield Chattanooga

NALA Liaison Tammie Murphy CLA Toppenberg amp Burke PC Knoxville

Secretary Laysha M McCullaugh CP Fleissner Davis and Johnson Chattanooga

Treasurer Phyllis A Carter SunTrust Bank (Retired) Chattanooga

Central Region Director Rachael Reach Brewer Krause Brooks Chastain amp Burrow Nashville

East Region Director Pamela K Leckey CLA Peggy G Comstock Attorney at Law Knoxville

West Region Director Tammy R Bradford John D Hamilton Attorney at Law Jackson

Central TN Chapter Chair Theresa Carrico CP Brewer Krause Brooks Chastain amp Burrow Nashville

East TN Chapter Chair Nita Gorman Gary A Davis and Associates North Carolina

SE TN Chapter Chair Laysha M McCullaugh CP Fleissner Davis and Johnson Chattanooga

West TN Chapter Chair Courtney Sydnor Nix Patterson amp Roach LLP Jackson

Historian Susan Westmoreland CEBS Horton amp Maddox PLLC (Retired) Chattanooga

Parliamentarian Susan Westmoreland CEBS Horton amp Maddox PLLC (Retired) Chattanooga

Publication Chair Laysha M McCullaugh CP Fleissner Davis and Johnson Chattanooga

Website Committee Chair Theresa Carrico CP Brewer Krause Brooks Chastain amp Burrow Nashville

httpwwwnashvillelibraryinfo

httpwwweverythingjustsocom

httpwwwroanestateedu

httpgibsonreporterscom

httpwwwutcedu

Remember Our

Sustaining

Members

Who

Support

Us

Thank You

One part of our Associationrsquos goals is to form a network among paralegals Building

our resources is one way to meet this goal Our website resource section ldquoLinks of

Interestrdquo has room for growth Please send a note to the website committee identify-

ing the full URL to the most valuable online links that you use everyday so it may be

added to this section Each link will add a useful resource for each of us We will be

adding a new resource to this section in the very near future regarding a mediator

directory from the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals This resource is an

indispensable tool A glimpse of their roster card is below and on the next page Also

titled link ldquoThe Nationrsquos Most Experienced Civil Trial Mediators amp Arbitratorsrdquo (a

firmrsquos guide to selecting a neutral) will be added In closing please help our resources

grow Our web site committee looks forward to hearing from you E-Mails can be sent

to infotnparalegalorg Attn Web Site Committee

Is published quarterly by the Tennessee Paralegal Association an affiliate of the National

Association of Legal Assistants Inc Articles and other information for the newsletter

should be sent to the Advocate Team at the below e-mail address Please title subject head-

ing ldquoFor TPA Advocaterdquo

infotnparalegalorg

Or

Tennessee Paralegal Association

Attention Advocate Team

Post Office Box 21723 Chattanooga TN 37424

UPCOMING ISSUE

DEADLINES

SUMMER AUGUST 30 2011

FALL OCTOBER 30 2011

WINTER DECEMBER 31 2011

SPRING MARCH 31 2012

SPECIAL REQUEST

PLEASE SUBMIT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO DEADLNE IF POSSIBLE THANKS

MESSAGE FROM THE PARALEGAL ADVOCATE TEAM

We would appreciate your contribution to The Paralegal Advocate by submitting articles

of interest to you to be published Please note the deadlines for each issue and feel free

to provide any information you would like published prior to the deadline

If you would like to have articles published on specific topics in the Advocate please

contact us

mdash The Paralegal Advocate Team

One part of our Associationrsquos goals is to form a network among paralegals Building

our resources is one way to meet this goal Our website resource section ldquoLinks of

Interestrdquo has room for growth Please send a note to the website committee identify-

ing the full URL to the most valuable online links that you use everyday so it may be

added to this section Each link will add a useful resource for each of us We will be

adding a new resource to this section in the very near future regarding a mediator

directory from the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals This resource is an

indispensable tool A glimpse of their roster card is below and on the next page Also

titled link ldquoThe Nationrsquos Most Experienced Civil Trial Mediators amp Arbitratorsrdquo (a

firmrsquos guide to selecting a neutral) will be added In closing please help our resources

grow Our web site committee looks forward to hearing from you E-Mails can be sent

to infotnparalegalorg Attn Web Site Committee

Is published quarterly by the Tennessee Paralegal Association an affiliate of the National

Association of Legal Assistants Inc Articles and other information for the newsletter

should be sent to the Advocate Team at the below e-mail address Please title subject head-

ing ldquoFor TPA Advocaterdquo

infotnparalegalorg

Or

Tennessee Paralegal Association

Attention Advocate Team

Post Office Box 21723 Chattanooga TN 37424

UPCOMING ISSUE

DEADLINES

SUMMER AUGUST 30 2011

FALL OCTOBER 30 2011

WINTER DECEMBER 31 2011

SPRING MARCH 31 2012

SPECIAL REQUEST

PLEASE SUBMIT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO DEADLNE IF POSSIBLE THANKS

MESSAGE FROM THE PARALEGAL ADVOCATE TEAM

We would appreciate your contribution to The Paralegal Advocate by submitting articles

of interest to you to be published Please note the deadlines for each issue and feel free

to provide any information you would like published prior to the deadline

If you would like to have articles published on specific topics in the Advocate please

contact us

mdash The Paralegal Advocate Team

Is published quarterly by the Tennessee Paralegal Association an affiliate of the National

Association of Legal Assistants Inc Articles and other information for the newsletter

should be sent to the Advocate Team at the below e-mail address Please title subject head-

ing ldquoFor TPA Advocaterdquo

infotnparalegalorg

Or

Tennessee Paralegal Association

Attention Advocate Team

Post Office Box 21723 Chattanooga TN 37424

UPCOMING ISSUE

DEADLINES

SUMMER AUGUST 30 2011

FALL OCTOBER 30 2011

WINTER DECEMBER 31 2011

SPRING MARCH 31 2012

SPECIAL REQUEST

PLEASE SUBMIT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO DEADLNE IF POSSIBLE THANKS

MESSAGE FROM THE PARALEGAL ADVOCATE TEAM

We would appreciate your contribution to The Paralegal Advocate by submitting articles

of interest to you to be published Please note the deadlines for each issue and feel free

to provide any information you would like published prior to the deadline

If you would like to have articles published on specific topics in the Advocate please

contact us

mdash The Paralegal Advocate Team