CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL DOCUMENT ASSISTANTS
Minutes of Board Meeting
Picadilly Inn, Fresno, CA
Saturday, January 19, 2008
8:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Officers
Present:
X Tina
Sandoval, President
X Marcel
Neumann, Vice President
X Carol
Ludlow, Treasurer
Directors
Present:
X Nancy Newlin,
Conference
X Robin
Wilson, Newsletter
X Carl Knoll,
Professional Standards
X Thomas
Connelly, Technology
X Connie
Crockett, Legislation
X Robin
Schumacher, Membership
X Sue Hall, Public
Relations
Others
Present:
None
Call to
order:
The meeting
convened at 8:45 a.m., President Tina Sandoval presiding.
Approval of
minutes:
The board
reviewed the minutes of the September board meeting in Sacramento. An amendment was made to reflect that
it had been decided that we should contact Chris Donica, our webmaster
regarding the final step for the website. Carl made a motion that the minutes
be approved (as amended). Connie seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Amendment
to minutes that we would contact Chris Donica as a final step.
Approval
of the Budgets:
There
was discussion on the proposed budget. It was decided that further review is
needed. The Board will vote via fax after further review.
Hearing
By 9.14 am
Member had failed to appear for the Hearing scheduled for 9:00 am.
Off record –
closed session – regarding hearing for suspension.
The Board returned
in open session at 9:40 a.m. and announced that the Board had voted unanimously
to terminate a member’s membership effective 1/19/2008 according to Article
III, Section 6 of our bylaws, and that the member shall be notified in writing
by the President of the association of the action taken by the board by
certified mail within 10 days of the decision of the Board.
Idearc
The Board
concurred that the contract with Idearc would not be renewed when it expires in
May, 2008.
Website
Carol Ludlow reported
to the Board that she had finally made contact with Tracy Mango from Hitnet.
He will forward a cd which will contain all relevant data for the new website. Robin
Schumacher reported that our webmaster, Chris Donica will finish the site. It
is felt that there will be something up and running by the next Board meeting. Connie
Crockett moved that the Board make every effort to get the website up and
running. Carl Ludlow seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Newsletter
Let the record
show that a member contacted Robin Wilson regarding the lack of a newsletter.
It was discussed that newsletter should be e-mailed. Robin will do spotlight on
the month. It was suggested that newsletters be sent to paralegal associations
and law firms.
Recess at 10:35
On record at 10:45
Membership
Robin Schumacher
suggested that we continue to offer a membership cost of $125 provided that
this person has not been a member for the prior 3 years. Since this offer
there have been 15 new members. It was suggested that CALDA link to the
American Freelance Paralegal Association’s website. Discussion followed on
this.
Carl Knoll suggested
that if a member encourages an LDA to become a member then this member should
get 25% off their membership dues; 2 members 50%, 3 members waives membership
price in full.
Marcel Neumann suggested
that we have a one year membership drive. It will be called the 2008 Membership Drive. Marcel motioned that we create a membership
drive for 2008 as follows:
1st
new member to join will result in a 25% reduction in dues, 2nd new
member to join will result in a 50% reduction, 3rd new member to
join will result in a 75% reduction. The fee discount will be for the upcoming
year renewal. The Membership chair and Public Relations chair will work out
the details of the rules of this drive. Carl Knoll seconded. The motion was carried
unanimously. Robin Schumacher made a motion that the dues for 2008 for a new
member or someone who has not been a member for the previous 3 years shall be
as follows: New voting member dues will be $125; Student member dues will be $75.
An office discount will apply. Tom Connelly seconded. The motion was carried
unanimously.
Discussion was
held regarding scholarships for new membership. It was felt that this should
only be offered at the conference.
Conference
Discussion
regarding classes that should be offered at conference. Nancy Newlin asked
that everyone forward their ideas to her. It was felt that we need to
accommodate new LDAs and long time LDAs. Tina Sandoval will forward the
information to the Board on the 3 sites that she has viewed for potential location
for the 2008 conference.
Adjourned at 12:55
for lunch.
Resumed at 1:15
Board Reports
Board reports
were read to the Board. Marcel Neumann motioned to approve the board reports be
accepted into the minutes as presented. Nancy Newlin seconded. Motion carried
unanimously.
Confirmation
of advisory Board.
Marcel Neumann motioned
that we continue with the current advisory board for 2008. Tom seconded. Following
discussion Tom Connelly withdrew his second and Marcel withdrew his motion. Marcel
will look for 3 additional Advisory Board Members in addition to the present
Board.
Robin would like
to add more links to our website such as NALDP
211 Informational
Robin Schumacher
will follow up on this with secretary, Annette Gomez, who placed this item on
the agenda but was not present at the meeting.
Board Meeting
Locations
It was suggested
that we exchange the location of the Board meetings. The April 26, 2008 board meeting will be held in Hayward at a conference room in Marcel’s office building. The
location for the July meeting will be i San
Luis Obispo at a place to
be determined in the future.
Adjourned at
1.15
Submitted by
Annette Gomez
To Do:
The Membership
chair and Public Relations chair will work out the details of the rules of this
drive.
Marcel will look
for 3 additional Advisory Board Members in addition to the present Board.
Tina will
forward the information to the Board on the 3 sites that she has viewed for
potential location for the 2008 conference.
Robin Schumacher
will follow up on 211 with Annette Gomez.
President’s Report
California Association of Legal Document Assistants
Board Meeting – January 18, 2008
Piccadilly Inn
University, Fresno
Report
of: Tina R.
Sandoval, President
To: The Governing Board of
the Association
Date: January 18, 2008
Reports that since the Board Meeting of September 15, 2007 through the present date, I have:
§
Accepted the
resignation of Dianne Sandoval from the position of Fundraising Chair.
§
Communicated with
Hitnet via email and telephone regarding the status of the new website.
§
Communicated with Corin
Walson regarding press releases after the Conference.
§
Submitted for renewal
of MCLE certification to the State Bar. Renewal was granted.
§
Met weekly with Robin
Schumacher as part of the Brochure Committee. Created a document monitoring
system for tracking the progress of each brochure. Finalized 7 brochures that
were placed on the website for our members. Fifteen additional brochures are
in various stages of production.
§
Prepared and mailed
Thank You letters to each of our speakers at Conference.
§
Worked with Robin
Schumacher to organize the “Linking the Legal Community” Seminar in Fresno, held on November
2, 2007. In preparation
for this event, we secured a location, catering, prepared and mailed flyers
announcing the event. Worked with Corin Walson to promote publicity for the
event. Secured speakers.
§
Prepared the notice
of hearing to Michael Brinsley to determine the status of his membership.
Hearing is scheduled for January
19, 2008 in Fresno. Reviewed Mr. Brinsley’s response to the notice of
hearing.
§
Searched for possible
conference locations in Fresno—Piccadilly Inn Airport, Piccadilly Inn University, Radisson Downtown, & Ramada Inn.
Viewed Ramada Inn—took pictures for board meeting.
§
Booked Piccadilly Inn University for Board Meeting.
Estimated time
spent this quarter: I was unable to keep track of the hours that I
worked on behalf of CALDA this quarter. Weekly meetings last 1.5-2.0 hrs, in
addition to numerous phone calls, emails and review of documents.
Expenses: Postage,
faxing, copies – some reimbursed
New Business
Items: None
Submitted by: Tina
R. Sandoval
California Association of Legal Document Assistants
Vice President
Report
of: Marcel A.
Neumann
To: Governing Board of the
Association
Date: January 19, 2008
Reports
that:
1.
Mailed copies of the Public Relations Letter to 50 different legal
organizations.
One organization respondent with interest on me coming in to speak at their
staff meeting. Invitation pending.
2.
Gave a class on OSCs at the Bay Area Chapter workshop on January 10, 2008.
3.
Presided over the monthly meeting of the Bay Area Chapter.
4.
Volunteered at the Alameda County Superior Court Pro Per Day. Acted as a
volunteer preparing Orders After Hearings on the morning calendar, for 3 hours,
twice a month. On going. Presented myself as myself and as Vice President of
CALDA.
Secretary’s Report
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL DOCUMENT ASSISTANTS
JANUARY 19, 2008 BOARD MEETING
Report of: Annette
Gomez
To: The
Governing Board of the Association
Date: January 19, 2008
Reports that:
Since
the September 2007 board meeting I have prepared and sent the minutes for the September 13, 2007 board meeting and the Annual General
Meeting on September 15,
2007 to the webmaster via
e-mail.
I
have received minutes from the Inland Empire Chapter and Bay Area Chapters.
I
have copied board email conversations to cd disk.
On
November 5, 2007, I sent the following agencies the public relations letter
about CALDA and CALDA’s business card: Riverside County Children & Family
Commission, Riverside County Public Social Services, San Bernardino Department
of Child Support Services, Riverside County Department of Child Support
Services, Riverside City Clerk, Riverside County Clerk, Alternatives to
Domestic Violence, Riverside County Board of Supervisors, 2nd
District, and the Inland Regional Center.
As president of
the Inland Empire Chapter, I have organized and announced the monthly chapter
meetings. We had Judge Linda Wilde, San Bernardino county family law speak to
us in October, and Cydney Fowler, San Bernardino County court supervisor for
the Barstow district speak to us in November.
Estimated Time
Spent this Quarter: I have not kept track.
Expenses/Costs
incurred: Phone calls, Fax charges, photocopy, e-mail – all donated.
Agenda items:
Link with 211
Submitted by:
Annette
Gomez
California Association of Legal Document Assistants
Administrator
Report
of: Robin
Schumacher
To: Governing Board of the
Association
Date: 01-15-2008
Reports
that:
All
prospective member packets were mailed upon request and all new and renewal
member packets were assembled and mailed. Members were also billed via email.
Follow-ups on those not renewing/late paying. Follow-ups and reminders
regarding members’ LDA registrations. Membership data base maintained. Compiled various
reporting data per board request. Print materials ordered and assembled. Worked
on seminar in Fresno scheduled for Nov. 2.
Compiled
packets for various workshops and sent to respective recipients.
Estimated
time spent this quarter: 130 hrs
Expenses/costs incurred
this quarter: $1,500.00 Administrative
fee
56.32 Postage
213.57
Copies
22.66 Supplies
172.77
Supplies-Seminar 11/2/07
$1,965.32
New Business Items: None
Submitted by: Robin
Schumacher, Administrator
California Association of Legal Documents
Assistants
Legislation Chair Report
Board Meeting of January 19, 2008
Report of: Connie Crockett,
Legislation Chair
To: The Governing Board
of the Association
Date: January 18, 2008
Reports that:
I have performed
the following duties:
1. I submitted a notice to the
Newsletter, forums and website regarding the new notary laws.
2. I will prepare periodic articles to the
Newsletter regarding pending bills that may be of interest to others in various
areas of law.
3. I remain committed to revising the CALDA
procedures manual and will ask all chairmen to aid me in this regard.
4. I will follow up with the AOC about previous
correspondence concerning consumer education regarding LDA’s and Paralegals in
public law centers.
Estimated time spent this year: last
quarter not tracked
Expenses, costs incurred: none
Submitted by: Connie Crockett,
Legislation Chair
California Association of Legal Document
Assistants Conference
Report
of:
Nancy Newlin, Conference Chair
To:
The Governing Board of the Association
Date:
January 19, 2008
Report
that: Worked with
representatives of the Sacramento Convention
Center, Hyatt Hotel and all members
of
the Board of Directors to prepare for and oversee the Annual CALDA Conference,
which was
held on September 14 - 16, 2007.
Began preparations for the next Conference, to be held in Fresno, CA in 2008.
Time
Spent: Over 100
hours donated
Expenses:
See Treasurer’s Report for the Conference.
EDUCATION CHAIRPERSON
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL DOCUMENT ASSISTANTS
BOARD REPORT
Report
of: Education Committee Chair
To: The
Governing Board of the Association
Date: January 19, 2008
Attendance: Not
Present
Reports
that:
I
have been receiving numerous telephone calls and e-mails regarding educational
requirements to become a legal document assistant. I have stated to the
individuals the requirements and multiple county registrations. After which, I
would encourage them to maybe look into joining CALDA for additional
educational assistance. I mentioned that I am the Education Chair for the
non-profit organization (which is the best), stated that we have a quarterly
newsletter that is distributed to every member that entails updates, tips, and
our annual conference, which is a huge thrill every year and how they can
obtain enormous amounts of info in staying current in the LDA profession;
how various professionals will be willing to extend a helping hand whenever
they need it and lastly, I spoke about the membership dues and e-mailed some of
the individuals the B&P codes for professional standards/conduct:
|
Definition
of a Legal Document Assistant
Sections
6401-6401.6
|
Definition
of a Paralegal
Sections
6450-6456
|
|
The
Duties of a Legal Document Assistant
Sections
6408-6415
|
How
to Become a Legal Document Assistant
Sections
6402-6407
|
|
Unauthorized
Practice of Law ("UPL")
Sections
6125-6126.5)
|
|
I
still have approximately six more individuals to respond to and hopefully all
will be thinking of joining our wonderful organization.
Submitted
by:
Vanessa Watson, Education Chairperson
California Association of Legal Document Assistants
Membership Committee
Report
of: Robin
Schumacher
To: Governing Board of the
Association
Date: 01-15-2008
Reports
that: The following
accomplishments have been made by the membership Committee:
All prospective member packets were
mailed upon request and all new and renewal member packets were assembled and
mailed. Members were also billed via email. Follow-up emails and telephone
calls to those members not renewing/late paying. Follow-up email and telephone
reminders regarding members’ expired LDA registrations listed on the website. Answered
phone calls and emails regarding CALDA questions, and interest in CALDA.
Worked with Tina Sandoval on brochures – obtaining volunteers and
review of submitted brochures.
Facilitated
CALDA Workshop on November
2, 2007 – along with Tina
Sandoval.
Current
Membership Status: 193
Members
Committee
Members: None
Estimated
time spent this quarter: 40 (see Administrator Report)
Expenses/costs incurred
this year: Long distance telephone charges approx.
$20
- donated
New Business Items: 1.
Membership Dues
2.
Member comments
3.
Webmaster
Submitted by: Robin
Schumacher
California Association of Legal Document Assistants
Newsletter
Committee
Report of: Robin Wilson
To: Governing Board of the Association
Date: January 19, 2008
Reports
that:
I have made initial contact with Lloyd
Green, Jr. of Lloyds Print and Copy Center/datamind xp productions in Colusa, CA. We discussed preliminary pricing for 4
quarterly newsletters, and he has given a quote to Nancy Newlin, and I believe
that she will provide the board with this information. We discussed logistics
and lead times, and printing and set-up costs. He will need a lead time of
approximately 1 week for a 4 page newsletter so that we can have dialogue and I
can review the newsletter and he can make changes prior to his submission of
the final product to Chris Donica, our Webmaster, for upload to the website.
I discussed with Lloyd that I would like
to look into production of a newsletter at least annually that would contain
news of new laws or the like, that our members would be able to put their
personal information on and send out either via email or snail mail to their
customers, putting them “in front of” former clients to remind them they are in
business and of services they offer.
Estimated
time spent this quarter: Not
tracked/negligible
Expenses/costs
incurred this quarter: None or negligible (phone call)
New
Business Items: Personal Newsletter for
Members
To
Do:
1.
Determine logistics of mailing Newsletters to Members.
2.
Next Newsletter (Qtr 1) to be produced/distributed end of January/First part of
February, Qtr 2 in April, Qtr 3 in July, Qtr 4 – to be available at/by
Conference.
3.
Development of Newsletter for Individuals idea.
Submitted
by: Robin Wilson
Professional Standards Report
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL DOCUMENT ASSISTANTS
January 19, 2008
Report of: Carl Knoll
To: The Governing Board
of the Association
Date: January 19, 2008
Reports that:
Since
our last board meeting, I have dealt with three issues of professional standard
(complaints against CALDA members), all of which resulted in an amicable
resolution.
Estimated Time Spent
this Quarter:
I have spent approximately
6 hours since our last Board Meeting.
Expenses/Costs
incurred: Minimal
fax, copy and phone charges. Donated.
Agenda Items: Discuss ideas to improve professional
standards in the LDA field through a membership drive which gives current
members discounts upto a full waiver of their annual membership dues. Here is
the breakdown:
1
New Member – 25% OFF the current member’s annual dues
2 New
Members – 50% OFF the current member’s annual dues
3+ New
Member – 100% of the current member’s annual dues waived
By offering this
membership drive discount to our current members, this will increase CALDA’s
overall membership and revenue. It will likely increase participation in
CALDA’s periodic seminars and annual conference. Also, and most importantly,
these new members will benefit from CALDA’s commitment to setting the standards
for education, ethics and education in the LDA field…a de facto increase in
professional standards!
New Business: None at this time.
Submitted for approval: Carl Knoll, Professional Standards Chair
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL DOCUMENT ASSISTANTS
TECHNOLOGY
REPORT
Report
of: Thomas C. Connelly – CALDA Technology Chair
To: Governing
Board of the Association
Date: January 19, 2008
Reports
that:
Public
Relations Chair and Technology Chair have not been receiving email
correspondence from any of the current members of the board. I will contact
the webmaster forthwith in order to correct said communication problem.
Communicated
with board members Ludlow and Schumacher concerning the latest
developments involving website problems created by Hitnet and Brinsley. I will
research possible connections between Brinsley and Hitnet concerning potential
litigation for breach of contract and fraudulent referral. Venue and
jurisdiction to be determined at a later date.
Communicated
with webmaster (Chris Donica – Evalesco Web Design) regarding status of new
CALDA website and potential delays involving information from Hitnet and Oregon bar exam studies.
Will
relay board recommendations to webmaster concerning interactive functions for
CALDA members and the general public on the new website along with aesthetic
beauty.
Will
initiate the process of creating a bank and/or link of completed and attorney
approved legal documents on the new website for member use and reference per
recommendation of Newsletter Chair Wilson.
Will
communicate with webmaster about drop-down menu pertaining to new member
referrals from current members applicable to 2008 CALDA Membership Drive
established by directors Knoll and Neumann.
Will
communicate with webmaster regarding corrections to director service terms on
current and/or new website (i.e. Hall & Connelly terms = 2007-2009.
Will
communicate with webmaster concerning Google search advertising to ensure
appearance of CALDA website URL on page No. 1 of resultant for applicable
search terms (i.e. LDA; paralegal; divorce; bankruptcy; evictions; etc.).
Will
facilitate upload of director and/or member photos on current and new CALDA
website.
Will
discuss options for new and creative website links with webmaster for new CALDA
website per suggestions of various board members.
Estimated
Time Spent this Quarter: Approximately 7 hours due to email
communication problems cited above.
Expenses
and/or Costs Incurred: Travel costs for Fresno board meeting to be calculated for partial reimbursement;
Long distance telephone charges ($15.00)-donated
New
Business: Ideas surrounding electronic and/or email distribution of future
CALDA newsletter and brochures
Respectfully
Submitted,
Thomas
C., Connelly
CALDA
Technology Chair
TCC/
