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The Affiliated
Associations Program . . .
The
structure of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.,
permits the affiliation of organizations whose objects, aims,
constitutions and bylaws are in harmony with the objects and
aims of NALA. Through affiliating with NALA, state and local
organizations receive the support and assistance of NALA in
advancing the legal assistant career within their geographic
areas. Affiliated associations are provided a voice in the
management of NALA through their election of a member of the
NALA Board of Directors Affiliated associations are also
offered a voice in developing policies and positions of NALA not only
through their representative on the NALA Board of Directors but through
the annual meeting of NALA affiliated associations held during the
national convention in July. NALA affiliated associations may present
resolutions to the NALA membership for consideration during the annual
membership meeting. Resolutions are adopted by the voting membership of
NALA. Affiliates are represented in this body through their own NALA
liaison and any other members who may also be voting members of NALA.
  
Fees
The annual fee to an association for
affiliation in NALA is a flat rate of $225. Attributes of the affiliated
association program include:
Members of NALA affiliated
associations are not required to become members of NALA, except the
affiliated association's NALA Liaison. NALA believes membership in a
national association is a choice best left to individual legal
assistants.
Affiliation with NALA does not
jeopardize the unique programs and philosophies of the affiliated
association and its members.
During the July annual meeting, a
1/2 day is dedicated to an annual meeting of NALA affiliated
associations, providing an opportunity for members to share their
experiences and programs, successes and difficulties. Issues in
association management are also discussed. The discussions and
presentations have proven to be very helpful.
Affiliated associations receive:
. . . Free access to NALA NET for
the most current information and case decisions affecting legal
assistants - the only on-line network dedicated to this profession
. . . Publications which offer
assistance with organizational matters such as a leadership manual;
guidelines on how to conduct seminars; bylaws and standing rules, and
descriptions of these documents. Affiliates are also entitled to
receive free consultation from NALA's professional staff, representing
over 40 years of experience in association management
. . . Publications which offer
assistance to your members in analyzing and reviewing issues affecting
our profession. This includes FACTS & FINDINGS, NALA's quarterly
publication; the annual Career Chronicle; and the bi-annual National
Utilization and Compensation Survey Report (now featuring over 10
years of data describing the growth of our profession)
. . . Special reports so that
your association may inform your members immediately of any urgent or
special actions having an immediate effect or requiring immediate
announcement.
. . . Members of NALA affiliated
associations who are not individual NALA members receive a waiver of
the initiation fee should they decide to become NALA members - a
savings of $15.
Student associations may also affiliate with NALA. The annual
affiliation fee for student associations is a flat rate of $50.
Student associations receive all of the benefits of the affiliation
program with the exception of voting privileges.
Materials and communications from NALA
are furnished affiliated associations through their presidents and NALA
liaisons. These officers serve as the communications link between NALA
and the affiliated association.
The affiliated associations program
was established by NALA in 1978. As of March 2006, 85 state and local
legal assistant organizations are affiliated with the National
Association of Legal Assistants.
For more info click on the NALA Q &A article on the left,
to go to a no-frills article about NALA and its programs. This
article was developed from questions received from associations considering NALA
affiliation.
2007-2008 NALA
Affiliated Associations Director
Sharon G. Robertson, ACP
Linville Falls, NC
2007-2008 Affiliated Associations
Secretary
Debby J. Sawyer, CP
Raleigh, NC
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