Click on the following areas to go directly to the discussions about the National Association of Legal Assistants:

• Benefits of Membership
• Governance of NALA
• Association Policies
• NALA Board of Directors

Benefits of Membership

The National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., is a member-driven association. It is only as strong as its members and only as active as these members are involved in their profession and professional association. Individual members join NALA for a variety of reasons. Primary among these reasons is the opportunity for involvement in a number of activities that speak to their individual concerns as a professional. These activities include NALA's efforts in the following areas:

• Recognition of the legal assistant profession
• Identification of those within the profession
• Establishment of professional standards
• Research of the growth and development of the profession through bi-annual surveys
• Involvement in professional issues including tracking state legislative activities and becoming involved in cases affecting the legal assistant career field
• Access to cutting-edge CLE programs designed specifically for paralegals

In addition to NALA's involvement in professional issues, membership in the association provides many tangible benefits including:

• Access to NALA NET, the profession's only on-line networking service for accurate and up to date reporting of case law, legislative activities, and bar association activities (For an example of the information on NALA NET, visit the News & Information page.). NALA NET also offers a membership bulletin board and electronic mail to enhance member communications.
   
• Subscription to FACTS & FINDINGS, NALA's quarterly journal featuring how-to educational articles for legal assistants.
   
• Annual Career Chronicle, serving as the profession's annual report, this "year-in-review" publication highlights significant developments and research findings affecting the legal assistant career field.
   
• Participation in specially designed continuing education programs at reduced rates, including on-line seminars at NALA Campus.
   
• Participation in NALA Annual Membership Forum and Annual Membership Meeting at no cost.

NALA prospers because of the involvement of its membership and contributions of its volunteers.

Governance of NALA

Organized in 1975, the National Association of Legal Assistants is a non-profit association incorporated in the state of Oklahoma. It is tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(6).  The association maintains its headquarters office in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is managed by a professional staff of 9.

The bylaws of this association set out its structure and organization. This document is available to each member of NALA upon joining and to each affiliated association upon approval of their affiliation. The bylaws is a member adopted document may only be amended by a 2/3 vote of active members of NALA.

The bylaws establish the duties and responsibilities of the NALA President and Board of Directors as delegated by the NALA membership. The Board is deemed to exercise all powers, authority and discretion which alternatively may be exercised by the members, except such as are by statute or by other provisions specifically reserved for the membership.

The Board of Directors is composed of the NALA President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Certifying Board Chair, Continuing Education Council Chair, Professional Development Committee Chair, 9 Regional Directors, and the Affiliated Associations Directors. Each of these members, except the Certifying Board Chair, Continuing Education Council Chair, and Professional Development Committee Chair, are elected by active members of NALA. All active members vote on candidates for national office. Members of each specific geographic region elect their regional director; representatives of NALA affiliated associations, who are also NALA members, elect the affiliated associations director. (Only NALA members may determine the composition of the Board of Directors). The President is elected annually (in March) by the Board of Directors from among its members.

Association Policies

The policies of this association are established by the membership of NALA and by the Board of Directors. Policies regarding the organizational structure, including membership qualifications, voting procedures, and duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, are specifically reserved for the membership. Policies describing NALA's position on a particular issue affecting the profession may be stated by the Board of Directors or the NALA President as long as the statement or position is in accord with the philosophies and directives of the NALA membership. All statements of the board and president are reviewed for consistency with membership adopted documents such as the bylaws, Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, and the NALA Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistants. If a policy is being considered that would conflict with these documents, the question must be presented to the membership.

NALA active members are the final word on all policies; the board and president must work under the direction of these policies. The membership establishes policies by amendment to the NALA bylaws or by adoption of a resolution. The procedures for bylaw amendments and consideration of resolutions are outlined in the bylaws. Voting and discussion on these documents take place during the annual membership meeting.

Policies and procedures must also conform with the NALA Articles of Incorporation, Oklahoma statutes, federal laws, and laws and regulations governing 501(c)(6) organizations.

NALA members have many opportunities to express their opinions and needs to the board of directors, the president, and each other. They may contact their regional directors, NALA committee members, officers, the president or NALA headquarters at any time. There is 24-hour access to NALA through NALA NET, the association's on-line communication system. Members may also share their thoughts and opinions with others through a letter to the editor of FACTS & FINDINGS. A similar forum is also available through the NALA Net Conference Center.

Informal discussion forums for NALA members are offered during the NALA annual convention. These provide members with an opportunity to discuss the goals and plans and vision of their profession. Members then carry out their policy making decisions during the July annual membership meeting. There is no charge or registration fee for attendance at either the forums or the annual membership meeting.