CO-PRESIDENT’S REPORT
NALS 2008 Professional Development & Education Conference
March 7-8, 2008
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Submitted by Sheryl A. Mann

NOTE: All certification designations have been deleted from this report in the interest of brevity.

I attended the NALS 2008 Professional Development and Education Conference held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on March 7-8, 2008. The theme for the weekend was The Theatre of Leadership with Dee Beardsley for 2008-2009. Although the weather was cold, and even brought a few snow flurries, the atmosphere for the meeting was warm, friendly, welcoming, educational, and fun! Most attendees traveled on Thursday, but there was an orientation for the 2008-2009 NALS Leadership Team, consisting of board members and committee chairs led by Mary Baldecchi. Mary later led committee members, task force members, NALS Foundation trustees, and staff through their responsibilities as part of this year’s leadership team.

NALS President Kathy Siroky opened the conference by thanking the 2007-2008 NALS Leadership Team, which included over 120 members serving as board members, chairs and vice chairs, committee and task force members, On-Line Learning Center presenters, and NALS staff, and recognized ten NALS Past Presidents in attendance. President Kathy also encouraged members to attend the NALS 2008 Education Conference and National Forum to be held in Norfolk, Virginia, in September. She announced that the NALS 2009 Education Conference and National Forum would be held in Irvine, California, at the Hyatt Regency on October 8-11, 2009.

The marketing committee held a special Truth Booth, asking members to fill out a short questionnaire and receive a special flashing button. The marketing committee also distributed fliers for Norfolk and Irvine.

NALS Foundation Chair Mary Jo Denman introduced Keynote Speaker John Marshall Irvin, founding President of Lifestyle Enhancement Services, who presented The Honor System: Lessons in Leadership and Attitude. Mr. Irvin involved attendees in activities and discussions based on the body of science known as “attitude enrichment,” inspiring all to explore and develop vital issues of leadership, attitude, and vision.

NALS Past Presidents Donna Dendy and Jill Hale installed the new board, using an installation theme based on the behind-the-scenes careers in the theatre, which tied in to President Dee’s theme for this year—The Theatre of Leadership. Donna and Jill presented each Board member with a NALS Star as the “lead” actors in this year’s NALS production and then administered the oath of office to the 2008-2009 NALS Board of Directors as follows:

President: Dee Beardsley (Californa)
President-Elect: Julie Abernathy (Texas)
Secretary/Treasurer: Patricia E. Infanti (Pennsylvania)
Certification Director: Caryn Wolchuck (California)
Education Director: Helene Wood (Texas)
Marketing Director: Kathleen R. Amirante (Michigan)
Membership Director: Rose Carter (Hawaii)
Region 1 Director: Marion Sarcuni (New York)
Region 2 Director: Karen A. Jackson (Virginia)
Region 3 Director: Marion R. Stone (Michigan)
Region 4 Director: Nancy T. Harris (Alabama)
Region 5 Director: Kathy Cline (South Dakota)
Region 6 Director: Doris Compton (Arkansas)
Region 7 Director: Ann Lang (Idaho)
Region 8 Director: Karen McElroy (Arizona)
NALS Foundation Chair: Faynell Poe (Texas)
Immediate Past President: Kathy Siroky (Wyoming)
NALS Executive Director: Tammy Hailey (Oklahoma)

Kathy Siroky presented the president’s pin and traditional gavel to NALS 38^th President, Dee Beardsley. In turn, Dee presented Kathy with her past president’s pin, gift, and plaque before the past presidents welcomed her into their troupe. President Dee addressed the assembly, noting shared terminology between the theatre and NALS, such as act, perform, collaborate, and lead. The President’s reception followed, at which attendees enjoyed sharing Dee’s special day as she was honored by her NALS family and friends. The NALS past presidents were then invited to the front of the stage, where they ceremoniously cut the ribbon officially opening the new NALS Resource Center.

Beginning on Friday morning, leadership training was jointly conducted for Chapter/State presidents and presidents-elect and State/Local membership chairmen. Working off of the theme “From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary Leader,” Kathy Siroky stressed two steps necessary to become an extraordinary leader: (1) keep it simple; and (2) master the fundamentals. She encouraged incoming leaders to create organizational clarity through mission statements, goals, objectives, and values. She also suggested using personality tests to help build and maintain a cohesive leadership team. The afternoon leadership training session was led by Marie Ringholz, who led incoming leaders through and around the NALS website, concluding her presentation by answering questions about NALS, its leadership structure, and its programs.

Regional meetings were held after the first leadership training session. The Region 6 meeting was led by Doris Compton. Doris introduced Julie Abernathy and Helene Wood as members serving on the current NALS board, and Donna Dendy as a past president of NALS. She also introduced and recognized the first timers in attendance. The 2008 Region 6 Conference will be held July 18-20, 2008, in Kansas City, Missouri. There was a discussion regarding the distribution of proceeds from Region 6 logo items and participation in the NALS Swap Meet in Norfolk. The NALS Foundation has requested $250 from each region to grow chapters, and the NALS Foundation grants deadlines are June 1, 2008, and September 1, 2008. The 2009 Region 6 meeting will be held in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the 2010 Region 6 meeting will be held in Mississippi. Julie Abernathy then left the room, and there as a discussion regarding the President’s reception to be held after Julie is installed as the NALS President at the NALS 2009 Professional Development and Education Conference in March 2009.

During the Networking Luncheon, President Dee introduced and swore in the 2008-2009 NALS Foundation Trustees, including Texas ALP’s own Faynell Poe and Meri Nelson. Since March 2007, the NALS Foundation has presented $20,350 in grants to NALS, various regional, state, and local associations. In addition to increasing the educational opportunities available throughout NALS, the NALS Foundation is championing the profession through its recognition awards. The Foundation Scales of Justice Award recognizes the positive contributions the legal profession makes throughout the country, and the Foundation Leadership Recognition Award recognizes the contributions NALS members have made within their community. Region 6 was one of several recognized as a Silver Circle contributor.

Friday evening we were “trolleyed” to the NALS Resource Center. We were given tours of the beautiful building, and we heard about the history of NALS from many of the NALS past presidents.

Saturday morning the Chapter/State presidents and presidents-elect went back to school—NALS University. Ten classes were offered and each “student” selected and attended six classes. Topics included governance documents, motivating members, finance, overcoming negativity, negotiating contracts, communication skills, fundraising, marketing, programs with a punch, and leading effective meetings. After graduating and receiving a diploma from President Dee, we continued our education by attending a “graduate” class. The sessions offered included the basics of running meetings, setting agendas, forming a leadership team, motivating members, dealing with difficult people, and making difficult choices.

The membership campaign for 2008-2010, “Gotta Have It…NALS,” was jump-started by the Membership Committee. The “NALS Store Directory” was reviewed in great detail, and the topics of discussion included Marketing Your Membership and how to use My Space and Facebook to advertise your chapters. There were also discussions about how to recognize members and ideas for membership drives.

The Recognition Luncheon spotlighted the successes of our leaders, states, regions, chapters, and members who made significant contributions to NALS. NALS membership currently totals 4,035 with retention at 74%. The Oklahoma members were thanked and recognized for their assistance with the conference. Kathy Siroky presented a leadership pin to the 2007-2008 leadership team. Also acknowledged were CLE award recipients and newly-certified members in attendance.

NALS Foundation Chair, Faynell Poe, presented the Jett Awards. Austin LSA, Inc., was presented with the Founder’s Award for the CLE One-Time Program of the Nuts & Bolts of Grammar and Written Communications. Faynell also presented grants totaling $7,675 .

The Networking Dinner held Saturday evening was a great way to end an educational and fun-filled conference. We feasted on an Italian buffet, after which the DJ fired up the amps and got the crowd out to the dance floor. It was an opportunity to get better acquainted with attendees from around the country.

Sunday morning rolled around, and it was time to catch the shuttles to the airport. The Professional Development and Education Conference is a wonderful tool and resource for anyone moving up their local or state officer ladder, or for those seeking to decide whether to take the plunge and become a leader. Once you attend a NALS conference, you’ll be hooked—I encourage everyone to take a bite and see for yourself what a great organization NALS is and what it provides to its members.