I was fortunate to attend this year's annual convention with Joan Wiley, ACP, Vice President, and Connie Valentine, NALA Liaison. 

The conference, as usual, was fantastic.  On Wednesday night, we went to dinner with 20 other members of Region 9 and our Region 9 representative.  What a wonderful opportunity to meet Carolyn Yellis and spend some "face-to-face" time with her discussing the paralegal professional, the recent California legislation, and how it could impact Nevada. 

Joan Wiley has been selected to participate in the inaugural LEAP program that is being sponsored by NALA.  This is a program NALA is putting together for members to learn new leadership skills to apply to their respective associations as well as hopefully put to use in future years as leaders in NALA.  We wish Joan the best in this endeavor over the next year.  Of a special note regarding the LEAP program, NALA received a number of applications, and Joan was one of the 15 selected to participate in the inaugural group.  Please take a minute to congratulate Joan on this selection.  This brings NPA more into the national spotlight. 

FACT:  Did you know that there has never been a NALA officer or director from Nevada? 

New Orleans is a wonderful city, though they are still working to bring the city back to pre-Katrina standards.  Connie and I took time on Thursday afternoon to see the IMAX movie "Hurricane in the Bayou."  A very sobering and thought provoking film, and one that makes you want to help, no matter how small, and to really appreciate what the people of New Orleans and all the other agencies, public and private, have done to try and rebuild this beautiful city.

NPA always raffles off one of those flashing signs "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" that greets our visitors as they come into town from the south side.  We collected a stack of business cards for that raffle that measured 3-4" tall.  The sign has become a fixture at the raffle and the attendees always look forward to that drawing!

New ideas and discussions will be coming in the next few months as we analyze and review information we have all gleaned from attending the conference.  Hopefully information that will make NPA an organization you can be proud of and one that you want to support.

Pat Altstatt, ACP

Chairman, NPA Education/Certification and Webmaster