SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 1
South Dakota Paralegal Association, Inc. f/k/a South Dakota Legal Assistants Association, Inc. www.sdparalegals.com
SDPA Annual Seminar & Meeting
June 19, 2015 • Rapid City, SD
SEE PAGE 17 OF THIS ISSUE.
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 2
SDPA 2014 – 2015 Executive Committee
President: Becky Purington, CP [email protected] 1st Vice President: Abby Breyfogle [email protected] 2nd Vice President: Janet Miller [email protected] Secretary: Valerie Winegar, CP [email protected] Treasurer: Jennifer Doubledee, CP [email protected] NALA Liaison: Dixie Bader, CLA [email protected]
I am pleased to announce that we are in the final stages of
planning for the annual meeting and seminar to be held on
June 19, 2015, at the Best Western Ramkota in Rapid City.
The Education Committee has done a great job of lining up
interesting topics and speakers, and I encourage all of you to
attend either by webinar or in person.
As customary, the Executive Committee will hold a social
event on Thursday, June 18, 2015, with more details to follow
as we get closer to that date. We have had a few suggestions
for the social event, including holding it at Canvas to Paint or
Pottery to Paint or possibly participating in an underground
cave tour. If you have a preference or any other suggestions
regarding the event, please let me know.
As a reminder, elections are no longer held during the annual
seminar but instead are held during the semi-annual
seminar. There will also be one change on the incoming
Executive Committee. Unfortunately, Vicki Blake has
resigned as the incoming NALA representative. According to
Section 3, Vacancies in Office, the Executive Committee is to
appoint a member to fill the vacancy. The Executive
Committee is pleased to announce that they have appointed
Jackie Hoefener to fill the NALA representative position. Ms.
Hoefener will assume her position along with the rest of the
incoming Executive Committee after the annual meeting on
June 19.
As always, if you have any comments or suggestions, please
let me or any member of the Executive Committee know.
“A leader is someone who demonstrates what’s possible.”
-Mark Yarnell
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 3
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SDPA
What is your most essential office supply? Send your answers to [email protected] for publishing in the next issue.
Tips & Tidbits
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 4
SDPA
360⁰⁰⁰⁰ LEADERSHIP ACADEMY The Leadership Academy ends at the June seminar
and meeting. This year’s Academy consisted of eight
participants (their bios are below) and three leaders.
Congratulations to the participants
on their successful completion.
ABBY BREYFOGLE: Abby Breyfogle studied Political Science at the
University of Iowa before earning her Paralegal
certificate from Kirkwood Community College in
2008. After college she became the Juvenile Clerk of Court for Johnson County, Iowa. Abby moved to Pierre in
2011 with her husband, Aaron. She is currently employed
with May, Adam, Gerdes and Thompson as a
paralegal. Abby has been an active member of SDPA
since 2011, serving on the Education Committee multiple
times. Abby enjoys winter-related outdoor activities,
such as snowboarding, sledding, and hunting. Abby also
enjoys traveling and visiting family and friends who are located throughout the midwest. Abby and Aaron have
one daughter, Teagan, and a chocolate lab named Ammo.
JESSICA HUYCK: Jessica Huyck, ACP, obtained an Associate of Science in
Paralegal Studies from Colorado Technical University in
2010. She earned her Certified Paralegal (CP) status from
the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) in 2011 and her Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) status
from NALA in 2013 in the specialty area of commercial
bankruptcy. Jessica worked as a paralegal for Fite &
Pierce Law Office in Brookings following her graduation in
2010 and until the start of 2014, at which time she began
her employment with South Dakota State University as a
Legal Affairs Specialist in the Office of University Counsel. Jessica has been a member of SDPA since 2009
and has served on various committees within the
organization, including the Education Committee, Public
Relations Committee, and Website Committee. She also
regularly volunteers through many aspects of her
community, including her various roles with the
First United Methodist Church of Brookings.
Spending time with her husband and two young
daughters is Jessica’s favorite thing to do when
she’s not at the office.
BECKY NELSON: Becky Nelson is a native of Canton, South Dakota. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Paralegal Studies with an emphasis in civil
litigation, criminal litigation, commercial law, and
probate/estate planning from Minnesota State
University Moorhead. After college, Becky stayed
in the Fargo-Moorhead area and worked as a
paralegal at Legal Services of Northwest
Minnesota for six years. Becky continued her career as a Self-Sufficiency Advocate at Lakes
and Prairies Community Action where she
provided case management to households facing or
experiencing homelessness. While at Lakes and
Prairies, Becky helped develop and establish the
first Fargo-Moorhead Landlord-Tenant Mediation
Project. After nearly ten years in Fargo, Becky returned “home” and is currently working as a
paralegal at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole, LLP in Sioux
Falls. Becky has eight nephews and one niece,
whom she enjoys spending time with. In her free
time, Becky likes to read, bicycle, cook for her
friends and family, and refinish/repurpose
furniture. Biographies continued on page 5
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 5
JANET MILLER: Janet Miller was born and raised in Redfield, South Dakota.
She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and
Criminal Justice from South Dakota State University.
While living in the Minneapolis area, she received an
Associate of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies from North Hennepin Community College. Janet worked as a
paralegal at a personal injury firm in the Twin Cities area
for over fifteen years. In 2007, Janet returned to South
Dakota and began working as a general practice paralegal at
Siegel, Barnett, & Schutz, LLP. Janet has two children,
Emily and Matt. In her spare time, Janet enjoys traveling,
spending time with her family as well as bicycling.
VICTORIA SWENSON: Victoria Swenson grew up in a small town in Minnesota and
moved to Sioux Falls to attend college. She attended
Colorado Technical University and obtained an associate
degree in Criminal Justice in 2004. She then obtained a
bachelor degree in Paralegal Studies from National
American University in 2007. Victoria has worked at Boyce
Law Firm, L.L.P. in Sioux Falls for the past six years, beginning her role as a legal secretary and recently being
promoted to the firm’s business section paralegal in June
of 2014. She assists the firm’s business section attorneys
with a wide variety of things including estate planning,
probates, and entity set up and maintenance, Besides being
a member of the SDPA, she is a member of NALA.
Victoria has been married for twelve years and has two children, Daniel and Kaitlyn, who recently turned 7. She
lives with her husband, Paul, and their kids on a small
acreage outside of Colman, South Dakota, where they have raised bottle calves and chickens and dabble in hay
farming. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with
her family and friends, reading and running.
Biographies, continued from page 4
KRISTI WOOD: Kristi Wood is a legal assistant at the law firm of
Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP where she has worked for the past 9 years. She
devotes her professional time to the area of civil
litigation for attorney Cris Palmer. Kristi
attended Western Dakota Tech where she
obtained her associates degree in paralegal
studies in 2011. In her spare time, she enjoys
traveling with her husband Erin, being outdoors in
the beautiful Black Hills with her golden retriever Jayde, and she is an avid sports enthusiast, having
attended professional sporting events across the
country. Kristi and her husband are looking
forward to welcoming their first child in the fall.
SHELBY SNYDER: (not pictured)
Shelby Snyder obtained an Associate in Applied
Science degree in paralegal studies from Western
Dakota Tech in 2011. While attending college, she
served as the Treasurer for the Paralegal Club.
Shelby is a paralegal at May Adam of Pierre, SD,
where she has worked for three and a half years. Primarily, she assists in the areas of worker’s
compensation, estate planning, probate, and
criminal defense. Shelby has been a member of
the SDPA since 2010 and is currently serving as a
member of the Membership Committee. In her
spare time, Shelby enjoys hunting and fishing with
her fiancé, Josh, and playing softball, volleyball,
and darts.
Biographies continued on page 6
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 6
Biographies, continued from page 5
VICKI BLAKE: (not pictured)
Vicki Blake is a certified paralegal with Zimmer, Duncan &
Cole, LLP in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She began working
as a legal secretary for law offices in the 1980s before
paralegal schools and paralegals in law offices. In 2007
she attained her Certified Paralegal designation through NALA. Vicki has served the SDPA on the Education
Committee, Ethics Committee, Nominations and Elections
Committee, and she chaired the Membership Committee.
In 2008-2009 she was named the SDPA Member of the
Year. Additionally, she has assumed the responsibility for
arranging for monthly lunch CLE speakers for our members
in the Sioux Falls area. She currently works for attorneys
Drew Duncan and William D. Sims at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. The areas of practice that they work mainly in
include criminal, personal injury litigation, government law,
and lobbying. While working at Zimmer Law, Vicki has had
numerous opportunities to assist at trial and regularly
makes criminal court appearances on behalf of clients for
the attorneys as allowed by the Second Circuit. During her
spare time, she enjoys riding her Harley Davidson both with
her husband, Clint, and with a group of women who all ride. She has two children and four grandchildren who all live in
the Sioux Falls area.
A special “Thank You” to the leaders of the Academy:
Tammy Ackerman (past President, 2011-2012) Cindy Schmit (past President, 2010-2011) Chris Lillo (past President, 2002-2003)
AREA HAPPININGS
Abbie Langerock and Valerie Winegar
delivered cookies and treats to Minnehaha
Court Administration Office and Lincoln
County Clerk of Courts. We also had
members who delivered cookies to the civil
clerk offices in Minnehaha County.
THANKS to everyone who participated in
the “Cookies for Clerk’s” project this
year!
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 7
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SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 8
Good, Old-Fashioned Networking, continued from page 5
Reprinted with permission of NALA, The Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals, and by Cindy E. Schmit, ACP. The article
originally appeared in the January/February 2015 Facts & Findings. The article is reprinted here in its entirety. For further
information, contact NALA at www.nala.org or phone (918) 587-6828.
Do you know of a member (not currently serving on the Executive Committee) who has
gone above and beyond for the South Dakota Paralegal Association? If so, please
nominate them for Outstanding Member of Year. Nominations can be sent to the
President at [email protected]. All nominations should be received by June 5, 2015.
Nominations for Outstanding
Member of the Year!
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 9
First I want to welcome our newest certified SDPA member, Jaela Johnson from Aberdeen, South
Dakota, who obtained her certification. Congrats Jaela Johnson, CP.
The next deadlines for the NALA certification test are as follows:
Examination
Window Application Filing Deadline**
Late Application Filing Deadline
(With $25 late filing fee)
January 1-31 December 1 December 10
May 1-31 April 1 April 10
September 1-30 August 1 August 10
If you are not already a member of NALA, you can become a member at http://nala.org/join.aspx
should you meet the qualifications set forth by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
This year, 2015, is a big year for NALA as NALA is 40! The next NALA convention will be in NALA’s
backyard in Tulsa, Oklahoma. So plan accordingly to attend the convention July 22, 2015, through July
24, 2015, in Tulsa. It is not too late to still register.
Lastly, I want to thank you all for allowing me to serve as your NALA Liaison in the last year. It was
an honor to represent the South Dakota Paralegal Association. I have enjoyed working with the
Executive Committee and NALA. This is truly a great experience. If you have not served on a
committee or run for an Executive Committee position, please consider doing so. It is a great way to
network and to get to know your fellow SDPA members better. Safe travels to our SDPA incoming
NALA Liaison, Jackie Hoefener, and President, Abby Breyfogle, as they travel to Tulsa.
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 10
PARABLOG By The Newsletter Committee
Networking…it is what SDPA is all about. It is an
opportunity to elevate our “jobs” to something
more by engaging in relationships with others in
our profession. Think about it. We spend more
time at work than anywhere else. Anyone who has
been in the work force long enough has learned
there is no such thing as the “perfect” job, but
that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our jobs and
turn them into careers.
From my perspective, the difference between a
“job” and a “career” is networking. We all do
networking at some level; however, SDPA gives us
a platform to be intentional about it. We can go
beyond serving the needs of our office and meet
our individual, professional needs, that maybe we
didn’t even know we had. We can join with other
working professionals to share ideas, learn
together, and, most important, to engage in
meaningful relationships.
The nature of our profession is difficult, so it
goes that our “work” really is work, but through
networking, we can make it enjoyable work. I
remember the first time I was invited to a
paralegal luncheon. It was intimidating at first,
but I kept going, and now it is something I really
look forward to.
Most of us work because we need to and, while
there are other things I’d rather do, (and I’m
sure we all dream about our retirement years),
our jobs, here and now, can be a fun adventure
along the way.
Networking is the way to make that happen. It
can provide a break from the hum-drum and
give us something to look forward to: attending
luncheons and seminars, joining committees, and
volunteering for projects. Sounds like more
work, right? Not when you do it with friends,
and that is what our Association can offer
you…116 potential new friends.
Have I convinced you yet that networking is
worth the effort? I know joining SDPA and
getting involved has been a big benefit to me. I
have made many friends I otherwise would not
have met, and I have had opportunities to
discover more about myself by volunteering and
developing my skills.
I cannot guarantee networking will make you
skip to work each day, but I think when you
look back and see all the positive experiences
you have had and the friends you have made
along the way, you may find that “working for a
living” isn’t that bad after all.
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 11
mm
MEMBERSHIP
Chair: Kristi Wood Member: Shelby Snyder
We currently have 116 members.
Continued on page 12
FINANCE Chair: Jennifer Doubledee, CP
Nothing to report at this time.
SDPA COMMITTEE REPORTS
AUDIT Chair: Paula R. Newman Member: Christi Weideman, ACP
Nothing to report at this time.
EDUCATION Chair: Rhonda Henning Member: Jessica Huyck, ACP Member: Rebekah Nelson Member: Dori Quam, ACP
The Education Committee has been very busy planning the SDPA Annual Meeting and Seminar, which is scheduled to be held on Friday, June 19, 2015 in Rapid City. We are very excited for this seminar and hope that you will join us for this event. For more details on the event, please refer to the registration form. See you in Rapid City!
ETHICS
Chair: Vicki Blake, CP Member: Tasha Altmann, CP Member: Sue Jensen, ACP
Nothing to report at this time.
LIBRARY Clara Kiley, CP
Interest in the SDPA library has picked up since
the first of the year with members trying to get
their CLE hours in. We have had seminar DVDs
checked out approximately 12 times so far in
2015. The SDPA library has DVDs of both
seminars from 2014 and 2013, as well as
seminars from previous years. A complete list of
seminar DVDs and other materials maintained in
the SDPA library for the benefit of its members is
available on the SDPA website. We also have the
latest edition of the NALA CP Review Manual and
Study Guide geared toward the new CP exam as
part of our library, and those materials were
recently returned and are now available to be
checked out. Members are asked to return
materials they have checked out within 3 months
so the materials are available to other SDPA
members. Anyone interested in checking out
seminar DVDs or study materials should contact
the SDPA Librarian, Clara Kiley, CP, of Belle
Fourche at [email protected].
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 12
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS Chair: Vicki Blake, CP Member: Chris Lillo, ACP Nothing to report at this time.
NEWSLETTER Co-Chair: Karen Armstrong, PP, PLS Co-Chair: Jennifer Frederick, CP Editor: Melissa Wipf, ACP Editor: Janet Miller
The Newsletter Committee publishes an online quarterly newsletter called the SDPA Reporter. Member input is strongly encouraged. If you have written an article for another publication, or if you have an idea for a future topic for our newsletter, we would be glad to hear from you. Please contact Jen Frederick or Karen Armstrong. The new laptop and desktop publishing software should be up and running for the Summer 2015 issue of the SDPA Reporter. We are excited to see how the new software will help streamline the whole newsletter publication process.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Co-Chair: Chris Lillo, ACP Co-Chair: Cindy Schmit, ACP Member: Tammy Ackerman, CP
We are excited to share that all of the participants in
SDPA’s Leadership Academy have participated 100%.
We are hopeful that everyone can be together at the
annual meeting for a graduation celebration!
Earlier this year we reviewed and revised the SDPA
Student Scholarship application and the CP
Scholarship application. More recently, we prepared
a proposal for an ACP Scholarship and presented it to
the SDPA Executive Committee for review. More
information on the ACP Scholarship will be given at
the annual meeting and in the next issue of The
Reporter.
The SDPA Student Scholarship application and CP
Scholarship application are available on our web site
at www.sdparalegals.com. Telephone calls were made
and e-mails were sent with our SDPA Student
Scholarship application to National American
University in Sioux Falls and Rapid City; Western
Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa;
and Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City.
Please contact our committee if you have any questions.
Continued on page 13
SDPA Committee Reports, continued from page 11
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 13
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
The article topic for the next issue of The Reporter is:
Insurance Disputes
Please submit articles on this topic by the July 31, 2015 deadline.
If you have an article submission, please save it in MS Word (or as “Rich Text Format”) and e-mail it as an attachment to Jen Frederick at: [email protected]. If the above formats will not work for anyone, contact a committee member for other options. Please submit in final form for publishing to minimize editing. If you need assistance with editing or article ideas, please contact a committee member. Submissions for an ad or full-page insert can be sent as a PDF. SDPA Newsletter submission deadlines are:
January 31 April 30 July 31
October 31
SDPA advertising rates per issue (camera ready)
Full Page.................. $50.00 + 3.00 tax = 53.00
Half Page...................$30.00 + 1.80 tax = 31.80
Quarter Page.............$20.00 + 1.20 tax = 21.20
Business Card……...$15.00 + 0.90 tax = 15.90
WEBSITE Co-Chair: Tammy Ackerman, CP Co-Chair: Jackie Hoefener, CP Member: Jessica Huyck, ACP
Nothing to report at this time.
PUBLIC RELATIONS Chair: Jessica Huyck, ACP
In conjunction with Law Day, which is observed each year on May 1st, the Public Relations Committee encouraged members to get involved in their communities to make others aware of this important day. Some activities that members participated in this year include a coloring contest, a mock trial event, and a book discussion. Thank you to everyone who participated! If you have an event idea or announcement you want included on SDPA’s Facebook page, please do not hesitate to contact me.
SDPA Committee Reports, continued from page 12
PARLIAMENTARIAN Kristen Dinger, ACP
POSTMISTRESS Cindy Schmit, ACP
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 14
SDPA Job Bank Chair: Laura Stewart Member: Kayne Larimer
There are currently 4 openings in the job bank. If you are an employer or know of an employer seeking paralegals and/or legal staff, please contact me.
Billing Specialist/Accounts Payable Clerk – Rapid City
Company Description
Since 1946, the law firm of Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun, P.C., has served an extensive list of business and litigation clients throughout the state of South Dakota, earning a solid reputation for excellence in the practice of law. With offices in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota's two largest cities, Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun, P.C., is ready to serve your legal needs on a statewide and regional basis.
Job Description - Lynn Jackson is looking for a dynamic and detail oriented Billing Specialist/Accounts Payable Clerk to join our Rapid City team. This person is responsible for performing all billing transactions including (but not limited to): data entry of costs; correcting, completing, and processing all time entries and timekeeper codes; expense entries and expense codes; electronic bill processing for a variety of companies; receipts; and trust accounting. They are also required to generate reports from the various systems in accordance with established procedures.
Job Responsibilities - Process all billing transactions; Issue billing adjustments; enter, print, validate and mail vendor checks; interface internal billing with customer billing websites; process past due invoices and failed billing; report process flow issues to Office Manager.
Qualifications - Working knowledge of Microsoft
Office (Word and Excel required); strong use of
keyboard shortcuts; 10 key; must have strong knowledge of billing and financial concepts; works well in an environment with firm deadlines; results oriented; perform multiple tasks effectively; able to work both independently and as part of a team; strong analytical skills required; capable of making timely, independent decisions; excellent oral, written and interpersonal communications skill; must be able to lift 10 lbs; understanding legal terms and terminology a plus.
Education and Experience - High school diploma required. 2-3 years billing experience required. Experience billing insurance companies a plus. Experience with PerfectLaw AIM a plus.
Submit resume to Pam Asbridge, firm administrator at [email protected]; or office manager Meghan Howard at [email protected] or 909 St. Joseph Street, Suite 800, PO Box 8250, Rapid City, SD 57709-8250.
Trust Administrative Assistant – Sioux Falls
This position requires accounting, paralegal or business degree with 1-2 years related work experience and proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel. This individual will assist the Trust Administrator with the day-to-day management of the trust accounts by performing the accounting opening and set up process, working with attorneys, financial advisors and clients, inputting distributions, trust accounting system input, annual reporting requirements, asset set up, etc. Please submit resumes to [email protected].
Continued on page 15
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 15
“LIKE” SDPA
on FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/pages/South-Dakota-
Paralegal-Association/149985754725?ref=ts
The South Dakota Paralegal Association is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation and continued growth of
the paralegal profession.
Paralegal – Belle Fourche
Wolff Law Office, PLLC has an immediate opening for a Paralegal/Paralegal Intern position. Position would start as part-time with the intention to go full-time in the very near future. Duties include but are not limited to drafting, editing, and filing pleadings with state courts, scheduling, assisting with depositions, file maintenance, travel arrangements, research, expense reports, billing, time entry, mailings, office management, and maintaining attorney calendars. Candidates must be professional and detail oriented. Ideal candidate should have a very strong understanding of state court rules and procedures, excellent computer skills with proficiency in Excel and MS Office; excellent oral and written communication skills; able to work independently as well as with the team; exceptional organizational skills. Position is 35+ hours per week, M-F with some overtime possible. Wage based on experience. Position remains open until filled. Interested applicants please send cover letter, resume, salary requirement and 2+ work references to Emily Wolff at Wolff Law Office, PLLC, 511 National Street, Suite 103, Belle Fourche, SD 57717 or email to: [email protected].
Legal Support Rep – Rapid City
Black Hills IP, LLC, is an intellectual property support services company which is growing and seeking flexible, organized, detail-oriented individuals to help coordinate communications between attorneys, customers, and the U.S. Patent Office. Applicants must have HSD or GED and four years’ clerical experience or paralegal certification or Associate’s Degree in Legal Secretarial preferred. For applications and information, contact [email protected]. EOE.
Laura M. Stewart, Paralegal SDPA, Job Bank Chair FULLER & WILLIAMSON, LLP 7521 S. Louise Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57108 �: 605-333-0003 �: 605-333-0007 �: [email protected]
Kayne Larimer, ACP SDPA, Job Bank Member �: [email protected]
SDPA Job Bank, continued from page 14
Did You Know?
We have a new South Dakota
Supreme Court justice. Justice
Janine M. Kern was appointed
by Governor Dennis Daugaard
on November 24, 2014.
Justice Kern’s biography can be
read at the following link:
http://ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Cou
rt/default.aspx
Now You’re Cooking!
Submit your favorite summer recipe to
[email protected] for publishing in
the next issue.
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 16
Black Hills Luncheon Contact: Becky Purington, CP
Phone: 605-342-1078
The Black Hills area paralegals meet at noon
on the second Wednesday of each month.
Times and locations are announced monthly via
e-mail.
Brookings Luncheon Contact: Jessica Huyck, ACP
Phone: 605-688-5248
For more information on the Brookings area
luncheon times and dates, please contact
Jessica.
Pierre Luncheon Contact: Abby Breyfogle
Phone: 515-664-6264
The Pierre area paralegals plan the upcoming
meetings at each luncheon.
Sioux Falls Luncheon Contact: Vicki Blake, CP
Phone: 605-331-1031
The Sioux Falls area paralegals meet at noon on
the second Thursday of each month. Times and
locations are announced via e-mail and on the
SDPA Facebook Fan Page. If anyone has ideas
for speakers or someone/something they would
like to hear about, please contact Vicki Blake.
Watertown Luncheon Contact: Karen Armstrong, PP, PLS
Phone: 605-886-0010
The Watertown area paralegals meet every
other month, on the last Thursday.
Paralegal Luncheons
If you have never been to a local area luncheon or if it’s
been a while, now is a great time to start networking
with your local paralegal community.
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 17
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 18
SDPA REPORTER, Vol. 26, No. 2 19
SDPA COMMITTEES FOR THE UPCOMING 2015-2016 YEAR by Abby Breyfogle, 1st Vice President
The various committees of SDPA are found and described in its Bylaws. Each year, the President of SDPA is
tasked with appointing committee Chairpersons and Members. To ensure that members of the committees are
willing and able to serve, I would ask each of you to please consider volunteering your time and talents to a
committee that corresponds to your interests. A copy of the Committee Preference Form is included with the
Newsletter. Please take a moment and fill out the form, and email it back to me at:
I look forward to serving everyone in the South Dakota Paralegal Association as your President, and helping to make the upcoming year a great one for each of us!
Committees and Descriptions:
• Nominations and Elections Committee. The President shall appoint a Nominations and Elections Committee consisting of a chairperson and three active members at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall present a slate of officers to the membership thirty (30) days prior to election and perform such other duties as are required under these Bylaws. No name shall be on the slate without the consent of the candidate.
• Educational Programs Committee. This committee shall plan seminars and workshops and work with NALA, the State Bar and other organizations, in the event of co-sponsorship of any programs. The committee shall be responsible for fulfilling the educational requirements under Article VI of these Bylaws and its chairperson shall report such educational meetings to the NALA Liaison.
• Membership Committee. This committee shall be charged with the responsibility of developing programs to encourage membership in the association. The Membership chairperson is responsible for determining if the applicant meets the qualifying criteria for membership and for notifying the prospective applicant of their acceptance/rejection of membership. The Membership chairperson is also responsible for keeping a current membership roster in conjunction with the Treasurer.
• Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall be composed of at least two active members, one of whom is preferably a past Treasurer, whose purpose is to audit the Treasurer’s books as of the close of the fiscal year prior to the annual meeting.
• Ethics Committee. This committee shall investigate and report any violations of South Dakota Supreme Court Rule 97-25 or the Code of Ethics adopted by SDPA to the Executive Committee for appropriate action, including a member’s censure, expulsion, or discipline.
• Public Relations. This committee shall develop programs to promote good relations with the legal community and the public; prepare promotional materials for publication; and arrange for radio and television programs or in any other media which would benefit SDPA.
• Librarian. The librarian shall be responsible for maintaining a library of books, magazines, articles, publications, video and cassette tapes, NALA’s Findings of Fact and Career Chronicles, SDPA newsletters, and other written materials related to the legal assistant profession. The librarian shall provide the materials or copies for a fee set by the Executive Committee.
• Newsletter Committee. This committee shall publish and distribute the association’s newsletter at least quarterly, or more often if directed by the Executive Committee.
• Professional Development Committee. This committee shall read and report current case law involving legal assistants of the NALA Professional Development Committee. In addition, the committee would promote local professional involvement with the legal community.
• Job Bank Committee. This committee shall maintain a listing of jobs available to legal assistants in South Dakota as provided by prospective employers.
• Website Committee. This committee shall maintain the website for the association and also respond to any inquires by members or nonmembers that are posed through the website.
