President's Message
Ellen Lockwood , CLAS, RP
As the Division approaches its 25th Anniversary on October 23, 2006, there
will be celebrations and articles that will focus on where the Division has been
and where it is going. The past 25 years have been remarkable for the
leadership, innovation, and advancement of the paralegal profession. It is
important to remember we would not be celebrating this milestone if not for the
contributions of the following people:
Those involved in the formation of the Division, including attorneys,
judges, State Bar personnel, and paralegals. If not for their vision and hard
work, we would not have been the first paralegal division of a state bar. We owe
them our deepest gratitude.
Charter members, those paralegals across the state who recognized the
historic significance and importance of joining the first paralegal division of
a state bar, and their attorneys who hopefully supported their membership.
Chairs/Presidents of the Division who have stepped up to be the
representative and spokesperson. These ladies and gentleman volunteered to be
the Division's principal leader and while many of us do much for the Division,
it is only these brave few who were willing to take on the extra
responsibilities of the office of president. Several of them continue to serve
the Division as Ambassadors.
Officers, directors who take on the additional responsibilities of
parliamentarian, secretary, or treasurer. The board truly could not function
without these officers.
PD District Directors who serve their members in their districts, who
attend lengthy board meetings, who strive to make the best decisions for the
Division, trying to balance the needs of members in small towns and those in
large cities. They spend quite a bit of time preparing for board meetings,
offering CLE in their districts, working with their subcommittee chairs, and
dealing with various Division issues. There have been numerous board members and
their leadership formed the policy and procedures of the Division.
Committee Chairs, the leaders of the committees, where the true work of
the Division is done. The committee chairs work with committee members from all
over the state, pulling them together into a coordinated effort to accomplish
the Division's goals, then reporting back to the board their committee's
accomplishments.
Sub-Chairs/Committee Members, and Other Volunteers, the army of the
Division. These volunteers do the work of the Division. Without them the
Division would cease to function. After all, the directors donst process
membership applications, or bear the responsibility for publications, public
relations, elections, annual meeting, professional development, ethics, TAPS,
and various ad-hoc committees. The Division could continue at least for a while
without the board of directors, but without the committees and the volunteers
are the Divisionss various events, the Division could not function.
The Coordinator, Norma Hackler, who for sixteen of the Divisionss 25
years has been its continuity and its organizer. As the Divisionss only paid
employee, she does her job plus all of the things we volunteers don't
have time to do. She deals with everyoness personality quirks, the State Bar,
vendors, hotels, and restaurants. Although she had no previous involvement with
the legal field, she has adopted our profession and the Division as her own. No
one is a more devoted to our organization.
The State Bar of Texas, which, in its wisdom, created the Paralegal
Division, and has provided our organization with legitimacy, support, and
leadership.
All of the others who support the Division, whether directly or
indirectly, including sustaining members, vendors, families, friends, attorneys,
employers, and anyone else I have neglected to mention.
And of course, YOU, the members! There would be no Division without the
great members who a part of this very first state bar paralegal organization.
Your leaders are important but the members are the heart of the Division.
Without you, we cease to exist.
The Division's success for the last 25 years is the result of many people's
efforts. As we look toward the future, please take a moment to thank someone who
has helped make this organization what it is today, and pat yourselves on the
back, as well. If you have not yet gotten involved in the Division, I hope you
will considering doing so, and helping make the Division's next 25 years even
better.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as your president. It has been an
honor and a privilege.
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