SECTION 9:
PROFESSION DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS
9.1: ABA APPROVAL COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE (REVISED 10/15/2011)
9.1A REPORTING:
Reports to the Vice President and Director of Profession Development.
9.1B AUTHORITY:
The Approval Commission Representative's authorization is outlined by Resolution Nos.
83-19, 85-11, 89-4 and 11-3.
9.1C DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Approval Commission Representative will:
1. Be accountable to NFPA and Education Coordinators;
2. Attend and participate in all meetings and other Commission activities,
including but not limited to on-site visitations of paralegal education programs as
requested by the Commission;
3. Obtain and review ABA approval guidelines in light of NFPA, COPA and U.S.
Department of Education policies on accreditation;
4. Monitor the effectiveness of the Guidelines and suggest improvements that
would make the Guidelines more responsive to the education needs of paralegals
a. Encourage the Commission to move toward a more broadly based
autonomous structure and increase more paralegal participation in Commission
activities
b. Serve as an ex-officio member of any education related committees
c. Serve on Student Association Membership Committee
9.1D TERM OF OFFICE:
The term of office will be commensurate with the term for NFPA's appointment by the
ABA President for its seat on the Commission. NFPA's participation will be reviewed
upon expiration of that term. Upon expiration, each region of NFPA will nominate one
candidate (not necessarily from their respective region) to represent NFPA on the
Commission. Said nominees' name and credentials will be submitted by each Region
Director, to the President by January 1 of the year in which appointment is considered
by the membership.
A vote of the member associations will be taken at the Annual Meeting before time of
expiration to determine the candidate preference by ranking the nominees. The
nominee with the most votes will be the NFPA's choice as representative to the
Commission.
9.1E INTERNAL DUTIES AND REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Approval Commission Representative will prepare the following reports which will
be directed to the Vice President and Director of Profession Development:
- A report summarizing the proceedings of each Commission meeting which
will be circulated to the Board within two weeks following any meeting
(scheduled for May and November). These reports on Commission activities
will be circulated to the member associations through the next issue of the
INSIDE published following receipt of the report by the Board. Reports will
include current information on changes in the approval guidelines or changes
in their interpretation or application, as well as the procedures and activities of
the Commission. Information regarding evaluations of specific educational
programs by the Commission are understood to be confidential and as such
will not be reported to NFPA.
b. The Approval Commission Representative will submit to the membership
proposed changes to the ABA Approval Guidelines for review and comment.
c. The Approval Commission Representative will be included on the Primary
Representative mailing list.
Expenses incurred in connection with speaking engagements to NFPA member
associations to explain the ABA Approval process will be borne by the member
association unless the approval of the Board has been obtained. The following
resolution was adopted by the primaries at the Midyear meeting in 1992.
RESOLUTION 92-M5
WHEREAS, NFPA recognizes the importance of having a qualified representative
appointed to the ABA Approval Commission; and
WHEREAS, NFPA recognizes that the representative to the ABA Approval Commission
should be well versed in NFPA history and philosophy; and
WHEREAS, NFPA believes that a representative must have a solid educational
background; and
WHEREAS, the ABA Approval Commission requires the names of three (3) individuals
to be submitted for consideration of appointment to the Commission;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following minimum requirements for
the position of ABA Approval Commission Representative, and the nominating
procedure for said position be established:
A. Requirements of position:
1. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;
2. A background in paralegal education evidenced by having served on a
paralegal program advisory board or teaching in a paralegal program;
3. Having been a member of NFPA's Board or held the position of NFPA
Primary or Secondary Representative for a collective total of three years;
4. Agrees to comply with the duties and responsibilities as listed and
outlined in Section 9.1 of the NFPA Procedures Manual, attached hereto as Exhibit A;
and
5. Must have ability to travel.
B. Nomination procedure:
1. Commencing with the election of 2013 and every third year thereafter,
NFPA shall seek candidates for an ABA Approval Commission Representative Elect for
appointment to the Commission, whose appointment shall be made in August of the
following year, in accordance with ABA practice.
a. Member Associations will elect an ABA Approval Commission
Representative from the list of nominees at the Annual Convention;
b. Once an ABA Approval Commission Representative is chosen
by the member associations, the President of NFPA will timely submit the nominee’s
name to the Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals for final approval and
appointment by the ABA President;
c. If the ABA Approval Commission Representative elected by the
member associations is declined by the ABA, then the nominee receiving the second
highest number of votes will be submitted to the ABA Chair of the Standing Committee
on Paralegals for final approval and appointment by the ABA President.
i. If the election was uncontested, the NFPA Board, after
requesting interest forms and the submission of resumes, shall appoint a person until
the next Annual Convention, when an election shall be held for a Representative.
ii. If the ABA Approval Commission Representative resigns
prior to the end of the term, the NFPA Board will seek interest forms and the submission
of resumes, for appointment of a new ABA Approval Commission Representative to
complete the term.
9.1.1 Responsibilities and Duties related to the ABA
9.1.1A ABA
The NFPA representative to the ABA Approval Commission represents the Federation
as a voting commissioner. Status as a Commissioner is approved each year in August
by the ABA during the three year term. The NFPA representative is one of 13 voting
Commissioners working with the ABA Approval Commission staff, counsel, and the ABA
Standing Committee on Paralegals (“SCOP”). With that in mind, responsibilities entail
the following:
1. Review and familiarization of the ABA Guidelines for Approval of Paralegal
Programs. (The ABA Commission staff and consultants have compiled detailed
materials to assist with this, as well as offering a two-day seminar called the “ABA
Approval Academy.”)
2. Attend both the spring and Fall Commission meetings every year (April
and November), in Chicago, IL at ABA headquarters (usually two working days in
Chicago).
3. Plan travel to and from Chicago using NFPA forms for pre-approval of
expenses. The ABA also helps arrange all travel, and provides Commissioners with an
inexpensive hotel option, as well as several meals to help keep within amounts
budgeted by NFPA.
4. As a member of the Commission, the NFPA Representative is required to
participate as a site team visitor at three or four schools a year. The site visits are
conducted by a site team chair, generally a commission member, and a site team
member. Once few site visits have been completed, you will be required to chair a site
visit as well. A site team is always made up of an educator/lawyer and a paralegal
member, if possible. Therefore, you will be working with other volunteers around the
country, and not just the voting commissioners.
5. Work with ABA staff to be available for site visits that fit your schedule.
6. Review all materials for upcoming commission meetings and for site visits.
7. Work closely with site team members to review, prepare, conduct and
report on site visits in a timely and professional manner.
8. Work under the guidelines and expectations of the ABA Approval
Commission. You will be provided a statement of conduct to be followed regarding site
visits.
9. Enjoy the art of educating paralegals.
9.1.1B Site Visits
1. As a team member, the NFPA Representative will be visiting schools that
are seeking approval or re-approval of their paralegal programs. These schools work
very hard to get to the point of having site visitors. An actual site visit takes about a day
and a half, and includes a very full first day. Many times team members work late into
the night to prepare for the following day. The purpose of the visit is to see everything
the school has reported in their report and to verify that information. This includes
interviewing school administration, faculty, students, alumni, advisory committee
members and much more.
2. In preparation for a site visit, the Representative works with the visit Chair
or team member to decide which of the seven sections of the Guidelines each will
cover, and what specific items must be verified. There are things that are hard to verify
in writing, and it takes an actual site visit to ensure the guidelines are being met. Each
member of the site team is provided with the application as well as corresponding
exhibits in order to review, prepare and anticipate what will be most important to verify
during the site visit. Travel is arranged in cooperation with the school and conjunction
with the other team member. Schools generally pay as much of the travel expenses as
possible upfront.
3. During the site visit, professional conduct is expected while examining
documents and interviewing people to satisfy each guideline area.
4. After the visit, the team is responsible for completion of a report that in the
end is reviewed by the school and the ABA Approval Commission. The report is a tool
for reporting everything seen, interviews completed and checklists to show the approval
guidelines are being met. Forms and tools are provided by the ABA.
5. Each year on the Commission is different depending on how many
programs are awaiting a site visit. Schools are reapproved every seven years; therefore,
the NFPA representative may be asked to go on several site visits in one year, or only
one or two another year. Having a good working relationship with your employer is
important. Most firms are happy to get their firm name connected to the ABA.
RESOLUTION 11-3
WHEREAS, 92-M5(B)(2) details the nomination procedure for the ABA Approval
Commission Representative;
WHEREAS, the language set out in 92-M5(B)(2) is outdated and not consistent with
Section 12.1 of the NFPA Bylaws;
WHEREAS, because the ABA appoints Representatives to the Commission in August
and NFPA’s elections are in the fall (September or October) at its Annual Convention, it
is necessary to amend the election procedures for 2013 in order to have an NFPA
representative ready for appointment in 2014; and
WHEREAS, the language set out in 92-M5(B)(2) is inconsistent with the ABA’s current
practice for appointment of representatives to the Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Section B of 92-M5 be amended as
follows:
B. Nomination procedure:
1. Commencing with the election of 2013 and every third year thereafter, NFPA
shall seek candidates for an ABA Approval Commission Representative Elect for
appointment to the Commission, whose appointment shall be made in August of the
following year, in accordance with ABA practice.
a) Member Associations will elect an ABA Approval Commission
Representative from the list of nominees at the Annual Convention;
b) Once an ABA Approval Commission Representative is chosen by the
member associations, the President of NFPA will timely submit the nominee’s name to
the Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals for final approval and
appointment by the ABA President;
c) If the ABA Approval Commission Representative elected by the
member associations is declined by the ABA, then the nominee receiving the second
highest number of votes will be submitted to the ABA Chair of the Standing Committee
on Paralegals for final approval and appointment by the ABA President.
i. If the election was uncontested, the NFPA Board, after requesting
interest forms and the submission of resumes, shall appoint a person until the next
Annual Convention, when an election shall be held for a Representative.
ii. If the ABA Approval Commission Representative resigns prior to
the end of the term, the NFPA Board will seek interest forms and the submission of
resumes, for appointment of a new ABA Approval Commission Representative to
complete the term.
9.2: EDUCATION COORDINATOR
9.2A AUTHORITY:
The Education Coordinator shall be the Co-Chair of the Education Committee along
with the ABA Approval Commission Representative, authorized by Resolution 91-9.
9.2B REPORTING:
Reports to the Vice President and Director of Profession Development.
9.2C PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT:
Candidates for Education Coordinator will be nominated prior to the Annual Meeting.
The nominees' names and credentials will be submitted and presented to the
membership. A vote of the member associations will be taken at the applicable Annual
Meeting to elect the Education Coordinator.
9.2D TERM OF OFFICE:
The term of the Education Coordinator will be three years, staggered with the term of
the ABA Approval Commission Representative.
9.2E DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Education Coordinator will:
a. Be accountable to NFPA;
b. Carry out the duties and responsibilities as contained in the timetable of the
original resolution and any subsequent resolutions of the delegates.
c. Provide assistance to NFPA's representative to the ABA Approval
Commission.
d. Coordinate the paralegal scholarship award program.
9.2F INTERNAL DUTIES AND REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES:
a. The Education Coordinator will prepare quarterly and annual reports.
b. The report will include recommendations to improve the quality of paralegal
education.
9.2G RESOLUTION 99-F-6 STATES:
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution 86-8, an ad hoc Education/Accreditation Task
Force, co-chaired by a Task Force Coordinator and NFPA s ABA Approval Commission
Representative, was created by NFPA to assist in studying educational issues
impacting upon the paralegal profession and in establishing NFPA educational policy;
and
WHEREAS, under Resolution 91-9 all prior resolutions pertaining to the Education
/Accreditation Task Force were rescinded, the Task Force was established as a
Standing Committee, the qualifications for the Task Force Coordinator were modified,
and a one-year term and the annual election of the Task Force Coordinator were
established; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of Resolution 94-9 changed the name of the Task Force to
the Education Committee and provided that the term of the Education Committee Chair
(aka Education Coordinator) run concurrently with the three-year term of the ABA
Approval Commission Representative; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 96-3 rescinded the provision that the term of the Education
Committee Chair run concurrently with the three-year term of the ABA Approval
Commission Representative and also established that the Chair (Coordinator) was to be
appointed annually by the Board of Directors, such provision being contrary to Article
XII, Sec. 12.1 of the NFPA Bylaws which mandates the Education Coordinator be
elected by the delegates; and
WHEREAS, it is the recommendation of the Board of Directors that the term of
Education Coordinator (Chair of the Education Committee) be re-established as three
years, however, instead of running concurrently with the term of the ABA Approval
Commission Representative, the term be staggered; and
WHEREAS, it is the further recommendation of the Board that the various provisions of
existing Resolutions affecting the Education Coordinator and structure of the Education
Committee be consolidated into a single Resolution;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Education Committee shall be cochaired
by the Education Coordinator and the ABA Approval Commission
Representative, and the Education Committee shall be further comprised of NFPA
members interested in furthering the development of NFPA educational issues and any
projects or charges established by Board or the delegates;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that pursuant to Article XII, Section 12.1 of the NFPA
Bylaws, the Education Coordinator and the ABA Approval Commission Representative
shall be elected at the appropriate Annual Convention;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the term of office for the Education Coordinator shall
be three (3) years and shall be staggered with the term of the ABA Approval
Commission Representative which is three years and is set by the ABA Approval
Commission;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in order to immediately accommodate the staggering
of the terms of the Education Coordinator and the ABA Approval Commission
Representative whose current term expires in April 2000 and upon the adoption of this
Resolution, the initial term of the Education Coordinator shall be two years;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any candidate for the position of Education
Coordinator shall meet all of the following qualifications:
1. Possess a four-year degree from an accredited college or university;
2. Possess a background in paralegal education, i.e. teaching experience
within a paralegal program or service on an advisory board for a paralegal program;
3. Demonstrate articulate, professional, assertive and imaginative skills and
abilities;
4. Be well-versed in NFPA history and policy;
5. Make the commitment to support NFPA s ABA Approval Commission
Representative; and
6. Possess the ability to travel to conventions, conferences and other
activities required by and affecting the duties and responsibilities of Education
Coordinator.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all provisions of existing policy resolutions which are
inconsistent with the provisions herein, are hereby rescinded.
9.2H RESOLUTION 96-3 STATES:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the resolved paragraph 1 of Resolution 94-9 reading:
"Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Education/Accreditation Task Force be renamed
the Education Committee and be comprised of one member from each region
plus the Chair and Co-Chair. The committee will be chaired by the Education