Dixie Digest
www.alabama-als.org
May 2017
A Message from our PRESIDENT
Kay Kidd
I am so looking forward to serving as your 2017-2018 President. It is
such an honor and I want to thank everyone for your vote of confidence.
I want to thank BLSA for a great Annual Meeting and I want to especially
thank my beloved BCALP for a wonderful and exciting installation. I will
remember April 22, 2017 forever!
We have a new and exciting year ahead of us. Your EC has new and innovative marketing and
membership plans along with several other goals we hope to achieve in the upcoming year. First and
foremost, one of my most important goals is improving the communication and relationship with the
Chapters and members of this wonderful organization. One of the ways I hope to achieve this goal is that
we, as your EC, are going to have a “suggestion basket” at the sign-in desk at the Board Meetings. Also,
we are going to have an “open forum” after the Board Meetings are adjourned to hear your suggestions,
recommendations and, yes, your complaints. The EC will answer questions and read the suggestions from
the basket and respond accordingly, at least to the best of our ability. I look forward to hearing from our
membership.
As you all know, we have been trying to reach an amicable resolution to the disposition of the Annual
Meeting Profits and deciding what to do about the funds in the Grant Account. In that regard, I am
appointing a Task Force to hopefully resolve this matter.
I am asking that each chapter appoint a member to the Task Force. I will head the Task Force, they will
report to me and I will forward the information to the EC. I want all of our chapters to discuss this issue and
develop a proposal to send to the Task Force.
I want the Task Force to review the proposals, exchange your ideas and present a proposal to me at which
time I will send it to the EC for approval. I will forward the contact information of the Task Force to
Governors once we have it in place. As you all know, we have been trying to resolve these issues for
several years and now it is time for us to reach a resolution. I look forward to your participation, input and
support.
Again, I am looking forward to serving as your President for 2017-2018. So, AALS, get into the
wagon ... it is hitched to a star and we are going to keep climbing.
Everyone have a wonderful summer and I hope to see your smiling faces in September. Thank you for your
support of this organization.
Thank you for your support, I look forward to serving
you this year.
President Elect
Talley Brathovd, PP, PLS
Thank you BLSA for a great annual meeting. Loved
the Homewood Library! The CLE was awesome—
enjoyable and informative and the fellowship with the
membership was great. I would also like to thank
BCALP for a lovely installation. It was great! Also,
congratulations to my fellow EC members.
Treasurer
Cheri Loyd
Time speeds by when you are having great fun! This
is sure the case as I write my report. Lunch and
installation were the only things between last year and
this year.
If you need an expense reimbursement request from,
please email me at [email protected] and I will
forward the form to you. You can also obtain the form
on our state website www.alabama-als.org under the
Forms section.
The plans for marketing this year are flexible and we
have some great plans in the works so keep your eyes
and hears open!
Please remember the more precise you are on your
reimbursement request, the more likely it will be
expeditiously processed.
The charity project is RMHC of Alabama this year.
The flyer has been placed on the AALS webpage for
you to review. If you are not able to collect pop tops or
you have already committed your pop tops to another
project, please take the time to peruse the wish list and
the list of things you can do to help. If you or your
chapter participates in any way please let me know
what you did and how you contributed to RMHC so
that I will be able to recognize you and your support
efforts. We appreciate any and all things you can do to
help!
Parliamentarian
Myra M. Beckham, PP, PLS
I am looking forward to a great year serving as
Parliamentarian for AALS. Several proposed changes
to bylaws and standing rules are in the works and will
be published in the next Dixie Digest. Also,
Procedures Manual updates approved by the EC will
be made and announced.
Governors, please remember to get your reports in the
Dixie Digest for each issue to be eligible for your
chapter’s Faith Stevens Award. I have the AALS flyers
for marketing. If you would like printed flyers please let
me know or the flyer can be e-mailed to you for
printing.
Upcoming NALS deadlines are as follows:
October 4-7
NALS National Education Conference, Norfolk, VA
Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel
777 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510
May 20, 201:
ALP Certification Exam
June 1, 2017
NALS Foundation Grant Deadline
September 1, 2017
NALS Foundation Grand Deadline
July 1, 2017 is the official deadline date to save $$
on your NALS 66th Annual Education & Networking
Conference Registration.
September 30, 2017
ALP Certification Exam
If you have any questions, comments, or anything you
would like to let me know, please do not hesitate to
give me a call or send me an e-mail.
Be sure to register today at: NALS.org/Norfolk2017
2
Vice President
Ed Clark, PP
RECRUIT
RETAIN
RECOGNIZE
R
We are returning to the basics with the 2017-2018 AALS Membership Plan. My plan is a no glamor, no
gimmicks, honest-truth plan. We need to focus on recruiting new members, current members andE
obtain
recognition from our employers of the value of membership in AALS.
T
During our year of Hitch Your Wagon to a Star and Keep Climbing, we are going to the focus on three
words that reflect the basic concept of building and retaining your membership:
A
 RECRUIT
I
 RENEW
 RECOGNIZE
N
When we put these three words into action, we can grow our membership base with new members, show the
value of membership to our current members, and recognize all of our members throughout the year for their
accomplishments and achievements.
E
C
O
Voice the Value of Membership
G
 The core value of AALS is to promote and encourage participation in continuing legal
education programs throughout the State of Alabama
N
 Promote and encourage individual professional development
 Promote and assist our members with obtaining individual professional certifications
I
 Promote and develop networking opportunities on the local, state, and national levels
 Provide mentoring programs to share the wealth of knowledge our current members haveZ
with the incoming legal professionals
E
 Promote the legal professional as a vital part of the Alabama legal community
To recruit and retain members, we must get our prospective new members, former members, and employers
to see the value of membership in our tri-level association. I will work with the President-Elect to promote
the Value of Membership in all AALS marketing plans. I will work with each officer and committee
chairman to promote the Value of Membership in our Association so our members can voice the value of
membership to the legal community and their employers.
3
R
Recognition – Individual Achievement Nonmonetary Awards







Individual member recognition for outstanding service to the association
Recognition for encouraging non-member attendance at meetings
Recognition for encouraging new members
Recognition for former members who re-join the Association
Recognition of membership anniversaries
Recognition of membership birthdays
Spotlight members in Dixie Digest and Facebook page
Recognition – Individual Achievements Monetary Awards



Sponsor a New Member – Each time you sponsor a new member, you will qualify for a
drawing for a free registration (not to exceed $135.00) to the AALS Annual Meeting and
Educational Conference. The drawing will be on March 15, 2018. (To qualify for the
Sponsor a New Member drawing, you must present a completed NALS Membership
Application with your name appearing in the Sponsor Box.)
Freedom Award Sponsor – If you sponsor a new member who is the recipient of a Freedom
Award as a New Member you will qualify for $10.00 off your next registration to a regular
board meeting
First Timer Award – All members who attend their first Board Meeting/General Assembly
will qualify for a drawing for $10.00 off their registration to a regular Board Meeting –
excludes registration for Annual Meeting. (First-Timer Drawings will be held at the Second,
Third & Fourth Board of Governors Meetings.)
Chapter Incentives


Chapter Membership Award
o No competition between chapters
o Each chapter submits a set of goals for membership (May 31, 2017, is deadline for all
Governors to submit their chapter membership goals for the 2017-2018 term.)
o A panel of judges will review the achievement of each chapter to determine if they
have met their membership goals
o Each chapter will be eligible to win $50.00
NALS website/Facebook Recognition
o Each chapter will receive one (1) point every time they post an event for the chapter
or AALS on the chapter’s Facebook page
o Each chapter will receive one (1) point every time it calendars a new event on the
NALS calendar
o Each chapter will receive one (1) point every time it posts a photograph to the AALS
page on the NALS website
o On March 15, 2018, the chapter with the highest total points will win $50.00. The
award we will present the award at the 2018 General Assembly
4

AALS Continuing Legal Education Grant
o Each chapter is eligible to be awarded a grant of $250 based on its application
submitted to the Executive Committee before the Fall Board of Governors Meeting.
Additional Members Committee Programs
Throughout the year the Membership Committee will provide additional programs to the chapters and the
association to promote recruitment, retention and promoting the value of membership in AALS.
GURU Program
During all AALS meetings/functions, the Membership Committee will have designated members who will
wear name tags identifying them as a GURU. If you have a question about AALS, go to the nearest Guru
and state your question. If they cannot give you an answer right then, they will get an answer to your
questions ASAP. Without questions, we cannot learn and grow. If you want to know why we do or don’t
do something, then you need to ask a GURU!
Chapter Membership Drives
 Assist local Membership Chairmen to promote the Value of Membership to local colleges,
high schools, bar associations and employers
 Assist with planning local events to promote membership
 Coordinate Board Member Chapter visits to assist membership chairman with membership
drives/events/meeting
Listen to the Membership



I will listen to your suggestions, plans, and comments on how to improve and increase
membership in our association
I will encourage your participation in increasing our membership numbers
I will be available to help however and whenever I can to promote membership in our
association
Without the support and guidance of the membership, a membership plan cannot succeed in its goal. I ask
every member of AALS to step forward and promote our association and the values of membership in our
association.
5
CHAPLAIN
TINA S. HADLEY, AAS, ALP
Hello everybody. I am excited to be your Chaplain this year. I am praying for an awesome year. Please email me your
prayer requests and praises at [email protected]. You can also send them to Kay.
I was playing around on the internet and found this awesome thing called a Prayer Circle. You draw a circle in the area
where you usually pray at home, some people use tape. I bought a round tablecloth that way it is portable. I can take it
with me and set it up anywhere. Once you are in your prayer circle you bring all your thoughts and prayers to God. I
take my Prayer Journal in there, as well as my Bible for my daily reading. Sometimes I am there up to an hour,
sometimes a few minutes. This is your signal, and everyone else’s, that it is prayer time. There is a book called “The
Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson that is awesome. I got mine from Barnes & Noble There are also several different
books to go with it.
This month’s Bible Verse is one that has been made into a wonderful Contemporary Christian song:
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move
mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship
that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
We need to stop and think about whether we are just going through the motions or actually acting out of Love. If I find
myself going through the motions I stop myself and backup. I pray for the Love to go with the motion.
Current prayer requests:
NANCY HARRIS & FAMILY
KAREN WILLIAMS’ COUSIN
GINA HARBISON’S HUSBAND’S NIECE’S HUSBAND
TONY MCCLAIN’S FAMILY
HARRIET PIPER’S SISTER-IN-LAW
TERESA MOORE’S LAWYER (GARY LONDON & FAMILY)
JANET CHASTANG’S COUSIN (BETH POWE)
MAMIE ODOM
LYNN FREEMAN’S PARENTS AND
THE FAMILY OF HER FRIEND WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY
LEGAL EDUCATION
Melissa Cooper, CAP-OM, PLS
Many of you have noticed the new registration forms for our education conferences and board meetings. We have
added a registration deadline and a late fee for registrations received after the deadline. As many of you who have
helped planned meetings know, we have to give a head count to our venue and to our caterers several days before
the meeting. The registration deadline has been implemented to help us get a more accurate count and pay for only
what we need. Please note that the late fee does not apply to members attending the board meeting only.
Information for the CLE award along with the application is included in the Dixie Digest. Members applying for the
CLE award should submit the form and supporting documentation at least 15 days before a meeting. Only 30 hours of
legal education is required to earn a CLE awards, and they are valid for two years. Members receive a CLE award
certificate and are entitled to $5 off the registration fee for AALS meetings. When registering for a meeting, please
include a copy of your CLE award with the registration form and payment.
If you have any suggested topics for our meetings, please email those to me and I will work with our local chapters to
try and find a speaker for the suggested topic.
6
CERTIFICATION
Alison K. Schemmer, PP, PLS
Certification – “something to which we all aspire.” Your opportunities to register and sit for the NALS ALP, PLS/CLP
and PP certification exams are as follows:
Accredited Legal Professional:
August 1, 2017 is your deadline for the last Saturday in September, 2017 exam date.
October 15, 2017 is your deadline for the last Saturday in December, 2017 exam date.
Professional Legal Secretary/Certified Legal Professional
Professional Paralegal
August 1, 2017 is your deadline for the September, 2017 exam date.
January 1, 2018 is your deadline for the March, 2018 exam date.
It is so exciting to get an envelope in the mail or a phone call or email from NALS telling you that you “passed” and are
certified! There is no time like the present to make the decision to become a certified legal professional.
Recertification – keeping up all that work you put into certification!
Recertification is required because of the ever-changing profession to which we belong. Laws, rules,
and regulations are continuously changing, and by requiring recertification, NALS ensures that
certified professionals remain up to date with current legal practices.
ALP: A total of 50 hours of CLE credits are required in order to recertify.
PLS/CLP: A total of 75 hours of CLE credits are required in order to recertify.
PP: A total of 75 hours of CLE credits are required in order to recertify—a minimum of 50 hours on substantive
areas, a minimum of 5 hours on ethics, and a maximum of 20 hours on other areas.
Additionally, check out the following link to a news article on the NALS website regarding NALS Paralegal
Certification Recognized by Supreme Court of South Carolina:
http://www.nals.org/news/343077/NALS-Paralegal-Certification-Recognized-by-Supreme-Court-of-South-Carolina.htm\
I urge and encourage each of you to go to the NALS website and check out Certification and Recertification – and Hitch your wagon to the AALS Certification Star and keep climbing!
If you have any questions regarding certification or recertification, please contact at [email protected]
Advance Your Career
Obtaining a NALS certification demonstrates career commitment, builds credibility, showcases skills, and opens the doors
of opportunity to enhance your career in the legal industry. NALS offers three unique certifications and four legal
designations dedicated to the legal services profession. The exams are of varying levels and are developed by
professionals in the industry. Each certification is developed by NALS and takes advantage of the more than 85+ years of
experience and dedication to the legal services industry only NALS has to offer. NALS has the certification for you, whether
you are beginning a career in the legal industry or are a veteran paralegal ready to display your skills.
http://www.nals.org/?page=certification
PERSONAL RECOGNITION
TINA S. HADLEY, AAS, ALP
The purpose of this committee is to recognize different aspects of our personal and professional lives. If there is
anything you would like to report, be it for yourself or another member feel free to email me at [email protected].
This could include, but not be limited to, new job, promotion, new baby, marriage, grandchild, etc.
The roster I have is incomplete. If you would send me your Name, Suffix (ALP, PP etc.), Chapter, Email, Birthday
(year not necessary), Date you became a member (if you know it) and Address (if you wish for me to have it) I can
make a calendar that would help me become better organized. If you do not wish for me to have some or all of this
information that is okay as well. In this report we have the following birthdays:
WE ALL HOPE YOU HAVE, OR HAD, A BLESSED DAY WITH MANY HAPPY RETURNS.
MAY
JUNE
JULY
3RD STEPHANIE ROULIER
10TH DEBORAH HARPER, PP
16TH BEVERLY SIEVERS
18TH ROBBIN STEWART
21ST CAROL KING
23RD PAM NILSEN
6TH JULIE NIMS
6TH LINDA McMULLEN, PLS, ALP
7TH JAYNA CARLIN
8TH KEESHA O’BARR
15TH SONIA SMITH, CLP
17TH KAREN WILLIAMS
24TH PAMELA KENDRICK
7TH MELISSA COOPER, PLS
8TH MICHELLE KITTLE
11TH BRENDA SIMMONS, PP, PLS-SC
24TH DEBBIE McCUNE
27TH JESSICA FREEMAN, PLS
28TH AMY BENNETT, PLS
30TH KRISTI SKIPPER, PLS, PP-SC
The NALS Specialty Certificate Program is dedicated to identifying specialty areas of law in order
to provide education that allows areas of expertise to be established. This program is for those who
want to go above and beyond, set themselves apart from the competition, and make their area of
expertise known!
NALS Specialty Areas
A full list of Specialty Certificate options are below:
Administrative Law
Appellate Law
Bankruptcy Law
Business Law
Civil Litigation
Contract Law
Corporate Law
Criminal Law
E-Discovery
Elder Law
Employment Law
Estate Planning/Probate
Family Law
Immigration Law
Insurance Law
Intellectual Property
Juvenile Law
Law Office Management
Personal Injury Law
Real Estate Law
Trial Management
8
FOR MORE DETAILS:
https://www.nals.org/?page=specialtycertificate
AALS - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION AWARD
Number of Required Credits
A minimum of 30 hours in continuing education program courses is required to qualify for the Continuing Legal
Education Award. Of those 30 hours, 2 hours must be in ethics. A credit hour is 60 minutes. The award shall consist
of a certificate issued by the association which attests to the educational accomplishment of the member.
Initial (Original) Applications
Any member may apply for the initial award when the requirements have been completed. Application shall be made
on the form approved by the association. Only continuing education courses completed during the two-year period
immediately preceding the date of the application will be considered in determining whether the requirements have
been met.
The award or any renewal thereof shall be issued at any Board meeting during the year of this Association. Deadline
to apply is 30 days prior to the Board meeting. When the original award certificate is issued to a member, it is valid for
a two-year period beginning on the date of issuance. Incentive given, if applicable, is also valid for a two-year period
beginning on the date of issuance.
Renewal Applications
During the period of validity of the award, it is anticipated that the member will continue to earn the credits needed for
renewal of the award. Credit hours
for renewal may be earned from date of last application. A member may apply within six (6) months prior to expiration
for issuance of an updated certificate for a two-year renewal. The thirty (30) day application deadline also applies for
renewals.
Filing Procedures
All applications for the award shall be forwarded to the AALS Legal Education Committee Chair and approved by the
AALS Legal Education Counsel, whose decision shall be final.
To apply for the initial (original) award, forward to AALS Legal Education Committee Chair, the application form,
$15.00 processing fee, and supporting documentation.
To apply for the renewal award, forward to AALS Legal Education Committee Chair, the application form, a $10.00
processing fee, and supporting documentation.
Any member filing a false report of education activities may be subject to disciplinary proceedings for engaging in
unethical conduct under the NALS Bylaws and Standing Rules.
Time Prerequisites
Credit shall be given for programs at least 30 minutes in length. Programs of less than 30 minutes’ duration will not be
considered for this award. In all categories, photocopies of certificates, transcripts or other verification of attendance
must be attached to the application.
Verification/documentation
Copies of certificates, manuscripts, registration forms with canceled checks, articles, letters signed by chapter officers,
etc., may be used for verification of attendance and must be included with the application. Send (via U. S. mail or email) photocopies of documentation – not the originals – because the materials are not returned.
9
APPLICATION FOR CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
AWARD OR RENEWAL
(Read Rules and Regulations Carefully Before Completing this Application)
TYPE OR PRINT:
Name of Applicant:
Address of Applicant:
Name of Chapter:
Member-at-Large:
Application is for:
Original
Renewal (date on last certificate: _______ 20__)
Period
Covered
________________
(Period covered must be within two years of application date)
through______________20__.
I have completed the minimum credit hours of educational activities required for CLE Award or
Renewal as verified by the attached documentation.
I certify that the information furnished is, to the best of my knowledge, complete and accurate.
Dated this: ____ day of _____, 20__.
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: _______
(Signature of Applicant)
RETURN FORM, ATTACHMENTS, AND FEE TO:
Melissa Cooper, CAP-OM, PLS
AALS LEGAL EDUCATION CHAIR
471 Fieldstone Drive
Helena, AL 35080
(205) 218-8410
[email protected]
10
MEMBERSHIP
Talley Brathovd, PP, PLS
If you missed annual meeting, Fall is on the way—not rushing through the summer by any means but hope everyone
will make plans for the fall meeting.
Congratulations to Carol King of BLSA for winning the First Timer’s Award. Also, congratulations to Pamela G. Nilsen
of BCALP for winning the first Mike Turner Annual Attendance Award! We were honored to have Mickey Turner at our
meeting to join me in the award presentation.
The membership totals at Annual Meeting
were as follows:
BCALP
BLSA
DCLSA
MALS
MLPA
NOCA
At Large
TOTAL
24
64
3
14
23
9
2
139
Congratulations to our Milestone Award recipients!
Amanda Payne, PP
Tina S. Hadley
Kay Kidd
Margaret V. Stack, CLP
Margaret C. Dawson, PLS
Barbara J. DeKeyser PP, PLS
Deborah P. Holmes, PP, PLS
MALS
BCALP
BCALP
BLSA
NOCA
MLPA
BLSA
5 years
10 years
10 years
10 years
25 years
40 years
40 years
There are still Freedom Awards available to help with new members!
This is my last report as your membership chair as I move forward as your President Elect. I want to thank everyone
for a great year, for your support and friendship and for being there whenever I or any other member is in need.
AALS…it has truly been a great place to be in tune this past year! I look forward to seeing everyone in the Fall please plan to attend. Until then, good health, safe travels and lots of joy.
WebPage, Dixie Digest, Technology
Margaret Dawson, PLS
Please check out the AALS and NALS resources available online for all members and the legal community:
AALS – www.alabama-als.org
NALS – www.nals.org
Dixe Digest –The Dixie Digest is published quarterly and contains a recap of events from each chapter and
news regarding upcoming events for AALS and the local chapters. Any announcements that need to be
shared with the membership should be sent to the Dixie Digest email address at: [email protected].
Announcements will be emailed to members and posted on the AALS Facebook page.
I encourage everyone to join us on Facebook and Twitter. Please feel free to post any notices or info on
the AALS Facebook page concerning your chapter or upcoming events and/or any members. Inappropriate
content will be deleted! https://www.facebook.com/groups/16822664274/
Need pictures of past events and meetings? Follow this link to view and download any pictures that you
need. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124105244@N08/albums
11
Spotlighting a Member
Barbara M. Malone, PP, PLS
To say that Barbara Malone has a long history in the legal field would
be an under-statement. It would, however, be the truth. Her legal career
has spanned five decades and is still continuing! It would be impossible
to list her many achievements, accomplishments, and accolades in an
“introductory bio.”
Barbara’s decades-long career began with her employment, fresh out of
college, with the Mobile Housing Authority. After that, Barbara spent the
next 44 years (and yes, I did say 44 years) employed with the Collins,
Galloway & Smith firm in Mobile, where she first learned about the NALS
association. She and others at the firm joined NALS, AALS and their local
Mobile chapter, MLSA. The unique NALS network jump-started Barbara
on an upward track to become a true NALS professional, through education
and certification, and Barbara was among the very first AALS members to
receive her PLS certification in 1994 and PP certification in 2004.
Over the years Barbara has truly been an active member and advocate of the association, having chaired and/or
served on numerous committes and holding nearly every office, including AALS President, as well as multiple
terms as president in the Mobile chapter. Barbara is also a past recipient of the Member of the Year Award from
both AALS and MLSA, and has received multiple CLE awards.
After leaving the Galloway, Smith firm, Barbara worked the next few years for several Mobile attorneys until her
retirement approximately six years ago. Of course, to say that Barbara Malone is “retired” would also be an
understatement! Barbara, who is a Life Member of NALS, continues to stay active in the association, imparting
her pearls of wisdom to new and seasoned members.
Barbara is all about education and networking in NALS, AALS and her local chapter, MLPA. She has mentored
many a one of us into leadership, certification, etc. She will be the first one to tell you to let a member be who
she or he is because it’s a volunteer organization and you can’t force people to be something they are not! She
also is the first one to have said that once you sleep with an AALS gal (sorry Ed) you keep coming back!
Barbara has also made the statement that it is exhausting being “nice” to people for three straight days – that’s
from back in the day when Annual Meeting was 3 full days. Now she’s just exhausted from the speed of 1 ½
days! Which is ironic because she was, and still is, a main proponent of the shorter board meeting and annual
meeting schedules because of the expense to members with an eye on retention and new members! Kudos to
Barbara for her far-sightedness, innovation and willingness to change when it benefits the Association – she is
not the “old duffer” she wants us all to believe she is!
Barbara is also a believer in going only to the best hotels. How do you determine what is a great hotel? Bacon –
can they fix bacon right! If they can’t, we don’t need to go back there.
When she’s not doling out pearls, however, you can likely find her busy with the joys of her life -- her
granddaughter McKenzie, grandson Jordan, and great-grandson, Tripp.
12
CHAPTER REPORTS
th
BALDWIN COUNTY – BCALP
st
For AALS 54 Annual Meeting, April 21 and 22nd, we
traveled to Homewood. We had 11 members in
attendance. BCALP member Kay Kidd was installed as
President, Judy Whigham, PP, PLS was installed as
Secretary and Tina Hadley, AAS, ALP, was installed as
Chaplain. We are extremely proud of these ladies and
honored to have them as members of BCALP. Several
of our members were appointed Chairmen, CoChairmen or committee members of various committees.
The CLE was excellent and the networking among the
AALS members was a lot of fun. We hope everyone in
attendance enjoyed themselves as much as we did.
Tina Hadley, AAS-ALP
Our March meeting was at Beef O’Brady’s in Spanish
Fort. Our speaker was Donna Armstrong from Hope
Haven. She gave a wonderful speech on Human
Trafficking.
At our April meeting, we Installed our new officers:
Julie Nims, President
Deborah Rutherford, Vice President
Pam Nilsen, Secretary
Sandra Doerr, ALP, Treasurer
Cyndi Brown, Governor
Gina Harbison, PP, PLS, Parliamentarian
Marva Dean Little, PP, PLS, Chaplain
BLSA – Birmingham
Ed Clark, PP
Sandra Doerr, ALP was presented with the Member of
the Year Award. Congratulations Sandra you deserve it.
BLSA would like to thank the attendees at the AALS
Annual Meeting and Educational Conference. We hope
you enjoyed the Music of the Magic City. We would also
like to thank all of our sponsors, donors, vendors, and
exhibitors for their contributions the conference. A very
special thank you to BLSA member, Melissa Cooper,
CAP-OM, PLS the AALS Legal Education Chairman for
her hard work and excellent job of providing us with an
outstanding list of speakers.
We are off to a great start this year. Our president,
Elizabeth Keener, PP, CLP wants to show our members,
employers, prospective members and the entire
Birmingham metropolitan area the value of membership
in our multi-level association. BLSA has offered
Birmingham CLE since 1961, but it is now time
13
BLSA continued…
notepad to the residents, who were excited to
receive a cheerful treat! This project has been most
enjoyable, and the members have gotten as much out of
it as the residents! We are happy to report that Barb’s
Cub Scout troop has adopted the residents of John Knox
@ Arrowhead and will continue delivering smiles and
treats in the coming months!
to step up and show the legal community that
membership in our association has value.
We look forward to reporting on the Year of Value in our
next Dixie Digest Report.
BLSA is ready to Hitch Our Wagon to a Star and Keep
on Climbing.
The 2017-2018 MALS officers were installed on April 17,
2017 in a simple ceremony. Simplicity is defined as the
quality or condition of being easy to understand or do. In
this busy world, MALS should be an association that is
easy to understand and be part of. Under the leadership
of these new officers, MALS will endeavor to be an
association of simplicity while maintaining our presence
as a source for education and networking.
MALS – Montgomery
Pam Kendrick
MALS members were excited to welcome 2016-2017
AALS President, Vicki Lundy, PP, PLS to our regular
meeting held on March 22, 2017. Vicki was present for
our officer elections, and we enjoyed visiting with her for
just a few minutes. Before Vicki got back on the road to
Mobile, some of us took a quick “selfie” to document her
visit. Thanks for coming to see us, Vicki!
MALS 2017-2018 Officers
L to R: Pam Kendrick, President & Governor; Debbie
Harper, PP, Secretary; Brenda Martin, Treasurer
In April, the members of MALS completed our year of
service to the residents of John Knox @ Arrowhead.
Barb Hanley, PLS and her mother, “Mama Mary,” made
flower pots with “flower” writing pens. Barb and Kristi
Skipper, PP-SC delivered the flower pots along with a
President Pam is working with MALS members to
develop a simple plan for meetings and education for the
year. We are excited about the future of our chapter
under her leadership!
14
MLPA – Mobile
be an AALS member. I hope every member has an
opportunity to attend local meetings as well as attending
a board meeting this year.
Sonia Smith, CLP
th
On April 13 MLPA installed its newest board members.
They are: President: Michele Potter, PP, PLS; Vice
President: Lanna Stanford; Secretary: Janet Mosley, PP,
PLS; Treasurer: Karen Williams; Governor: Sonia Smith,
CLP; Parliamentarian: Babs DeKeyser,PP, PLS and
Chaplain: Alison Schemmer, PP, PLS. Congratulations
to our 2017-2018 officers! We are looking forward to
putting Michele’s motto -“Just Do Something” into good
use, and I believe we have started off in just the right
spot. MLPA went viral with its first CLE video hitting the
AALS web page. We are very excited to bring the CLE
opportunities to the reset of our AALS members. As
each presenter allows us, our plan is to upload the CLE
videos to the AALS webpage each month.
MLPA’s May meeting was held on May 11, 2017 and
Circuit Court Clerk, Charles Lewis will be our presenter.
Following our installation of officers, we heard from our
speaker, John C. Brutkiewicz, Esq.’s who presented the
very entertaining topic of DUI Defense and Forfeitures. I
believe we each learned something new during this
presentation. Again, you can catch the presentation on
our link on the AALS webpage.
Michele and Alison are encouraging those in our
membership who are not certified to please consider
pursuing a wonderful opportunity.
Many of our MLPA members attended the AALS Annual
Meeting in Homewood on April 21st and 22nd. At
annual meeting our very own, Cheri Loyd was installed
as AALS treasurer. MLPA is very honored to have Cheri
representing us on the AALS Board.
At this year’s annual meeting our very own, Babs
DeKeyser, PP, PLS was honored a “Mile-Stone Award”
for having been an NALS member for 40 years!!! Way
to go Babs!! We are truly thankful for your loyalty
and service to NALS, AALS and MLPA!!
MLPA had one “First-Timer” to attend this year’s annual
meeting, Karen Williams. I hope Karen enjoyed her first
annual meeting!
Thanks to BLSA for an all-around superb job! What a
treat this year’s meeting was!! The speakers were
phenomenal!! MLPA is looking forward to being able to
“Hitch Our Wagon to A Star and Keep Climbing,” with
Kay Kidd and her board. This is an exciting time to
15
DCLSA – Dallas County
Harriett Piper
It was great to see everyone at Annual Meeting in
Birmingham. My chapter is looking forward to the EC
bringing the Fall Board Meeting to Selma in September
and as always, we will have a great meeting.
Y’all be sure to come!
NALS of Central Alabama - Online
Nancy Harris, PP, PLS
NALS of Central Alabama is working together to bring to
the members and friends of AALS and other NALS
members across the country a game of trivia - “Are You
Certifiable? – Online Trivia Challenge”.
Our purpose is to share mock certification questions as
a trivia challenge to encourage members to get certified
and also refresh the mind of those already certified. We
want to invite everyone to join in the trivia challenge and
encourage your chapter members to join as well.
Our goal is to prove to you that you are certifiable!
There will be no rewards at this time for answering
questions – just the challenge!
Applying for a NALS Foundation grant is as easy as 12-3! Please review the simple three-step process at:
https://www.nals.org/?grants and direct any
questions you may have to the NALS Foundation
Chair at [email protected].
The deadlines for receipt of proposals are:
•March 1
•June 1
•September 1
•December 1
You CAN receive a grant—it’s that easy! What’s the
catch? There is no catch! All grant proposals will be
reviewed by the NALS Foundation Board of Trustees
and grants will be awarded at the discretion of the
Board.
Please join with us and let’s get our members certified!
AALS DIXIE DIGEST PATRON AD
2017-2018
NAME:
NAME ON AD
(if different)
CHAPTER:
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
WORK:
EXT:
HOME:
CELL:
E-MAIL:
Please use a separate form for each ad; however, one check may be used for multiple ads if mailed
together in same envelope. Make check payable ($10 per ad) to AALS and send with form to:
Cyndi Brown, 7633 Hoppes Drive E, Foley, AL 36535
Email: [email protected]
DIXIE DIGEST
PATRON ADVERTISERS
AccuSearch, LLC
Angela Boatwright, AAS
Cyndi Brown
Tina Hadley, AAS, ALP
Gina Harbison, PP, PLS
Marva Dean Little, PP, PLS
Pamela G. Nilsen
Debbie Rutherford
Judy Whigham, PP, PLS
Myra Beckham, PP, PLS
Ed Clark, PP
Melissa Cooper, CAP-OM, PLS
Harriet Piper
Babs DeKeyser, PP, PLS
Barb Hanley, PLS
Amanda Payne
Barbara M. Malone, PP, PLS
Janet C. Mosley, PP, PLS
Alison K Schemmer, PP, PLS
Talley Brathovd, PP, PLS
Brenda K. Simmons, PP, PLS-SC
Susan Turner, PLS
Friend of AALS
BCALP
BCALP
BCALP
BCALP
BCALP
BCALP
BCALP
BCALP
BLSA
BLSA
BLSA
DCLSA
MALS
MALS
MALS
MLPA
MLPA
MLPA
NOCA
NOCA
NOCA
17