The Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association ("CPPA") was conceived in February of 1984 and became an official non-profit organization in October 1984. The CPPA serves as a forum where professional ideas and concerns of paralegals in all sectors of practice are addressed. The Association's mission is to promote, protect, and advance the paralegal profession and its interests through fostering creative expansion of paralegal roles, at all times operating within the boundaries of the profession; to offer continuing education to paralegals as well as education of employers and consumers in the use of paralegals; and to encourage communication between individual paralegals and paralegal associations regarding developments in the profession. CPPA members adopted a Code of Ethics in February 1996. Click here to review our Code of Ethics.


MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Click here for a Membership Application (in pdf format)

Membership in CPPA is based on a calendar year period beginning January 1 of each year. Membership categories include voting, student, affiliate and sustaining and are explained below. Membership status is subject to review of the Board of Directors and may be changed or rescinded upon such review.

VOTING MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA:

Bachelor's degree in paralegal Studies (minimum 24 semester hours must be in Paralegal courses)

OR
Bachelor's degree in another course of study PLUS a Paralegal Certificate
OR
Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies
OR
Associate's degree in another course of study PLUS a Paralegal Certificate
OR
Paralegal Certificate PLUS one (1) year of work experience as a Paralegal
OR
A minimum of two (2) years of Paralegal work experience
AND
Written Verification of Employment from Current Employer indicating educational background, number of years of current work experience and verification that applicant performs substantial Paralegal functions in the course of his/her employment. Fee: $60.00

NON-VOTING MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA:

STUDENT:	A person currently enrolled in an ABA Paralegal approved program or a program which meets AAfPE institutional membership standards AND written verification of enrollment by the Director of Paralegal Program Fee: $30
ASSOCIATE:	Any person (1) who is employed as a Paralegal educator; (2) who has been employed as a Paralegal or a Paralegal educator; (3) who has completed a formal course of Paralegal study, but who is not employed at the time of application for membership; (4) who was previously a Voting member of this Association but who is not employed as a Paralegal at the time of the annual renewal of membership; or (5) who is currently employed as a Paralegal but who does not meet the educational requirements and/or the work experience requirement for a Voting member, may become an Associate member. Fee: $45
SUSTAINING:	Individuals, Partnerships, Associations, Professional Corporations or other entities interested in supporting the Paralegal profession. Fee: $75

National Affiliation
CPPA is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. ("NFPA"). A Primary and Secondary Representative from CPPA attend the Spring and Fall Conventions of NFPA each year. Each individual member of CPPA receives quarterly, the NFPA's National Paralegal Reporter. Information received from NFPA is also distributed to members through the CPPA's newsletter, AMICUS LEX.

Statewide Affiliation
CPPA is a charter member of the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations. The Keystone Alliance members are paralegal associations across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who are interested in promoting the Paralegal Profession. The Keystone Alliance meets twice a year and was formed with the purpose of providing Pennsylvania paralegals with a mechanism for uniting and voicing their opinions in state related matters.

Job Bank
CPPA provides its members with a job referral service by sending job opening announcements to its membership. Upon receiving notice of a job opening, interested members may then send resumes directly to the employer. The Job Bank is run in conjunction with other paralegal associations in Pennsylvania. Geographical areas include central Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Wilmington/Delaware areas. Click here for Central Pennsylvania Job Listings via NFPA's National Database of Job Listings.

Monthly Meetings
General membership meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at the Penn State Downtown Center, 234 North Third Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, across from the State Capitol. The monthly lunch and learn is held at 12 noon where speakers present various topics of current interest to the Paralegal Profession. CPPA's Annual meeting is held in February of each year where election of the Officers and Directors takes place.

Publications
AMICUS LEX, a monthly newsletter, is published to inform members of current educational seminars, items of local and national importance to paralegals, and CPPA activities such as fundraisers, meetings, seminars and social events. As a member, each individual or association receives the NFPA's National Paralegal Reporter. In addition, each member receives 25% off the price of an annual subscription to Legal Assistant Today.

Continuing Education
CPPA sponsors at least two continuing education seminars for its members throughout the year generally held in the spring and fall. CPPA sponsored a program entitled "Regulation of the Paralegal Profession" which explained the various regulatory schemes including licensure, registration and certification in June, 1997. In addition, CPPA holds monthly lunch and learn meetings on various subjects and areas of the law.

Mentor Program
Each new member is assigned a current voting member as their mentor to introduce new members into the association and assist in answering questions that new members may have. 1997 was the first year that this program became mandatory and it appears to be very helpful to new members. New Member Socials are also held throughout the year to assist members in meeting.

Public Relations
CPPA not only promotes the Paralegal Profession, but also promotes involvement in community outreach programs and participation in community activities such as Toys for Tots, Victims of Domestic Violence, and Pro Bono programs to name a few.


COMMITTEES

Bar Liaison - Serve as contact person for the Dauphin County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, and other bar associations; organize (along with PR Committee) Law Week activities; coordinate scholarship process for paralegal student in conjunction with Law Week; coordinate participation in pro bono programs

Codes- Review & update membership criteria; create & maintain the Disciplinary Code/Code of Ethics & Disciplinary Enforcement Body; assist in updating by-laws & handbook when appropriate

Continuing Education - Responsible for creating and promoting continuing education seminars during the year. The committee must organize one mini and one regular seminar each year (spring and fall).

Fundraising- Charged with raising nondues funds to support the various professional activities of the association by organizing at least 2 fundraising activities each year including cookbooks, raffle tickets, benefit plays etc.

Job Bank - Maintain contact will all associations in Pennsylvania and surrounding states as well as periodically contact area businesses in relation to paralegal job openings; disseminate information to CPPA members requesting notification of employment opportunities.

Membership - Assist and support the Membership Director including preparation of membership renewal letters, as well as letters to employers and schools with paralegal programs inviting new members to join; maintenance of membership list/matrix; updating as needed the informational brochure and membership application; preparation of a newsletter report; and maintenance of the Mentor program

National Affairs/NFPA - Primary Representative shall represent CPPA at all NFPA meetings, Secondary Representative assists the Primary Representative, and must accompany the Primary to Spring and Fall NFPA Conventions; prepare monthly reports on NFPA activity; liaison between CPPA and NFPA

Newsletter - Prepare a monthly association newsletter consisting of all information from all committees and any other material which is determined to be of value to the general membership; solicit sponsors for newsletter via advertisements; review newsletters from other associations; keep up to date on issues affecting the legal field

Programs - Organize and promote monthly lunch and learn general membership meetings on a variety of topics throughout the year - must schedule a minimum of six luncheons a year (including an annual "Bring an Attorney to Lunch" meeting and a Holiday Party)

Public Relations - Assists other committees with promotion of activities, seminars, meetings, Law Week activities, etc.; advertise to the legal community and general public any CPPA function; organize & coordinate community outreach activities; maintain & update any association brochures; prepare a list of resources and maintain documents, banner and promotional items for distribution as needed

State Regulation - Keep abreast & monitor all state related legislation, regulations or legal actions concerning the Paralegal Profession; make contact with bar associations, state legislature or other agencies as needed; serve as Primary Representative to the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations


OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

Click here for the 2001 Contact List of Officers, Directors and Chairpersons

Annually, the voting members of CPPA elect officers including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Director who serve on the Board of Directors along with the Immediate Past President. The 3 Members-At-Large comprise the remaining members of the Board of Directors. The Members-At-Large are liaisons to the following 11 standing committees: Bar Liaison, Codes, Continuing Education, Fundraising, Job Bank, Membership, National Affairs/NFPA, Newsletter, Programs, Public Relations, and State Regulation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING CPPA, PLEASE CONTACT OUR PRESIDENT AT CentralPennsylvania@paralegals.org. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!