Dear Fellow Paralegal:

Welcome to Maryland Association of Paralegals' Home Page. The following pages will provide you with information on our organization. Our Membership Application is also available. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact any one of the members of ourAssociation listed on the next page.

We thank you for your interest in the Maryland Association of Paralegals. Our Association is comprised of students, practicing paralegals and entities interested in supporting the paralegal profession. Our members live and work throughout the various counties of the State of Maryland. They work in all areas of law, both the private and public sectors, and some are independent contractors or freelance paralegals.

This Association is affiliated with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. We work closely with other national, state and local organizations concerned with the paralegal professionwhose members include educators, consumers, lawyers, legal administrators, law librarians andothers.

The benefits of becoming a member of the Maryland Association of Paralegals are many. To name a few, we offer Workshops, CLE Seminars, a Job Bank, and a Maryland Paralegal Scholarship Fund. All members receive a copy of our bi-monthly newsletter, The Docket, as well as NFPA's publication, the National Paralegal Reporter. The benefits available through our affiliation with NFPA are Paralegal Professional Liability Insurance, Insurance Benefits, Members America Credit Union, overnight delivery services, discounted process service, car rental discounts, and eyewear discounts. NFPA also provides $5,000 in scholarship funds.

We hope you will join our Association, make it your Association, and be a part of shaping your profession's future. We are looking forward to meeting you at one of our functions.

Sincerely,

Cynthia M. Macsherry
President

The Maryland Association of Paralegals is a voluntary, non-profit organization formed in 1974. Formerly known as Baltimore Association of Legal Assistants, the organization changed its name in 1995 to conform with the use of the title "Paralegal" and to reflect its membership who live and work throughout the entire State of Maryland. The Association is comprised of paralegals from all areas of law, from both the private and the public sectors. MAP is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service; thus it is an organization by and for its members

The purposes of the Association are:

1. To promote and protect the general professional interests of paralegals in the State of Maryland.
2. To involve paralegals in the shaping of guidelines affecting the regulation and development ofthe paralegal profession.
3. To provide a forum for an exchange of viewpoints on matters of professional interest.
4. To fairly represent both public and private sector paralegal viewpoints and interests.
5. To foster continuing education and be a resource center for career enhancement and educational information.
6. To participate in, sponsor and conduct research, seminars, investigations and studies relative to the paralegal profession.
7. To keep paralegals informed of national concerns/developments that affect the profession.

The Docket is the official newsletter of the Maryland Association of Paralegals. It is published bi-monthly and contains both local and national information concerning the paralegal profession. It also contains announcements of Association events and programs.

The Maryland Association of Paralegals provides professional enrichment and continuing educational opportunities to members through a speakers at meetings and seminars. Seminars are taught by experienced paralegals, attorneys, law librarians, and others experienced in various fields of law and business.

The Maryland Association of Paralegals offers information on various pro bono activities in which members may wish to participate.

The Maryland Association of Paralegals hosts social events to enable members to network.

The Maryland Association of Paralegals offers scholarships to paralegal students. This is a way of assisting our future leaders.

The Maryland Association of Paralegals' Job Bank acts as a liaison between the Association's members seeking employment and employers in the legal community. This is a free service tomembers.

The Board of Directors, Committees, and the general membership all have meetings which members are encouraged to attend. In addition, an Annual Meeting is held in the Fall of each year, with an awards presentations, dinner and either a guest speaker or entertainment.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

All memberships are in effect for a period of twelve (12) months.

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP (Voting)

Open to all practicing paralegals. Active members have a right to vote on all matters submitted to a vote. Activemembers also have the right to hold office in the Association and to elect the Board of Directorsof the Association.

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP (Non-Voting)

Open to all persons enrolled in a paralegal training program. A member may hold this membership for the term of four (4) years only. A copy of student status is required upon application and renewal.

SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP (Non-Voting)

Open to all entities interested in supporting the paralegal profession.

The Maryland Association of Paralegals is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). NFPA is a non-profit professional organization comprised of state and local paralegal associations throughout the United States and in Canada. NFPA affirms the paralegal profession as an independent, self-directed profession which supports increased quality, efficiency and accessibility in the delivery of legal services. The Federation promotes the growth, development and recognition of the paralegal as an integral partner in the delivery oflegal services. A portion of your annual dues to the Maryland Association of Paralegals is automatically allocated toward a separate membership in NFPA. All MAP/NFPA members receive the National Paralegal Reporter (the NFPA newsletter) and are represented by NFPA on national paralegal issues. The Maryland Association of Paralegals works closely with other national, state and local organizations concerned with the paralegal profession whose members include educators, consumers, lawyers, legal administrators, law librarians and others. The benefits of the MAP/NFPA membership affiliation also include notification of scholarship availability, discounts on car rentals, insurance, eye wear, and access to all NFPA salary survey information and other publications.