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The Michiana Paralegal Association, Inc. P.O. Box 11458 South Bend, Indiana 46634 Michiana@Paralegals.org |
Since our formation in 1989, the Michiana Paralegal Association ("MPA") has matured into a strong paralegal association with nearly 100 members from the northwestern portion of
The purpose and goals of the MPA is to promote the professional and business interests of persons engaging in the paralegal profession as follows:
a. Promote the paralegal profession;
b. Promote the continuing legal education of paralegals by providing educational seminars, by urging our members to aspire to complete six hours of Continuing Legal Education each year (one hour of which would include an Ethics Component), and by urging our members to aspire to complete at least four hours of Pro Bono service each year;
c. Act as a forum for the exchange of information;
d. Inform members of the latest developments in the paralegal profession;
e. Promote and support professional and ethical standards;
f. Communicate with the legal community and the general public;
g. Participate in local and national professional issues that effect the paralegal profession.
h. Engage in projects, solicitations and other activities which the board of directors may deem necessary or desirable to raise funds for the purposes set forth above.
THE BENEFITS OF JOINING MPA:
National Affiliation - Upon joining, an MPA member becomes 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. NFPA affirms the paralegal profession as an independent, self-directed profession which supports increased quality, efficiency and accessibility in the delivery of legal services. NFPA gives the MPA member access to the latest news relating to the paralegal profession. The MPA works with the other NFPA member associations in developing policies and standards which further the profession and goals of NFPA, as well as the goals of MPA.
Benefits of affiliation of NFPA include:
Newsletter - Headnotes is a newsletter published every other month approximately two weeks prior to the membership meeting, is sent to all MPA members and contains substantive articles and information of national and local importance to paralegals. The newsletter also contains information about local employment opportunities known as the "job bank," events sponsored by the MPA and a seminar listing.
Membership Meetings - MPA holds membership meetings on the second Monday of the odd numbered months of the year rotating between the South Bend and Elkhart areas. The meetings are held at 5:45 p.m. which include a dinner and a speaker who will discuss either professional or law related issues. Membership meetings also provide members a chance to network with others, exchange information and form friendships.
Committees - The following MPA committees are open to ALL members:
Educational Seminars - MPA attempts to hold at least one seminar per year at a reduced rate to MPA members.
Membership - Although the majority of our members work in the Michiana area (St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties in Northern Indiana), we are happy to accept others who live or work outside of this area so that they may benefit from membership in our association and our affiliated membership with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. There are four categories of membership which are defined below. Memberships run for the calendar year. Dues are not refundable and are payable upon application. However, any acceptance of membership during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year shall be paid for the following year when dues are payable on a calendar year basis.
Pursuant to Article 2 of the Bylaws of Michiana Paralegal Association, Inc., a "Paralegal" is defined as a person, qualified through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work.
The classifications of our Members are as follows:
Voting Members. Any person whose job classification shall be Paralegal or as defined in Article 2 of the Bylaws (see above) shall be eligible for membership as a Voting Member of MPA.
Associate Members. Any person who has completed a formal course of paralegal studies, but who either is not currently employed or is employed in a position that does not satisfy the MPA definition of a Paralegal. Associate Members shall have the limited voting right to elect one (1) Associate Member to the Board of Directors.
Student Members. Any person who is enrolled in a formal course of paralegal studies, upon completion of which, such person will be qualified for a position as a paralegal, shall be eligible for membership, as a Student Member. Student Members shall have the limited voting right to elect one (1) Student Member to the Board of Directors.
Sustaining Members. Any person, partnership, association or other entity desirous of supporting MPA as a way of promoting the paralegal profession, the use of paralegals in the legal and business communities, the maintenance of the highest professional standards among paralegals, or other such reason, is eligible to join MPA as a Sustaining Member and will be assessed annual dues at the rate set by the Board of Directors.
Prospective members who are interested in joining MPA can print the application, complete the form and mail it with the necessary dues and documentation to P.O. Box 11458, South Bend, Indiana 46634. For a membership application, click here.
Officers and Directors - The election of officers are held in July of each year and are sworn in at the annual meeting in September of each year. Officers are elected to a two-year term. The Directors representing the Voting Members are elected to a two-year term which are voted in alternating years as the Officers. Directors representing the Associate and Student Members are elected to a one-year term. The Board of Directors meets every other month in order to discuss issues pertaining to the Association. All Members are invited to attend the Board meetings.
Please feel free to contact any of the current Directors, Officers or other MPA Representatives with your questions or comments. For a current listing of the MPA Board of Directors, Officers and other MPA Representatives click here. We can also be reached at: Michiana@paralegals.org.
To see a copy of the Michiana Paralegal Association By-Laws, click here.