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In this issue:
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January 12, 2006 - deadline for Winter Board Meeting hotel group room block reservations January 14, 2006 - SALSA Certification Study Group January 19, 2006 - deadline for registration to Winter Board Meeting January 28, 2006 - SALSA Certification Study Group January 30, 2006 - deadline to receive intent to run - nominations closed |
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Did you know -- William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry, was born in North Carolina. He came to Austin in 1884. In addition to jobs as a clerk, bookkeeper, draftsman, and bank teller, he acted in local theatrical productions and began publishing a weekly newspaper, The Rolling Stone, in 1894. Embezzlement charges by his former bank employer led Porter to flee to Honduras. Upon returning to Austin in 1897, he was arrested and sent to prison for three years. It was during this time, at the turn of the last century, that he began publishing short stories under the pen name O. Henry. An O’Henry exhibit in the old Texas General Land Office building (now the Capitol Visitors Center) features readings of excerpts of his stories and the spiral staircase featured in an O. Henry murder mystery. The building, where Porter once worked, was the setting for one of his earliest stories, Murder at the Land Office. DON’T WAIT ANY LONGER! Make your plans now to attend the 2006 Winter Board Meeting, February 2-5, 2006, at the Lakeway Inn, located on the shores of beautiful Lake Travis. You can download the registration form and schedule of events at www.texasalp.org/calendar.htm. This meeting is one-stop shopping for CLE, networking, and fun! Take advantage of this great opportunity. We are offering CLE on both Friday and Saturday – a total of 7 hours. Don’t be left out. Register now. The registration deadline is January 19, 2006. Quoted room rates at the Lakeway Inn are available through January 12, 2006. |
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Lubbock LPA is looking forward to the New Year and especially the 2006 Annual Meeting. We usually have great weather in May so keep your fingers crossed! The details are coming together for a wonderful time to be had by all. As the date gets closer, there is a fantastic website which can be searched for lots of activities and other information regarding what’s happening in and around our city. It is lubbockfunclub.com. Check it out. |
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We’ll be having a “spring” raffle at the Winter Board Meeting in Austin. So add your “spring” related items to your packing list and we’ll see you in Austin. Items can relate to upcoming holidays such as Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, or Easter, or be anything spring-like (i.e., frames with flowers, vases, etc.). Please contact Tina Hurley, PLS, Finance Chair, at 972-661-5114 or by e-mail at thurley@suplaw.com if you have any questions. |
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WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP?
Submitted by: Fay M. Jordan, PP, PLS, TSC Membership Committee This time of year is for reflecting and looking forward. Reflecting: It is January 2006!! Can you believe it? Where has the time gone? We are all asking these questions as we look back over the past year. What happened to all the things had intended to accomplish – personally, professionally, and in our chapters? The emphasis for the Texas ALP membership committee for 2005-2006 is “retention.” What have we done to retain members and attract new members? Have we made those new members welcome? Have we made the continuing members feel that they belong? Have we sought their participation and asked for their input or ideas? In her article for this newsletter for November 2005, Niccole Horak gave thanks for her affiliation with this organization stating, “Most importantly, I have bettered myself while making friends and wonderful memories.” Have we made other members thankful for their membership? Have we befriended them and given them wonderful memories? What have we done to help our fellow brothers and sisters-in-law better themselves as professionals and members of our tri-level organization? What have YOU, as an individual member, done to retain members during 2005-2006? Have you made a contribution this year as a member? Have you offered to help on a committee, assisted with a CLE luncheon, taught with a study group or offered your support with anything else that is needed? Have you attended business meetings? Have you attended the Texas ALP board meetings and annual meeting? Have you done all that you can to reap the benefits that are offered by your membership in our tri-level organization? What have you done to better yourself, make wonderful friends and memories? Our organization has many wonderful members who can answer “yes” to these questions and I am ever thankful to them. They are the “friends and wonderful memories.” They are the examples we should all follow. Looking ForwardIt is never too late!! This is the start of a new calendar year. I ask that each of you add to your “things to accomplish in 2006” list the reminder to reach out to your fellow members. Help them “better themselves, make friends and share wonderful memories” as well as enjoying yourself and reaping those same benefits. I am a firm believer in the saying: “If it is to be, it is up to me.” HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! |
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Strategic Planning—Governance Task Force By now, you should have all received the proposed Bylaw and Standing Rule Amendments that will be voted on in Lakeway at the Winter Board Meeting in February 2006. You can now see all the hard work the Governance Task Force put into writing these proposed amendments. The Governance Task Force has done the hard work, and all of you get the easy work! Why? All you have to do is read them before the meeting, and share and discuss them with your fellow chapter members. Then come to Lakeway and make sure your chapter is prepared to vote. We know we are proposing big changes, but based upon the survey sent out this year, this is exactly what our members want! So, please read the amendments thoroughly. If you have questions on why a certain amendment has been proposed, please contact one of us before Lakeway. We will be happy to answer questions or share our thoughts for proposing the amendment. The Governance Task Force members are Donna Dendy, Beth Walker, Barb Sucsy, David DeFranco, Keri McLen, and Alexis Montgomery. See you in Lakeway in Austin! |
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You can be a part of the elite group of specialty certified legal support professionals. TISC offers specialty certification for the legal support professional in both Texas real estate and Texas civil litigation. For information regarding qualifications to sit for an exam, exam dates, and study courses, check out our website at www.txisc.org. San Antonio LSA is offering a 7-week civil litigation study course beginning January 12, 2006. Contact Dawne Blair at dawne.blair@farmersinsurance.com for information. Houston ALP is offering a 9-week civil litigation study course beginning January 19, 2006. Contact Sondra Heugatter at Sondra@splpc.com for information. Registration forms for both courses can be found at www.texasalp.com/calendar.htm. |
