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SNAP SHOT

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     Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals						December 2006
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Visit our web site at www.snapreno.com 

Inside This Issue:

Editor’s Note                                          2                                        
SNAP Calendar                                    3                                    
NALA News                                          4
Washoe County Law Library                5	                                    
Holiday Celebration Flyer                     6                 
SNAP Meeting Minutes                        7	                   
SNAP Officers & Contact Info.            11
Job Bank                                             12                                                
Treasury Report                                  13    

SNAP Calendar
(Details on Page 3)

December  5           Executive Committee 

December 14          Holiday Gathering

January  16             General Meeting
                                Darcy K. Houghton, Esq.
                                Estate Planning

February 20            Annual Paralegal Day

March 30                 SNAP Annual Seminar
                                Mock Trial
	
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Happy Holidays to all of you, your families and colleagues.  We’re just a month away from 2007 and everyone here in our office is trying not to stress.  We’re working frantically in my department to get petitions filed and heard before year’s end.  Things are a bit rushed as I’m sure they are with all of you.  

But, by mid-month we intend to slow down and smell the pine trees and enjoy all the holiday cheer and decorations.  That celebration will start on December 14, 2006, at SNAP’s Annual Holiday Celebration at the Airport Plaza at 5:30 p.m.  I hope you are planning to join us for a few hours of well wishing and visiting with one another.  

                                                (Continued on Page 2) 

	

December 5 – last day to drop off items for CAAW c/o Laura at McDonald Carano

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE     (Continued from Page 1)

Your Board is actively working on plans for Paralegal Day on February 20, 2007, which will also be held at the Airport Plaza.  The format for this event has been changed.  We will not have individual presentations, other than a presentation of a certificate and a small gift as you check-in.  Watch for our ad in the Writ about our request for short stories based on your “Paralegal Saves the Day” portion of our program.  Please mark your calendars and block out a couple hours for your attorney(s) as well.  And, while your calendars are open, you might also mark yourself out for the March 30th SNAP Seminar which is a Mock Trial with an exciting and entertaining cast!

Happy holidays to all of you and I look forward to visiting with you personally on the 14th at the Airport Plaza. 

Please feel free to email me at any time with thoughts or suggestions for SNAP activities.  I can be reached at:
lcarlson@mcdonaldcarano.com 
 
Sincerely, 
Laura A. Carlson, CP

	

Editor’s Note

Did He/She Really Say That?  
As paralegals, we are trained in correct citation.  So it’s a little frustrating to notice how many quotations are floating around in the non-legal world, attributed to someone, but with no additional information.   Makes the attribution somewhat suspect.  

For example, a favorite quotation of mine, “Light Tomorrow With Today,” is widely attributed to the famous poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  Yet in all my Internet searches on this quotation, I have never found any reference to where, among her many poems or copious correspondence, this supposed quotation appears.  However, I am now reading through a book of her poems,  so it’s a win even if I never pin down that particular quotation.  

Another example, “Denial Ain’t Just A River in Egypt,” is widely attributed to Mark Twain.  But I have never seen this quote anywhere linked to a specific work that he authored.   Of course, somebody said it, so does it really matter?  Yes.   Wouldn’t it be better to see the author as “Unknown,” rather than a false attribution to someone famous? 

Sometimes attributions are false. Philip Dick, the scifi writer, in “A Scanner Darkly” (soon to be a motion picture) attributed “Take the Cash and Let the Credit Go” to Villon in 1460.  But this phrase actually comes from Edward Fitzgerald’s 1889 translation of “The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.”   I’d love to know how Dick came up with Villon, 1460.  Unfortunately, it’s about  25 years too late to ask him.

	

SNAP CALENDAR

December 5, Tuesday		Executive Committee Meeting, 12 noon at
					McDonald Carano Wilson, 100 W. Liberty, 10th floor
					All members welcome

December 14, Thursday		SNAP Annual Holiday Celebration, 5:30-7:30 pm
					Best Western Airport Plaza, Reno
					Flyer & Reservation form on Page 6
					
January 16, Tuesday			General Meeting
					Darcy K. Houghton, Carson City attorney, on
					Estate Planning

February 20, Tuesday                     Annual Paralegal Day celebration.  You may want to start 					now to assist your attorney to come up with a brief 						narrative of how you, or another paralegal, saved the day.
					Make sure your attorney sees our notice in the Writ.

March 30, Friday			SNAP’s Annual Seminar.  This year it will be a Mock Trial.
                                                            Exciting, entertaining, and educational!  Flyer coming soon!

Would you like us to Get To Know You better?  You may volunteer a brief biography for the newsletter.  Submit to Newsletter Editor, Gloria Jaureguy, at ggjaureg@mindspring.com

	

	

NALA NEWS

UPCOMING NALA DATES
January 15, 2007	Deadline for application for March CLA exam	
March 23-24, 2007	CLA Exam	
May 15, 2007	Deadline for application for July CLA Exam	
July 20-21, 2007	CLA Exam	

Visit the NALA website www.nala.org

View the latest issue of the Affiliates Brief at http://www.nala.org/Aff-Brief.pdf

-------------------------------------
NALA ADVANCED PARALEGAL CERTIFICATION (APC) IS NOW ONLINE!
 
Take your NALA certification to the next level! After three years of development, the APC
program is now on-line with three courses currently available.  These areas are Discovery,
Contract Management/Contract Administration, and Social Security Disability.  For further
details and course descriptions visit NALA’s APC website at
http://www.nala.org/apcweb/index/html.  

				
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTICES
ARTICLES
SUGGESTIONS
WHATEVER……………..
Please submit by the 28th of each month to your newsletter editor: ggjaureg@mindspring.com	

	

Check our website at www.snapreno.com for upcoming events, and links to great legal sites.

WASHOE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY
75 Court Street, Room 101, Reno, NV
(775) 328-3250

December  2006

Library Hours
Monday to Thursday	8 am to 9 pm
Friday 			8 am to 5 pm
Saturday & Sunday 	 10 am to 5 pm

CLOSED on all legal holidays listed in NRS 236.015 and on Easter Sunday.  PARKING on Virginia or Court Streets (metered parking), or use Gallery parking lot at corner of First/Sierra (parking fee).

Check the website www.washoecounty.us/lawlib/ to find free programs available to the public such as Legal Seminars, legal links, and much other information.

Thursday, December 7, 2006.  Family Law Clinic in Spanish.  5-6:30 pm.  The January Clinic will be in English.  Must reserve space by contacting Washoe Legal Services, 329-2727, ext. 106 or 112.

	

You are Formally Invited to
Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals’
Annual Holiday Celebration!

An hors d’oeuvre reception will be held
When:	Thursday, December 14, 2006 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Where:	Best Western Airport Plaza, Lear Room
		1981 Terminal Way, Reno, Nevada 89502
Cost:		$25.00 per person and a cash bar will be available
Donation:	A donation to CAAW is greatly appreciated and should be delivered to Laura Carlson at McDonald Carano Wilson, 100 West Liberty, 10th Floor, by December 5.   Items needed are:  baby diapers, baby wipes, baby powders, lotions and soaps, adult hygiene products, cleaning items, etc.
RSVP:		Please RSVP as soon as possible by e-mail to lcarlson@mcdonaldcarano.com. 
Mail payment with RSVP form below. Can’t wait to see you there!
-------------------------------------------------------------
SNAP Holiday Party RSVP
Name:	________________________________________________________________
Number  attending:    ___________   @ $25.00 =  Total $ _______________ enclosed 	
Mail payment to: SNAP, P.O. Box 2832, Reno, Nevada 89505 by December 5, 2006.

MINUTES OF THE SNAP
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
October 3, 2006

The Executive Committee (EC) Meeting was called to order by President Laura Carlson at 12:07 p.m. at McDonald Carano Wilson’s offices in Reno.  A quorum was present.  Those in attendance were:

Laura Carlson CP, President
Crystal Huss, Second Vice President
Jennifer Grundy, CLA, Treasurer
Amy Hodgson, NALA Liaison
Melissa Paschal CP, Secretary
Gloria Jaureguy, Newsletter Editor
Misty Taylor, Social Activities Chair
Mary Ann Cushman
Gale Hauskins

President’s Report

President Carlson MOVED to appoint Mary Ann Cushman as the new Student Liaison to replace Lynn Strahm.  SECONDED.  MOTION CARRIED.

President Carlson indicated that SNAP membership applications will be provided to TMCC paralegal students to encourage membership.  A new SNAP brochure will be created and placed on the SNAP website.  Mary Ann Cushman will advise her fellow students when the brochure is available for them to print off the website.

First Vice President’s Report

First Vice President Christine Saito was unable to attend the meeting.

Second Vice President’s Report

Second Vice President Crystal Huss requested reimbursement for postage advanced by her office in the amount of $10.53.  President Carlson suggested that future reimbursements could be done quarterly in an amount not to exceed $30.00 without the need for board approval.  Secretary Paschal MOVED to approve reimbursement of $10.53 and quarterly reimbursements for future mailings.  SECONDED.  MOTION CARRIED.

Crystal recently updated the SNAP membership email address list when she distributed the October newsletter.  Some emails were returned as undeliverable.  She will contact those individuals to see if their firm servers are rejecting the attachment.

Crystal advised that there are 59 SNAP members as of October 2006.  Advertising on the SNAP website was discussed briefly.  It was determined that further research needed to be done before any decisions can be made.

Crystal requested reimbursement for SNAP website maintenance fees in the amount of $17.99 per month.  President Carlson MOVED to allow reimbursement for current website fees and future fees without the need for board approval.  SECONDED.  MOTION CARRIED.

Crystal advised that Henry Sotelo and Cathy Burning, who both teach paralegal studies at TMCC, had requested discounted memberships to SNAP.  It was discussed and decided that we would renew their memberships at half price, since they are beneficial to recruiting new paralegal graduates to SNAP.

Secretary’s Report

Secretary Melissa Paschal reported that she contacted Trial Science Inc. and they have agreed to donate their time and equipment for the Mock Trial seminar.  Dr. Dan Dugan will provide technical support and bring monitors, speakers, microphones, cameras and big screens, so when the jury is in deliberations in the jury room, all the spectators in the gallery will be able to see and hear them.

Melissa also indicated that she had already received approval from NALA for .6 units of CLAE credits for the mock trial.  She has submitted the appropriate forms to the Nevada State Bar and is waiting for approval.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Jennifer Grundy, CLA reported that the current balance in the general checking account as of August 31, 2006 is $12,380.36 and the current balance in the scholarship fund is $5,341.46.

NALA Liaison’s Report

NALA Liaison Amy Hodgson advised that we need to order more CP pins from NALA.  President Carlson MOVED to approve ordering four new pins at $25 each.  SECONDED.  MOTION CARRIED.

Parliamentarian’s Report

Parliamentarian Kate Cline was unable to attend the meeting.

Librarian’s Report

Librarian Doreen Smith-Power was unable to attend the meeting.

Student Liaison’s Report

Newly appointed Student Liaison Mary Ann Cushman took notes and may have a report for next month’s meeting.

Activities/Social Chair’s Report

Activities/Social Chair Misty Taylor indicated that we are still waiting for confirmation from the Governor’s office regarding the date selection for Paralegal Day 2007.  A discussion was held regarding announcements at the event.  To save time, honorees will simply stand up when their name is called instead of walking to the lectern to receive a rose.  Starbucks gift cards and other prizes will be awarded at the door also to save time.

Attorneys will be encouraged to submit stories for Paralegal Day on how “my paralegal saved the day” with identifying client and opposing counsel information omitted.  The stories will be printed on pamphlets and placed at the tables.  We will ask the Writ to provide us space to print an article asking attorneys to submit their stories.  Treasurer Jennifer Grundy offered to draft the letter to the Writ and will circulate it via email to the EC.

Misty brought menu choices from three different restaurants with price lists for the SNAP holiday party.  The EC voted on location and food selections.  The party will take place at the Airport Plaza Hotel and Conference Center and we chose six hors d’oeuvres.  We will have a no-host bar and will solicit vendors for door prizes.  President Carlson will take $200 from the SNAP general account to purchase the remaining door prizes.  The Committee to Aid Abused Women (CAAW) will be contacted to determine their current needs and anyone interested can bring gift bags or clothes to the party to be delivered to CAAW.

New Business

The EC discussed possibly changing some of menu items for monthly meetings at Black Bear restaurant.  We will take a vote at the next general membership meeting to see if a majority would like to see some different menu choices for lunch.

With all business complete, the meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

Melissa Paschal, CP
Secretary

MINUTES OF THE SNAP
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
November 14, 2006

The meeting was called to order by President Laura Carlson at 12:10 p.m. at Black Bear Restaurant in Reno.  A quorum was present.

President’s Report

President Carlson reminded everyone that there will be no general membership meeting in December, as we are having the SNAP holiday party instead.

Details of the holiday party were discussed. Members were encouraged to submit their reservation forms as soon as possible.  Spouses and guests are invited too.

The minutes from the October general membership meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Jennifer Grundy, CLA reported that there is $11,564.82 in the general account and $5,402.94 in the scholarship account.

NALA Liaison’s Report

NALA Liaison Amy Hodgson reported that she is preparing an affiliate report for NALA at their request.  A draft will be circulated to executive committee members.

Other officers’ reports were waived due to time constraints.

President Carlson introduced the guest speaker, Kate Knister, who gave an informative speech regarding the functions of Silver State Fair Housing Council.  Ms. Knister distributed brochures and calendars to all in attendance and discussed the procedures for filing a complaint if you or anyone you know is the victim of housing discrimination.

There were no miscellaneous announcements.

With all business complete, the meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.

Melissa Paschal, CP
Secretary

SNAP Officers and Chairpersons for 2006-2007

President:
Laura Carlson, CLA
McDonald Carano
Phone:  788-2000
lcarlson@mcdonaldcarano.com

	First Vice President/Education: 				Parliamentarian:	
	Christi Saito, ACP					Kate Cline, CP				
	Washoe Legal Services					Sutton Place Limited
	Phone: 329-2727, ext. 123					Phone: 348-0125
	csaito@washoelegalservices.org				kate.cline@suttonpl.com

	Second Vice President/Membership/Job Bank		Social Activities: 	
	and Web Site Manager:					Misty Taylor 
 	Crystal Huss						Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw
	Attorney Marilyn D. York, Inc.				& Ferrario
	Phone: 324-7979						Phone: 741-7330
	crystal@marilynyork.net					mxfamily2005@yahoo.com

	Secretary:						Librarian:	
	Melissa Paschal, CLA					Doreen Smith-Power
	Steven J. Klearman & Assoc.				McDonald Carano			
	Phone: 323-3700						Phone: 788-2000
	melissa@injurylitigators.com				dsmith-power@mcdonaldcarano.com

	Treasurer:						Student Liaison:
	Jennifer Grundy, CLA					Mary Ann Cushman             		Silverman, Decaria & Kattelman				Phone: 232-4228
	Phone: 322-3223						maryanncushman@mac.com
	Jennifer@silverman-decaria.com
				
	NALA Liaison:						Newsletter Editor:	
	Amy Hodgson 			 			Gloria Jaureguy
	Silverman, Decaria & Kattelman				Phone: 887-0556
	Phone: 322-3223						ggjaureg@mindspring.com
	amy@silverman-decaria.com				

SNAP Shot is an official publication of the Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals (“SNAP”).
SNAP Address:  Post Office Box 2832, Reno, Nevada  89505
SNAP Shot is published monthly. The 2006-2007 Editor is Gloria Jaureguy. Please e-mail Gloria at          ggjaureg@mindspring.com to submit newsletter information. Deadline for submitting articles for publication in the newsletter is the 28th  of each month.
Please note:  SNAP does not endorse any specific education program. Information provided in the SNAP Shot is to be evaluated by the reader. All editorial material is to be used at the discretion of the reader and does not imply endorsement by the editor, SNAP, its officers or members.
SNAP may make members’ names and business addresses available to legal related entities without the direct consent of each member. Members who do not want their information released must advise the Executive Committee in writing.