__________________________________________________________________

SNAP SHOT

_____________________________________________________________
     Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals						AUGUST 2007
____________________________________________________________________________________
Visit our web site at www.snapreno.com 
This Issue:

President’s Message…………………….….1-2
Editor’s Note……………………………………2
New/Renewing Member Recognition……….3
Membership Renewal Form……...…….…….4
August Meeting Preview: 
IS “BIG BROTHER” IN YOUR CAR?............5
Meeting Reservation Form……………………6
NALA Convention Reports……………...….7-8
NALA Dates…………………………..…….…9
CLE Opportunities……………………………10
Washoe County Library-Seminar……....…..10
SNAP EC Meeting Minutes…..…………11-12	                   
SNAP Officers & Contact Info…………...….13
Job Bank......................................................14

SNAP Calendar
August 21, 2007, Tuesday at 12 Noon
Monthly membership meeting at the
Black Bear Restaurant.  Speaker will be
Ken Buchner, Accident Reconstructionist.
IS ‘BIG BROTHER’ IN YOUR CAR?
Reservation Form on page 6.

September 4, 2007, Tuesday at 12 Noon
Monthly Executive Committee meeting,
Washoe Legal Services, 650 Tahoe St., Reno
All members welcome!

September  18, 2007, Tuesday at 12 Noon
Location – To Be Announced
Wes Ayres on the Short Trial Program 
	
 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 
Christi Saito on Membership 

It is so nice having Gloria as our newsletter editor; she suggested I might want to write something on Membership as it is renewal time again. 

When I started to think about membership in SNAP, I wondered why and how people have joined. I thought about our members, and came to the conclusion (right or wrong) that our membership is based on word of mouth. At some time a SNAP member explained SNAP to: a co-worker in the same office, a person who worked elsewhere but was a business contact, or a professor or student in school. Our website has also produced inquiries and new members. 

For myself, I came to my first meeting because, as a student at TMCC, information about SNAP was given to my ethics class by our past president Candice Jones. The speaker that month somehow related to the work I was doing at the Public Administrator’s Office so I came to a meeting to learn what I could from others already working in the paralegal/legal assistant field.  At the luncheon, another past
                                                                       (Continued on Page 2)	

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP BEFORE AUGUST 20 AND SAVE! 
Use form on Page 4, or go to SNAP website www.snapareno.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE     (Continued from Page 1)

president, Molly Fisher, welcomed me and invited me to sit next to her. As they say, the rest is history. 

The SNAP Executive Committee wants to thank all of our SNAP members for doing such a great job in “spreading the information by word of mouth.” 

Your Executive Committee is already discussing ways of sharing information about SNAP with other legal organizations and learning institutions across the state. You will also notice a new addition to the SNAP Shot this month where we are welcoming new members and acknowledging renewals. Please help our new members feel welcome when you meet them at our luncheons.

So, if you want to save $5.00 on your renewal membership, our bylaws state: “remitting dues no later than the third Monday of August.”   This year that is August 20, 2007, unfortunately that also means remitting at our next general meeting on August 21, 2007 will be a day late and $5.00 short.

And always feel free to contact me at any time with questions and suggestions.

Thank you again for your support,
Christine (Christi) Saito, ACP
President 
csaito@washoelegalservices.org

Editor’s Note:
A big “thank you” to Christi Saito for bringing back from the NALA convention a stack of newsletters from several NALA Affiliates.  You might like to browse some of our sister (brother?) affiliates’ websites: 
Alabama Association of Paralegals: www.AAOPI.com; 
Montana Association of Legal Assistants: www.malanet.org; 
North Carolina Paralegal Association: www.ncparalegal.org; 
Los Angeles Paralegal Association: www.lapa.org; Inland Counties Association of Paralegals [California]: www.icaponline.org.

 WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!

Heidi Meek
Deborah Pringle

THANK YOU TO OUR RENEWING MEMBERS! 

	Kate Cline, CP					Ericka Maiss Nichols 		
	Breanne Deater					Virginia O’Neill, ACP
	Paula Elliott						Melissa Paschal, CP
	Jennifer  Folgner, CP				Vickie Perry, CLA
	Krystal Franck					Christi Saito, ACP
	Amy Hodgson, CP					April Sferrazzo, CLA
	Bonnie Hunt, CP					Juliet Smith, CLA
	Kim Imperial					Susan Sunday, CP
	Michele LaHue					Misty Taylor
	Lory Linne						Gloria Woodard
	Laura McCarron

MORE RENEWALS ARE COMING IN…….YOUR NAME HERE NEXT MONTH???

Membership in SNAP adds a valuable dimension to our paralegal careers, and reinforces the professionalism that we wish to reflect.  For me, it goes without saying that one should belong to his/her local paralegal organization.  I first heard about the two national paralegal organizations (NALA & NFPA) as a student in UCLA’s paralegal program in Los Angeles in the late 1970s. I joined the Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA), which at that time was a charter member of NFPA; it is now affiliated with NALA.  When I moved to Miami, I joined the local NALA affiliate.  Upon moving to Reno in 1999, I contacted SNAP.  I especially remember my first SNAP meeting: I was so impressed by the robust attendance.  And by the wonderful friendliness and support from Susan Sunday who was the Job Bank coordinator at that time.  I just renewed my membership.  If you haven’t, now would be a good time.  Renewal form follows – Page 4.

								----  Gloria Jaureguy
								----  Newsletter Editor

			SIERRA NEVADA ASSOCIATION OF PARALEGALS
			Affiliated with the National Association of Legal Assistants
				P.O. Box 2832, Reno, NV  89505

			2007 - 2008 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL APPLICATION

SNAP's membership year runs from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008.  Membership dues are 
payable July 1, 2007, in the following amounts:

			Active		$50.00 		or	$45.00	(If Paid Before August 20)
			Retired		$20.00		or	$15.00	(If Paid Before August 20)
			*Associate	$30.00		or	$25.00	(If Paid Before August 20)
			*Student	$20.00		or	$15.00	(If Paid Before August 20)
			Sustaining 	$75.00

*If you wish to upgrade your membership to active status, you will need to fill out a separate, full 
membership application.  Please use the APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP available on our 
website at www.snapreno.com

Make your check payable to SNAP, and mail application and check to:
SNAP, P.O. Box 2832, Reno, Nevada 89505

Name: _________________________________________ CLA Designation: _________ M/F  ____
			[Please Print]
Residence 
Address:  ________________________________________________________________________	
Residence 					Business
Telephone:  ___________________________ 	Telephone:  ___________________________

E-mail address:  ___________________________________________________________________

Employer:  _______________________________________________________________________		

Employer 
Address:  ________________________________________________________________________

Area(s) of Specialization:  ___________________________________________________________

Experience in States 
Other than Nevada (list):  ___________________________________________________________ 

Membership 
Category:   	Active _________   Retired ___________   Associate __________   Student _________

	I agree to continue to be bound by the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility adopted by 
the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., subscribed to by the Sierra Nevada Association of 
Paralegals, and the By-Laws as adopted by the Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals.

___________________________________________________		__________________
[Signature]									  [Date]

I prefer SNAP information to be sent to my:		home  _____		office _____

			
IS “BIG BROTHER” IN YOUR CAR?

SNAP’s  Monthly Membership Meeting  on Tuesday, August 21, will feature Ken Buchner, retired deputy sheriff and accident reconstructionist.  He has provided us with a preview of his presentation:

There are numerous names for the little box in your car that some people are very afraid of:  “Black Box” and “Big Brother” are just two of them.  We are of course speaking of the Airbag Control Module.

Because of the media, most people have a distorted idea of what the module can and cannot do and how it works.  There is a common misconception that this little box will tell the cops how fast a driver was going, where he/she has been, etc.  Simply stated, the airbag control module utilizes sensors placed on various components and positions in a vehicle, and gathers data from them when a preset threshold has been reached.  It then analyzes this information in a few milliseconds and determines whether or not to deploy the airbag.  

At the August meeting Ken will discuss what the system is, which vehicles it is in, and how the information is utilized to determine events that occurred during an accident event.  Ken retired as a deputy sheriff after 21 years, and is currently with a private firm as an Accident Reconstructionist.  He has investigated and/or reconstructed over 500 accidents.  He is a certified instructor with Homeland Security.  He teaches Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management, and he teaches accident investigation at the Regional Law Enforcement Academy.

Please plan to attend this meeting.  Reservation form is on the next page.

Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals

SNAP MONTHLY MEETING
Tuesday, August 21, 2007, at 12 noon

SPEAKER:	Ken Buchner, Accident Reconstructionist
	IS BIG  BROTHER IN YOUR CAR?	

PLACE: 	BLACK BEAR DINER
	2323 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada

COST:	$18.00 – Members & Guests		$15.00 – Student Members

Name:		______________________________________________________________________

Office:	______________________________________________________________________

Work Phone: 	___________________		Home Phone: 	________________

______Member		______Guest		______Student Member

Please indicate one luncheon item – No substitutions, please

TRI-TIP DIP (Steak) 				GARDEN BURGER
with grilled onions, mushrooms, 			with fries
Swiss, French roll, fries

BROILED CHICKEN AND AVOCADO	GRILLED SOUTHWESTERN
CLUB, bacon, lettuce, tomato, Swiss,		STEAK SALAD, with ancho-cilantro
with potato salad					dressing, onions, jack/cheddar cheeses,
                                                                                    guacamole, tortilla strips

Please mail your check and reservation form to SNAP, P.O. Box 2832, Reno, Nevada  89505.  
Prepaid  reservations must be received by Thursday, August 16, 2007.  Sorry no refunds.

NALA CONVENTION REPORT
FROM SNAP’s NALA LIAISON, KATHRYN VITALIE, CP

Thank you very much for allowing me to be your representative at the 32nd Annual Convention and Exhibit held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 11 through 14, 2007.  

As the new kid on the block, it is already very exciting to be your NALA Liaison for the 2007-2008 term.  It was also a great opportunity to attend my first NALA Convention.

The Convention began with an early bird reception on Tuesday evening, July 10, and this gave me an opportunity to network with the members from various states.  On Wednesday morning, I toured the exhibits and introduced myself to the vendors and later that morning attended the Keynote Address.  The general subject of the address, which was presented by Marta-Ann Schnabel, an attorney and President of the Louisiana State Bar Association, was the growth of the position of a paralegal and the valuable contribution a paralegal can make to an attorney and to the clients.  At noon I attended an All Convention Luncheon and this was a wonderful opportunity to meet the officers of NALA and also visit with the other convention attendees.  It is so exciting to attend a NALA function and it is obvious that there is a great deal of enthusiasm for the association.  NALA is an excellent source of help and the association exhibits a willingness to assist its affiliates.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings I attended the Human Resources Institute and had the privilege of acquiring additional knowledge in the areas of employment laws, important information regarding complying with federal discrimination and harassment laws, and on Friday the final session focused on the aspects of hiring, retaining, and releasing employees.  

Wednesday afternoon we were able to attend an annual meeting of the affiliated associations and Thursday afternoon Mark Levin presented a valuable session entitled “Bringing Out the Leader in You.”  This was an interactive session covering leadership and hints on acquiring effective life skills and working with others.  Friday afternoon NALA had its 32nd Annual meeting, election of officers, and presentation of awards.  

Saturday morning I packed up my baggage and headed to the final sessions in career enhancement and the closing ethics presentation.  

I was able to come home with an additional amount of valuable training while meeting many new people and developing valuable professional contacts. I hope to be a better SNAP member and I look forward to my term as NALA Liaison.     
---------------------------------------

NALA CONVENTION REPORT
FROM SNAP’s PRESIDENT, CHRISTINE SAITO, ACP

Answers to the most frequently asked questions first: yes, it was hot in New Orleans, but only in the low 90’s; yes, it was humid, again in the low 90’s; yes, it did rain or thunder every day but never longer than one hour at a time; and yes, the meeting rooms were over-air-conditioned again (I would guess around 65 degrees) but that was not as cold as some of the meetings in Tampa last year.

Kathryn was very patient to put up with me in my pain and drugged state [aftermath of recent surgery] throughout. We did not attend all the receptions that I promised in last month’s SNAP Shot, but that was because of me. I was just not a “party animal” this year. 

Kathryn and I attended the Human Resources Institute. The attorney covered such issues as: minimum wage, federal labor laws, EEOC and explained that a hostile work environment was a form of harassment. On Friday I attended the immigration class. That was interesting because this year about half of the people were there, not because they worked in the field of immigration, but to understand all the immigration issues they were reading about in the papers.

On Wednesday evening Region 9 (California, Nevada and Hawaii) organized a dinner which was attended by over 25 members, another chance to network with other paralegals close to home. We had planned to attend, but that evening I just could not make it. Thursday evening Kathryn and I had dinner with three of our counterparts from Nevada Paralegal Association (NPA). We discussed how our respective associations manage Paralegal Day, annual seminar, website, and newsletter, and how we handle various everyday issues that arise. We have agreed to add each other’s association to our emailed newsletter lists. We will then be able to share with SNAP members the information of speakers and seminars held by NPA. We also learned about the Legal Assistant Division (LAD) of the Nevada State Bar Association.  NPA’s vice president and SNAP’s  Secretary, our own Ginny Casazza, are on its board.  Next month our SNAP Shot will have information about the LAD annual meeting which will be held this year in Reno in October. 

We brought back two CDs, one of the other affiliates’ annual reports and the other of the general handouts from the convention. The affiliates’ reports are interesting if you want to learn what other organizations are doing. The general handouts are any handouts that the speakers gave to NALA to distribute to the members. Some of these handouts cover the Essential Skills track, which is useful if you are studying for the CLA exam. Others are handouts from affiliate presentations and individual single day sessions. I also brought back an extra set of the printed handouts from the immigration session. These CDs, handouts and the ones from previous NALA conventions are in our SNAP library and are available to any member requesting a file or copy. 

One final anecdote from the convention: I was speaking with a member from New Jersey, she asked when and where we held our monthly meetings, and how much SNAP charged its members for the lunches. She was amazed that SNAP could find a restaurant that allows us to only charge $18.00 for the lunch. They have gone to brown bag lunches and evening meetings because, in New Jersey, they could not find a restaurant that would accommodate their organization for less than $30.00 a person. 
--------------------------------

www.nala.org - website has a wealth of information for you

UPCOMING NALA DATES – 2007

October 1	Application Filing deadline for December CLA exam 	
October 16	Late Application Filing deadline	
November 30 &
December 1	CLA Exam	

View the latest issue of the Affiliates Brief at http://www.nala.org/Aff-Brief.pdf
Visit www.nalacampus.com to review the many online learning opportunities

			

			
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME!
ANNOUNCEMENTS – NOTICES – ARTICLES - SUGGESTIONS
Submit by the 25th of each month to your newsletter editor: ggailgaur@pyramid.net	

Would you like us to Get To Know You better? This is a series appearing intermittently in the newsletter. You may volunteer a brief autobiography.  Submit to Newsletter Editor, Gloria Jaureguy, at ggailgaur@pyramid.net

Our website is getting a new look. Check it out at www.snapreno.com for upcoming events and links to great legal sites.  While there you can review our Bylaws, get membership forms, and obtain other information to keep you “in the loop.”

CLE OPPORTUNITIES

August 22

“E-Discovery for Paralegals” Las Vegas, NV 

Presented by the Institute for Paralegal Education, www.ipe-sems.com

September 17

“The Probate Process From Start to Finish for Paralegals” Las Vegas, NV

Presented by the Institute for Paralegal Education, www.ipe-sems.com

September 18

“Title Law in Nevada” Las Vegas, NV

Presented by the National Business Institute, www.nbi-sems.com

September 20-21

“Paralegal Trial Institute” Las Vegas, NV

Presented by Estrin LegalEd, www.estrinlegaled.com

WASHOE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY
75 Court Street, Room 101, Reno, NV
(775) 328-3250
August 2007
Library Hours
Monday through Thursday	8 am to 9 pm
  Friday 			8 am to 5 pm
Saturday & Sunday 	        10 am to 5 pm
FREE SEMINAR
Wills & Trusts: How to Safeguard Your Assets 
Thursday, August 30th, 2007 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Washoe County Law Library in Reno, Nevada. Speaker: William O'Mara, Esq.  Please call to reserve a space at 328-3250.
 
Check the Washoe County Law Library website www.washoecounty.us/lawlib/ for continuing information on legal seminars, legal links, and much other information.

	

MINUTES
JULY 17, 2007
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

The Executive Committee (EC) meeting was called to order by Laura Carlson at 12:15 p.m. at McDonald Carano Wilson’s offices in Reno.  A quorum of outgoing officers and of incoming officers was present.  Those in attendance were:
		
Laura Carlson, CP, outgoing President		
Cristine Saito, ACP, incoming President
Renee Kelly, incoming First Vice President
Misty Taylor, incoming Second Vice President
Melissa Paschal, CP, outgoing Secretary
Ginny Casazza, RG, incoming Secretary
Jennifer Grundy, CP, outgoing Treasurer		
April Sferrazzo, CLA, incoming Treasurer
Amy Hodgson, outgoing NALA Liaison
Kathryn Vitalie, CP, incoming NALA Liaison
Kate Cline, CP, outgoing Parliamentarian
Laura McCarron, incoming Parliamentarian
Gloria Jaureguy, outgoing and incoming Newsletter Editor
Gale Hauskins, incoming Social Activities Chair

Laura Carlson moved to approve the minutes from the June 7, 2007 EC meeting; Melissa Paschal second; unanimous.

New Business

Outgoing officers and chairpersons exchanged books, documents and information and discussed duties with incoming officers and chairpersons.    Outgoing Treasurer, Jennifer Grundy reported that there were still outstanding transactions so she would coordinate the setup of a new bank account and closing of the existing bank account with incoming Treasurer, April Sferrazzo. 

Laura Carlson passed the gavel to Christine Saito and the outgoing officers and chairpersons were dismissed. 

The “Pedaling Paralegals” activity organized by Melissa Paschal was discussed and the EC approved by consensus the announcement of the activity in SNAP SHOT and website.  This is not a SNAP-sponsored activity.

The following appointment of Chairpersons was approved by consensus of the EC:
		Laura McCarron, Parliamentarian
		Gale Hauskins, Social Activities
		Gloria Jaureguy, Newsletter Editor
		Mary Ann Cushman, Website Manager/Student Liaison

Jennifer Grundy made a motion to reimburse Christine Saito the sum of $1,480.29 for NALA Convention expenses; Renee Kelly second; there was some discussion regarding reconsidering sending two representatives to the convention due to expense; vote called for; unanimous.  Amy Hodgson made a motion to reimburse Kathryn Vitalie the sum of $1,181.77 for NALA Convention expenses; Misty Taylor second; unanimous.  Christine Saito made a motion to reimburse Crystal Huss $161.91 for website expenses; Ginny Casazza second; unanimous.

After the transfer of the accounts and Treasurer’s duties, the audit committee will meet.  The committee members are Laura Carlson, Jennifer Grundy and April Sferrazo.

The next meeting of the EC will be August 7, 2007 at 12:00 at Washoe Legal Services, Tahoe Street, Reno. 
 
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting reopened at 1:00 p.m. with quorum still present.  Ginny Casazza moved to approve the opening of two new bank accounts (one checking, one savings) at Nevada State Bank; Renee second; unanimous.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ginny Casazza, RG
Secretary

SNAP Officers and Chairpersons for 2007-2008

President:
CHRISTI SAITO, ACP
Washoe Legal Services
Phone:  329-2727, ext. 123
csaito@washoelegalservices.org

	First Vice President/Education: 				Parliamentarian:	
	RENEE KELLY						LAURA MCCARRON		
	Phone: 425-8616						Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw &
	reneemkelly@sbcglobal.net				Ferrario
								Phone: 842-3030
								swood1973@charter.net

	Second Vice President/Membership/Job Bank:		Social Activities & Librarian:	
	MISTY TAYLOR				 	GAIL HAUSKINS	
 	Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw &			McDonald Carano Wilson
	Ferrario							Phone: 326-4323
	Phone: 741-7330						ghauskins@mcdonaldcarano.com
	mtaylor@kkbrf.com

	Secretary/ Public Relations/LAD Liaison:			Student Liaison &  Website Manager:
	GINNY CASAZZA, RG					MARY ANN CUSHMAN
	Casazza Professional Services, Inc.				Phone: 232-4229			
	Phone: 287-5005						maryanncushman@mac.com
	ginnycasazza@clearwire.net
			
	Treasurer:						Newsletter Editor:
	APRIL SFERRAZZO,  CLA				GLORIA JAUREGUY             		 	Walraven & Harris					Phone: 887-0556
	Phone: 828-5005						ggailgaur@pyramid.net
	april@mvh.com
				
	NALA Liaison:							
	KATHRYN VITALIE, CP 			 	
	Phone: 825-5642			
	vitaliek@prodigy.net

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 2007-2008 Editor is Gloria Jaureguy. Please e-mail Gloria at ggailgaur@pyramid.net
to submit newsletter information. Deadline for submitting articles for publication in the newsletter is the 25th of each month.
SNAP does not endorse any specific educational 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.