 New Haven County Association of Paralegals Membership Application -pdf format HISTORY New Haven County Association of Paralegals (NH-CAP) was organized in 1980. It is a non-profit professional organization for paralegals. Non-voting membership is available to students, institutions and individuals with an interest in the paralegal profession. Presently, NH-CAP has over 140 members and our membership continues to grow. It is evident that changing trends in our society have contributed to the increase in complexity of law and regulation and to heightened demand by citizens for participation in a wide spectrum of corporate, governmental, and social activities. The goals and purposes of NH-CAP are: * To encourage the networking of paralegals within the profession; * To advocate and make available continuing legal education of paralegals; and * To establish and maintain mutually beneficial working relationships with local, state and national bar associations and other paralegal associations. BENEFITS All members receive notices of meetings, job bank listings and information on local and national education seminars. Members who complete twelve (12) hours of continuing education per year are formally recognized and receive a certificate. Upon request, notice of the award is forwarded to employers for inclusion in the member's personnel file. In addition, members receive NH-CAP's newsletter, which contains articles regarding local and national issues, as well as information on NH-CAP events and programs. Monthly dinner meetings are held with guest speakers on a variety of topics. The ability to network with other paralegals in our organization gives a member the opportunity to share problems and experiences or seek information. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES NH-CAP has nine elected officers and chairpersons: President, Vice President-Programs, Vice President-Seminars, Secretary, Treasurer, Continuing Education Chairperson, Membership Committee Chairperson, Bar Liaison Representative, and NFPA Primary Representative. There are seven standing committees whose chairpersons are appointed by the Board of Directors after the annual meeting. NATIONAL AFFILIATION NH-CAP is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). As a member of NH-CAP, you are also a member of NFPA. Through membership in NFPA members of NH-CAP participate on a national level in developments affecting the paralegal profession. The NH-CAP board has two members who serve as representatives to NFPA and attend the NFPA mid-year and annual meetings. The NFPA provides representation to professional organizations addressing legal concerns and paralegal educational and professional issues. NH-CAP members receive NFPA's quarterly magazine, National Paralegal Reporter and NFPA's quarterly report on policy issues affecting paralegals, Alert. TERM OF MEMBERSHIP This membership is in effect from September 1st through August 31st. MEMBERSHIP The association has three classes of membership. Voting Member: Any individual who either (a) has completed a paralegal program and received the corresponding certificate or degree for that program: or (b) is currently employed as a paralegal in which the majority of the responsibilities consist of substantive legal work. Each voting member is entitled to vote on matters submitted to the membership and hold office. Student Member: Any individual currently enrolled in a paralegal program with a course of at least 12 credits per semester. Student members may not vote or hold office. Sustaining Member: Any individual, firm, organization or institution interested in supporting the purposes of the Association. Sustaining members may not vote or hold office. The New Haven County Association of Paralegals |