About HALA
Welcome to HALA's Website!
The Heartland Association of Legal Assistants became a reality
in 2001.
The charter members previously belonged to an organization based
outside the Kansas City Metro area before forming HALA. To attend
regular luncheon meetings required taking a vacation day from work,
and board meetings were held by teleconference. Members felt disjointed
and, therefore, attendance was extremely low.
Seven ambitious paralegals decided it was time to break out and
form a totally new organization geared toward the paralegals in
and close to the metro Kansas City area (Kansas and Missouri). The
process began in January 2001. Little did we know what all was ahead.
By-laws needed drafting, as did standing rules; decisions needed
to be made on membership structure and dues. What would the organization
be called? How would we be recognized?
The name was selected from a group of suggested possibilities,
a logo was designed and officers were elected.
Being affiliated with a national organization was important. Since
some charter members were CLA’s (Certified Legal Assistants),
the natural choice was the National Association of Legal Assistants
(NALA). The newly formed organization applied for affiliate status
and received it in March 2001.
Then the work began. Incorporation was a must and applying for
our tax exempt status began. Getting information out by fax and
our newsletter to as many people as possible was a huge task culminating
in a “Welcome” Reception in June held at Shook, Hardy,
and Bacon located in Corporate Woods.
Our first “official” meeting was set for September
11, 2001. Needless to say, our meeting was postponed.
Since our first CLE meeting of October 2001, we have had many great speakers on a number of topics,
held our first annual election of officers, and launched our web
site.
From the very beginning, the charter members decided that this
organization would be “member” driven. By that we meant
that the board would be a means by which the members could receive
the programs and benefits they felt were essential. The president
would be a facilitator. And the Executive Board would be the machine
putting things in motion that would be interesting to the members.
The Executive Board welcomes suggestions from the members and encourages
all to participate by running for office, helping on a committee,
or just making suggestions.
Make HALA your professional organization of choice!
About HALA
Membership Info |
Executive Board | Code
of Professional Responsibility | Meetings
& Seminars | Events
Calendar | CLA/CLAS
Info | Useful Links
| Contact HALA
|
