Education Committee Annual Update 2010-2011

The Ed Comm. last met on July 14, 2010 via phone conference.    

There was a discussion of RMPA’s involvement in the “Paralegal Education Committee” made up or representatives from the Paralegal Committee of the Colorado Bar Association, the Boulder Bar Association, Colorado Association of Legal Support Staff (CALSS) and the Mile High Chapter of CALSS, and what the Ed Comm. could do in support of the PEC.  It was decided that we would support the efforts of the PEC however we would continue to pursue our own efforts at providing educational programs for RMPA members and the paralegal community at large. 

There was a discussion of an inquiry made by students at Kaplan about starting a student chapter.  It was discussed that we should let the students know that we would welcome a group, but that the onus needs to be on the students to put the group together and then we would provide what ever kind of support they needed.

RMPA has been approached and has committed to providing a panel of paralegals from various legal environments (in-house, large firm, government, small firm, freelance, etc.) to provide a panel discussion for the paralegal students club at Arapahoe Community College on Nov. 6.  Members of the committee will work with Mary Peoples from ACC to put the event together.

We continue to provide monthly lunch and learn programs that provide NFPA CLE accredited programs to the members on a variety of topics.  Many thanks are sent out to Mianne Besser for keeping this rolling over the last several months.

January 12, 2011 meeting was held via phone conference.  This meeting established: what the purpose of Education Committee, brainstormed mission statements and goals and set next meeting.

February 1, 2011 held via phone conference.  Committee voted on one of five mission statements presented.  Brainstormed survey questions for members regarding various demographics and what they wanted from this committee.  The committee brainstormed goals.

February 16, 2011 held at Paul Gordon, LLC.  Committee refined the mission statement and passed it as: “The mission of the RMPA Education Committee is to engage and support equally our membership.  RMPA offers the necessary tools and resources through on-going education that incorporate theories, knowledge and ethical professionalism while continually addressing the intellectual demands, emerging issues and latest developments in the legal profession.”

Voted and final survey questions and brainstormed goals.  Updated committee on the PCC and set next meeting. Decided in the beginning to have meetings every first and third Wednesday of the month until committee was up and running.

No other meetings have occurred due to the hang up of the survey.  Co-Chair Chris Baker had a friend who conducts marketing surveys volunteer to run the survey free of charge, all he needed was the members email addresses.  This issue was brought to the Board and was declined.  An alternative solution was that the Board conducts the survey through Memberclicks.  This should launch within the next week. 

May 2, 2011 RMPA sent out the survey through Memberclicks.  When the survey is completed the committee will meet and discuss the results.

May 17, 2011-June 2, 2011 the Education Committee will host the PCC Exam study groups for all Colorado registrants.

The pilot PCC Exam is scheduled for June 11, 2011 at Kaplan College.

We just recently sent out the education survey to all of our members. If you did not receive this, or would like to join the education committee, please contact  Dee Roberts, the committee chair at droberts@ecentral.com.