CHAPTER NEWS

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition
May 5-8, 2008

Chapter members recently returned from a week of leadership activities, education, and networking events with fellow members and vendors at the ALA Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington on May 5-8, 2008. The Keynote Address was presented by Steven Sample, Ph.D., the David W. Brezina Memorial General Session featured Egil "Bud" Krogh, and the Closing General Session was presented by Afterburner. For a recap of the conference, view the photo gallery, download handouts, purchase audio CD and MP3 files, please click here to visit the ALA Annual Conference page. A sampling of the week can also be seen on the ALASVC Photos page. Led by Chapter President, Annette Ross, the ALA Silicon Valley Chapter received recognition in several award categories this year, including another GOLD-level award for effective chapter management! Debbie Sanders was also recognized for her service on the 2008 Annual Conference Committee. Congratulations ALASVC!

2008 Chapter Power Points Contest!

The Silicon Valley Chapter POWER POINTS contest is underway again, and we are going to make it easy for you to win. All you have to do is participate to accumulate as many points as you can by January 31, 2009. The grand prize for our POWER POINTS winner is a scholarship to the 38th Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, May 18-21, 2009. The scholarship includes early-bird registration, roundtrip coach airfare, and four nights at one of the ALA conference hotels..

Here are the point values. The member with the most points wins!*

1 point - join the on-line discussion group
2 points - attendance at monthly meeting
2 points - attendance at Holiday Party
3 points - attendance at Fall Mixer
3 points - active participation on a committee
3 points - attendance at Regional Conference -- Austin
4 points - bringing in a new member
4 points - participation at CCW
5 points - becoming a committee chair

The purpose of this is to have some fun, get you involved in YOUR chapter, and to reward the member who puts forth the most effort.

Click here for more information.

Silicon Valley Chapter Members Selected
for Annual Conference Committee

ALA Silicon Valley Chapter members, Art Bernstein of Hopkins & Carley and Debbie Piker Sanders of Rehon & Roberts, have been selected for the 2009 Annual Conference Committee. This 12-member committee serves a one-year term preparing over 100 educational sessions for the international conference. The 2009 conference will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 17-21, 2009. Debbie is also serving on the 2008 Annual Conference Committee for the upcoming conference in Seattle, Washington on May 4-8, 2008

2007 Professional Legal Management Week

The Association of Legal Administrators is celebrating the second annual Professional Legal Management Week (PLMW) from October 1-5, 2007. Co-sponsors are the ABA Law Practice Management Section, American Association of Law Libraries, Australian Legal Practice Management Section, International Legal Technology Association, International Paralegal Management Association, Legal Marketing Association, Managing Partners' Forum, and NALP-The Association for Legal Career Professionals.

The purpose of PLMW is to provide a forum for recognizing those in legal management for what they do and the important role that they play in the success of the organization, and in its service to its clients and those who work in the organization. The objectives of PLMW are to provide awareness, understanding, and education about the legal management profession, and to increase knowledge of the diverse roles within the profession.

To celebrate PLMW, Silicon Valley Chapter President, Annette Ross (Sullivan & Cromwell), President-Elect, Helen Ferentinos (Bingham McCutchen), PLMW Chairperson, Art Bernstein (Hopkins & Carley), and member Lynn Green (Hoge Fenton) met with paralegal students at West Valley College for a panel discussion about working in a law firm and the many management career opportunities. The session was extremely well received by a standing room only crowd. Many students stayed after the session to ask questions.

For more information about PLMW, see http://www.plmw.org/.

Community Challenge 2007

Update: Check out pictures of chapter members at the RAFT and Pathways events on the photos page.

Building on the Silicon Valley Chapter’s growing history of community service and partnership with ALA ’s Community Challenge Weekend, the Chapter is excited to participate in two community challenge events. We have the opportunity and responsibility to provide greater resources and service to our communities, beyond many of your individual community service contributions. To accomplish this, the Chapter is providing two community service opportunities this year.

On Saturday, October 6th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ALASVC will partner with Hands On Bay Area’s Contribute to Literacy at RAFT (Resource Area for Teachers). RAFT provides bay area teachers and community groups with learning materials to enhance math, science and art activities. Working in their warehouse, we will be sorting supplies, creating learning kits and working with teachers to fulfill their supply needs.

On Saturday, October 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ALASVC will join Pathways Hospice Foundation in their efforts to provide health services to our local communities. One of their many efforts is the distribution of flu packs. We will be assembling and packaging the various items that will aid in the prevention and treatment of the flu for the many people Pathways Hospice serves.

If you would like to participate, please contact Shawn Derfer at sderfer@mwe.com or 650-813-5170. Click here for printable information.

ALASVC Hits the Big Time at the 36th Annual Conference!

The ALA Silicon Valley Chapter received recognition in several award categories this year, a record number of awards for the Chapter! Congratulations ALASVC!

• FIRST PLACE for the updated and enhanced Chapter Membership Brochure
• FIRST PLACE AWARD of EXCELLENCE for the advertisement in The Recorder that acknowledged all of our participating firms during Professional Legal Management Week last year.
• HONORABLE MENTION for the Vendor Thank You Breakfast held at the Four Seasons, a business partner of the chapter.
• HONORABLE MENTION for the excellent Grief in the Workplace educational program.
• HONORABLE MENTION for our fabulous (and fun) electronic newsletter, the VALLEY VOICE.
• HONORABLE MENTION for our Community Challenge Weekend event, A Day at Second Harvest.
• Yvonne Mills was named a finalist in the first ever Quest Award competition. The Quest Award recognizes a new member who is actively involved in the ALA through various activities and is, in short, a star. Yvonne is just such a person and this recognition is significant. More than 625 members were nominated for this award and there were only 22 finalists. Congratulations, Yvonne, and thank you for your many contributions to our chapter.
• And of course, as previously reported, the chapter won GOLD level for the Presidents' Award of Excellence. This is the third year that the chapter has come home a winner in this program, and the first year to gain GOLD status.

You can read more about the ALA awards programs and see all award winners at www.alanet.org/members/chapters/2007awardwinners.html (members only log-in required).

ALASVC Wins Presidents' Award of Excellence - Gold Level!

The ALA Silicon Valley Chapter is very proud to be the recipients of the Presidents’ Award of Excellence (GOLD Level) for the 2006 term of office! This award, named in honor of ALA's Past Presidents, recognizes chapters for their efforts in effective chapter management. Awards are presented to chapters in good standing who have attained certain points in the areas of chapter management, communications, professional development, recruitment and retention, and other chapter activities. The award will be presented to the Silicon Valley Chapter by the leaders of the Association of Legal Administrators at an awards ceremony on April 30, 2007 at the 36th Annual Educational Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada. This will be the fourth time the Chapter has been recognized for its efforts with an award -- in 2004, led by Chapter President, Jan Silva, the Chapter received its first awards by achieving a bronze-level Presidents' Award and an honorable mention for its website. In 2005, led by Chapter President, Bonnie Neary, the Chapter advanced by achieving a silver-level Presidents' Award. The current ALASVC board members are very proud to be honored for meeting the criteria set forth by the ALA. Chapter members are also commended for their participation. It is not just the Board's achievements to be honored, each and every member adds value to the Chapter and are an important factor in helping to attain the award. Congratulations ALASVC!