This section contains subsections on SWFPA's national/state affiliations, our Board of Directors, our committees, and our membership categories.

Our national/state affiliation section contains information on our affiliations with national and state paralegal organizations. Our Board of Directors section contains information on our current board of directors. Our committees section contains a list of our current committees and committee members. Our membership categories section contains information on the categories of membership in our association, as well as application forms.

We founded Southwest Florida Paralegal Association, Inc., "SWFPA," f/k/a Legal Assistants of Southwest Florida, Inc., "LASF," in 1997. Our mission is to provide paralegals in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte Counties with a local network of legal resource information and information on educational and professional opportunities. Our primary goals are: upholding the high ethical, professional standards set forth by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., "NALA;" increasing awareness of the paralegal by encouraging member participation in community activities; and offering these services for a reasonable membership fee.

We have created a strong local organization and are achieving our goals by channeling the energies of our members to work together to advance the paralegal's ever increasing role.

We hold dinner meetings and an annual seminar to provide continuing legal education and to encourage active participation of our membership.

SWFPA is a local affiliate of NALA, and it has joined other paralegal organizations throughout the State of Florida to form the Florida Alliance of Paralegal Associations, "FAPA." We also publish a bi-monthly newsletter: Writ of Assistants.

The benefits of joining SWFPA include:

• A yearly subscription to Writ of Assistants, the bi-monthly newsletter published by SWFPA. The newsletter includes educational articles; information on national and local seminars, meetings, and workshops; Internet tips; and entertainment features.
  
  
• Continuing education (CLAE credit to maintain certification) through dinner meetings and local seminars. Formal dinner meetings include an educational speaker and a social hour for networking. Local seminars are offered at least once a year.
  
  
• Encouragement for continuing education through scholarships offered yearly to active and student members.
  
  
• Recognition for upholding a code of ethics and professional responsibility established by NALA, the American Bar Association Code of Professional Responsibility, and the Florida Bar Association Code of Professional Responsibility.
  
  
• A local job bank to assist paralegals with finding employment and law firms with finding paralegals. NOTE: To advertise a position FREE OF CHARGE, click here.
  
  

  Photos from our January 2006 Fun Event:

  

  Group Photo at January Fun Event

  

  L to R: Helen Beggun and John Perry

  

  L to R: Gerry Mills and Annette Wilson

  

  L to R: Joyce Mintzer and Sally Taylor