http://kxan.com/2017/04/30/tornado-destroys-canton-venue-hours-before-hs-prom/

As you have more than likely heard, the Canton area was devastated by tornadoes April 29, 2017.  If you are interested in helping that area via labor, donations or your time, here is some information:

The staging area is at the Canton Fairgrounds.  If you want to help in any way, please call  903-502-0151 and see how you can help.  There are all types of clean-up efforts going on, food service, and collection of necessary items.  The Mayor of Canton, Lou Ann Everett, emphasized to please call that number first as they are the “control booth” for all of the volunteer efforts.  They do not need water, food, or clothing donations because they have no space to store those items at the moment.

You may also access Mayor Everett’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/laeverett1.  There are updates being posted there which include:

1. Canton/Van Zandt County Tornado relief fund for donations:  VZC Tornado Relief Fund, First State Bank, P. O. Box 428, Canton, Texas 75103.
2. Facebook page for radio station KWJB 95.1 The Bee has information.
3. Canton Animal Shelter for rescued animals:  903-567-4880 or 903-603-5024.

Please keep all of these folks in your thoughts and prayers, and if you feel you can help in any way, hopefully this information will give you some direction.

The Texas Paralegal Journal and two new features for the upcoming Summer edition, and is requesting submissions!

The “100 PD” Club – If your firm has 100% Paralegal Division membership, your firm can be listed as being a part of the “100 PD” Club!

Memorials Section – Contributions can be made in remembrance of our PD Members.

Submissions are due MAY 10TH!

Thank you for being a member of the PD, and don’t forget about TAPS 2017!

SAVE THE DATE – OCTOBER 4-6, 2017 – ADDISON!

District 3

Joyce Rehill passed the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) offered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and has now earned her RP designation!  Congratulations to Joyce.

District 4

Beth Brannon and Carol Smith both passed the Certified Paralegal Exam (CP) offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants and have earned their CP designation!  Congratulations to both Beth and Carol.

Way to go!

Stephanie Sterling, TBLS-BCP shared with us that she was one of the panelists at the Blinn College Paralegal Program Student Forum on April 13, 2017.  It was a great turnout and the students were excited and appreciative.  Billy Hart, panelist, District 4 member, and founder of the new Brazos County Legal Professionals Association, along with Robert Stanberry, Blinn College Paralegal Program Coordinator and District 4 member, put the event together.

Thank you for sharing Stephanie!

There is still opportunity to become a sponsor for the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting.   Available are only 3 spaces for a Silver Sponsor, 3 spaces for a Bronze Sponsor, and one Signage Sponsor.  Please be part of our great 2017 PD Annual Meeting this June by becoming a sponsor.

Contact Susan Davis at vendors@txpd.org!

Thank you to the following sponsors so far:

The Gold Level:

The Texas Paralegal Journal Digital!

The Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas digital Texas Paralegal Journal (TPJ) is available!

Please take the time to review the digital TPJ!

It offers direct links to the websites of advertising vendors and other websites in the magazine.

This is an exciting time for the Paralegal Division and the TPJ!

You can review the magazine here.

On April 4, 2017, Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer, LLP hosted a group of students from San Jacinto College’s paralegal program where Paralegal Division D1 member Jennifer Evans, CP, TBLS-BCP presented on private law firms and the roles and assignments given to paralegals.  This included various job tips and a roundtable discussions with stories from attorneys and paralegals.  The visit to HDBD Houston was part of a day long project for the San Jacinto paralegal students where they will visit a private law firm (HDBD), the Harris County Attorney’s Office and a private corporation (BP).

The group was hosted by the Houston Paralegal Association and D1, both represented by Jennifer Evans.

Way to go D1!