VALS Fall Institute

The VALS Fall Institute and Board of Governors Meeting was held the weekend of October 2-3, 2010 in Glen Allen, VA.

The format was a little different this year, starting at 10 am to allow for members to travel on Saturday morning to attend the legal education, instead of having to spend an additional night at the hotel. It worked out very well, and everyone there liked the 10 am start!

The format for the actual legal education was a little different as well. We had 5.5 hours of legal education, as usual, but it covered only 2 topics and a leadership/membership workshop, instead of several different topics. The two topics were: Fighting Elder Financial Abuse by Retired Richmond Police Officer William H. Lightfoot and Important Legislative Changes and Health Care Reform by Roy Ramthun of HSA Consulting Services, LLC. Our VALS President-Elect Linda Kelly, PLS and Vice President Kelly Hickey, PP, PLS, presented a leadership/membership workshop on Mentoring and Membership Tips.

I really liked the format as the two topics covered so much information. We didn’t have to rush through all. Both speakers were very good and I learned so much! BTW, I tweeted most of the facts/figures our speakers talked about as VALSUpdates, so if you are on Twitter, look up @VALSUpdates for more

information!

And So the Mad Rush Begins!

The first full week of September is already cra-zazy!  Last night I had an NVLSA meeting and didn't get home until nearly 10 pm and tomorrow night, I have my first flute choir rehearsal for the Fall seaon!

For those who don't know, NVLSA (Northern Virginia)  (http://www.nvlsa.org/), VALS (http://www.v-a-l-s.org/) and NALS (http://www.nals.org/) are local, state and national organziations for legal support professionals such as legal secretaries, paralegals, office managers, etc.  These are wonderful organizations that have an emphasis on eduation and networking.  They offer legal certifications and national networking.  I have met some of my best frieds through these organizations and have traveled throughout Virginia and the United States to attend state and national conferences.   NVLSA is our local chapter and we meet monthly and usually have an educatoinal speaker and a business meeting.  Last night the City Attorney for the City of Alexandria talked to us about Labor Law.  He was very interesting and we appreciated his taking his time to talk to us.

I have been a member of the Woodbridge Flute Choir, an amatuer ensemble  (http://www.woodbridgeflutechoir.org/), since 2000 and have played the flute since I was 10 years old.  We play at least three concerts a season with our Fall concert scheduled for November 7, 2010.  We have recorded three CD's and we have played at numerous venues in the DC area, such as the White House (the Christmas after 9-11), The Kennedy Center, The Morman Tablernacle Festival of Lights, The Marine Corps Museum, and The Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair.   No matter how tired I am or how much I just want to go home and veg out, I am always glad I went to rehearsal.  I think it is good for my soul.

Is it the weekend yet?  I need the rest!