NFPA® Pro Bono - Paralegals Making a Difference
Pro Bono Committee - Milestones
Ode To A Volunteer
Many will be shocked to find
When the day of judgment nears
That there's a special place in
Heaven set aside for volunteers.
Furnished with big recliners,
Satin couches and footstools
Where there's no committee chair,
No group leaders or carpools.
Telephone lists will be outlawed
But a finger snap will bring
Cool drinks and gourmet dinners,
And rare treats fit for a king.
You ask,
Who'll serve the privileged few
And work for all they're worth?
Why, those who reaped benefits
And not once volunteered on earth.
- Author Unknown
Revised: 11/02/2006
1979 - NFPA® reaffirms its support of public interest activities (79-12)
1984 - NFPA® Pro Bono Committee Established (84-10)
1989 - NFPA® Pro Bono Coordinator Established (89-9)
1999 - NFPA® delegates vote to amend Canon 1.4 of NFPA®'s Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement to include a commitment to pro bono (24-hour aspirational goal and pro bono defined (99F-4)
2001 - NFPA® delegates vote to include pro bono participation towards continuing legal education credits (01S-08)
2002 - NFPA® delegates vote to include pro bono administrative hours towards annual 24-hour aspiration (02F-1)
2006 - NFPA® delegates vote to designate May as Pro Bono Month (06-03)
2006 - NFPA® delegates vote to amend Canon 1.4 (NFPA®'s Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement) to include a commitment to community service (24-hour aspirational goal and community service defined) (06-05)
RESOLUTIONS - 2006 CONVENTION
Resolution 06-03
Resolution: An annual pro bono month that will promote the voluntary contributions made by paralegals in their communities and encourage more paralegals to realize the benefits of pro bono. The annual pro bono month will allow NFPA® and its member associations to celebrate its support and involvement in utilizing the talents and skills of paralegals to meet the pro bono needs in their communities.
WHEREAS, NFPA® has a twenty-six (26) year history of supporting the volunteer and pro bono efforts of paralegals;
WHEREAS, NFPA® currently has in place an aspiration that paralegals should aspire to twenty-four (24) hours of pro bono services annually and designating May as pro bono month will further support the existing program;
WHEREAS, many NFPA® paralegals perform substantial amounts of pro bono hours by volunteering their skills, time, and talents to meet the legal needs in their communities;
WHEREAS, NFPA® has a history of being a national leader for the paralegal community and a strong commitment to advancing the paralegal profession; and
WHEREAS, dedicating the month of May as an opportunity to not only celebrate the invaluable service that paralegals provide to the legal community by dedicating their skills, time and talents to pro bono projects, but would provide a unique opportunity to make a commitment to existing local Law Day projects and organize special events to advertise the association and the association’s pro bono program to the legal community and potential new members.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the month of May will be officially designated as pro bono month; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that NFPA®’s Pro Bono Coordinator and Assistant Pro Bono Coordinators will work with the local association’s Pro Bono Coordinators to develop potential national projects in addition to providing ongoing support and resources for associations that are interested in taking advantage of this national opportunity to develop or enhance the association’s current pro bono program.
Resolution 06-05
Resolution: Creation of a program to acknowledge and recognize the endeavors and contributions that paralegals make towards Community Service projects (as defined hereafter) that will inspire other paralegals to support and participate in Community Service projects.
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of NFPA® and its member associations to emphasize its commitment to participate in Community Services by amending Canon1.4 of its Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement by adding specific references to community service in both Canon 1.4 and the ethical considerations under Canon 1.4;
WHEREAS, many NFPA® paralegals regularly contribute significant time toward Community Service projects; and
WHEREAS, fostering Community Service would bolster the reputation of the paralegal profession and provide NFPA’s members with an opportunity to be acknowledged and recognized for volunteer work that does not meet the definition of pro bono;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NFPA® adopts the following definition as meeting requirements for the appropriate Community Service programs:
“Community Service” is defined as volunteer activities that would not meet the definition of pro bono, as adopted by the delegates in Resolution 99F-4 and is further defined as unpaid services that are volunteered by individuals to benefit an organization, community, or its institutions that are provided through the direction of a non-profit organization as defined under the Internal Revenue Code. he definition focuses on volunteer services that improve the quality of life for community residents, or to solve particular problems related to their needs.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Canon 1.4 of the Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement is hereby amended to reflect NFPA® commitment to the importance of Community Service to:
1.4 A PARALEGAL SHALL SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND DELIVERY OF QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES, INCLUDING PRO BONO PUBLICO SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Ethical Consideration1.4 of the Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement is hereby amended with following:
EC-1.4(e) A paralegal should aspire to contribute twenty-four (24) hours of Community Service on an annual basis. For purposes of this EC, “Community Service” shall be defined as: volunteer activities that have the effect of providing a valuable service or benefit to a local community, as distinguished from those services which fall within the traditional definition of pro bono publico. By way of example and not limitation, several examples of Community Service may include: working with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering with local women’s shelters, volunteering for hurricane relief, serving meals at local soup kitchens or local homeless shelters.
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RESOLUTIONS - FALL 2002 CONVENTION
02F-1
WHEREAS, NFPA® currently has in place an aspiration that paralegals should aspire to twenty-four (24) hours of pro bono services annually;
WHEREAS, many NFPA® paralegals perform substantial amounts of pro bono hours which although not specifically clinical in nature further the development and implementation of such pro bono services; and
WHEREAS, collective reporting and recordation of pro bono hours functions inadequately in the absence of the inclusion of administrative hours and puts NFPA® at a disadvantage vis-à-vis other professional organizations such as the American Bar Association.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Ethical Consideration 1.4(d) of the Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement is hereby amended to reflect the policy of NFPA® by adding a sentence at the end thereof, to wit:
A paralegal should aspire annually to contribute twenty-four (24) hours of Pro Bono Publico services under the supervision of an attorney or as authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to:
1. persons of limited means; or
2. charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the legal needs of persons with limited means; or
3. individuals, groups or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties or public rights.
The twenty-four (24) hours of Pro Bono Publico services contributed annually by a paralegal may consist of such services as detailed in this EC-1.4(d), and/or administrative matters designed to develop and implement the attainment of this aspiration as detailed above in EC-1.4(a) B (c), or any combination of the two.
RESOLUTIONS - SPRING 2001
01S-08
Pro Bono Coordinator and CLE Coordinator
WHEREAS, the NFPA® delegates believe it is in the best interests of NFPA® and the paralegal profession to award NFPA® Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits to paralegal members for their participation in the delivery of pro bono legal services; and
WHEREAS, such participation will encourage and enhance continuing education for NFPA®'s membership and will assist in providing access to justice for those individuals who would otherwise have no alternative to meet their legal needs; and
WHEREAS, pro bono service addresses substantive law issues, is oriented to the specific nature of the paralegal profession and is consistent with the NFPA® mission statement, policies on education, ethics, regulation and core curriculum.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that NFPA® will award one (1) Continuing Legal Education (CLE) non-ethics credit for each three (3) hours of pro bono service contributed by an NFPA® member pursuant to the NFPA® Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement, up to a maximum of four (4) CLE non-ethics credits annually; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that each NFPA® member must complete and have signed by the supervising attorney/agency an Affidavit, such Affidavit to be contained in the NFPA Procedures Manual and on the NFPA Web site, attesting to the substantive nature of the pro bono services provided, such Affidavit to be submitted to the NFPA® CLE Coordinator upon participation or annually; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that local associations may apply for CLE for a group of paralegal pro bono volunteers working on a special pro bono project; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that an NFPA® member or local association will receive NFPA® CLE credits for the delivery of pro bono legal services at no cost to the member or local association.
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RESOLUTIONS - FALL
99-F-4
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of NFPA® to emphasize its commitment to participate in pro bono publico services by amending Canon 1.4 of its Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement by adding specific references to pro bono publico services in both Canon 1.4 and the ethical considerations under Canon 1.4; and
WHEREAS, to facilitate the interpretation of pro bono publico services as used in, and as is to be applied for the purposes of, NFPA®'s Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement, it is recommended that a specific definition of such terms be incorporated into the Model Code.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Canon 1.4 of the Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement be amended to read as follows:
1.4A PARALEGAL SHALL SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND DELIVERY OF QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES, INCLUDING PRO BONO PUBLICO SERVICES.
EC-1.4(a) A paralegal shall be sensitive to the legal needs of the public and shall promote the development and implementation of programs that address those needs.
EC-1.4(b) A paralegal shall support efforts to improve the legal system and access thereto and shall assist in making changes.
EC-1.4(c) A paralegal shall support and participate in the delivery of Pro Bono Publico services directed toward implementing and improving access to justice, the law, the legal system or the paralegal and legal professions.
EC-1.4(d) A paralegal should aspire annually to contribute twenty-four (24) hours of Pro Bono Publico services under the supervision of an attorney or as authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to:
1 persons of limited means; or
2 charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the legal needs of persons with limited means; or
3 individuals, groups or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties or public rights; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NFPA's Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement be amended to include the following definition of pro bono publico, which shall be and read as follows:
"Pro Bono Publico" means providing or assisting to provide quality legal services in order to enhance access to justice for persons of limited means; charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the legal needs of persons with limited means; or individuals, groups or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties or public rights.
UPDATE - Hours reported since resolution was adopted:
2000 - 52 paralegals came forward and reported that they had met or exceeded the 24 hour aspiration during 2000 that equated to devoting 1,248 hours towards meeting the legal needs of the low-income residents in their communities.
2001 - 79 paralegals reported their pro bono hours for 2001 and a total of 1,896 hours were devoted to pro bono service.
2002 - 113 paralegals reported meeting or exceeding the 24 hour aspiration for a total of 2,712 hours devoted to pro bono service.
2003 - 63 paralegals reported meeting or exceeding the 24 hour aspiration for a total of 1,512 hours devoted to pro bono service.
2004 - 78 paralegals reported their hours and 4,856.75 hours were devoted to pro bono service.
2005 - 70 paralegals reported their pro bono hours and a minimum of 4,612 hours were devoted to pro bono service.
89-9
STATUS: Adopted
RESOLVED, that the NFPA® restructure the Pro Bono Committee to be made up of one person as Coordinator, who will then create a Committee made up of members-at-large, as needed, to assist with special projects of the Committee; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Pro Bono Coordinator shall be a liaison between the NFPA® and the ABA and other associations to promote the utilization of paralegals in pro bono programs, to give guidance and assistance to local associations regarding pro bono programs and to further the NFPA® goal of developing ways to provide quality legal services to the poor; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the term of office shall be one (1) year and that each Region through the Regional Director shall solicit nominations for the position. The nominees' names and credentials shall be presented to the membership at the Annual Meeting for election. The nominee with the most votes shall be NFPA® choice as Pro Bono Coordinator.
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84-10
WHEREAS, one of the goals of the NFPA® which was reaffirmed at the Ninth Annual Meeting is a commitment to developing ways to provide quality legal services to the poor; and
WHEREAS, local associations presently have no guidance or assistance from NFPA® regarding pro bono program;
BE IT RESOLVED: That NFPA® establish a Pro Bono committee to conduct an informal survey of local associations to determine what, if anything, they are doing in the area of Pro Bono work and to set up model programs for use by local associations who express an interest in pro bono work.
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the committee be available as a resource to give assistance to local pro bono projects.
79-12
Vote Tally: 14-Y, 1-N, 0-A
Association: NCAPA
STATUS: Adopted
RESOLVED, that the NFPA® reaffirm its support of public interest activities as outlined in the Affirmation of Responsibility.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That as long as there is a need for public interest legal services, it is the duty of the organized paralegal profession to assist each paralegal in fulfilling his/her professional responsibility to provide such services as well as to assist, foster and encourage governmental, charitable and other sources to provide public interest legal services;
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the NFPA® Membership Committee encourage and solicit the membership of paralegals in public legal services, public interest law firms, legal aid projects and other such groups.
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