Audit Committee: 

The Audit Committee performs all audits of the financial records of the Association.

Bar Liaison/Public Relations Committee: 

This Committee shall serve as a contact with the Hillsborough County Bar Association and other bar associations and shall work on such activities as Law Week and other activities as deemed appropriate by the Board.  The Committee is to disseminate information about TBPA to the Tampa Bay area.  They shall also work to promote TBPA members who have made a major contribution to the success of the Association and perform special projects for TBPA, as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Board.

Codes/Bylaws & Standing Rules Committee:  Jay Quigley, RP, CLA- Chair

This Committee will review and update membership criteria; create and maintain the Disciplinary Code/Code of Ethics & Disciplinary Enforcement Body; and assist in updating the Bylaws and Standing Rules of this Association, when appropriate.

Education Committee/Professional Development Committee: 

The Education Committee is to act as a liaison between TBPA and the local paralegal programs, colleges, and other schools to inform the public about the paralegal profession and the nature of our organization and the benefits of being a member.  This Committee shall organize this Association’s participation in such events as Law Day, interacting with local schools, speaking at paralegal-related programs and assisting with student mentoring.  This Committee will also be in charge of any scholarships the Association votes to award to students studying to become paralegals.

The Professional Development Committee works toward establishing contact with paralegal programs, colleges, law firms and legal placement agencies to promote the paralegal profession.  The Committee will focus on key issues facing the profession, such as educational opportunities, salary issues, and promoting better utilization and development of paralegals.  The Committee will also be in charge of any scholarships the Association should decide to establish to assist paralegals continue their professional growth in taking the PACE examination.

Employment/Job Bank Committee:  Janice Garren, CLAS- Chair

 The Employment/Job Bank Committee is responsible for maintaining and updating TBPA’s Job Bank.  Committee members take calls from employers wishing to list positions in the Job Bank and compile the information for dissemination to the membership.

Luncheon Committee:  Nita Serrano, RP- Chair

This Committee is responsible for disseminating information regarding the Association’s monthly luncheon meetings; registering attendees, planning luncheon menus, and serving as a liaison between the Association and the facility in which monthly luncheon meetings are held.

Membership Committee;  Nita Serrano, RP- Chair

The Membership Committee shall be chaired by the Second Vice-President and will be responsible for recruiting and maintaining TBPA’s membership.  The duties include: distributing applications to prospective members, reviewing completed applications, speaking with members and non-members about the benefits of membership, and providing members with information regarding the various TBPA committees and their functions.

The Committee will be responsible for the preparation of membership renewal letters, as well as letters to employers and schools with paralegal programs inviting new members to join; maintenance of membership list/matrix; updating as needed the informational brochure and membership application; preparation of a newsletter report; and maintenance of the Mentor program.  Each new student member will be assigned a current voting member as their mentor to introduce new members into the Association and the paralegal profession and to assist in answering questions.

National Affairs Committee: 

Paralegals need to be aware of the national issues affecting the paralegal profession.  TBPA’s National Affairs Committee assists the Association’s members by keeping them updated on issues such as unauthorized practice of law, regulation, testing and certification, and exempt/non-exempt issues.  The Committee is chaired by TBPA’s Primary Representative to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. 

The Primary Representative (and Secondary Representative, as decided by the Board) attend NFPA’s conferences and meetings on behalf of TBPA.  The Committee informs the general membership of many issues facing the paralegal profession.

Newsletter Committee:  Michele Tawzer, CLA- Chair

For many TBPA members, the Association’s newsletter is their primary contact with the Association.  The newsletter is published monthly and contains information consisting of all information from all committees and any other material which is determined to be of value to the general membership.  This Committee shall solicit sponsors for the newsletter via advertisements.

Pro Bono/Community Service Committee:  Yvonne DeAntoneo, RP- Chair 

The Pro Bono Committee gives TBPA members the opportunity to participate in volunteer activities both within and outside of the legal field. Committee members may lend their services to various legal aid services and other charitable organizations. This committee will determine which charitable organizations this Association will support throughout the year and will organize the Association’s participation in these charitable endeavors. 

In addition, the Committee may also coordinate other social and networking events throughout the year, such as TBPA’s Holiday Luncheon Membership Drive.

Seminars/Continuing Education Committee:  Yvonne DeAntoneo, RP- Chair

This Committee shall be chaired by the First Vice-President and will be responsible for creating and promoting continuing education seminars for the benefit of the membership during the year.

Website/Technology Committee:  Jay Quigley, RP, CLA

This Committee is responsible for maintaining the Association’s website; maintaining software and other electronic media purchased by the Association; overseeing the back-up of important Association electronic data; and to provide assistance, guidance, and recommendations on various technologies which may be utilized by the Association.