FAWL s Outstanding Chapter Award Nomination Form Deadline March 3, 2014

Transcription

1 FAWL s Outstanding Chapter Award Nomination Form Deadline March 3, 2014 FAWL s mission is to actively promote gender equality and the leadership roles of FAWL s members in the legal profession, judiciary, and community at large. To achieve these goals, FAWL will uphold the highest standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession; promote reform in law; and facilitate the administration of justice. FAWL s Outstanding Chapter Award is presented to a chapter that actively promotes gender equality according to the mission through its initiatives, programs, and activities. Criteria for Selection: This award is presented annually to the FAWL chapter that has most effectively (1) created new programs, events, or services and/or expanded on traditional programs, events, or services that further FAWL s mission; (2) provided programs, events, or services that encourage and assist members to become leaders in the profession and in the community; (3) sought and gained exposure and recognition in both the legal community and the community as a whole; (4) promoted diversity in the workplace, the practice of law and/or in the community; (5) successfully recruited and retained members; and (6) consistently participated in the state FAWL organization by paying dues in a timely manner, having an active chapter representative, attending meetings and functions, encouraging volunteers for committees and offices, working well with other local chapters, and assisting with FAWL projects. Chapter Nomination Eligibility: Each chapter is eligible and encouraged to nominate a local chapter for this award. Award Recipient: The award recipient will receive a five-hundred dollar ($500.00) cash award. Nomination Documentation: Please provide the biographical information on this nomination form in the space provided. Please attach a statement of nomination and the supporting materials to the nomination form. I. Chapter Information: Nominating Chapter: Pinellas County Nominating Chapter s Contact Person s Name & Address: Jowita L. Wysocka, PO Box 83, St. Petersburg, FL Phone Number: _(727) ; (Day) (703) jowita@kravitzlawgroup.com (Evening) II. Statement of Nomination: Succinctly describe and explain the reasons for the nomination, namely, a brief summary of why this chapter deserves the award. Limit is 250 words. III. Supporting Material: Please attach the supporting materials. Supporting materials are limited to a total of five (5) pages. Please double check to make sure you have included: I. Nomination Form x II. Statement of Nomination (250 word limit)x III. Supporting Materials (5 page limit) x PLEASE NOTE: The information submitted for this nomination may be used for publication. The only information that will be considered for this award is the nomination form, the statement of nomination, and the supporting materials. If the nomination documentation rules are not followed the nominee will be immediately disqualified. FAWL s Outstanding Chapter Award will be announced at FAWL s Annual Meeting held in June Nominations must be submitted as one (1) pdf document via to admin@fawl.org or faxed to by 5:00 p.m. EST March 3, 2014.

2 STATEMENT OF NOMINATION OUTSTANDING CHAPTER NOMINATION: PINELLAS CHAPTER The Pinellas Chapter of FAWL (PFAWL) enjoyed another year of unsurpassed membership growth, events, and community service. PFAWL s membership skyrocketed from just one member in 2007 to over 160 in PFAWL Past President, Brittany Maxey, was elected President of FAWL last year, and member Kristina Feher received the 2014 Rising Star Award from the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation. One of PFAWL s major achievements in the past year was its CLE program titled, Hot Topics in a Post-DOMA America, held at Stetson University College of Law on January 30, PFAWL remained extremely active in its community outreach efforts as well, with donations and collections to benefit CASA, a domestic violence shelter; the RCS Food Bank; SBP Support our Troops (Valentines for Veterans collection); and PARC (Pinellas Association for Retarded Children). PFAWL also hosted a program spanning three Saturdays in 2013 to benefit the Pinellas County Salvation Army, consisting of workshops to help residents build resumes, improve their interview skills, and providing suits for interviewing. Our chapter also hosts regular social events to increase membership and promote networking. In addition to the monthly social, PFAWL hosted a belly dancing event and its annual Shrimp Boil, along with its annual Pub Crawl, with proceeds benefitting a scholarship awarded to a single parent attending law school. Attached are photographs and other supporting materials to demonstrate PFAWL s involvement in the legal and non-legal community and highlight our dynamic chapter.

3 SUPPORTING MATERIALS OUTSTANDING CHAPTER NOMINATION: PINELLAS CHAPTER PFAWL Board of Directors with the Hon. Pamela Campbell PFAWL Members at the Annual Shrimp Boil

4 Hot Topics in a Post-DOMA America Essential Considerations that Apply to Same Sex Couples and All Other Clients On January 30, 2014, PFAWL and FAWLS presented our first CLE, Hot Topics in a Post-DOMA America. Due to the recent changes to DOMA policies resulting from U.S. v. Windsor and the recent IRS pronouncements, we recognized the need provide an update and to discuss the legal issues that lawyers need to be aware of to properly represent same sex couples and other impacted clients. The program addressed effective strategies for lawyers to consider in the areas of estate planning, probate, taxation, public benefits and family planning. We also covered future projections in these areas and how to diversify in-house practice procedures, particularly in consideration of same sex clients. The evening was a great success as we reached our participation capacity. Participants included members of PFAWL, other local attorneys, as well as Stetson law faculty and students. The participants actively engaged in our interactive panel discussion as well as our robust Q&A session.

5 PFAWL The Pinellas County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers Officers & Directors Contact: Regina Kardash, Regina A. Kardash, P.A. (727) or FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alexandra O. White President Jennifer Lynn Codding Vice President Marcelana Anthony Secretary Elise K. Winters Treasurer Kyleen Hinkle Immediate Past President Regina A. Kardash Director Public Relations Joann Grages Director Membership Jowita Wysocka Director Awards Shavarne Dahlquist Director Membership Socials Carmen Johnson Directors Programs St. Petersburg, Florida September 6, 2013 Congratulations to member Kristina Feher who will be honored by the St. Pete Bar Foundation as the 2014 Rising Star at the annual Heroes Among Us dinner. We would also like to extend our congratulations to members Carmen Johnson and Meredith Gaunce who have recently transitioned to new places of employment. Ms. Johnson will be the new Assistant Director of Admissions at Stetson, and Ms. Gaunce has taken a position as in-house counsel with Greystone Healthcare Management. Brittany Maxey, patent attorney, and founder of Maxey Law Offices, PLLC has opened an office in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her new office address is nd Ave. S. Suite 401 North St. Petersburg, Florida Congratulations on your new office, Brittany! PFAWL would like to thank Judge Jack St. Arnold for participating in our quarterly Judicial Round. Judge St. Arnold met with our members for lunch on September 19 in Clearwater to share his views and experience from the bench. We sincerely appreciate your time! PFAWL is collecting cash donations on behalf of PARC s Discovery Learning Classrooms. PARC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with developmental disabilities to exercise their independence and experience life to the fullest. Since 1953, PARC has grown into a large social service agency that serves more than 800 children and adults with developmental disabilities in the Tampa Bay area. PARC offers over 40 unique services and continues to be an advocate and a voice for individuals with developmental disabilities locally, statewide and nationally. Donations to PARC s Discovery Learning Classrooms will greatly assist PARC in continuing to offer critical services to children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. Children seek services at PARC who have disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, and Spina Bifida or who are still being diagnosed. The potential is great for hearing loss, speech delays, seizure disorders, and delayed developmental growth and learning. Through a team of trained Early Intervention Teachers, Therapists, Dieticians, and Nursing, children are given full service supports while attending PARC s Discovery Learning Center. PFAWL s goal is to raise $1,500 to benefit one classroom at PARC for the school year. To date, PFAWL has raised over $ If you would like more information on how you can help Page 1 of 1 PARC, please contact Erica Pless at Erica@theplesslawfirm.com.

6