CALSPro - California Association of Legal Support Professionals

A Message From The President

Posted August 28, 2019 in Conference

By Robert Porambo

It is hard to believe my first term as President is almost over, it has been a very gratifying year.  I have been honored and privileged to serve this association during my term.  Throughout this entire year, I have been continually amazed at the dedication and efforts that our board and committee members put into this association.  The passion and energy everyone has put forth is quite contagious.  Our board has worked together through many issues and though we don’t always agree, we always support one another.

Together, we have accomplished a lot since our 50th CALSPro Conference back in October.  I am quite proud of what we have accomplished.  We successfully held our first CCPS on-line workshop, which enabled members to take the workshop in the comfort of their home or office. Our legislative committee has constantly been on alert and watching our backs, as well as looking for opportunities to ensure registered process servers and photocopiers remain important and relevant.  Our membership committee, as always, has worked hard to add new members to our ranks.  Newsletters and blogs have been a great source of information and value to our members.  Still to come, our conference committee is preparing an outstanding conference this year that I’m sure you won’t want to miss. I personally can’t wait!! 

I am constantly reminded of the dedication and drive of our past presidents, Rosenthal recipients, board members, officers and longtime members.  If not for their past efforts, I truly believe we wouldn’t be here as an values association today.

I want to extend a personal thank you to Mike Belote, Jenny Blevins, Stephanie Schoen and the rest of the CAMS team for their tremendous support keeping our association on the right track. 

I look forward to seeing you at conference in Newport Beach and having some big fun with my CALSPro family. 

A Message From The President

Posted May 29, 2019 in Membership

By Robert Porambo

I am truly blessed and filled with gratitude for having such an amazing Board of Directors during my presidency.  Their dedicated efforts, contributions, time and energy are awe inspiring.  Our Board of Directors do amazing work as committee chairs and members.

We are excited to share the success of our new training webinars. We rolled out our first CCPS training and certification program and this was followed by a mini-webinar on how to properly complete a summons.  We are currently working with our committee to design new and exciting curriculum for our organization and members.

I had the opportunity to attend the NAPPS conference this month, which was a great experience and success.  CALSpro is looking to establish deeper relationships with our industry partners, and I look forward to sharing those collaborations in detail with you throughout my tenure.

Our very own Michael Kern just concluded his second term as President and did an amazing job during his two terms. Congratulations to the new NAPPS President, Jillina Kwiatkowski and the newly-elected board of directors.  A big thank you to Kristian Pujol, who did an extraordinary job at NAPPS Conference signing up new associates and vendor members to increase our participation and future efforts.

Our BOD continues to closely monitor the Dynamex issue, so please mark your calendars and plan on attending the CALSpro Conference this year in Newport Beach from October 4^th to October 6^th.  Mark Manchester has done a fantastic job lining up several great speakers that will be addressing this extremely concerning and important topic.  You won’t want to miss it.

I am pleased to announce that CALSPro and Legal Secretaries, Inc. (LSI) has formed a strategic partnership.  We will share newsletters, e-blasts, blogs and other important announcements. Andrew Gowing attended and represented CALSPro at the May LSI meeting, which was a great success.  LSI has over 1300 active members throughout the state.  Now is the time to take advantage and advertise with CALSPro. 

As always, I would like to thank everyone for their contribution and support to this organization.  It is an honor to serve alongside such an amazing group of people.  Many thanks to our new and long-term members for your support with our ambitious agenda for 2019-2020. 

A Message From The President

Posted March 27, 2019 in Membership

By Robert Porambo

You may have heard me say how I am truly proud to serve as CALSPro’s president once or twice.  It’s great to give back to an association that has promoted, protected and preserved our industry.  This noble work continues today as your dedicated board of directors and committee chairs continue moving the association forward and are hard at work. 

Your newsletter and website committees are sending out weekly blogs full of relevant and helpful information.  Your education committee recently had its first CCPS webinar which was offered and saw 27 attendees.  A special thanks to Mark Manchester and Andrew Gowing for their efforts getting this new medium off the ground. Our new CALSPro app is up and live for anyone to download through the App Store or Google Play thanks to our technology committee and CALSPro HQ.  It is a great tool for yourself, office and field staff alike. We also implemented on-line registration renewal, focusing on making the registration process easier for all, thanks to your membership committee.

We are also diligently working on new networking opportunities by forming strategic alliances with industry related associations.  We hope that by sharing information with these groups, CALSPro members will see a direct benefit in the coming months.

During our renewal process I heard from a couple members concern that CALSPro was for the “big boys”. As, I sat at this weekend’s board meeting I gave this great thought.  I looked around the room and realized that of the 10 seats of the board of directors, half were seats filled by small companies.  I won’t name them here but encourage you to take a look for yourself and discover how diverse our association really is.  Keep in mind, most large companies started out as small companies.

I am continually reminded that CALSPro is our best form of insurance. If not for the efforts of CALSPro over the past 50 years we may not have an industry.  CALSPro has defeated numerous adverse legislative bills that would have been disastrous for our industry.  CALSPro is the ultimate watchdog who has your back.

I would ask that, should you have any questions or concerns about the association, the direction of the association or other CALSPro related topics, to reach out to you area governors.  The area governors, members of the board of directors and your executive board would all love to hear from you.

I am looking forward to a great rest of 2019. 

Members Are Welcome To Attend CALSPro Board Meeting

Posted February 26, 2019 in Membership

CALSPro has scheduled a Board of Director’s Meeting for Saturday March 16th in Los Angeles. There will be a Legislative Committee meeting from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the Board will meet from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Members who wish to attend the meetings should please RSVP to stephanie@caladmanagement.com

Location:

Hyatt Regency LAX
6225 W. Century Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045

A Message From The President

Posted February 12, 2019 in Membership

By Robert Porambo, CALSPro President

I hope everyone had a healthy, prosperous and joyous holiday season and that you were able to enjoy some quality time with family and friends. With 2018 behind us, we set our sights on making 2019 a fun-filled and prosperous year.  My New Year’s resolution is to work with our dedicated board of directors to increase awareness regarding the benefits of our organization and to increase CALSPro membership.

It is a privilege and an honor to serve as your President.  This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly.  I am 100% committed to continuing the amazing work of last year’s board. Additionally, I am committed to addressing the needs and concerns of our membership.

When you stop and think about all of the money you spend, or should spend, on various insurances available to you, you’ll find there are a plethora of policies available (property and liability insurance, workers’ compensation, auto, Officers and Directors coverage, health, vision, life, dental, etc.). Many of these are a must in order to protect and cover your business. However, I firmly believe the best way to protect your business, as well as the livelihood of the entire industry, is CALSPro.

CALSPro is one of those must have insurance policies your business needs to ensure its protection. CALSPro has been protecting your business for the past 50 years. We have defeated numerous legislative bills that would have been devastating to our industry. Mike Belote and our legislative committee keep a watchful eye out for bills that could harm or negatively impact our industry.  Like Steve Janney often says, the three most important things about CALSPro are legislation, legislation, legislation.

Not to scare anyone but look at the bail bonds industry. In another generation it is conceivable that people could say, “What’s a bail bondsman?” Now is the time to maintain our momentum and support CALSPro! You can start by referring non-members to CALSPro, purchase an enhanced listing, enroll staff members or simply make a donation to the association that “has your six.”

Together we can keep CALSPro strong and viable for another 50 years.  I look forward to continuing to make a difference in 2019.

A Message From The President

Posted December 11, 2018 in Process Service

By Robert Porambo, CALSPro President

How much money does it cost your company to make an attempt to serve process?  CALSPro’s legislative committee was able to amend the code to allow service of an individual at a CMRA on the first attempt — no more having to attempt service three or four times (depending on county) which results in wasting valuable time, gas and wear and tear on your vehicle.  This is one example of many of the ways CALSPro has helped save attorney service companies and process servers in our industry, money over the years. It shows the true, tangible value of a CALSPro membership.

Your legislative committee works tirelessly with our legislative advocate, Mike Belote.  Together they not only pass new laws that help and protect our industry, but watch out for adverse bills that may harm or devalue our industry.  As a team, CALSPro is always looking out for our members best interests — basically, we have your back!!

CALSPro has been your legal support insurance for 5 decades and I can guarantee, we will continue working hard for this industry in 2019.  Please always feel free to bring any ideas or comments you have to my attention, the attention of one of the CALSPro board members or Area Governors.

Merry everything and happy always!!

And The Recipient Is….

Posted December 4, 2018 in Membership

Each year the Bert Rosenthal Committee meets and makes nominations for recipients of the Bert Rosenthal Memorial Award. The industry’s most prestigious award is presented to an individual who, through the years, has given the utmost of service and dedication in promoting our industry.

We are proud to announce the 2018 recipient of the Bert Rosenthal Memorial Award is Chad Barger!

Chad was born in the Central Valley of California and raised on a fine mix of God, patriotism and country music. Shortly after high school, Chad took a job with a private investigator at a local law firm. For two years, Chad learned the ropes of private investigations, process serving and the court system, while attending Bakersfield College and studying Criminal Justice. Shortly after college, Chad accepted a job with a Bakersfield attorney service as their branch manager. After bringing that company to new heights, Chad realized he had a knack for the legal support profession and opened Attorney’s Certified Service in Bakersfield with his grandfather, Charles, in 1994. A year after opening his business, Chad was struggling to make ends meet. Friends told him that the Kern County Sheriff’s Department was hiring, so he threw his hat in the ring and applied. In 1995, Chad was hired by the department and worked in a variety of assignments including the county jail, local patrol, Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) and lastly, at the Sheriff’s Academy teaching restraint techniques, cell extraction and stun gun procedures.

Chad became a member of CAPPS/CALSPro in 1994. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2007, and has served as a two term President, Vice President, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Continuing Education Vice Chair, Area Governor, Website Committee Chair, Conference Committee and is currently serving as the Legislative Committee Chairman. Chad credits his success to the people he surrounds himself with. Like-minded, goal-oriented individuals that challenge the status quo and aren’t afraid to speak what’s on their mind.

Even with an extremely busy life, Chad has always put God and his family first. His wife Belinda and three children, Caleb, Jacob and Hannah are his real treasures. He enjoys spending time anywhere with his family, but especially at their family cabin at Bass Lake or at the family condo in Avila Beach. He also enjoys hunting and fishing but especially enjoys fly fishing with his boys and close friends in very remote places of California, Alaska and Montana.

Chad has had great success as a leader within CALSPro with his ability to relate to members and inspire them to help push the profession forward. He cherishes the relationships he’s made and the new business opportunities his involvement in this association has brought him.

A big congratulations Chad Barger, the 2018 recipient of the Bert Rosenthal Memorial Award! Thank you for your endless dedication to the association. We appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for CALSPro.

Members Are Welcome To Attend CALSPro Board Meeting

Posted November 27, 2018 in Membership

CALSPro has scheduled a Board of Director’s Meeting for this Saturday December 1^st in San Jose. There will be a Legislative Committee meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., and the Board will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Members are welcome to attend. If anyone desires hotel accommodations, please book directly with the hotel; the current online rate begins at $136.00.

Location:

Hyatt Place Hotel
282 S. Almaden Blvd
San Jose, CA 95133

A Message From Our New President

Posted October 30, 2018 in Membership

By Robert Porambo

As I write this blog article, I think back over the last 50 years and reflect on the rich CALSPro history.  The 28 previous presidents, all of the officers, board members, committee chairs, advocates and administrators — all volunteering hundreds of hours to support and improve our industry.  As I said in my acceptance speech, our current board of directors has over 286 years of experience in the legal support industry. Think about the total combined years of experience of the great people that have volunteered over the past ½ century.  Astonishing knowledge and experience have shaped and developed our organization.

At our 50th conference, our historical committee, Andy Estin, Mike Kern and team did an extraordinary job of highlighting the past 50 years and presenting that information to our members. The program they put together was thoughtful, informative and insightful. I would like to see us give this program to all new members so that they can appreciate being part of a very special association. Please join me in thanking Andy, Mike and their entire team for the countless hours they spent compiling this program and for their “ruthian” efforts.

As we enter the second half-century of our organization, it is important to never forget why this association was formed and to work toward keeping it relevant and viable.  I am going to be a strong advocate for educating our newer members about the rich history of CALSPro, while honoring our founding and most senior members.   With the wealth of experience the current board contains, I want to encourage members to embrace their brothers in the industry and to reach out to the board if we can be of assistance to you in your business or the industry in general.

I look forward to serving the CALSPro membership and keeping CALSPro strong for another 50 years!

Mahalo!

The Tale Of Two CALSPros

Posted September 13, 2018 in Membership

As I was reading the latest version of our eNewsletter yesterday I could feel each author’s passion coming through their words.  I also noticed the genuine happiness expressed in the photographs.  This passion and joy comes from doing something you enjoy alongside people you love. This is the CALSPro I know from the inside.  The one I love.  The one I work so hard to support.

The other CALSPro is the business side. The cornerstones. The policies. The meat and potatoes of representing and educating our industry. Both CALSPros are important because the passion drives the effort that is required to fuel the business side.

What makes me a little sad is that many of our members don’t know the best side of CALSPro because they only see us from the outside. The irony is, the inside is where the true business value exists. The personal relationships that develop from participating directly translate into shared wisdom and business growth. It’s funny how much you get when you are willing to give.

It’s never too late to come inside.  The door is always open.  In fact, the annual conference is the first step.  Come join us.