CALSPro - California Association of Legal Support Professionals

Mark Your Calendar – A CCPS Workshop Will Be Coming To San Rafael In December

Posted November 6, 2018 in Process Service

CALSPro is dedicated to the education of Process Servers statewide. Educate yourselves and your process servers by attending one of our workshops this year. Our workshops feature a comprehensive study of the primary California process serving codes. Space is often limited, so please reserve your spot early!

We will be in Northern California in December. Our next CCPS workshop and exam is scheduled for Saturday, December 1st in San Rafael. Light snacks will be provided. In addition to the standard workshop this seminar will include a portion dedicated to the beginning or inexperienced process server. All C.C.P.S. workshops attendees receive the workbook and handouts. A laminated wallet code card will follow by mail.

WORKSHOP & EXAM:

WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2018

TIME: 9:30am – 4:00pm

WHERE: Albert J. Boro Community Center | 50 Canal Street, Room #4| San Rafael, CA 94901

REGISTER HERE

Please Note: There will be no webinar available with this workshop & exam.

If you are interested in having a workshop near you, or if you have a readily available venue in mind, please contact our Continuing Education Committee Chair Andrew Gowing andrewg@janneyandjanney.com to offer your much-appreciated suggestions.

A special thanks to our CALSPRO CCPS Sponsor: 

CALSPro Celebrates Its 50th Conference In Sacramento

Posted September 11, 2018 in Conference

This year, we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary Conference and preparing for our 50th Anniversary Celebratory Year in 2019. We invite you to celebrate this special conference on October 5-7, 2018 in our State Capitol, Sacramento, to:

• Renew acquaintances
• Share memories
• Partake in great education
• Learn about recent legislative updates
• Network
• Learn about the history of this tremendous organization
• See the latest in products and services
• View memorabilia
• Be inspired as a participant in the success of everything CALSPro does for the legal support community

The Conference will include many highlights, such as:

• A special appearance by the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, The Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye, who will attend and speak at our opening reception on Friday evening.  It is very important to have a good turnout for this very special and rare opportunity to see the Chief Justice; please make your travel plans to arrive in Sacramento and be at the opening reception by 4:30 p.m. on Friday
• The Annual Jack C. Janney Memorial Golf Tournament
• A tour of the California State Capitol
• Local Restaurant Dine Arounds for Dinner on Friday Night
• Casino Night and Bingo on Friday
• Continuing Education
• CALSPro Certified Process Server Workshop and Exam
• Our guest speaker on Saturday will be Stephanie Chandler who will teach us how to identify and attract your ideal audience online and optimize your website
• Hot topic session with Amber Healy regarding the California Supreme court decision in the Dynamex case
• Business opportunities with exhibitors and sponsors
• Saturday evening awards and installation banquet with music and dancing and the annual silent auction to benefit the ongoing efforts of CALSPro
• Round table session discussing the issues the Photocopy industry is facing
• Historical presentations in honor of the 50th Anniversary

Be sure to join us Sunday morning for our CCPS Workshop and Examination. CALSPro is dedicated to the education of Process Servers statewide. Educate yourselves and your process servers by attending one of our workshops this year. Our workshops feature a comprehensive study of the primary California process serving codes. Space is often limited, so please reserve your spot early!

Our next CCPS workshop and exam is scheduled for Sunday, October 7^th  in Sacramento. Light snacks will be provided. In addition to the standard workshop this seminar will include a portion dedicated to the beginning or inexperienced process server.

WORKSHOP & EXAM:

WHEN: Sunday, October 7, 2018
TIME: 8:30am – 2:00pm
WHERE: Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade | 100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814

All CCPS workshops attendees receive the workbook and handouts. A laminated wallet code card will follow by mail.

As you can see, we have a great line up for this year’s conference – you don’t want to miss it!

Why CALSPro?

Posted August 21, 2018 in Membership

Have you ever wondered why you choose to continue to support CALSPro as a member? Or, maybe you are on the fence about joining? In a recent interview published August 13^th from the staff at ServeNow, our very own President of CALSPro, Larry Kirlin, has provided all of the information you will ever need to continue to support the association that helps protect your business.

CALSPro: An In-Depth Look with Larry Kirlin

We recently interviewed Larry Kirlin, the current president of CALSPro (California Association of Legal Support Professionals), for some insight on why associations matter for process servers. Read on for insight into CALSPro and their recent efforts to improve membership.

Association History / Background

What is the founding mission of CALSPro?

Our association was founded with the urgent mission to defeat a specific piece of pending legislation that would have allowed for the service of process via US Mail. Had our association failed in its mission, our industry would not exist today.

When was your association founded?

December 9, 1969

What are the benefits of membership with your association?

Benefits include Legislative Advocacy, Dispute Resolution, Education, Industry News, Interagency Pouch Network, Job Sharing, Mobile Application, Networking and Vendor Discounts.

Why should every industry professional in your state be a member?

The first and foremost reason every industry professional should be a member is because it is their personal responsibility to protect the industry from adverse legislation. All other reasons are secondary but that’s not to say our other benefits aren’t important. For instance, there is no better place to stay educated and informed about our industry than by being a CALSPro member. Additionally, the business-to-business (B2B) networking opportunities available through active participation in the association are key to building and growing your business.

Why should a professional NOT in your state be a member?

The primary benefit for non-California members is B2B networking. We encourage our members to use other members, both within and outside California. Our state is the single largest legal marketplace in the world and exports more jobs to more places than any other state. Being a CALSPro member gives you an advantage over non-members competing for work from our state.

What type of training programs does your association offer?

Our association offers live and online training on the laws and craft of process serving. The CALSPro Certified Process Server (CCPS) designation was established to acknowledge those process servers who have extended their professional education and successfully passed the CALSPro process server certification examination. The CCPS examination is administered by the CALSPro Continuing Education Committee and consists of a comprehensive series of questions relating to the law. The CCPS designation has become a mark of distinction and is proudly displayed by our members’ name in the member directory.

What makes CALSPro different from other associations?

Our legacy is our strength. Since 1969 we have developed policies and procedures that foster the open sharing of ideas. Outside of CALSPro, it is rare for industry competitors to work together so collaboratively to solve problems and give support. I don’t think most people realize that members from CALSPro, formerly known as CAPPS, originally formed NAPPS.

What does it cost to join?

The cost for a full, Active or Vendor membership is $350 per year. Independent Contractor and Associate membership are $100. Supporting members pay only $50. For detailed information about membership benefits and eligibility, visit CALSPro’s website.

CALSPro members also benefit from ServeNow discounts to bolster their online marketing.

Current CALSPro Landscape

Larry, tell us about yourself (background in the industry and the association, etc)?

My first job in the industry was as a Microfilm Camera Operator (aka Filmer) back in 1991. I worked my way up through sales and operations, eventually becoming a shareholder in an attorney service. I now work for the largest company in our industry, First Legal, as a Regional Manager. I joined CALSPro in 2008 and attended the annual conference for the first time that year. I was appointed as chairman of the Membership Committee in 2010 and elected to the board of directors for the first time in 2011, earning the Rookie of the Year Award. I was elected as Vice President in 2014 and 2015 and have been serving as president since being elected at the 2016 annual conference.

What made you want to be CALSPro president?

Having served in the military, I have a strong sense of duty and responsibility. I felt it was appropriate to share my time and abilities with the association and industry that has given me a successful career. Without the willing volunteers at CALSPro, our industry would have failed back when I was a mere toddler. I owe it to our members to give back to what has given me so much.

Who’s on the board?

A group of amazing professionals. Seriously though, the current Board of Directors includes Chad Barger, Tom Bowman, Andrew Gowing, Ken Hastings, Mark Manchester, Robert Porambo, Anita Pasillas, Kristian Pujol, Jay Roll, Lauri Rowland and myself.

How have you (or your company) benefited from CALSPro?

Prior to working at First Legal, I worked for a smaller company that based a large portion of their business on work from CALSPro members. Now that I work for a much larger company, the personal relationships and industry information are the key benefits.

Any other scenarios you can share where a company or member (or the industry) has benefited significantly from CALSPro?

It’s hard to overstate the benefits that companies and members receive from CALSPro. The list of legislative achievements alone can fill a book. If you are a member and you can’t immediately identify the benefits, it is simply because you aren’t paying attention. Being involved and informed is the way to turn a $350 investment into a thriving business.

What are the current legislative initiatives the association is involved in?

We are currently working on a legislative change that will expand the hours that notice can be delivered to the home of a self-represented litigant. If adopted by the legislature, this change will be a significant benefit to our members and the entire legal community. Outside of this initiative, we are watching for the effects of the Dynamex decision on our industry. If you aren’t familiar with Dynamex, it is a recent decision by the California Supreme Court that could effectively eliminate the ability for companies to utilize independent contractors, and in our specific situation, independent process servers. This is the hottest topic in our industry today and sure to change the way our members do business here in California.

What are the current initiatives that you, your board and committees are focused on?

In the summer of 2017, CALSPro held a Strategic Planning Session to reset the direction of the association and ensure its survival for another generation. Out of this meeting, a dozen large and small recommendations were made. Our leadership team has spent the last 12 months implementing these recommendations. The most significant of these include a restructuring of membership categories and dues, remote electronic voting, improved marketing/communications, a mobile application for process servers and a webinar option for the CCPS course. The implementation of these changes has resulted in membership growth and a tremendous shift in momentum. We are now a more modern, vibrant organization with a bright future ahead of us.

What are some new initiatives that the current administration has prioritized?

Legislation continues to be our priority but membership growth and financial stability are always standing nearby. We continue to look for ways to attract new members and give our current members a reason to renew. We are also working to leverage our unique position in the industry to attract sponsors, which will result in financial stability without raising our annual dues.

Mark Your Calendar – A CCPS Workshop Will Be Coming To Santa Ana In August

Posted July 19, 2018 in Process Service

CALSPro is dedicated to the education of Process Servers statewide. Educate yourselves and your process servers by attending one of our workshops this year. Our workshops feature a comprehensive study of the primary California process serving codes. Space is often limited, so please reserve your spot early!

We will be in Southern California in August. Our next CCPS workshop and exam is scheduled for Saturday, August 25^th in Santa Ana. Light snacks will be provided. In addition to the standard workshop this seminar will include a portion dedicated to the beginning or inexperienced process server.

WORKSHOP & EXAM:

WHEN: Saturday, August 25, 2018

TIME: 9:30am – 4:00pm

WHERE: Janney & Janney, 840 N. Birch St., Santa Ana, CA 92701

Upcoming Workshops

August 25, 2018 — Santa Ana  REGISTER HERE

September 8, 2018 — San Rafael

October 7, 2018 — Sacramento (Conference)

Unable to attend in person? Join us online! CALSPro is now offering our informative and resourceful workshop online. REGISTER HERE Space for the Webinar will be limited.

Webinar Testimonials

“I liked the opportunity to get the most updated information in a webinar setting. Enjoyable experience to not have to drive, and still receive updated information.”                                                                                                                                                  -Kim Pelletier

“The webinar was a great option. If not for it I would not have taken the class as traveling really isn’t feasible. I will take it in the future every year as I think it is important to refresh and learn new laws. Thanks for offering it!”  -Kelly Hairgrove

A special thanks to our CALSPRO CCPS Sponsor:

Mark Your Calendar – A CCPS Workshop Will Be Coming To Riverside This Month

Posted June 19, 2018 in Process Service

CALSPro is dedicated to the education of Process Servers statewide. Educate yourselves and your process servers by attending one of our workshops this year. Our workshops feature a comprehensive study of the primary California process serving codes. We had a successful workshop recently in Bakersfield. Space is often limited, so please reserve your spot early!

Our next CCPS workshop and exam is scheduled for Saturday, June 30^th in Riverside. Light snacks will be provided. In addition to the standard workshop this seminar will include a portion dedicated to the beginning or inexperienced process server.

WORKSHOP & EXAM:

WHEN: Saturday, June 30, 2018

TIME: 9:30am – 4:00pm

WHERE: Bosco Legal, 4651 Brookhollow Circle, Unit C, Riverside, CA 92509

Upcoming Workshops

June 30, 2018                             Riverside – REGISTER HERE

August 25, 2018                         Santa Ana

October 7, 2018                         Sacramento (Conference)

Unable to attend in person? Join us online! CALSPro is now offering our informative and resourceful workshop online. The very first CCPS Online Webinar will be offered in conjunction with our workshop in Riverside, on Saturday, June 30^th.

REGISTER HERE – Space for the Webinar will be limited.

“The webinar was a great option. If not for it I would not have taken the class as traveling really isn’t feasible.  I will take it in the future every year as I think it is important to refresh and learn new laws. Thanks for offering it!”                       -Kelly Hairgrove

Our Last CCPS Workshop Was A Success!

Posted May 29, 2018 in Education

By Andrew Gowing, Continuing Education Chair 

Our last CCPS Workshop was a success! Not only did we launch our very first webinar, but we had 10 people in attendance and added 7 new CCPS to our ranks! Those who attended the webinar gave us great feedback and they all had a positive experience.

“The webinar was a great option. If not for it, I would not have taken the class as traveling really isn’t feasible. I will take it in the future every year as I think it is important to refresh and learn new laws. Thanks for offering it!”– Kelly Hairgrove (Santee, CA)

Our next CCPS Workshop and Webinar is scheduled for Saturday, June 30th in Riverside at Bosco Legal, 4651 Brookhollow Cir., Unit C, Riverside, CA  92509. Please come and join us, whether in person or online. Check out the registration info HERE.

Always remember when serving papers that Safety is the Priority.

• Everybody is Vulnerable – do not act invincible.
• Have Standards of Safety
  • Watch your back, check for dogs, and look both ways.

• Use Common Sense

• Always Take the Right Approach
  • Think through possible outcomes given your location and surroundings
  • Always have an exit strategy in case things go wrong

• Use Self-Defense as a Last Resort 

• Call the Police When Necessary
  • Know the phone number for your local police agency

Come Join Us In Sacramento

Posted May 10, 2018 in Conference

By Mark Manchester, Conference Committee Chair

We are more than halfway there, and time is flying. Before you know it, it will be time for our 50-Year Celebration and Conference. This year’s conference will be at the Embassy Suites in Sacramento’s beautiful Riverfront Promenade.

We are just five months away from conference, and this is one you won’t want to miss. We will start our Friday with the Jack C. Janney Memorial Golf Tournament, and a Capital Tour, then at 5pm we are delighted to announce the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, The Honorable Tani Cantil-Sakauye, will attend and speak at our opening reception and cocktail mixer. She is the 28^th Chief Justice of the State of California and the second woman to serve as the State’s Chief Justice. Then later that night, we will be playing poker or bingo.

This year’s main guest speaker will be Stephanie Chandler, she is the author of nine books, including, Own Your Niche: Hype-Free Internet Marketing Tactics to Establish Authority in Your Field and Promote Your Service-Based Business. There is no need to wonder how to build your online presence to increase exposure, Stephanie will teach us how to identify and attract your ideal audience online and optimize your website.

Saturday we will continue with our Annual Business Meeting, educational speakers, history spotlights, and 4 raffles. After the Saturday night banquet, we will be dancing the night away, so bring your dancing shoes.

This will be the first year our election of officers will be done online prior to conference. The new policy will be out soon, so stay tuned. This new policy will allow more members the opportunity to get involved and share their knowledge.

We are still busy planning and putting the schedule together, it should all be ironed out soon. This won’t be like any Annual Conference you have ever attended, so please help us get the word out.

I look forward to seeing you all in Sacramento!

Mark Your Calendar – A CCPS Workshop Is Coming To Bakersfield In May

Posted May 1, 2018 in Education

CALSPro is dedicated to the education of Process Servers statewide. Educate yourselves and your process servers by attending one of our workshops this year. Our workshops feature a comprehensive study of the primary California process serving codes. We had a successful workshop recently in Los Angeles that sold out. Space is often limited, so please reserve your spot early!

Our next CCPS workshop and exam is scheduled for Saturday, May 19^th. Light snacks will be provided. In addition to the standard workshop, this seminar will include a portion dedicated to the beginning or inexperienced process server.

Upcoming Dates:

May 19, 2018                             Bakersfield – REGISTER HERE

June 30, 2018                             Riverside

August 25, 2018                         Santa Ana

October 7, 2018                         Sacramento (Conference)

Unable to attend in person? Join us online! CALSPro is now offering our informative and resourceful workshop online. The very first CCPS Online Webinar will be offered in conjunction with our workshop in Bakersfield, on Saturday, May 19^th.  REGISTER HERE. Space for the Webinar will be limited.

Now Offering The First CCPS Online Webinar

Posted April 17, 2018 in Process Service

By Andrew Gowing

Your Continuing Education Committee has been hard at work planning and arranging the upcoming CCPS Workshops in your area. You can always check the CALSPro website for our upcoming events. We just held another successful workshop in LA that sold out, and we added two new members to CALSPro as an added bonus.

Listed below are your upcoming CCPS Workshops. In addition to the listed workshops, we are working on the details for two more to be offered in Chico and Marin County. Once the details are finalized, we will announce the dates and locations.

• Saturday, May 19^th in Bakersfield (Webinar Option Offered) – REGISTER HERE

• Saturday, June 30^th in Riverside

• Saturday, August 25^th in Santa Ana (Orange County)

• Sunday, October 7^th in Sacramento (Conference)

As you can see above, CALSPro is also now planning to offer a Webinar option for its members to be able to attend the CCPS Workshop online! The very first CCPS Online Webinar will be offered in conjunction with our workshop in Bakersfield, on Saturday, May 19^th.  REGISTER HERE. Space for the Webinar will be limited.

Lastly, the Continuing Education Committee has been working diligently to update all information and CCPS materials for the new year, as well as updating the look and feel of the CCPS Presentation. Below is a small snapshot of the previous version of the presentation next to the new version. We would encourage you to register for the next upcoming CCPS Workshop in your area to experience the fresh new look and feel of the CCPS Workshop, and more importantly, to stay educated and informed on the changes in how you serve process in California.

Conference Corner: Optimizing Your Online Presence

Posted March 6, 2018 in Conference

By Mark Manchester

Author Stephanie Chandler

Have you ever wondered how to build your online presence to increase your exposure? Does the thought overwhelm you? If so, then you are not alone. Come and join us this year at Conference and have your questions answered by author Stephanie Chandler.

She is the author of nine books including, Own Your Niche: Hype-Free Internet Marketing Tactics to Establish Authority in Your Field and Promote Your Service-Based Business.

You will learn how to:

• Identify and attract your ideal audience online
• Optimize your website—your most important marketing tool
• Leverage blogging to increase site traffic and boost sales
• Get visibility with internet media sources
• Use the most effective content marketing strategies available
• Produce and promote videos, webinars, and teleseminars
• Utilize Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest—all without a big-time commitment

With so much competition, it is critical to build a marketing plan that works, so come join us and meet Stephanie. She will have material and books for  purchase to help move your business forward.

We look forward to seeing you at CALSPro’s 50^th Annual Conference in Sacramento October 5-7, 2018!