Another exciting National Federation of Paralegal Associations convention has come to a close.

Amidst all the meetings and catching up with old and new friends, this annual event affords the unique opportunity to provide a voice on behalf of Federation members. It is a right and a privilege that enables paralegal associations to gather together and vote on policy - policy that is written and changed by the delegates - and with this comes the extraordinary right to speak and debate issues that affect our profession.

The assembly of paralegal associations, the body of representatives and the individual delegate can stand up to address the chairman of the NFPA with issues they'd like to see addressed, concerns or support regarding policy that will have a direct impact on our own local association and its members.

I attended this year's convention Oct. 9-12 in Rogers, Ark., along with Erica Frank, WNYPA's secondary NFPA representative. Among the sessions we attended was the two-day policy meeting, by far the most important meeting an association delegate can attend. During those two days, the assembly debated and voted on 17 agenda topics, all proposed policy or bylaws changes.

I participated on a national committee that discussed and drafted an agenda topic submitted to the NFPA for consideration at this year's convention. The drafting of this particular agenda topic began in November 2007 and was submitted in July. A great deal of work went into this proposal, including e-mail communications and teleconferences with committee members from across the nation.

At the convention, our agenda topic was brought to the floor and presented to the NFPA chairman. After some debate among the 47 associations present, the topic passed. As a result, we helped change the association's national policy.

We also survived a fire alarm and evacuation at the Cincinnati airport while en route to Arkansas - and lost luggage.

The convention was a mix of work, meetings, socialization, recognition, installation of new NFPA officers and participation in a democratic process that keeps Western New York paralegals wanting to return to the NFPA convention each year to do it all over again.

Especially in this election year, the experience of attending the convention proves the necessity of participating in the voting process. It is true - every vote counts, and every missed vote has an impact.

Paralegals can learn more about the specific agenda topics that were passed at the NFPA convention at WNYPA's general membership meeting Nov. 18.

- By Annette Worthington, Hodgson Russ LLP, primary NFPA representative and NFPA roles and responsibilities coordinator