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ALA Volunteer Opportunities – Get Involved!
Description: The Committee serves to review, revise, and manage the Certification Program. Its primary
responsibilities include revising test items, writing new test items, working with the testing contractor to evaluate and improve the assessment
process, working with the professional staff in overseeing the administration of the program, and recommending needed changes in prerequisite and
recertification requirements, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
Committee Size: 9
Term: 3 years, renewable for a second term
Appointments per year: Varies
In-Person Meetings / Expectations: Three per year (annual conference, fall, winter). The Committee also responds to issues in respect of
accreditation. Committee members promote and serve as spokespeople for the Program. Committee members will frequently have access to confidential
information and materials related to the CLM testing program. As the integrity of the program is of utmost importance, each member is responsible
for maintaining test materials in a secure fashion and treating sensitive information confidentially.
Meetings. The Certification Committee generally meets three times per year. One is a half-day meeting at the Annual Conference to orient new
committee members and conduct item writer training and assignments. The fall meeting typically focuses on item review and revision and the late winter/early
spring meeting is devoted to finalizing and setting the cut score on a new test form. The latter 2 meetings are 13/4 days in length. There is typically a
teleconference involving the Certification Committee chair, the ALA staff representative, a HumRRO staff member, and new committee members to introduce
the new members to the committee prior to the first committee meeting in the spring.
Assignments. Participation on the Certification Committee requires members to devote their own time between meetings researching and writing
test questions. Identifying source materials is as much a part of the process as the creation of new test questions.
Confidentiality. In all respects, confidentiality must be maintained by each committee member. This refers specifically, but not exclusively
to the questions, themselves. No member may make or keep copies of test questions. The integrity and security of the test and its various forms must
always be maintained through utmost confidentiality. Furthermore, members of the committee are not permitted to know the identification of any candidate
for the exam. Only the names of successful CLM candidates will be revealed to the committee. Please also note that information about precise pass scores
is not released to the certification committee. Pass rate information, although shared with the committee, is not advertised outside the committee because
the relatively small numbers of examinees means that these rates fluctuate across test administrations.
Participation in study activities and products. Because of their unique knowledge of the contents of the CLM examination, committee members
are not permitted to be involved in study activities and development of study products (e.g., commercial study guides). This moratorium continues for at
least 3 years after a member rotates off the committee.
Call for volunteers: Summer/Fall. Eligibility: New members are solicited from ALA members who have passed the CLM examination. Interested
individuals complete an application form. Among the considerations in selection of new members are educational background, experience level, size of firm,
areas of expertise, participation in ALA, writing expertise, and geographical location.
Selections made: Winter
ALA Headquarters Liaison: Pam Stong
Description: The ALA Committee on Diversity and Inclusion is tasked with providing guidance, education, and resources in support of the
ALA Diversity Initiative. Originally begun as a task force in 2003, the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion evolved into a
standing committee with a liaison from ALA Headquarters and budget support. The most visible deliverable of the Committee to date is the
ALA Diversity Toolkit. Available in print and electronically, the ALA Diversity Toolkit is intended to help legal
administrators to develop, plan, and implement a successful diversity program in their workplace. In early 2013, the Committee released for comment the new ALA Diversity
and Inclusion Scorecard — Roadmap to Change for Law Office Administrators and ALA Chapter Leaders. The Scorecard should be finalized in mid-2013 and is
designed to be a tool to guide firms and administrators along the paths to a successful diversity and inclusion program.
Committee Size: 9
Term: 3 years, renewable for a second term
Appointments per year: Varies
In-Person Meetings / Expectations: Two per year (annual conference and mid-year meeting in Chicago). Committee members are expected to be in good standing with the Association,
attend monthly scheduled committee conference calls, and be available to attend the committee’s annual luncheon meeting as part of the Annual Conference.
Each committee member is also assigned to a subcommittee and is expected to act as a contributing member of that subcommittee. Ad hoc and other task forces
assignments are given on a volunteer basis, though it is expected that Committee members volunteer for task force assignments equally.
Call for volunteers: Fall/Winter.
Selections made: Winter
ALA Headquarters Liaison: Maria Garcia
Description: The Committee works to facilitate communication, provide resources for feedback, and to emphasize the interdependence that exists among
business partners, ALA members, their employers and the Association at all levels.
Committee Size: 7
Term: 3 years
Appointments per year: Varies
In-Person Meetings / Expectations: Two per year (annual conference, fall). Ability to attend the Annual Conference and fall meeting. Must also be able to
participate in at least monthly teleconference meetings.
Eligibility: Preference for those who have served as Chapter Business Partner Relations Chair, Chapter President or
Regional Business Partner Relations Officer (formerly Projects Officer). Also valued is having experience as both a member and a business partner. While not required, preference is also given to those who
have attended regional and annual conferences and those who demonstrate they can see "the big picture."
Call for volunteers: Fall/Winter.
Selections made: Winter
ALA Headquarters Liaison: Debbie Curtis
Description: Objectives include helping the Business Partner Relations Committee (BPRC) prepare the business partner education at the ALA Annual Conference;
providing suggestions and feedback regarding the exhibit hall at the Annual Conference, regional and specialty conferences; working with the BPRC to enhance the
understanding and appreciation of mutually beneficial relationships between members, business partners and ALA; and acting as a sounding board for the BPRC’s
efforts to create a best practices environment at all levels of ALA.
Committee Size: 6
Term: 2 years
Appointments per year: Varies
In-Person Meetings / Expectations: Two per year (annual conference, fall). Ability to attend the Annual Conference and fall meeting. Must also be able to
participate in at least monthly teleconference meetings. Panel representatives must attend the two face-to-face meetings and be able to participate in monthly teleconference
meetings. Special assignments may lead to additional teleconference meetings. Membership in the Association of Legal Administrators
is not open to consultants and business partners who are engaged by legal organizations. Therefore, participation on this Business Partner Advisory Panel should not
be interpreted to mean membership in ALA. Neither the Association of Legal Administrators nor the Business Partner Relations Committee will endorse any products or
services unless the Board of Directors of the Association has granted prior approval.
Eligibility: Four (4) participants will meet the following criteria: The company was an exhibitor (a) At three out of
the last five national ALA Annual Conference & Expositions, and (b) At a minimum of two ALA regional or specialty conferences in two out of the last five years.
Two (2) of the participants will be selected from (a) An ALA Value in Partnership (VIP)SM Program business partner; and/or (b) A business partner or sponsor
who has participated in an ALA event at least once, and who has shown obvious interest in active involvement. Applications will only be accepted from business entities
in good standing with the Association. [By way of example only, a business entity may not be on restricted status due to delinquent monies owed to the Association or
for violation(s) of the terms of any contract between the business entity and ALA (including any rules violations in connection with exhibiting at Annual or Regional
Conferences).] When exhibiting at an ALA event, dismantling or packing-up business partner’s exhibit booth can begin only after the close of the exposition. Any
infraction of the dismantling and packing regulations will result in the automatic loss of priority points, will affect future conference booth placement and/or eligibility
to exhibit and, at ALA’s sole discretion, may lead to the representative’s removal from the Business Partner Advisory Panel. Preference may be given to
applicants who have been members and business partners.
Call for volunteers: Fall/Winter.
Selections made: Winter
ALA Headquarters Liaison: Debbie Curtis
Description: The IRC advises the Board of Directors and represents ALA's interests in matters related to international initiatives, cooperation and affiliations. The committee meets monthly by conference call, and in person at the Annual Conference.
Committee Size: 5-7
Term: 3 years
Appointments per year: Varies
In-Person Meetings / Expectations: One in-person meeting per year (Annual Conference). Monthly conference calls.
Eligibility: Preference for those who live or work outside the United States and/or have knowledge about international matters and customs, possibly through personal experience or employment in a multi-national organization.
Call for volunteers: Winter.
Selections made: Winter
ALA Headquarters Liaison: Jan Waugh
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