We know that HPA's membership renewal period is coming at a difficult time for some of you.  Our members have been facing unique challenges over the last few weeks; pay cuts, layoffs, working remotely, homeschooling, caring for elderly parents or at-risk neighbors, and more. We also know it is more important than ever that we lean on each other for support, encouragement, and mentorship until we find things returning to normal.  

"WHAT IF I CAN'T PAY MY RENEWAL FEE RIGHT NOW?"

May was the beginning of HPA's new membership year and the membership renewal due date.  Telling it straight, HPA Bylaws limit what we can do to help members who are not able to pay the membership renewal fee.  We forgot to cover a world-wide pandemic when we wrote them.  Here is what we can do:

For starters, the Bylaws include an automatic grace period extending the payment deadline to May 31.  You will remain in good standing and with full access to member privileges including eligibility to hold a Board or Committee Chair position.  

If your dues are not paid by May 31, your membership status is considered lapsed.  You will still have online access and receive HPA announcements until July 31. The motion at the June 23rd annual meeting to waive the late fee for renewals paid on or before July 31 was approved.  The normal policy is that our Bylaws provide that your membership will not be suspended if you pay your renewal dues by June 30 along with a $10.00 late fee, but due to the pandemic, it was moved to extend this to July 31.

Lastly, if you are not able to renew because of uncertainty or hardship caused by Covid-19, please email us.  We have members who have offered help, and we are working to identify other resources.  Your information will remain confidential.

We look forward to a new and interesting membership year, together. 

The HPA executive board has decided to require a covid-19 vaccination or a negative covid-19 test within 72 hours of the start of all in-person events.  In addition, masks will be required at all times unless actively eating or drinking.  While we can't eliminate all risk of transmission, we feel this is the safest  way to proceed with in person meetings, which we feel are more valuable to our members than the virtual options we have tried in the past. 

An email to our president at mlubowicz@mwcattorneys.com confirming your vaccination status is sufficient.  Once we have confirmed your vaccination status, you do not need to notify us for future events.  If going the testing route, please email confirmation of the negative test to mlubowicz@mwcattorneys.com.

Heartland Paralegal Association continues to monitor federal, state, and local stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines as they affect our upcoming meetings and events.

Questions?  Please email us.  Thanks!