In recent weeks, we learned that NAPPS' ten-year quest to take over the duties of the U.S. Central Authority has come to a somewhat disappointing conclusion. Fred Blum, who has spearheaded this effort over the past decade, provides the bid's outcome and a detailed history of this project in a special report on page 5.
Although it would have been very prestigious for NAPPS to take over the duties of the Central Authority, our association did achieve several important goals:
NAPPS' reputation as the voice of the U.S. process service industry has become well known and respected among officials in the Justice Department and other government agencies.
NAPPS has developed an important relationship with the UIHJ, our counterparts in Europe. It was this mutually beneficial relationship that earned NAPPS an invitation to a roundtable conference in Geneva, allowing Fred to help quash service of international process via electronic mail.
NAPPS succeeded in getting the international work to be served here in the U.S. out of the hands of the U.S. Marshals and into the hands of a private company that employs four NAPPS members. In addition, this firm will use their fellow NAPPS Members to serve process related to this contract. Consequently, our membership will still benefit.
There are many individuals in addition to Fred Blum, Alan Crowe and Sue Collins who deserve the thanks of this association for their varying roles in the development of this project. Please forgive me for not mentioning everyone by name, but you all know who you are. Please know that your efforts are appreciated. (I'm afraid I don't know everyone who was involved, as this undertaking was in progress two or more years prior to my joining NAPPS!)
In other news, congratulations are in order for our Administrator, Alan H. Crowe. CAPPS recently honored Alan and recognized his contributions to the process service industry by presenting him with the Bert Rosenthal Memorial Award. More information about this prestigious award and a photo appear on pages 26 & 27.
Through the ongoing contact the Administrator's Office enjoys with NAPPS members from across the country, we believe we have a pretty good sense of how the general membership feels about various aspects of the association. However, this administration believes very strongly in "Member Outreach". Toward that end, 2nd Vice President David Nill and his Membership Committee have been contacting members via telephone and conducting a short survey on a variety of topics. If you are contacted, you may verify that the caller is authorized to conduct the "official" NAPPS survey by contacting either David Nill or myself before participating. Anonymous surveys mean very little, so participants must be willing to provide their names. However, they can elect not to have them published along with the results. So far, the results have yielded no surprises. We'll share some of the responses with you in the next issue of "The Docket Sheet". I'd like to make it very clear that we are not doing this because we are concerned that something is wrong with the organization. On the contrary, we believe your input can provide direction and help make NAPPS even better and stronger.
Finally, yet another holiday season is fast approaching. Thanksgiving will be upon us in a few short weeks. On behalf of the Board of Directors, our Administrative Staff and myself, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving and a joyous holiday season.
