As we approach the New Year, I would like to make some observations and comments about recent and future
events.
Leading by Example
In May, 2005, the membership attending the NAPPS Annual Conference and Educational Seminars overwhelmingly
voted to adopt standards and best practices in two key areas; service of process, and education of process
servers. The results were the promulgation of the NAPPS Best Practices for Service of Process, and the
NAPPS Standards for Process Server Courses of Study.
The Preamble to the NAPPS Standards and Best Practices sets forth the rationale for the establishment of
these standards and best practices. It reads, in part, as follows:
These Standards and Best Practices can and should also assist others in a review and meaningful revision
of official policies, statutes and rules".
On November 25, 2005, while attending the annual conference of the Union Internationale de Hussiers de
Justice (UIHJ) in Paris, France, we had the opportunity to illustrate our leadership role by presenting
the NAPPS Standards for Service of Process to that body in a discussion on the various methods of service
employed in foreign countries. The concerns of the UIHJ members are the same as ours here in the United
States; to assure effective service of process and to keep private process servers involved in this most
important phase of litigation. It seems that service by mail and other forms of notification are
threatening the traditional role of process servers in much the same way that mail and e-service are of
great concern to us. We trust that our contribution in the form of the standards that we support will
benefit the UIHJ as it seeks to protect the interests of litigants and its members through the adoption
of official policies, statutes and rules.
Implementing the NAPPS Standards for Process Server Courses of Study
The purpose of the standards and best practices is not only a public pronouncement of what we consider
important to our industry but also is intended to serve as the cornerstone for action by this
association. Consistent with the mandate of the members, I intend to propose to the Board of
Directors the establishment of a NAPPS Certification and Continuing Education Program that will give
our members the recognition they deserve through educational accomplishments. Several of our state
associations have programs where their members are given the designation of "certified process server"
after successfully completing an association sponsored educational program. The certified process
server designation appears in their local directories and web sites, as well as in the NAPPS directory
and web site following the member's name. I envision a similar program on the national level.
2006 Annual Conference and Educational Seminars
Education of process servers has been one of the main purposes of our annual conferences. Next year,
at the 2006 Annual Conference and Educational Seminars, the Board of Directors has decided to extend
the conference by one day into Sunday to provide the opportunity to present additional meaningful
seminars. If you plan on attending the 2006 conference in Austin, Texas, please allow for the
additional day before you return home. I am confident you will find it worth the effort.
Nominations for Officers and Directors at the 2006 Annual Conference.
In August, 2005, the Board of Directors voted to amend the procedure for nomination of officers and
directors at the 2006 NAPPS Annual Conference. Nominations for office will be opened and closed on
Friday, May 19, 2006. Nominations will not be reopened on Saturday prior to the election, as has been
the procedure in the past. If you plan to attend the next conference, please be aware of this change
in nomination procedure as it may affect your intended choice of candidates for office.
Proposed Guidelines for Forwarding and Receiving Service Assignments
In previous issues of The Docket Sheet, Tony Klein, Chair of the Standards and Best Practices Committee,
has invited commentary on a set of proposed guidelines for forwarding and receiving service of process
assignments. Tony has posted a draft of these guidelines at: http://members.tripod.com/t_klein/NAPPSSBPBlog/.
Please visit this site and provide your comments. Your opinions are important to us.
Attending Quarterly Board Meetings
The last meeting of the Board of Directors was held on November 19, 2005, in Dallas, Texas. By all
accounts, it was the most attended board meeting in recent memory with 35 Texas and out-of-state members
present. The meeting was lively with a robust exchange of ideas.
The next meeting of the NAPPS Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2006, in
Orlando, Florida. I challenge our Florida members to exceed the Texas attendance. All NAPPS members
and non-members are invited to attend. Your presence and participation at these meetings is important.
It will give you an opportunity to see, and be part of, the dynamics of our board meetings.
Holiday Best Wishes
On behalf of the NAPPS Board of Directors, I extend to all of our members, family and friends, Best
Wishes for the Holiday Season and Happy New Year. May this message find you all in good health.
