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Editor's Column

TYLA’s First Quarter Yields Conclusion That Committees Are Cranking Out The Goods
By:  Shivali Sharma

          TYLA held its first board meeting of the year amidst the white sands and pale blue ocean waters of South Padre.   Delighted fresh faces of new directors hardened with determination to win a “Hicks v. Slicks”  volleyball tournament, the critical first ice-breaker of the year was served.  In addition to the fun and games (and karaoke night), committee reports were presented by board members eager to share the fruits of their labor.  The result of these reports led to the conclusion that TYLA has been toiling, its energy is at its peak, production of new projects is at a record high for the first quarter, and new projects are quickly rolling off the line.
          The Community Education Committee led the charge by featuring two upcoming projects in the first quarterly report.  First to see the spotlight was a video entitled “The Unconscious Truth: Legal and Physical Effects of Underage Binge Drinking.”  Inspired by the story of teenager Shelby Allen,  the project debuted at the MADD Walk in San Antonio on October 1st.
           Partnering with the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the State Bar in an effort to provide basic information about estate planning and the probate process to the public, the Community Education Committee lands another project on the runway with completion of the Probate Passport: A Guide to Probate & Estate Planning in Texas.  The manual provides general estate planning information, explains Texas probate and alternatives to probate, includes a checklist of items needed throughout the probate process, and answers frequently asked questions. The manual flies on to TYLA cyberspace this Fall.
          Hot off the press is the Family Law/Children's Rights/Seniors Committee’s pamphlet Peace of Mind, a project focusing on helping parents and guardians take care of their special need children. The pamphlets will be ready for distribution this month and will be accessible online.  On October 24th this committee is hosting Women's Night in San Antonio at the Alamo Drafthouse, where TYLA will proudly promote Healing the Wounds, a video detailing what victims of domestic violence can expect when obtaining a protective order, temporary restraining order, or a divorce.  See this month’s Top Story written by TYLA director Lacy Durham for more information about the work of this Committee.
          The Law Focused Education Committee will feature its newly completed Turning Points project, a curriculum and video entitled Search and Seizure: Exploring the Fourth Amendment at the Texas Council for Social Studies Conference in Austin on October 21st.  This project was a collaborative effort with the Annette Strauss Institute and the University of Texas to educate high school students through film about the legal framework surrounding the country’s most interesting topics of debate.  In addition to this project, the LFE Committee will introduce social studies teachers to other projects they can employ in the classroom such as: They Had A Dream Too, VoTexas, Your Rights on Campus, The Constitution at School, Supreme Team, We the Jury, R U Safe?, Crossing the Line, and Junior Judges.  The Committee also created a fantastic new push card called “A Sneak Peek at TYLA’s Service To Schools,” listing TYLA programs for educators and students. 
          The Member Services and Outreach Committee is ready to market its Rural Resource Package consisting of a  English-to-Spanish, wheel-shaped push card entitled “Helpful Resources for Court Clerks,” which is designed to point court clerks to brochures and pamphlets available on the TYLA website.  The project was rolled out at the District Clerk's Association conference on September 27-29th in Kerrville, Texas, and was highlighted at the Texas Association of Counties’ County Judges’ Conference on October 3-6, 2011 in Odessa.  This Committee also finalized a push card entitled “How Seasoned Attorneys Can Best Utilize Young Attorneys,” discussing creative ways to hire young attorneys during in a sluggish economy.
          The Local Affiliates Committee is forging ahead enthusiastically with their local affiliate initiatives.  The first TYLA Road Show organized by this Committee will benefit Legal Aid of Northwest Texas on November 10th. See this month’s Local Affiliate Project highlight penned by TYLA director Cameron Cox for more information.
          This article was just a glimpse at a few of TYLA’s new projects.  As you can see, TYLA is abuzz working for you and serving the community.  If you would like to join any of these active committees and assist in project development and completion, contact your local TYLA representative today.