Prepared by Edward A. Pereles, Philadelphia

Continuing Education Credit (CEC) should be pursued whenever it serves the purpose of educating our members (national and local) and guests. The form of credit, whether as Continuing Legal or Accounting Credit or even, perhaps, college credit, should be under continuing discussion. If credit is pursued along these lines, our meetings (local and national) should attract additional quality fee-paying participants who not only will take away interesting information and skills, but will be also able to meet criteria for continuing success in their chosen fields.

Procedure: The organization or sub-organization with the greatest number of current and future members would most likely be the entity which should arrange for CEC. For example, the Philadelphia

Chapter has secured continuing Legal Education Credit in Pennsylvania for the National and Local meetings. if there is a national accrediting agency for a particular field/sector/profession, the national organization would be the organization which should secure the credit. The organization or sub-organization securing credit should be the initial financial underwriter of such credit, arranging for some type of payment from organizations that might benefit from such CEC. For example, the Philadelphia Chapter might seek some offsetting reimbursement for the Pennsylvania CLE credit authorized for the National Meetings from LERA Local Chapters in Pennsylvania that would likely benefit from having the national meeting qualify for credit.

Establishing the Initial Contact: When establishing a relationship with the accrediting organization, a member for that organization would be more likely be able to "speak the language" and understand the nuances of that accrediting process.

Notice and Process: CEC should be sought as far in advance as possible so that members, future members and guests will know that such credit either has been approved or that credit approval has been requested. The entity can then use the accrediting agency's approval or pending approval in it's publicity for the program, thus attracting even more attendees.

It must be acknowledged that each accrediting agency has different procedures and that each agency's procedures must be respected. This will require: