Advocate Announcements

1.29.09

Starting Off the New Year with a Few Announcements (some important)

1.16.09

Submitting Pro Bono Hours to be Signed Off On for UCP

In the past years we were able to print out individualized time cards off of our own UCP site and sign them and submit them without you guys filling out TPIC forms since we have our UCP computerized system.  This year, however, TPIC has issued a new mandate that all the forms across the school to be uniform.  So, use this form in order to get credit for pro bono hours you have completed through UCP:
https://goat.law.upenn.edu/pic/forms/documents/logforms2.doc
 
Take the information off of your time card and put it in this form and drop it in the mailbox of Nathan Tylwalk - 3L - and email him at ztylwalk@law.upenn.edu to let him know that you have submitted a form for approval.  This process needs to be completed in paper form as well as through Symplicity.

Thank you all and apologies for the inconvenience.

12.17.08

UCP Appeals Opportunities - Hours Over Break

With finals winding down, we may have a couple of appeals opportunities over break.  It is a chance to gain some hours, learn the process, not have the pressure of class and finals, and help some people possibly get some benefits at a time of the year that benefits may really help out some clients in a jam.  Please email Nathan at ztylwalk@law.upenn.edu if you are interested.  Thanks, good luck on your remaining finals, and congrats on completing your year to others.

11.14.08

Symplicity Instructions for Logging Pro Bono Hours

• From your Symplicity home page, select the Exp. Learning link from the Quick Links menu on the right
• You will see the hyperlink for each student-initiated project you are signed up for.  If you do not see your organization listed, please contact TPIC
• Select the edit button to the left of the corresponding project
• You can now access the Basic Information tab, Self Evaluation tab, and the Semester Report tab
• Please complete the Basic Information tab as soon as you receive confirmation from TPIC that you are enlisted in this project
• you MUST upload a log form of your hours at the end of EACH semester.  You can obtain a copy of the log at the TPIC website: https://goat.law.upenn.edu/pic/forms/index.html
• To upload, click on the "Semester Report" tab.  Under "Pro Bono Placement Field Report" there is a section that says "Upload Student Time Log," upload your log form here and fill out the relevant information below (number of hours, placement name, supervisor, date).  Then save the information.
• After you upload your log, print a copy, have your supervisor sign it, and bring a hard copy to TPIC
• At the end of each semester you should also complete the Self Evaluation and Program Evaluation.  Your feedback is essential to the student projects
• All surveys and logs MUST be completed at the end of the semester in order for you to receive credit.
• Questions? Stop by TPIC and they can give you a tutorial

11.7.08

Using the Services of the Senior Trial Advocate

This is another advertisement for what our Senior Trial Advocate Steve Kruse can do for you.  I would strongly encourage and recommend that every trial advocate, whether you have done 0 hearings or 10 of them, to contact Steve before a hearing.  He is excellent as a source for training for new advocates, but he is more than that.  I like to think of him as a second chair for every single trial that we do.  Even if you have a case that seems easy, it can still be worth taking the time to have Steve look at the case too and discuss it with him.  Most times, our advocates find all the issues and have everything under control.  But it's nice to have a second pair of eyes, just in case.  So far, our advocates have done an excellent job this year, and I like to keep the wins and the good times rolling.  Here's Steve's email again: smkruse@gmail.com

10.30.08

UCP Announcements of the Week

Hello all,
 
A quick few comments
 
for all intakers, please remember to remind clients to call you back with their hearing date.
If you don't reach the client on first try, please call a few times and leave a message.
 
For new members, is you have not done so, please take the time to go into our system after you receive the activation email and set yourself up in our system so we can assign you to intake and hearings.
 
This week I am going to work on adding an appeals aspect to our site with our webmaster, Nicky.
 
We are also happy to announce that after much deliberation, Kristen Elise-Brooks has been named our UCP Advocate of the Month for October.  Congratulations to Kristen.  One interesting fact is that 4 of 9 of the current Supreme Court Justices were former UCP advocates of the month.  Honorable mention goes to all new UCP members, as we are glad to have all of you aboard.
 
If anyone is reading this e-mail from jail due to extensive rioting last night, reply all to this e-mail and UCP will see that you are bailed out, as we look after our members.
 
Enjoy Halloween,
Jason Slutsky
Nathan Tylwalk

10.27.08

Contact Information for Steve - Senior Trial Advocate 

Steve Kruse is an outstanding resource for anyone who is about to conduct a hearing.  His role is to take any questions and concerns that an advocate may have about an upcoming hearing.  You can contact Steve to discuss the strategies that you have chosen to take in a hearing, the direct and cross questions you have planned, and other trial concerns.  His email is smkruse@gmail.com.  Feel free to approach Steve, any senior member, or any other advocate, to bounce around ideas for a hearing.

9.16.08

Updating Information on Pennunemployment.com for UCP

We will be opening the phone lines very soon, and then we will be following up with intake interviews and hearings.  Please update your availability and what type of assignments you want on www.pennunemployment.com.  Thanks, and we will be updating you shortly regarding the trainings and other work flow.