Rick Fleming, NOSSCR President

I hope your summer is going well and that you have been able to enjoy some downtime with family and friends. This month, I would like to point out a couple of things on the horizon.

Election Season

You may have heard a thing or two about an election this fall. But are you aware that NOSSCR is having elections in August?

Make sure you are ready to vote! This summer the NOSSCR Board is having elections for Board seats. You will receive an electronic ballot from SimplyVoting on August 1. The email will come from vote@simplyvoting.com and/or you may access the voting portal at nosscr.simplyvoting.com. Ballots must be received by SimplyVoting by August 15. Results will then be announced at the virtual membership meeting on August 30 at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Advocacy

NOSSCR continues to work extremely hard to advocate for improvements to the Social Security disability programs and to ensure that individuals with disabilities applying for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits have access to highly qualified representation and receive fair decisions. Our work takes us to the Hill and to Woodlawn. Want to continue seeing progress? NOSSCR members can give to the NOSSCR PAC to assist us in advocating for you and your clients. Contributions to the NOSSCR PAC are an investment in the practice and in the disability advocacy community. Let’s keep the momentum going. 

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars. Registration is open for the following events:

• September 20-21 is FOSSCR, the Fifth Circuit Conference in San Antonio, TX, at the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk. Come sharpen your skills and meet up with friends and colleagues.

• October 10-12 is the NextGen Retreat in Portland, OR, at the Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland. Have you been practicing law for less than ten years or are you under the age of 40?  Come meet and connect with colleagues starting their careers and have an experience like no other. The small group size is perfect for getting to know your peers and expanding your network.  

• October 24-25 is the Southeast Regional Conference in Raleigh, NC, at Dock 1053 in Raleigh’s Creative Community. This event will have approximately 10 hours of continuing education over two days with lots of time to network and build valuable local and regional connections.  

• November 7-8 is the Eighth Circuit Conference in Fayetteville, AR, at the Graduate Hotel. The local committee has truly outdone themselves with an agenda full of interesting and important continuing education topics.

• December 10-11 is the NOSSCR Virtual Conference. Finish 2024 with all the continuing education credits you need and enter 2025 with new skills!

If your firm is interested in sponsoring any of these events, reach out to us at nosscr@nosscr.org!

Is there a topic you feel needs to be covered? Interested in speaking at a NOSSCR event? Our call for presenters for our virtual conference is now open! Submit your proposal here. You can always reach out to us at nosscr@nosscr.org with questions or suggestions.

NOSSCR Online

In need of some retail therapy? The NOSSCR Store is open 24/7: Let there be swag! You know you need a mouse pad, socks, and a mug. And while you’re at it, t-shirts, tumblers, and pet bowls are the perfect gift! Check out the NOSSCR Store.
 
Need CLE? NOSSCR has an ever-growing library of just what you need to sharpen your skills. Take a look at the self-study courses available here. 

Exciting News

In case you have not already marked your calendar, effective November 30, 2024, the fee cap will increase to $9,200 and thereafter will increase annually.  Make sure your fee agreements contain escalation clauses. Review our prior article on fee agreements here.

NOSSCR Foundation

The NOSSCR Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization supporting the work of NOSSCR. Gifts to the NOSSCR Foundation support investments in others, such as the Rudolph Patterson Scholarship and scholarships for NOSSCR members employed by legal services programs. Gifts to the NOSSCR Foundation also support disability advocacy community in general through its Impact Litigation Fund. Donate here.

Interested in including NOSSCR in your estate planning or funding a scholarship fund? Contact NOSSCR to discuss your wishes, and thank you for your generous donations to the NOSSCR Foundation.   

Thank you for your continued support of NOSSCR. We look forward to standing beside you as you fight for the rights of your clients. 

Contributions to the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives PAC (NOSSCR PAC) are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes. Contributions to NOSSCR PAC will be used to support federal and state candidates, political parties, and other political committees.  Contributions are strictly voluntary.  You may refuse to contribute without reprisal.  Any proposed contribution level is merely a suggestion, and you are free to contribute more or less than suggested.  You will not benefit or be disadvantaged by reason of the amount of your contribution or a decision not to contribute.  Federal law requires NOSSCR PAC to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer of persons whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.  You must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S. to contribute.