2011 MABLSA Elections Packet

MID-ATLANTIC BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

2011 MABLSA Convention Election Rules and Procedures Packet

TABLE OF CONTENTS ELECTION RULES AND PROCEDURES

POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR ELECTION ............................................................................... 1 CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS ............................................................................................... 1 CAMPAIGNING ............................................................................................................................ 2 ENFORCEMENT OF ELECTIONS RULES PROCEDURES ..................................................... 4 ELECTION SPEECHES ................................................................................................................ 4 DELEGATE VOTING PROCEDURES ........................................................................................ 4 BALLOT COUNT .......................................................................................................................... 5 ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2011-2012 MABLSA ELECTED OFFICIALS ..................................... 5 INSPECTION OF BALLOTS ........................................................................................................ 5 ELECTION PROCEDURES CALENDAR ................................................................................... 5 APPOINTED POSITION INFORMATION SESSION ................................................................. 6 REGIONAL OFFICER APPLICATION MABLSA OFFICER APPLICATION ........................................................................................... 7 MABLSA CANDIDACY STATEMENT ...................................................................................... 8 MABLSA AVAILABLE OFFICES ............................................................................................. 10 DESCRIPTION OF ELECTED OFFICERS ................................................................................ 11

ELECTIONS RULES AND PROCEDURES I.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR ELECTION

Any member of a 2010-2011 active MABLSA chapter may run for office.1 The following MABLSA positions are eligible for election: • Regional Chair • Regional Vice Chair • Regional Secretary • Regional Treasurer • Regional Director of the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition • Regional Director of the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition • Regional Director of Community Service • Regional Director of Programming • Attorney General • Regional Parliamentarian • Baltimore/Washington Sub-Regional Director • Virginia Sub-Regional Director • Philadelphia Metro Sub-Regional Director • Pennsylvania/West Virginia Sub-Regional Director II.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

Any member of an active chapter who completes and returns the Officer Application prior to the stated deadline will be qualified as a candidate for MABLSA office.

All materials must be submitted to the Regional Attorney General at mablsaattorneygeneral@gmail.com by 11:59pm Sunday, January 30, 2011.

Nominations from the Floor (Members who do not submit the required materials by the deadline.) 

Any registered delegate may nominate an active member at the Regional Convention for a Regional officer position a) if there are no candidates running for that position at the opening of the Regional Convention; or b) if a candidate is running unopposed for that position at the opening of the Regional Convention.

 The officer presiding over plenary will determine the exact time when such nominations would be appropriate.  To make the nomination, the Chapter’s Delegate need only rise and state “I nominate 1

An active chapter is a chapter who has paid membership dues and has uploaded a membership roster to the NBLSA Membership database. In order to be considered a member of chapter, your name must be included in the chapter’s membership roster.

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________________ for the position of ______________.” No second is required.

Chapters are only permitted to nominate one person for each officer position.  In the event, that a candidate is nominated from the floor, the candidate must complete the Officer Application within 24 hours of accepting nomination.

Final Certification Requirements - all candidates must meet the following to run for and be elected to office:  All candidates for office must be from an active 2010-2011 MABLSA chapter.  All candidates for office are required to attend a mandatory candidates meeting to be held at the 2011 Regional Convention at 6:30pm on Thursday, February 3, 2011.

Post-Election Meeting Any candidate who wins an election to a MABLSA Regional Office is REQUIRED to attend the Transitional Meeting on Sunday, February 6, 2011, 12pm – 3pm. This meeting is mandatory so please make your travel arrangements accordingly.

Important Considerations  No individual who has been elected to a regional position will be permitted to campaign for a National Executive position.  Serving on the MABLSA Regional Executive Board is a commitment which requires travelling to at least 4 designated meetings during one’s term and considerable extracurricular work. Please take this into consideration when determining whether you will run for office.  Travel expenses are not reimbursed or paid for by MABLSA and therefore, you should consider your financial resources before running for a position.  Nominations from the floor will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 5:30pm directly followed by the mandatory candidates meeting at 6:30pm. If you would like to run for a position please plan your travel to arrive at the convention accordingly.

III.

CAMPAIGNING

Demeanor Prior to Commencement of Convention Campaign Meeting  Candidates ARE permitted to verbally announce their intent to run for office prior to the candidate’s meeting with any NBLSA member in any region.  Only the candidate may endorse himself or herself prior to the candidate’s meeting.

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 No chapter endorsements are allowed prior to the Regional Convention.  No candidate for MABLSA Regional Office shall, before the mandatory candidate’s meeting on February 3, 2011, disseminate printed material.  After a Candidate has received notification from the 2010-2011 election committee that his or her application has been accepted, he or she may use Myspace, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, a blog, website, or any other electronic method to advertise his or her candidacy.

Campaign Material Approval 

All candidates for Regional office must submit to the elections committee copies of all campaign materials and correspondence at the relevant mandatory candidates meeting for approval.



If the candidate is in doubt as to whether the communication is in violation of these rules, he/she may request pre-approval by the Committee before incurring an expense for printing the communication.



Candidates may not use any Regional or National Listserv and may not post any campaign material to the NBLSA regional, national or local chapter Facebook group.

Candidate Endorsement 

Local chapters may not publicly endorse a candidate prior to the Regional Convention.

Local chapters may endorse candidates after the commencement of the Regional Convention.

 Current National and Regional Board members as well as Regional-Elect Board members are prohibited from endorsing any candidate for Regional office.

Demeanor after Commencement of Official Campaigning  Candidates are permitted to wear and distribute campaign materials (flyers, buttons, etc.) to attendees at the Convention.  No campaigning may occur inside of plenary. As such, no delegate is allowed to wear or prominently display any campaign materials within 30 feet of or inside of the room where plenary sessions will be held. 

No candidate shall engage in an unfair campaign practice, including but not limited to infraction or contempt of any campaign rule; libeling or slandering another candidate and/or maliciously disrupting another campaign.



Each candidate is responsible for activity that another undertakes on his or her behalf, as 3

if the candidate is undertaking the activity himself or herself, unless the candidate sincerely and affirmatively discourages such activity.

Termination of campaigning 

IV.

All campaign materials and solicitation of votes must be taken down and cease ONE HOUR prior to the beginning of the Candidate’s Speeches on Saturday, February 5, 2011.

ENFORCEMENT OF ELECTIONS RULES PROCEDURES



Any person registered for the convention may file a complaint with any elections committee member for violation of elections rules and procedures.

 These rules will be enforced and violations will be investigated by the Elections Committee. If any violation is found to have merit, then the offending candidate will be disqualified immediately. The rules will be enforced in an effort to achieve adherence to the goals and principles of MABLSA and NBLSA.  The elections committee reserves the right to amend or add to the election procedures at any time before the Regional Convention not withstanding those specific procedures set out in the National Constitution and Bylaws.

V.

ELECTION SPEECHES 

VI.

All candidates for office are required to give a speech and stand for questions during the Plenary Elections session.

DELEGATE VOTING PROCEDURES

Chapters in attendance 

Any active chapter with a registered delegate for the Regional Convention who attends at least seventy-five (75) percent of the plenary sessions during the 2011 Regional Convention is entitled to participate in the election of 2011-2012 MABLSA Regional Officers.



All delegates will receive their chapter ballot and all relevant proxy ballots prior to the commencement of candidate speeches.

Proxy Vote 

In order to utilize the proxy vote procedure, please refer to Article X § 2 of the MABLSA Constitution.

 Only chapters who have submitted proxy materials to the Regional Parliamentarian by Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 8pm Eastern Standard Time will be entitled to 4

participate in the elections via proxy.

VII.

BALLOT COUNT



The election of officers will utilize a secret ballot voting method.



The candidate that receives the largest percentage of votes for the position will be declared the winner of the position.



If a candidate is unopposed, he or she must receive a majority of the votes in order to be declared the winner of the position.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2011-2012 MABLSA ELECTED OFFICIALS  All candidates who have won offices sought will be announced during the 2011 MABLSA Regional Awards Banquet to be held on February 5, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland.

IX.

INSPECTION OF BALLOTS 

X.

A candidate has a right to inspect all of the physical ballots submitted for the position to which he was a candidate, before the close of the Regional Convention.

ELECTION PROCEDURES CALENDAR ELECTION PROCEDURES CALENDAR

Deadline for candidates to submit Officer Application Deadline for Chapters to send proxy ballot information for the purposes of election Floor nominations for Executive Board positions Mandatory Candidates Meeting Thursday Deadline for floor-nominated candidates to submit Officer Application Candidates Speeches, Q&A and Voting MABLSA Transition Meeting Sunday

Sunday, January 30, 2011, at 11:59pm Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at 8:00pm Thursday, February 3, 2011, at 5:30pm Thursday, February 3, 2011, at 6:30pm Saturday, February 5, 2011 Saturday, February 5, 2011 Sunday, February 6, 2011, at 12:00pm

*The Election Committee reserves the right to extend or alter the dates above if deemed necessary. ** All times EST.

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XI.

APPOINTED POSITION INFORMATION SESSION

All persons interested in being appointed to the following positions by the 2011-2012 Board should attend an information session on Sunday, February 6, 2011 from 11:00am – 12:00pm.       

Regional Director of Communication Regional Director of Corporate Relations Regional Director of Membership and Education Regional Convention Coordinator Regional Job Fair Coordinator Regional Academic Retreat Coordinator Regional College Student Division Director

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Mid-Atlantic Black Law Students Association 2011 Officer Application Please return this application to the Election Committee, no later than the start of the final plenary session.

Name: Office Sought: Street Address: City, State, Zip: Phone number: (

)

Alternate Number:

Email Address: Law School Classification:

Law School: Registrar’s Name & Number: Chapter President:

****************************************************************************** List NBLSA Office(s) held on a local, regional, or national level:

List membership(s) in and office(s) held with other organizations:

I have read and agree to comply with the Election Policies and Procedures. I understand that I must attend the final plenary session and participate fully in the Candidates Speeches. I acknowledge that my failure to comply with any of the aforementioned obligations may result in my disqualification.

Signature: _____________________________________

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Date: ______________________

Mid-Atlantic Black Law Students Association 2011 Candidacy Statement Please return this application to any MABLSA Regional Board Member no later than the start of the final plenary session.

Name: Office Sought: Current Street Address: City, State, Zip: Permanent Street Address: City, State, Zip: Phone number: (

)

Email Address:

Alternate Number:

Law School Classification:

Law School:

Part I Statement of Fiduciary Duty of Regional Executive Board Members of MABLSA: Regional Executive Board (REB) Members agree to be governed by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Mid-Atlantic Black Law Students Association (MABLSA). Each REB Member shall act in the best interest of MABLSA at all times and disclose any information that may be harmful to MABLSA. I have read and agree to comply with the Statement of Fiduciary Duty of Regional Executive Board Members of MABLSA. Signature: ____________________________________ Date: ______________

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Part II Duties as a MABLSA Officer I understand that as a Regional Executive Board Member, I will be responsible for attending all meetings either on my own or through financial assistance from my law school. I also understand that if I am elected to the offices of Regional Chair or Vice Chair, that I have obligations to attend certain meetings of the National Black Law Students Association Executive Board and/or its committee. Finally, understand that I may be asked to perform duties other than those of my position in order to further the mission and goals of MABLSA. Signature: ____________________________________ Date: _____________

Part III Election Policy I understand that I must attend the final plenary session and participate fully in Candidate Speeches. I acknowledge that my failure to comply with any of the aforementioned obligations may result in my disqualification.

Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ______________

Please E-Mail mablsaattorneygeneral@gmail.com if you have any questions.

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MABLSA Available Offices Regional Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer Director of the Fredrick Douglass Moot Court Competition Director of the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition Director of Community Service Attorney General Parliamentarian Baltimore/Washington Sub-Regional Director University of Baltimore School of Law University of Maryland School of Law American University College of Law Catholic University of America Law School District of Columbia School of Law George Washington University Law School Georgetown University Law Center Howard University School of Law

Virginia Sub-Regional Director College of William and Mary School of Law George Mason University School of Law Regent University School of Law University of Richmond School of Law University of Virginia School of Law Washington and Lee University School of Law Appalachian School of Law

Philadelphia Metro Sub-Regional Director Drexel University School of Law Temple University School of Law University of Pennsylvania School of Law Villanova University School of Law Rutgers University School of Law-Camden Widener University School of Law-Wilmington

Pennsylvania/West Virginia Sub-Regional Director University of Pittsburgh School of Law Duquesne University School of Law Widener University School of Law-Harrisburg Penn State-Dickinson School of Law University of West Virginia School of Law

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Description of Elected Officers A. The Regional Chair shall: 1. Exercise general authority over the business and activities of MABLSA; 2. Coordinate the activities of the Regional Executive Board to ensure implementation of all internal and external tasks; 3. Chair all Regional Executive Board meetings; 4. Present ideas and propose directions for the organization; 5. Preside over the MABLSA Region; 6. Serve as an ex-officio member of all MABLSA committees; 7. Co-sign with the Regional Treasurer, all checks issued by MABLSA; 8. Appoint other staff persons and committees in accordance with Article IV, Section of the Constitution; 9. Appoint new board members to vacant board positions with the consent of the remaining board members; 10. Disseminate National and Regional information throughout his/her Region; 11. Insure the receipt of funds from the Regional Executive Board and/or other sources in order to finance Regional programs and operations; 12. Organize the annual MABLSA Regional Convention; 13. Perform such other functions and exercise such further duties as the National Chair, the Board, or the Assembly may assign; 14. Compile a brief synopsis of his/her yearly activities for the NBLSA National Annual Report.

B. The Regional Vice-Chair shall: 1. Perform all duties of the Regional Chair in his/her absence; 2. Serve as an internal manager to the Regional Executive Board and oversee all intra-board relations; 3. Serve as an ex-officio member of all MABLSA committees; 4. Develop and finalize the Regional Executive Board meeting agendas in accordance with the ideas and input of the Regional Chair; 5. Serve as Chair of the Regional Grievance Committee and present periodic reports to the Regional Chair; 6. Maintain a working relationship with all Presidents of local chapters within MABLSA. C. The Regional Secretary Shall: 1. Maintain and distribute the minutes and agenda for all meetings of the Regional Executive Board and the Regional Assembly; 2. Develop an operational calendar of Regional events; 3. Disseminate a copy of the Regional calendar to the Chapter Presidents; 4. Maintain adequate distribution of the official NBLSA stationary to all executive board members; 5. Coordinate the Regional Board meetings, including the meeting sites; 6. Collect and maintain the officers’ reports for the Regional Executive Board meetings; 7. Utilize audio and/or video technology to record Plenary sessions at the MABLSA Regional Convention.

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D. The Regional Treasurer Shall: 1. Handle all funds and securities of MABLSA and ensure that they are deposited in such facility, and in such a manner, as the Regional Executive Board may designate; 2. Assure that entries are regularly made in the financial records, accounting for all funds received and disbursed by MABLSA; 3. Submit the financial records of MABLSA to a Certified Public Accountant; 4. Determine, together with the other Regional officers, the allocation of the MABLSA financial resources to allow for a steady cash flow; 5. Provide financial reports at each Regional Executive Board meeting; 6. Design, implement, and monitor a financial policy related to expenditures and cash flow for the Association with the approval of the Regional Executive Board; 7. Develop an annual Regional Budget and submit it to the Regional Executive Board for approval at the first regularly scheduled Regional Executive Board meeting. This Regional Budget must include a statement of accounts, statement of unpaid bills with explanation, statement of transfers between accounts, statement of income, detailed account of how all funds were used, detailed account of all anticipated expenses based on future program needs, and other items the Regional Treasurer deems necessary; 8. Present a Regional Financial Report at the final meeting of the General Assembly at the annual MABLSA Regional Convention; 9. Co-sign, with the Regional Chair, all checks issued by MABLSA. E. The Regional Director of the Fredrick Douglass Moot Court Competition (“FDMCC”) Shall: 1. Appoint a Regional Moot Court Specialist (“RMCS”). The RMCS must be a MABLSA member in good standing to serve, and his/her appointment is subject to approval by the Regional Executive Board; 2. Coordinate the Annual FDMCC according to the FDMCC handbook; 3. Attend the Annual Directors of the FDMCC meeting held by the National Director of the FDMCC; 4. Maintain frequent communication with the National Directors of FDMCC; 5. Secure venues and judges for the FDMCC at the Regional Convention.

F. The Regional Director of the Thurgood Marshal Mock Trial Competition (“TMMTC”) Shall: 1. Appoint a Regional Mock Trial Specialist (“RMTS”). The RMTS must be a NBLSA member in good standing to serve; his/her appointment is subject to approval by the Regional Executive Board; 2. Coordinate the Annual TMMTC according to the TMMTC Handbook; 3. Attend the Annual Directors of TMMTC meeting, held in conjunction with the Annual Directors of FDMCC meeting; 4. Maintain frequent communication with the National Director of TMMTC. G. The Regional Director of Community Service Shall: 1. Coordinate and execute all community affairs project undertaken on a Regional level; 2. Provide for the recognition of a chapter within the Region who has developed model community service programs; 3. Organize the Community Service project to be conducted during the Annual Regional Convention;

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4. Maintain frequent communication with the Regional Chapters of Community Service; 5. Coordinate selection of MABLSA Chapter of the Year.

H. The Attorney General Shall: 1. Research current legal issues facing the African-American Community; 2. Increase MABLSA awareness of legal issues; 3. Act as a liaison to the NBLSA Attorney General on issues affecting the AfricanAmerican Community in the Mid-Atlantic Region; 4. Coordinate with members of Congress to define issues affecting the African American community; 5. Prepare memoranda to be distributed regionally regarding Congressional issues that affect the African American Community; 6. Plan MABLSA participation in the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Conference; 7. Make official statements on behalf of MABLSA with the approval of the Regional Chair.

I. The Regional Parliamentarian Shall: 1. Serve as an advisor and counsel for the executive board on the Parliamentary Procedure; 2. Decide all questions of interpretation and construction of the parliamentary authority and procedural rules of MABLSA; 3. Provide all delegates with the current procedural rules; 4. Coordinate Regional election procedures at the annual MABLSA Regional Convention; 5. Chair the Constitution/Bylaws Committee; 6. Maintain frequent communication with the National Parliamentarians; 7. Serve as an ex-officio member of all regional committees.

J. The Sub-Regional Directors Shall: 1. Serve as liaisons between the chapters within their respective sub-region and the Regional Executive Board; 2. Ensure that the chapters within their respective Regions are active; 3. Promote unity of the chapters within their Region; 4. Co-ordinate events with the other Sub-Regional Directors to promote the unity of MABLSA as a whole.

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