2012-2013
MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
National Black Law Students Association
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About NBLSA The National Black Law Students Association is the nation’s largest student!run organization representing nearly 6,000 law students encompassing over 200 chapters and affiliates throughout the United States and six other countries.
History. The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) was founded in 1968, by Algernon (A.J.) Cooper, at the New York University Law School. The organization’s purposes include giving a voice to Black law students and bringing about change in the legal community.
Today, NBLSA continues to articulate and promote the
needs and goals of Black law students. NBLSA prides itself on giving students an opportunity to develop their advocacy, writing and business skills as they work to promote diversity in legal education and the legal profession. Each year, the organization holds an annual convention to engage in legal activism and prepare new generations of Black lawyers to "effectuate change."
NBLSA Structure National. NBLSA is governed by its National Constitution
and Bylaws, which are ratified by the NBLSA membership. The NBLSA Constitution establishes a National Executive Board (NEB). The NEB is comprised of both elected and appointed officers and is led by an elected National Chair.
Regions. NBLSA is divided into six geographic regions:
Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, Rocky Mountain, Southern and Western. Regions function as the conduit between the national organization and its chapters. Each region has a Regional Exec Board (REB). The REB provides
chapters with programmatic direction and supports chapter activities.
Chapters. Chapters are NBLSA’s foundation. They
develop creative programming that furthers NBLSA’s strategic goals, and are a critical component of the NBLSA membership experience. They also facilitate the membership dues collection process. Each chapter has an executive board comprised of elected and appointed positions.
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Benefits of NBLSA Membership MEMBERSHIP As a member of NBLSA, you are part of an established and esteemed organization that has numerous benefits! • Unparalleled networking opportunities with other law students, NBLSA’s extensive Alumni Network, and practicing attorneys. • Subscriptions to and publishing opportunities with NBLSA’s magazine, “The Legal Pad.” • Leadership positions on the National and/or Regional Executive Member Boards.
MEMBERSHIP RECOGNITION Member of the Month Members who succeed academically and those who exhibit this year’s theme of “Enhancing the Dream” may be granted the esteemed title of “NBLSA Member of the Month” and a FREE BARBRI Prep Course. Chapter Highlights Chapters can submit photos throughout the year so that they may be highlighted on the National website. Chapter of the Year Chapters may be recognized as the Regional or National Chapter of the Year. Region of the Year Additionally, each year one of the six regions is also granted the title of region of the year due to their accomplishments and dedication to NBLSA that term.
ADVOCACY NBLSA strives to effectuate legal change in the community. Through sincere advocacy and social action, NBLSA continues to be at the forefront of legal activism. NBLSA participates in grassroots work, voter protection, legislative outreach, environmental justice and judicial advocacy. Some initiatives will include, but are not limited to higher education (access and affordability), voter rights, criminal justice and election protection.
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Benefits of NBLSA Membership EDUCATION & CAREER DEVELOPMENT Education and scholastic achievement are part of the core of the NBLSA mission. Each year academic retreats are held at the regional level and scholarships are given to both pre-law and law students. Membership entitles individuals to participate in all Regional and National activities including: • Regional Job Fairs • Regional Academic Retreats • Member-only pricing for Conventions • Opportunities to participate in community service and international service • Eligibility to apply for up to $25,000 in NBLSA scholarships
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS Currently members may receive discounts from companies such as: Adaptibar, Alamo, AVIS Car Rental, Barrister Books, Brooks Brothers, Budget Car Rental, Hewlett Packard (HP), JoS. A. Bank, Kaplan Bar Review, LaQuinta, Multistate Edge, National Car Rental, Themis Bar Review, Sprint, and more.
PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES & PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE NBLSA provides students with the opportunity to write amicus briefs, publish their works in legal journals, and become fellows of the National Bar Association and NBLSA. Members also have the opportunity to compete in prestigious annual competitions: Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition, Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition, and the International Negotiations Competition. These competitions have become cornerstones in NBLSA programming.
COMMUNITY SERVICE As legal professionals it is especially important to give back to the communities that our members come from. Community service initiatives include, but are not limited to youth empowerment, human rights awareness, and prison reform.
JOIN NBLSA:
To learn more about NBLSA and its exciting initiatives, please see the National Handbook at http://www.nblsa.org/index.php?pID= 366. Please visit us at http://www.nblsa.org/membership or contact the National Director of Membership, Janea Raines at membership@nblsa.org.