NBLSA Fellowship Program Application

THE NATIONAL BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION FELLOWS PROGRAM

2012-­‐2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A collaborative effort between the National Black Law

I.

Purpose of the Fellowship

II.

About the National Black Law Students Association

III.

About the NBLSA Pre-Law Fellows Program

IV.

Duties & Responsibilities

V.

Fellowship Program Rules

VI.

Guidelines & Submission Checklist

VII.

Fellowship Application

Students Association and the National Bar Association

PURPOSE OF THE NBLSA PRE-LAW FELLOWS PROGRAM The purpose of the fellowship program is to encourage members of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) to foster relationships with students graduating from college in NBLSA’s Pre-Law Division by engaging in substantive section areas as mentors to the Fellows. This will not only cultivate a desire to ascertain practice areas of interest for NBLSA Pre-Law members, but will also create a sense of accountability to the National Black Law Students Association upon graduation from college and acceptance into law school.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION In 1968, Algernon Johnson ("A.J.") Cooper founded the first Black American Law Students Association at the New York University Law School. Today NBLSA is the largest student run organization in the United States with nearly 6,000 members. NBLSA is comprised of chapters and affiliates in six different countries including The Bahamas, Nigeria, and South Africa. Organized into six regions, the organization has over 200 chapters and affiliates and is present in all but a few of the nation's accredited law schools, as well as unaccredited law schools. Notably, NBLSA assisted in the formation of the Black Law Students Association of Canada (BLSAC), the National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA), the National Association of Law Students with Disabilities (NALSD), and the National Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (NAPALSA).

ABOUT THE NBLSA PRE-LAW FELLOWS PROGRAM

The NBLSA Fellows Program provides students with a unique opportunity to gain non-

profit experience and work with NBLSA national and regional leaders. The NBLSA Fellowship is an unpaid, volunteer position designed to help increase NBLSA's impact while offering students pre-law mentorship and an incredible insider experience at the nation's largest student-run organization.

NBLSA Fellows will work directly with NBLSA officers and staff on organizational management and civil justice issues including our voter protection, juvenile and criminal justice, and international relief efforts. The NBLSA Fellows program provides a rewarding nonprofit experience, unparalleled networking opportunities, and meaningful mentorship from students at the nation's best law schools. The NBLSA Fellowship program also gives fellows the opportunity to attend the 45th Annual National Convention in Atlanta, GA from March 6-10, 2013.

NBLSA is looking for self-motivated students who possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, a sincere interest in pursuing a career in law, enthusiasm for NBLSA's mission, and the ability to commit 3-5 hours a week during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Successful candidates will also have a history of community service and experience working in teams.

FELLOWSHIP DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES •

Participate in conference calls, meetings and other programs.

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Assist in organizing meetings, as well as complete research and writing projects.

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Assist in developing and implementing programs that will enhance the pipeline between undergraduate students and NBLSA Pre-Law Division.

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Encourage colleagues to become members of the NBLSA Pre-Law Division.

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Submit three reports throughout the term. Reporting requirements are as follows: o Inception Report due no later than three weeks after appointment §

This report should demonstrate that the Fellow has established the proper contact with the NBLSA Section Chair. In addition, this report should include the Fellow’s understanding of the nature of the fellowship. Finally, this report should state projected goals and targets of the fellowship as well as a timeline for achieving these goals.

o Mid-Term Report due no later than February 1, 2013 §

This report should describe all activities and goals achieved subsequent to the initial contact with the Section Chair.

o End of Term Report due one week prior to end of term §

This report should summarize the fellowship experience including tasks and projects worked on, the status of all assignments, and whether or not the individual has met his or her goals and targets. The report should also serve as a transition document for the incoming Fellow in that particular section. The report should include comments for how to improve the program.

o Each report should be followed up by a conference call or meeting with the respective Section Chair to assess goals, progress, and transition.

FELLOWS PROGRAM GUIDELINES These ground rules outline the protocols that all fellows and team leads are to follow with respect to their interaction during the course of this year’s program.

Purpose and Scope The purpose of the NBLSA Pre-Law Fellows Program is to provide prospective law students with valuable law-related, non-profit experience. It is NBLSA’s sincerest hope that fellows enjoy the work assigned to them by their respective team leaders and grow to develop a mentor/mentee relationship with their direct manager. In order to make our program a mutually-beneficial experience, we ask that both fellows and team leads approach this as an invaluable opportunity to serve NBLSA as we continue along in our professional development as young leaders.

Your Team Leader’s Role and Responsibilities In order to ensure that you maximize your fellowship experience with NBLSA, we hope that our team leaders will assign you new tasks as they arise (but certainly providing no less than two major protects to complete per month). Your workload and responsibilities as a fellow will vary based upon your placement area and the needs of that team leader. Although we expect every team pairing to have a wonderful working relationship, should you encounter any difficulties along the way, or have trouble getting in contact with your team leader at any point, never hesitate to e-mail the Program Director, Tyrone Blackburn, at internalchiefofstaff@nblsa.org requesting help.

Communication Guidelines Each fellow will be granted access to an official NBLSA e-mail address. Every fellow should check their NBLSA account daily. If you have a smartphone, we ask that you please add your NBLSA address to that device to ensure the timely receipt of all NBLSA correspondence.

Please take care to respond to all e-mails within 48 hours of receipt - even if just to say that a thorough response requires additional time.

Completion of Assignments In order to best manage expectations, should you find yourself unable to stick to your team leader’s timeline for the completion of a particular project, please work with your direct manager to create a revised schedule that works well for both parties. Your bi-weekly update report should reflect all assignments that you are working on, or have completed, indicating their proper status either as pending or complete.

Bi-Weekly Update Form In order to track your progress during your fellowship, we kindly ask that you submit bi-weekly update reports to your team leader (according to a schedule set by your respective leaders).

Please copy Tyrone Blackburn on all update reports sent to your direct manager, as he will use this information to ensure that each fellow receives substantive assignments that are qualitatively and quantitatively comparable to that of your classmates. Should you have any trouble submitting an update on time, please notify your team leader as soon as possible

(providing at least 48 hours advance notice).

NBLSA’s standard expectations of professionalism and respect remain in effect. Thank you in advance for your strict adherence to these guidelines!

Submission Checklist Submit your application online at http://www.nblsa.org/fellows/ Candidate Requirements: ¨ NBLSA Pre-Law Member ¨ Undergraduate Student with an interest in law Application Requirements: o Cover Letter o A Letter of Good Standing from your undergraduate institution o Resume Application Process: Fall 2012 September 1: Application Disseminated September 23: Applications Due September 24 – 30: Interview Period October 1 – 5: Notification and Placement October 8: Start of Term

2012-2013 NBLSA Pre-Law Fellows Application Please follow the link and apply online: https://nblsa20112012.wufoo.com/forms/nblsa-fellows-program-20122013-application/