As a democratic organization, the work and focus of the Guild is decided by our members. Each year at the convention, we hold two plenaries in which members discuss programmatic priorities, often in the form of resolutions. We also update our governing documents, our bylaws and constitution. This year, the NLG #LawforthePeople Convention will be held in Durham, NC from October 16-20. Plenary 1 will be held Friday October 18th, and Plenary 2 will be held Saturday October 19th. All voting will take place after the convention.
Information For Proponents
What are Amendments and Resolutions?
Amendments
- The membership has updated the constitution, originally adopted in 1937, at many conventions. The current constitution and bylaws are available here: nlg.org/members-only/bylaws-and-resolutions/
- Amendments can be made to either our constitution or our bylaws.
Resolutions
- Resolutions are an opportunity for our membership to propose and agree on statements of programmatic priorities for our organization and to take stances on various issues.
- Examples of resolutions here: nlg.org/members-only/bylaws-and-resolutions/
Emergency Resolutions
- Emergency resolutions are resolutions based on events that take place after the initial sixty-day deadline, and up to twenty-four hours prior to the voting plenary. The twenty-four hour deadline may be waived in the event that an emergency resolution is non-controversial as determined by the Resolutions Committee and confirmed by the actual vote. Emergency resolutions must comply with all resolution requirements not related to timeliness.
For more information on Resolutions, Constitution and Bylaws Amendments, see the NLG Bylaws, Section 8.4.
Process for Submitting Proposals
Email Submission
- Proposed resolutions, bylaws amendments, and constitutional amendments must be emailed in attachment form by July 15, 2019 Midnight (Pacific Standard Time). Late submissions will not be accepted.
- Early submission of resolutions, bylaw amendments and constitutional amendments is encouraged, as resolutions often require edits to be made for submissions to be in full accordance with the procedural requirements.
- Emails should be addressed to resolutions@nlg.org
Procedural Requirements (Please read carefully!)
The attachment with the proposed resolution or amendment must:
- On its face include the name and contact information of the person submitting the resolution or amendment. This ensures members can contact the proponent before and during the convention.
- Contain a specific and explicit implementation clause indicating what individuals or entities will do the work of implementing the resolution (i.e. the Resolutions Committee, the National Office, a local chapter, etc.). Per an amendment approved at the 2014 convention, proponents are only required to have attempted to obtain consent of those tasked with implementing the resolution. If any person or entity is tasked with implementing the resolution, the face of the resolution must indicate that the proponent has contacted such persons or entities before submitting the resolution. Proposal must indicate if 1) proponent has the consent of all persons obligated, 2) that consent was denied, 3) that consultation was impractical and why, or 4) that approval was requested but was not granted or denied.
- Not exceed 3 pages, 12-point font, including endorsing entities or names. Shorter proposals are encouraged. Endorsing names and entities must be included within the 3-page limit.
- Proposal must include the name and contact information of the person who will present the proposal in the two plenaries.
- Any submission that has been denied for lack of obtaining explicit agreement of a tasked entity or individual to implement the resolution or amendment may be appealed to the Executive Council of the NEC by contacting Elena Cohen at president@nlg.org.
All primary proponents should plan to be in attendance at both the plenaries, and be ready to present and speak on behalf of the amendment or resolution in front of the plenary. If they will not be present, proponents should notify the Resolutions Committee and appoint an alternate delegate to present and answer questions during both plenaries.
Note: Amendments from the floor are not accepted, so people objecting to proposals should speak with proponents well in advance of the plenaries to see if they are willing to amend their own proposals before they come to the plenary floor.
Information For Candidates for Elected National Office
2019 Elected Office Positions
In 2019, the following offices are up for election:
Secretary
- Secretary is a new position created last year by Constitutional Amendment. It is a three-year position and the term will end at the 2022 convention. This position is responsible for recording and sharing the institutional knowledge of the organization, and participating on the National Executive Council (NEC) and Executive Council (EC).
Unopposed elections: If candidates are unopposed, they are elected by acclamation at the plenary.
Contested elections: If the election is contested, it will go to a ballot of the entire current membership.
Publicity & Plenary Participation
Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit candidate statements of 500 words or less as soon as possible to the National Office at traci@nlg.org, for publication on the website, before October 1, 2019 Midnight (Pacific Standard Time) and may also email a statement to resolutions@nlg.org for inclusion in the plenary slide-show. Candidates must be present throughout both plenaries. Candidates will be given two to three minutes to address the plenary, and may be required to speak either or both days. Candidates may use this time any way they like, and may allot part or all of this time for others to speak on their behalf.
Information for Candidates for Non-Elected or Non-National Positions
Candidates for national office which are selected by caucuses, regions, projects, task forces, or committees (e.g., National Law Student Vice President, National Legal Worker Vice President, Regional Vice Presidents, representatives from the United People of Color Caucus, and representatives from up to ten NLG projects and national committees) should refer to their respective entities for procedures and available offices.
Important Dates For 2019 Proponents & Candidates
May 8, 2019
- Publicity begins for call for proposals & candidates
July 15, 2019 (Midnight Pacific Time)
- Firm deadline to Submit Proposed resolutions & bylaw & constitutional amendments.
- No extensions will be granted. Please submit early.
July 30, 2019
- Deadline for Resolutions Committee’s initial response to proponent.
August 6, 2019
- Deadline for proponent to complete procedural compliance (if needed).
- Deadline for Members to suggest friendly amendments to proposals (no revisions are accepted on the plenary floor)
- Members contact proponent, if proponent agrees to changes, proponent re-submits to Resolutions Committee.
August 10, 2019 (Midnight Pacific Time)
- Proposals will be posted on NLG Website
October 1, 2019
- Deadline for candidates to submit statements for inclusion on the NLG website.
- Final proposed resolutions and bylaw amendments will be placed on the NLG website.
Thursday, October 17, 2019
- Deadline to submit emergency resolutions (24 hours before the first plenary)
Friday, October 18, 2019
- Plenary 1: Candidacy declaration deadline, candidates introduction, proposals.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
- Plenary 2: Proposals, curated Guild conversation.
October 25, 2019
- Online voting begins
December 31, 2019
- Online voting closes; results will be posted after the holiday
