2020 Resolutions and Elections

Deadline: July 1, 2020

As a democratic organization, the work and focus of the Guild is decided by our members. Each year at the convention, we hold plenaries in which members discuss programmatic priorities, often in the form of resolutions. We also update our governing documents, our bylaws and constitution, and elect new officers to serve on the NLG National Executive Committee.

This year, the NLG #LawforthePeople Convention will be held digitally from September 21-October 4 (with no programming on Monday, Sept. 28th in observance of Yom Kippur). The plenaries will also be held digitally during that time period. All voting will take place after the convention.

This is the first call for resolution proposals and candidates.

NOTE: Proposing resolutions and amendments is open to NLG members only. To join the NLG, visit nlg.org/join.

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/about/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/about/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 June 30, 2020 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 present and speak on behalf of the amendment or resolution at the digital plenary. If they will not be present, proponents should notify the Resolutions Committee and appoint an alternate delegate to present and answer questions during the plenary.

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

2020 Elected Office Positions

In 2020, the following offices are up for election:

President (Elect)

  • President is a three-year position and the term will end at the 2023 convention. During the first year of the term, the President-Elect will work with the current President. This position is responsible for fundraising, leading major initiatives and projects of the NLG, and chairing the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Executive Council (EC). See the President Description for more details. 

Vice-President

  • Vice-President is a three-year position and the term will end at the 2023 convention. This position supports the President in the work of fundraising, leading major initiatives and projects of the NLG, and facilitating the work of the National Executive Committee (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 September 1, 2020 Midnight (Pacific Standard Time) and may also email a statement to resolutions@nlg.org for inclusion in the plenary slide-show. 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 2020 Proponents & Candidates

May 15, 2020

  • Publicity begins for call for proposals & candidates

June 30, 2020 (Midnight Pacific Time)

  • Firm deadline to Submit Proposed resolutions & bylaw & constitutional amendments.
  • No extensions will be granted. Please submit early.

July 30, 2020

  • Deadline for Resolutions Committee’s initial response to proponent.

August 15, 2020

  • 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.

September 1, 2020

  • 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.

September 20, 2020

  • Deadline to submit emergency resolutions (24 hours before convention begins)

October 10, 2020

  • Online voting begins

December 10, 2020

  • Online voting closes; results will be posted after the holiday

 

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