2004 Western Region Convention Information

Announcement | Information | Registration

Important Dates

§ Hotel arrangements must be made by January 16, 2004.
§ Convention registrations are due by January 12, 2004. 
§ Late Registrations are due no later than January 31, 2004. A late fee will be assessed.

Convention Packet Contents

-Click here to download the 2004 Convention Packet. 

 

I. General Registration Information

§ Delegates, General Information
§ Delegate Registration
§ Attendee Registration
§ Competitor and Coach Registration

II. Travel & Hotel Arrangements

§ Hotel Reservations
§ Air Transportation
§ Ground Transportation

III. Tentative Convention Schedule

IV. Chapter Delegates Form

V. Free Delegate Registration Form

VI. Attendee Registration Form

Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your Western Region Convention Coordinator, Cheryl Marie Lott at (310) 672-3468 or lott2004@lawnet.ucla.edu.

Welcome

2004 Western Region Convention Information

July 20, 2003

Greetings on behalf of the 2003-04 National Black Law Students Association, Western Region (NBLSA-WR) Executive Board! There are many important issues facing the Black community, and Black law students should be at the forefront of community education and activism. Unified Black law students are more empowered to create and implement an agenda and NBLSA-WR can provide the necessary forum and resources. However, we need your help to achieve this goal. We hope that you will embark upon this journey to unity and success with us.

The Western Region is comprised of fifty-three chapters in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. We have the potential to be one of the strongest of the six NBLSA regions. Unfortunately, a mere eight out of fifty-three local chapters were active during the 2002-03 academic year. Additionally, of the fifty-three, only two participated in the moot court and mock trial competitions. Unfortunately, Black students in NBLSA-WR are not reaping the benefits that greater involvement in this organization would bring to current and future Black law students, as well as the Black community as a whole. We earnestly want to work on raising the level of participation in the upcoming year.

If you would like more information about NBLSA, please visit www.nblsa.org. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at western@nblsa.org. We look forward to working with you in the coming year to ensure the success of all Black law students in the Western Region.

Peace and Unity,

Jamon Hicks
Director, NBLSA-Western Region

History

The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) is a national organization created and designed to articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of Black law students; to foster and encourage professional competence; to focus upon the relationship of the Black attorney to the American legal system; to instill in the Black attorney and law student a greater awareness of and commitment to the needs of the Black community; to utilize their expertise to initiate a change within the legal system that will make it more responsive to the needs and concerns of the Black community; to do any and all things necessary and lawful for the accomplishment of these goals.

Mission

The Western Regional Black Law Students Association is a subsidiary of the National Black Law Students Association. We are comprised of three sub-regions which total seven states and 53 law schools. These regions include:

• Northern Sub-region (Northern CA, Nevada)
• Southern Sub-region (Southern CA, Arizona)
  
• Northwestern Sub-region (Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon)

Our Purpose: The Western Region of the National Black Law Students Association strives to achieve the following:

1. Promote a more balanced and perfect union among all law students within our region;
2. Assist in the matriculation of BLSA members at their respective educational institutions; and,
3. Enhance the social, intellectual and educational opportunities of WBLSA, and the community-at-large.

Goals:
Our goals for the 2002 - 2003 school year include:

1. Breaking away some of the apathy that chapters have toward NBLSA and reconnecting the chapters to both NBLSA and WBLSA.
2. Creating a sense of community and uniting our sub-regions by having various events to connect schools in the sub-regions.
3. Helping chapters ensure that first-year law students make it successfully through their first and most critical year of law school.
4. Having successful and well-organized regional events, to include the regional convention, job fairs, moot court competitions, etc...
5. Keeping chapters up to date with Regional BLSA events and NBLSA events.

Constitution

The 2003-2004 Western Region Constitution, including amendments from the 2002 Convention, contains important information regarding membership, board duties and responsibilities and regional goals.

1. PREAMBLE
   1. We the Black law students of the Western Region, descendants of kings and queens, slaves, immigrants and pioneers, daughters and sons of the survivors of the Black experience, come together within the Black Law Students Association bound by the common thread of having made it thus far under the watchful eyes of The Creator.
      
      We will succeed in law school and we will remain true to our calling - to give back to the communities that have influenced our lives and supported our endeavors. The circumstances we have come from - the ebb and flow of struggle and hope and setback and triumph are as real as the distance we have yet to go.
      
      We will stand by each other through the lessons of law and the lessons of life. Though small in numbers, we will continue to be encouraged, for our strength lies in our unity.
      
      In order to promote the general welfare of Black law students, to celebrate our oneness, to sustain and govern ourselves, and to shape the future of Black; law students with our own hands, we do ordain and honorably uphold this Constitution for the Black Law Students Association Western Region.
2. ARTICLE I: NAME AND AUTHORITY
   1. SECTION 1
      1. NAME: This association shall be known as the Western Region of the National Black Law Students Association, Inc. (Hereinafter referred to as the Region).
      2. AUTHORITY: This constitution regulates the chapters in the Region, Regional Staff and the Regional Board. It is the intent of this instrument to guide the Region and to supplement the purpose, duties and rights stated in the National Constitution.
3. ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
   1. The purpose of the Region shall be to provide Black law students a forum for expressing their unique needs and concerns; to provide a regional support mechanism for local chapter problems; to provide a Black united front; to develop future Black leadership; to keep the lines of communication between Black law students and the Black community open; and to utilize the collective resources of the member chapters to effectuate the goals of the National Black Law Students Association BLSA as expressed in Article II of the National Constitution.
4. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
   1. SECTION 1
      1. COMPOSITION: The Region shall be composed of the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, the state of Washington and any other state so designated by the National body. The Region shall have the following Sub-Regions:
         1. a. Sub-Region No. 1: Alaska, Washington and Oregon
         2. b. Sub-Region No. 2: Reno, Nevada, Northern California and Hawaii
         3. c. Sub-Region No. 3: Southern California, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
   2. SECTION 2
      1. MEMBERSHIP:
         1. SUBSECTION 1: Eligibility for Membership
            1. General Membership shall consist of all matriculated Black law students at an American member law school or of an at large chapter.
         2. SUBSECTION 2: Classification of Membership
            1. a. Active membership shall consist of all member chapters that have fulfilled the payment of dues for that fiscal year, which entitles them to all rights and privileges of the Association defined herein.
            2. b. Inactive membership shall consist of any chapter that does not fulfill the dues requirement.
            3. c. Associate membership of this Association shall be limited to Black law graduates and designed members of associated organizations.
            4. d. Honorary membership may be extended to any person nominated by the General membership and approved by majority vote of the general assembly.
            5. e. Individual membership: For the purpose of voting, running for office and participation in the Frederick Douglas Moot Court competition, an individual member is any Black law student matriculating at a law school in the Region, and who is in good standing with his or her active chapter.
   3. SECTION 3
      1. RIGHTS:
         1. a. Active membership: Active chapters shall have the right to vote, and have their eligible members run for national or regional offices.
         2. b. Honorary members may attend BLSA meetings and participate in all BLSA programs.
         3. c. Inactive members may attend meetings and programs of the Region, but may not vote.
   4. SECTION 4
      1. DUTIES:
         1. a. Each chapter must regularly participate in the activities of the Region.
         2. b. Each chapter must pay regional dues.
         3. c. Each chapter must send a representative to all sub-regional meetings.
         4. d. Each chapter must provide a liaison with the Regional Newsletter Editor.
         5. e. Each chapter must send a delegate to participate in the Plenary Sessions at the Regional Conference.
         6. f. Failure to carry out chapter duties will result in members loss of privilege to participate in the Frederick Douglas Moot Court Competition, and loss of members privilege of free participation in any NBLSA sponsored Job Fairs.
         7. g. Failure of a chapter to send a delegate to the Regional convention and to the first Sub-Regional round-table of each semester will result in loss of members privilege of free participation in any NBLSA sponsored Job Fairs, for the calendar year.
         8. h. Each chapter must participate in a recognized community service activity in the 12 months preceding the regional job fair. Failure of a chapter to do so will result in loss of members privilege of participation in the job fair. Chapters chartered within the 12 months preceding the job fair are exempted from this requirement.
5. ARTICLE IV: REGIONAL CONFERENCE
   1. SECTION 1
      1. TIME AND MANNER OF OPERATION: The Regional Conference shall be the only mandatory conference. This conference shall occur no sooner than February 1 and no later that the first weekend in March, excluding holidays.
         1. a. The following shall be mandatory programs for the Regional Conference: Frederick Douglas Moot Court competition, the Regional Business Meeting, and Community Service Project.
         2. b. Elections shall occur at the Regional Conference.
   2. SECTION 2
      1. ROTATION OF THE CONFERENCE: The location of the Regional Conference will be based on the following rotation schedule:
         1. (a) Northwestern
         2. (b) Northern
         3. (c) Southern
      2. and, if due to extremely extenuating circumstances, a sub-region is unable to host the Conference at its prescribed time, the choice of Regional Conference site shall be made by the Regional Executive Board. Date of implementation effective immediately.
6. ARTICLE V: REGIONAL BOARD
   1. SECTION 1
      1. COMPOSITION: The board shall be composed of the following:

         one (1) Regional Director,

         one (1) Executive Director,

         three (3) Sub-Regional Directors,

         one (1) Treasurer,

         one (1) Secretary,

         one (1) Academic Coordinator,

         one (1) Convention Coordinator,

         one (1) Moot Court Coordinator,

         one (1) Community Service Director, and

         one (1) Fundraising Director.

      2. a. Each Sub-Regional director shall come from separate sub-regions.
   2. SECTION 2
      1. POWERS OF THE BOARD: The Board shall have the power to administer any and all programs, business, projects, and matters pertaining to or concerning the Region.
         1. a. The Board shall have the power to create such staff positions and such committees as it deems necessary to carry out the business of the Region. Such staff persons and committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the Regional Chairperson from the active membership subject to the approval of the Board.
         2. b. Any decision of the Board shall be made at a duly called meeting at which there is a quorum.
   3. SECTION 3
      1. DUTIES: Regional Board Members must attend each Regional Board Meeting. If a member is unable to attend, he or she must submit a typewritten report to be received 48 hours before the meeting and submit a typewritten report to each Regional Board member.
   4. SECTION 4
      1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Regional Board Members shall be elected by a majority of the voting delegates at the Regional conference. Such election will be coordinated by a Regional Elections Committee, and must occur at the Regional Conference.
   5. SECTION 5
      1. TERM: The officer shall serve in office for a term of one (1) year commencing May 1 and terminating April 30 of the following year.
7. ARTICLE VI: VOTING
   1. SECTION 1
      1. APPORTIONMENT: Each chapter in active standing shall have votes in accordance with the National Black Law Students Association Constitution. Therefore, the number of votes a chapter has in regional matters will be the same as the number of votes that chapter receives at national convention.
   2. SECTION 2
      1. PROXY: Each chapter giving its proxy must comply with the following provisions:
         1. a. The chapter must have previously registered for the Regional Conference.
         2. b. The chapter must present a written proxy to be certified by the Regional Secretary.
8. ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS
   1. SECTION 1
      1. ADOPTION: The Constitution and By-Laws of this Region shall be adopted by a simple majority of the active chapter delegates present at the plenary sessions during the Regional Conference and shall be effective immediately.
   2. SECTION 2
      1. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS: Additions and/or repeals to this constitution require a three-fourth (3/4) vote of the active chapter delegates present at the plenary session during the Regional Conference, and becomes effective immediately.
   3. SECTION 3
      1. BY-LAW AMENDMENTS: Additions and/or repeals to these by-laws may be made by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active chapter delegates present effective immediately.
9. ARTICLE VIII: RESIGNATION AND IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS
   1. SECTION 1
      1. RESIGNATION PROCEDURE: A Board member may resign from the Regional Board by submitting a formal letter of resignation to the Regional Director. The letter of the resignation must be presented at the subsequent Board Meeting, and accepted by the entire Board by a majority vote.
   2. SECTION 2
      1. IMPEACHMENT GROUNDS: Failure to perform the duties of office as prescribed in this Constitution and By-Laws or conduct detrimental to the well-being of the Region shall constitute grounds for impeachment. Any voting Board member may initiate proceedings.
   3. SECTION 3
      1. IMPEACHMENT NOTIFICATION: Any Board member subject to impeachment shall be notified by certified letter, at least two weeks prior to the subsequent Regional Board meeting.
         1. a. The reasons for the dismissal from the Board must be set out in the letter.
         2. b. All voting Board members and active chapters must receive a copy of the letter.
   4. SECTION 4
      1. IMPEACHMENT HEARING: Any Board member subject to impeachment is allowed a full hearing before the entire Regional Board and the representatives of active chapters, in an open meeting, wherein:
         1. a. The matter is to be discussed between that member and the remaining Board members and the representative of the active chapters that choose to attend the discussion, prior to any impeachment vote by the remaining Board members.
   5. SECTION 5
      1. IMPEACHMENT VOTE: A Board member can only be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the eligible voting members of the Regional Board.
   6. SECTION 6
      1. REGIONAL DIRECTOR IMPEACHMENT: The Regional Director may be impeached by the Western Regional Executive Board in accordance with Sections 1-5 of this Article V. The Regional Director may also be impeached according to the National BLSA Constitution and Bylaws. If the Regional Director is impeached from the National Executive Board, the Regional Director is also thereby immediately removed from the Western Region Executive Board and the Executive Director shall become the Regional Director.

2004 Western Region Convention Announcement

Announcement | Information | Registration

THE WESTERN REGION OF THE
NATIONAL BLACK LAW STUDENTS
ASSOCIATION

proudly presents the

2004 Western Region Convention

February 12-15, 2004
at the Orleans Hotel and Casino
in Las Vegas, NV

Come join your fellow Black law students from all over the Western Region.
Our schedule of events promises to enhance your career development, and inspire your mind!

By-Laws

1. ARTICLE I: OFFICERS
   1. SECTION 1
      1. DUTIES:
         1. a. DIRECTOR: The Regional Director shall be responsible for:
            1. 1. disseminating national and regional information throughout the Region
            2. 2. assisting the National Board with implementing projects on a regional level
            3. 3. representing the Region at relevant conferences and meetings that occur within the Region, or outside of the Region if the conferences or meeting will benefit the Region,
            4. 4. attending the National Board meetings, and
            5. 5. exercising general executive authority over the business and activities of the Region.
         2. b. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The Executive Director shall be responsible for:
            1. 1. serving as Vice-Director of the Region
            2. 2. assisting the Regional Director in carrying out the management of the board and the Region
            3. 3. assisting the rest of the Regional Executive Board members in carrying out their jobs,
            4. 4. maintaining a regional webpage to be updated as needed, and
            5. 5. publishing a regional newsletter concerning the activities of the Region two times per semester: in the Fall Semester two before December; in the Spring Semester two before May
         3. c. SUB-REGIONAL DIRECTORS: The Sub-Regional Directors shall be responsible for:
            1. 1. coordinating Job Fairs and Recruitment programs in their Sub-Region,
            2. 2. maintaining contact with chapters in their Sub-Region,
            3. 3. doing other assignments reasonably requested by the Regional Board, and
            4. 4. organizing Round Table meetings consisting of a representative of every chapter in the Sub-Region. Such Round Table meetings shall be conducted at least twice per semester year, once in early Fall and once in early Spring.
            5. 5. organizing an annual statistical report of the Regional Job Faire inclusive of but not limited to:
               1. a) call backs
               2. b) number of offers made
               3. c) number of positions accepted
               4. d) number of times firm/organizations have participated in BLSA job fairs, and
            6. 6. disseminating the report to all Regional Chapters in the Region prior to the first job faire of the year.
         4. d. TREASURER: The Treasurer shall be responsible for:
            1. 1. collecting regional dues,
            2. 2. collecting registration fees at the spring Conference and
            3. 3. submitting Regional budget for the year at the first regularly scheduled Board meeting, to include:
               1. a) statement of account balances
               2. b) statement of unpaid bills with explanation
               3. c) statement of transfers between accounts
               4. d) detailed account of how all funds were used, and,
               5. e) detailed account of all anticipated expenses based on future program needs, history, and accounting for emergencies
            4. 4. disseminating a full financial report to the Board and the Body twice a semester. At least one report shall be distributed following the job fairs and one following the Regional Conference, and
            5. 5. a financial report of the money in the Regional Treasury shall be made by the Treasurer to the Assembly at the Regional Conference.
         5. e. SECRETARY: The Secretary shall be responsible for:
            1. 1. maintaining a current list of chapter chairpersons in the Region,
            2. 2. maintaining a list of law schools in the Region,
            3. 3. taking minutes at the Business Meetings,
            4. 4. doing any correspondence reasonably requested by the Director, and
            5. 5. disseminating full and complete copy of the revised Constitution and By-Laws, including an attachment of any and all proposed amendments and resolutions made during the Western Region conference, to all the Western Regional law schools no later than September 15 of the new academic year.
            6. 6. Disseminate a summary of business meeting minutes as approved by the Board to Sub-Regional Directors for further dissemination.
         6. f. COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTOR: The Community Services Director shall be responsible for:
            1. 1. developing and implementing community projects consistent with Regional and National resolutions.
            2. 2. coordinating and executing the Regional Conference Community Service Project.
            3. 3. designating and coordinating one community service project in each subregion each academic year
         7. g. MOOT COURT COORDINATOR: The Moot Court Coordinator shall be responsible for:
            1. 1. administering the Regional level of the National Frederick Douglas Moot Court Competition (specifically):
            2. 2. receiving team entry forms and forwarding to the National BLSA Vice-Chairperson entry fees;
            3. 3. sending to teams confirmation of entry into the competition, the problem, team side assignment and FDMCC Rules and Procedures;
            4. 4. preparing an Organizational Plan;
            5. 5. coordinating with the on-site Moot Court Committee the acquisition of brief graders and oral argument judges;
            6. 6. pairing of teams for the preliminary rounds, both on and off brief;
            7. 7. send opposing sides brief to paired teams;
            8. 8. communicating with the National BLSA Vice Chairperson, Regional Director, on-site Moot Court Committee and teams regarding moot court activities;
            9. 9. tabulation of brief scores and oral argument scores, posting of same;
            10. 10. if unable to adequately settle a conflict, forward the conflict to the Grievance Committee;
            11. 11. present awards at the awards dinner; and
            12. 12. handle any other matters pertaining to the competition.
         8. h. ACADEMIC COORDINATOR: The Academic Director shall be responsible for:
            1. 1. Coordinating Academic Retreats each semester.
         9. i. CONVENTION COORDINATOR: The Convention Coordinator, in conjunction with the entire Western Regional Executive Board, shall be responsible for all facets of convention coordination including, but not limited to:
            1. 1. convention site selection
            2. 2. event scheduling
            3. 3. panel and guest speaker acquisition
            4. 4. hotel and travel arrangements and
            5. 5. all other duties necessary to execute the regional convention.
         10. j. FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR: The Director of Funding shall be responsible for:
             1. 1. Soliciting funding from corporate and other secondary sources in the form of sponsorship and tax deductible gifts to BLSA including, but not limited to mass mailing
             2. 2. Organizing a fundraising event to be approved by the board
   2. SECTION 2
      1. SUCCESSION: In the event that the Regional Director is unable to complete a term of office, the Regional Board shall elect a new Director from the three Sub-Regional Directors.
2. ARTICLE II: MEETINGS
   1. SECTION 1
      1. REGIONAL BOARD MEETINGS: There shall be at least three (3) Regional Board meetings per year. There must be one (1) Regional Board meeting in each Sub-Region.
   2. SECTION 2
      1. SUB-REGIONAL MEETING: Each Sub-Region must have at least two Round tables per semester. At least one round table must occur in Fall, and early Spring.
   3. SECTION 3
      1. REGIONAL CONFERENCE: At the beginning of the conference, the Regional Director shall have a roll-call of delegates. At the conclusion of the conference, a list of names of those in attendance shall be circulated to the chapters in the Region; this must be done within ten (10) days.
3. ARTICLE III: DUES
   1. SECTION 1
      1. ASSESSMENT: Each chapter must pay regional and national dues to the National Treasurer in accordance with NBLSA Constitution to be in good standing. The Regional Director and Treasurer shall determine the regional dues amount to be charged the Western Region Chapters. No chapter shall pay more than three hundred dollars ($300) in regional dues (not including late fees).
   2. SECTION 2
      1. DEADLINES: Dues for the academic year shall be payable in accordance with deadlines of the National Constitution.
   3. SECTION 3
      1. CORRESPONDENCE WITH CHAPTERS: The Board shall distribute a letter to every chapter in the region, providing the Chapters with a general statement of how the regional dues are allocated.
4. ARTICLE IV: FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
   1. SECTION 1
      1. EXPENSES: The Region shall be responsible for covering the expenses (including travel as defined in Section 2, paragraph of this article) reasonably incurred by the Director in representing the Region, provided:
         1. a. expenses cannot amount to over one-third (1/3) of the total budget.
         2. b. alternative forms of support must have been sought.
         3. c. the Regional Board must approve (simple majority).
   2. SECTION 2
      1. TRAVEL:
         1. a. The Region shall pay reasonable airfare and hotel for attendance at mandatory national board meetings for the Regional Director.
         2. b. The regional travel expenses of the Board and the Director may be reimbursed pro-rata upon determination of the regional convention delegates after review of the Treasurers report.
   3. SECTION 3
      1. BANK ACCOUNT: The treasurer and the director must maintain a dual signature account.
5. ARTICLE V: AWARDS
   1. SECTION 1
      1. NOMINATIONS: At the Spring Conference, the Director shall nominate members to receive Regional awards. Individuals receiving awards must have shown a commitment to advancing the interests of the Region.
   2. SECTION 2
      1. RECIPIENTS: Chapter Chairpersons/Presidents shall receive an award, providing the Chairperson/President has shown an interest in advancing the interests of the Region.

Executive Board

The 2003-2004 Executive Board is honored to serve you this term. Please feel free to contact any of us at the e-mail addresses provided below.

Officer Descriptions

Membership Information

Membership in NBLSA is attained through law school chapters. Members must pay dues set by their chapter. For more information, please contact your school's BLSA President. If your school does not have a BLSA chapter, and you are interested in establishing one, please Contact Us.

2003-4 Chapter Dues

Each school's BLSA chapter must pay annual dues in order to be recognized by National and Regional BLSA. National and Regional dues are based upon the number of members in a chapter.

Each chapter should establish the dues they will require their members to pay based upon the amount due to National and Regional, and/or their individual chapter's budgetary needs for the school year.

All dues are paid to National, who then distributes funds to the Regions. All dues forms and checks must be postmarked by October 15 to avoid mandatory 10% late fees. There is an appeals process for instances in which your chapter is unable to pay dues.

For the 2003-4 dues structure and dues mailing information, click here to visit the NBLSA Treasurer. For more information regarding dues, please contact the Western Region Treasurer.

Announcements

July 21, 2003
The Annual Vice Chair Meeting will be held from August 22-23 in Boston, MA.

July 14, 2003
FDMCC 2003 winners from the Northeast and Southern regions, contact the National Vice-Chair.

July 3, 2003
Watch Mishonda Baldwin on C-Span in March defending Affirmative Action.

Distribution Materials

• 2004 NBLSA Western Region Convention Packet (.doc file)

Links

Charles Houston Bar Association

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

National Bar Association

National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA)

Sponsors

The Western Region would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of our organization and programs. If your organization is interested in learning how it can help further the goals of the NBLSA-WR, please contact our Western Region Fundraising Director, Rachel Anderson, for more details.