Preamble

The goal of the Law Association for Women is to create a forum for discussing issues that are relevant to women in the field of law and, cognizant of past discriminations that prevented women from participating equally in the legal profession, take steps toward overcoming any residual barriers to full equality within the field of law.

The Law Association for Women seeks to assist its members in excelling in their law school pursuits, and to this end shall offer advice, assistance, tips, and guidance whenever feasible in relation to law school exams, skills competitions, and any other endeavors related to the pursuit of a J.D. or legal job.

CONSTITUTION

Article I - Composition of the Law Association for Women

A. The executive board of the Law Association for Women shall be comprised of two Co-Presidents, a Vice-President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Community Services Liaison, a Publicity Chair, an Alumni Chair and a Social Chair.

B. Elections for all positions except Publicity/Alumni Chair(s) and Social Chair shall be held each April to fill the positions for the following academic year.

1. Candidates may nominate themselves, or be nominated by another member.

2. If nominated by another member, nominees must accept their nominations before their names may be placed on the ballot.

3. An election shall be announced with at least one week's advance notice.

4. Elections shall be deemed valid if

a. At least twenty members vote, and
b. The winning candidate(s) win(s) by at least two votes.

5. Publicity/Alumni Chair(s) and Social Chair shall be elected within one week of the first General Body Meeting of the academic year.

a. First year law students may run for these positions.

6. If there is no competition for the positions discussed in the proceeding subsection, an election shall not be held; instead, the members who wish to fill those positions shall be appointed by the executive board.

C. Officers shall hold their positions for a one-year term, from April of the year in which they are elected, until April of the following year.

D. Any student of the George Washington University Law School may become a member of the Law Association for Women. The only requisites are:

1. Concern for the status of women or issues/events that traditionally affect women;

2. Payment of the $10.00 membership dues; and

3. Attendance at no less than one Law Association for Women event per semester.

Only those who fulfill the aforementioned three requisites are permitted to represent themselves, on their resumes or otherwise, as members of the Law Association for Women.
The use of feminine pronouns in this document shall not be construed to deny membership to males who satisfy all of the requirements of membership.

Article II - Duties of Office

A. The Co-Presidents shall share in the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Plan and facilitate meetings, and

2. Facilitate the planning of all other events, and

3. Oversee all other executive board members, and

4. Act as liaison between the Association and the Administration, and

5. Handle all other administrative needs, including but not limited to writing thank you notes on behalf of the Association, and sending out emails to keep members informed of recent or upcoming events.

B. The Vice-President shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Assist the Co-Presidents in their duties, especially those listed in Article II.A.1 and 2, and

2. Oversee the publicity chair, and

3. Determine the academic needs of members.

a. Among other things, the responsibility listed in subsection 3 entails obtaining and making available to all members class outlines from past years.

C. The Treasurer shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Collect dues from members and give receipts within a week of receipt of payment, and

2. Maintain an updated list of all paying members, through coordination with the Secretary, and

3. Monitor the Law Association for Women's budget, and

4. Facilitate the reimbursement process as well as the solicitation of ad-hoc funds, and

5. Attend SBA meetings and keep the Executive Board informed as to developments in SBA policy, etc.

D. The Secretary shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Update the Law Association for Women listserv, and

2. Maintain the Law Association for Women webpage, and

3. Keep track of attendance at Law Association for Women events, and

4. Maintain an updated list of all paying members, through coordination with the Treasurer.

E. The Community Services Liaison shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Plan and organize at least one community service event per semester, and

2. Encourage members to participate in said events, and

3. Coordinate with the CDO in order to include Pro Bono Program participants in said events whenever possible, and

4. Assist the Alumni Chair and Co-Presidents with organizing Belva Lockwood Week.

F. The Publicity Chair shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Publicize all Law Association for Women meetings and events by posting flyers throughout the law school, and

2. Write articles or advertisements for the Nota Bene, Noteworthy, or other law school publications, when appropriate.

G. The Social Chair shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Help the Co-Presidents plan events, and

2. Arrange for food and catering when necessary, and

3. Assist in setting up for meetings when necessary, and

4. Receive RAM training through the SBA and the George Washington University.

H. The Alumni Chair shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Contact GW Alumni and the Alumni Relations Office in order to find candidates for the Belva Lockwood Award and Women in the Round, and

2. Organize a committee to choose the Belva Lockwood Award recipient.

All members of the executive board are responsible for attending up to two executive board meetings per month, as well as attending all general body meetings. In addition, the entire executive board shall give suggestions regarding the timing of meetings and shall assist in planning events. The entire executive board shall assist in the execution of events and meetings.

Article III - Removal From Office

A. An officer shall only be removed from office if:

1. A member (as defined in Article I.D.) requests that a vote be called for the officer's removal; and

2. At least two other members agree that such a vote should be called; and

3. Once a vote is called (within one week of the fulfillment of the previous two subsections of this Article), at least two-thirds of all members vote that the officer should be removed.

B. If an officer is removed according to the process described in the proceeding section,

1. All members must be informed immediately of the vacancy; and

2. Any member may nominate herself or another member to fill the vacant position; all nominations that receive a second motion shall be added to a list of candidates; and

3. An election, open to all members, must be held within one week of the office becoming vacant; and

4. Whichever candidate receives the most votes shall replace the removed officer, as long as she receives at least two more votes than the candidate with the second highest number of votes.

An election will be deemed valid if the four preceding regulations are followed, even if only one candidate's name was placed on the ballot. And, a write-in candidate may win the election if she receives the highest number of votes.

Article IV - Meetings

A. The Co-Presidents, with the assistance of the executive board, shall determine a time and day when as many members as possible are available (according to their class schedule) to attend a meeting.

1. Once a date is set, the Co-President will reserve a room in which to hold the meeting.

2. At the meeting, the Co-Presidents will preside, but participation from both the executive board and members will be expected and encouraged.

3. Whenever possible, the executive board will meet prior to the meeting in order to plan program for the meeting.

4. To the extend the Law Association for Women's budget permits, food will be served at each meeting.

Article V - Terms for Amendments

A. Any member may recommend an alteration or amendment to the Constitution.

B. If at least two other members agree that such alteration or amendment should be adopted,

1. The recommended alteration or amendment shall be put to a vote before all of the members, and shall be adopted if at least two-thirds of the membership agree with the recommended alteration or amendment.

Amended March 2002