As a democratic organization, the work and focus of the Guild is decided by our members. Each year, 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.
In 2024, governance matters will be handled during the NLG Governance Plenaries on November 1-2 during the 2024 #Law4thePeople Convention in Birmingham, Alabama. The plenaries will be virtual and open to all current NLG members. All voting will take place online after the plenaries.
Proposals and elections are open to NLG members only. To join the NLG, visit nlg.org/join.
Important Dates (full timeline below):
Nov 12: Voting link Sent
Dec 27: Results of voting published
2024 Proposed Resolutions
Resolution On Deported Military Veterans
Proposed 2024 Amendment to Constitution Article 2.1: No Discrimination
Terrorism Designations Resolution
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 (Voting Procedures).
Process for Submitting Proposals
Email Submission
- Proposed resolutions, bylaws amendments, and constitutional amendments must be emailed in attachment form by August 22, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Suzanne Adely at president@nlg.org.
All primary proponents should plan to present and speak on behalf of the amendment or resolution at the virtual 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
Each year, the NLG holds elections to choose the officers of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Executive Council (EC). In 2024, the following offices are up for election:
Vice-President
The Vice-President position is a three-year term beginning in 2024. This position is responsible for supporting the President, regional representatives, national committees and caucuses, and the National Executive Committee (NEC). For more information, please read the Vice-President Job Description in the NLG Bylaws.
Secretary
The Secretary position is a three-year term beginning in 2025. 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). For more information, please read the Secretary Job Description.
Treasurer
The Treasurer position is a three-year term beginning in 2025. This position is responsible for managing the NLG budget, finances, and fundraising plan, as well as participating on the National Executive Council (NEC) and Executive Council (EC). For more information, please read the Treasurer Job Description.
Student National Vice President (SNVP)
The SNVP serves for a 2-year term on the National Executive Committee (NEC), and participates on the Executive Committee (EC) during the 2nd year of their term. The SNVP represents the interests of law student members of the NLG. More details of the position can be found in the SNVP Job Description.
This position is only open to current law student members.
Legal Worker Vice President (LWVP)
The LWVP serves for a 2-year term on the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Executive Committee (EC). The LWVP represents the interests of the legal worker membership of the NLG. For more information, please read the LWVP Job Description.
This position is only open to current legal worker members.
Full 2024 Governance Timeline
Thursday, Aug 22: Deadline for resolutions and amendments
Wednesday, Oct 2: Final versions of resolution and amendment proposals are published and process for submitting pro and con statements begins
Saturday, Oct 19: Deadline to contact proponents with friendly amendments
Sunday, Oct 20: Deadline for proponents to make friendly amendments, add endorsements, and send final versions to NO
Thursday, Oct 24: Final resolutions and amendments proposals and governance plenary agendas published
Thursday, Oct 31: Deadline for emergency resolutions
Thursday, Oct 31: Deadline for nominations for national officer positions
Saturday, Nov 2: Deadline for people to join/renew their Guild membership to vote in this year’s election
Friday and Saturday, Nov 1-2: Governance Plenaries
*Between 1st and 2nd plenary: Period in which members can contact emergency resolution proponents to suggest friendly amendments
Saturday, Nov 9: Deadline for pro and con statements to be submitted
Tuesday, Nov 12: Voting link Sent, including to JHL
Friday, Dec 13: Deadline for voting
Friday, Dec 27: Results of voting published
