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NATIONAL BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION NORTH EAST REGION WWW.NBLSA.ORG/NEBLSA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
CONVENTION ANNOUNCEMENT ..............................................................................3
II.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION................................................................................4
III.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS ....................................................................................5
IV.
TRANSPORTATION ..................................................................................................6
V.
CONVENTION SCHEDULE PREVIEW ........................................................................7
VI.
2011-2012 REGIONAL BOARD OPPORTUNITIES ..................................................11
VII.
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR INFORMATION ..............................................................12
VIII.
PLENARY GUIDE ...................................................................................................14
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Shetera Patterson CHAIR University of Connecticut School of Law
“Building on Excellence: Equipping You With Tools To Fulfill Your Destiny”
Alycia Huckabey VICE CHAIR New York Law School Ashley Elem SECRETARY Hofstra University School of Law
National Black Law Students Association Regional Convention Wednesday, January 26, 2011 – Sunday, January 30, 2011 Mashantucket, CT
Garrett Barmore TREASURER Albany Law School Lynna Cobrall CNNE SUB-REGIONAL DIRECTOR Harvard Law School LeeAnn Silva CONNECTICUT SUB-REGIONAL DIRECTOR Quinnipiac University School of Law Charita Walcott NY METRO SUB-REGIONAL DIRECTOR New York Law School Aikeem Cooper UPSTATE NY SUB-REGIONAL DIRECTOR University of Buffalo School of Law Kristine Saul FREDERICK DOUGLASS MOOT COURT COMPETITION DIRECTOR Columbia Law School Marsha Beckford THURGOOD MARSHALL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION DIRECTOR Quinnipiac University School of Law Isis Davidson DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING Hofstra University School of Law Edwyn Macelus COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTOR New York Law School Mikos Theodule ATTORNEY GENERAL Hofstra University School of Law Basannya Babumba COLLEGE STUDENT DIVISION DIRECTOR Roger Williams University School of Law Nyasha Foy DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP New York Law School Israel Burns PARLIAMENTARIAN Rutgers University School of Law Amanda Johnson CORPORATE RELATIONS DIRECTOR University of Connecticut School of Law
The annual Northeast Black Law Students Association Regional Convention is approaching! The convention will bring together BLSA members from 33 different law schools in the Northeast Region. The 2011 convention will feature programming to enable participants to succeed and excel as law students, practitioners and other legal professionals. In addition to learning some of the most important practical skills in the legal profession, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the distinct and rich history of the Mashantucket and Pequot Native Americans and while on the Foxwoods properties. The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) was established in 1968 and is the largest student-run organization in America with 200 chapters at law schools across the country. The Northeast region is comprised of 8 states including, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Northern New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Regional Convention will consist of a series of workshops, panel discussions, networking receptions, a regional community service event, and a Job Fair. Additionally, the regional rounds of the National Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial and Fredrick Douglass Moot Court Competitions will take place during the Convention and the finalists will advance on to the National Competition in Houston, Texas. We are proud to be members of such a great organization and part of a dynamic region. Please see the information below regarding convention registration and accommodations. Register before December 31, 2010 to avoid late fees. We look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions regarding the Northeast Regional Convention, please contact Kendra Brown, NEBLSA Regional Convention Coordinator at neblsa.regionalconvention@gmail.com Best Regards, NEBLSA Regional Board 2010-2011
Brionna Denby HISTORIAN Hofstra University School of Law Anthony Shannon JOB FAIR COORDINATOR University of Connecticut School of Law Kendra Brown CONVENTION COORDINATOR Vermont Law School
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CONVENTION REGISTRATION INFORMATION _______________________________________________________________
Registration fees include all meals, receptions, access to workshops, competitions and social events. Register separately for your hotel accommodations (see below). A late fee of $25 applies to all registrants after December 31, 2010. There will be no on-site registration. The final registration deadline is January 24. All fees must be paid prior to convention. There will be no refunds.
Registration Fees*: NBLSA Member Delegate Competitor/Coach Guest/Non-BLSA Member College Student Division Member Bailiffs
$110 $110 $85 $150 $35 **
*All dues must be paid by Nov. 1 to qualify as a NBLSA Member/Competitor. ** Volunteers for bailiffs are needed. Discounted registration is available for those who volunteer. If interested, please contact Kristine Saul at nefdmc@gmail.com or Marsha Beckford at ne.mocktrial@gmail.com. Please complete registration online at: http://a3.acteva.com/orderbooking/bookEvent/A307063 You will need the following information to register online:
First and Last Name E-mail address T-shirt Size BLSA Chapter name Date you will arrive for convention Indicate if you are a Delegate/Competitor/Coach/Practitioner/CSD Member/Guest Special Conditions (dietary, mobility, etc.) Graduation Year
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HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS _______________________________________________________________
The MGM Grand at the Foxwoods offers the highest level of luxury. The rooms are beautifully appointed, dressed with the finest Monaco linens and feature an expansive view of over 2000 acres of forest. Whether one is in the mood for fine dining or casual fare, MGM Grand at Foxwoods offers something for every taste. The Foxwoods offers many amenities such as Shrine - the Las Vegas-style celebrity-studded nightclub, Comix Comedy Club, various upscale restaurants, an onsite mall, the High Rollers Luxury Bowling Lanes, the Tree House Arcade, and ice skating at The Grand Rink. Reserve your room today before the rate sells out! Location:
MGM Grand at Foxwoods 240 MGM Grand Drive Mashantucket, CT 06338-3777
Rates:
$129
Book online: Contact:
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=2677989 Please e-mail questions and inquires to Kendra Brown, NEBLSA Regional Convention Coordinator at neblsa.regionalconvention@gmail.com.
Double Accommodations – standard room with 2 double beds *Suites at the NEBLSA rate are sold out *Rates applicable for room nights January 26 – 30, 2011
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TRANSPORTATION _______________________________________________________________
MGM Grand at Foxwoods is centrally located in southeastern Connecticut. The closest airports are: Providence's T.F. Green Airport (45 minutes away) and Hartford's Bradley International Airport (50 minutes away). The closest train station is in New London; the hotel is a 20-minute drive from there. Bus service is available.
Directions For directions from your city, please visit http://www.mgmatfoxwoods.com/tempdirections.aspx. GPS is not reliable in this area of the state. NYC - 2.5 hour drive
Boston – less than two hour drive
Hartford/New Haven – one hour drive
By Train Fast, convenient service is available from Amtrak and Metro-North. Take Amtrak from any major East Coast city to New London - just 20 minutes from Foxwoods. http://www.amtrak.com http://www.mta.info/mnr/ By Bus Greyhound 800-231-2222 www.greyhound.com (Services New London) For more information on buses to MGM Grand, visit http://www.visitconnecticutcasinos.com/by_bus.foxwoods.html By Ferry Enjoy the comfort and amenities of high-speed ferry and vehicle/passenger ferry services from Long Island. Operating every day of the year, you can travel from Long Island to New London, Connecticut. Central Long Island Port Jefferson Ferry 631-473-5138 http://www.bpjferry.com
Long Island, New York Cross Sound Ferry - Orient Point 631-323-2525 or 860-443-5281 http://www.longislandferry.com
Parking Complimentary parking is available at the MGM Grand for hotel guests and conference attendees.
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PROGRAMMING PREVIEW _______________________________________________________________
THE FOLLOWING IS A PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF CONVENTION PROGRAMMING. AN UPDATED SCHEDULE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY. Wednesday, January 26, 2011 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Registration
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Welcome Reception
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Competition Meetings (Mandatory)
Thursday, January 27, 2011 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Zumba Exercise Class
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Registration
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Preliminary Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition Rounds Preliminary Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition Rounds
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Regional Community Service Event
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Career Fair
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Careers in Government Panel
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Elections Information Session
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Environmental Law Panel
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Plenary Session
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Reception and Casino Night
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Friday, January 28, 2011 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Zumba Exercise Class
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
TMMTC and FDMCC Semi and Quarter-final Rounds
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Plenary Session – Officer Reports
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
NEBLSA Community Service Initiative: DKMS Bone Marrow Drive
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Chapter of the Year Interviews
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Professional Development Workshop: Business Etiquette/Body Language
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Professional Development Workshop: Stress Management
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Luncheon
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Legal Recruitment and Diversity Panel: Navigating the Legal Field
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Judicial Clerkship Panel
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Law and Forensic Science Panel
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Alumni Reception and Mashantucket Pequot Museum Tour
9:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Social Event: Shrine Lounge *Cost of Admission is not included in Convention Registration
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Saturday, January 29, 2011 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Zumba Exercise Class
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Continental Breakfast/Registration
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Competitions: Final Rounds will be held at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Plenary Session
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
College Student Division Programming
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Networking: Building Your Brand Workshop
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Career Panels: Session I In-House Counsel Panel Intellectual Property Panel Insurance Practice Panel
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM
Luncheon
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Career Panels: Session II Sports and Entertainment Law Panel Careers in Education Panel Alternative Career Panel
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Plenary Session – Elections
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Pre-Gala Reception
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Awards Gala
11:00 PM – 2:00 AM
After Party
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Sunday, January 30, 2011 9:30 AM -11:00 AM
Morning Inspirational Breakfast
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
NEBLSA Executive Board Transition Meeting All elected officers are required to attend this meeting and any individuals interested in being appointed to available positions on the 2011-2012 NEBLSA Executive Board. *All scheduling is subject to time and subject matter changes.
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2011- 2012 REGIONAL BOARD OPPORTUNITIES _______________________________________________________________
Are you interested in running for a position on next year’s NEBLSA Executive Board? The advantages of joining the 2011 – 2012 Board are endless. Learn valuable leadership skills, get the inside scoop on events, enjoy exclusive networking opportunities and more! If you are interested in applying, please review the 2011 – 2012 Election Packet for further directions. The Election packet may be found at www.nblsa.org/neblsa as well as the Members OneHub Group. (All elected and appointed officers will be expected to attend the official transition meeting and the Ski Retreat in February, 2011)
The following positions will be elected at the convention: Regional Chair Regional Vice Chair Regional Secretary Regional Treasurer Regional Director of the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition Regional Director of the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition Regional Director of Community Service Regional Director of Programming Attorney General Sub-Regional Directors (4) The following positions will be appointed by the 2011 – 2012 Regional Chair. Candidates interested in the following positions should plan to attend the Appointed Officers Meeting on Sunday, January 30, 2011. Regional Parliamentarian Regional Convention Coordinator Regional Job Fair Coordinator Regional Executive Director Regional Director of Membership Regional Director of the College Student Division Regional Director of Corporate Relations Regional Historian If you have any general questions or inquiries regarding applying for a position, please contact the following current Regional Board members for information regarding positions: Shetera Patterson – Chair Alycia Huckabey – Vice-chair Ashley Elem – Secretary Garrett Barmore – Treasurer Lynna Cobrall – CNNE Sub-Regional Director LeeAnn Silva – CT Sub-Regional Director Charita Walcott – NY Metro Sub-Regional Director Aikeem Cooper – Upstate NY Sub-Regional Director Kristine Saul – FDMCC Director Marsha Beckford – TMTTC Director Edwyn Macelus – Director of Community Service
Isis Davidson – Director of Programming Mikos Theodule – Attorney General Basannya Babumba – College Student Division Direcot Nyasha Foy – Director of Membership Israel Burns - Parliamentarian Amanda Johnson – Director of Corporate Relations Brionna Denby - Historian Anthony Shannon – Job Fair Coordinator Kendra Brown – Regional Convention Coordinator
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CHAPTER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION _______________________________________________________________
Each winter, the Northeastern Region of the National Black Law Students Association selects our region’s Chapter of the Year. A NEBLSA Chapter of the year is a chapter that has made a difference in its communities (including the execution of national and regional initiatives), and has improved the quality of its law school while building the legacy of NBLSA. There are three parts to the process of becoming Chapter of the Year as outlined below.
Submit the Application: Each Chapter must fill out the application (as provided in the national programming guide and posted on the Members Onehub group) and submit any official documentation requested. These materials should be complete, typed and MUST BE RECEIVED via email to NEBLSAcommunityservicedirector@gmail.com no later than 11:00 PM on Friday, January 7, 2011.
Create a Scrapbook: Each Chapter should construct a scrapbook that visually and creatively documents all of the projects and programs that your Chapter has participated in throughout the year. Please include attendance records and documentation with your scrapbook submission. The scrapbook MUST BE RECEIVED via handdelivery at the Convention site by 7:30 AM on Thursday, January 27, 2011. THE SCRAPBOOK WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO YOU. o
Please note that it is the chapter’s responsibility to ensure that the application materials and scrapbook are received on time. There will be no exceptions! If the scrapbook is late, the chapter will not be eligible to receive the total number of allowable points.
Attend the Interview: Participation in a 20 minute interview is your opportunity to “sell” your Chapter in person! Each Chapter participating in the Chapter of the Year competition should make plans to arrive at the Convention site on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 and attend the Welcome Reception. The Chapter will be notified of the interview time by Thursday, January 13, 2011. The interviews are scheduled to occur between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on Friday, January 28, 2011. Each Chapter is allowed to bring up to 3 members to the interview, one of whom should be the Chapter President barring any conflict of interest.
In addition to the requirements above, NEBLSA encourages all Chapters interested in applying for Chapter of the Year to actively participate in convention. All Chapters applying for Chapter of the Year must participate in the convention community service project on Thursday, January 27, 2011 and send at least one delegate to each plenary session held during Convention.
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Each chapter will be graded on a numeric scale and can receive a total of 100 points. While the criteria are subjective, the burden is on the chapter to demonstrate its commitment to and execution of the criteria. The point allocation appears on the next page. For the application and/or additional information, please visit http://www.nblsa.org/index.php?pID=214.
Submissions from competing chapters will be graded on the 2010-2011 Chapter of the Year Rubric, and then weighed according to chapter size and participation in order to ensure fairness. Thus, it is critical that chapters create sign-in sheets for each event and submit the appropriate attendance record for each event documented in the Chapter of the Year application. Only the chapter winning the Regional Chapter of the Year competition will advance to the National Chapter of the Year competition. Chapters must attend 75% of plenary sessions in order to qualify for the Chapter of the Year competition. The NEBLSA Convention Community Service Event is required for Chapter of the Year competition applicants.
20 pts SOCIOPOLITICAL AWARENESS Attorney General (10 pts) CBC Weekend Lobby Day Political and Social Awareness activities * Regions may be able to get points in this area if they have events that are closely tailored to the events that the AG has organized. Chapters must submit proposals for such events to the community service director in advance of planning and obtain pre approval for such events. Social Action (10 pts) 20 pts COMMUNITY SERVICE National service initiatives, Regional service initiatives, Additional community service programming
10 pts EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT Academic Programming 1L Support Professional Career Events
Regional and Intraregional Participation (committees, sponsorship, etc)
5 pts NATIONAL PROGRAMMING Charles Hamilton Houston: President’s (Leadership) Retreat Participation
10 pts COLLEGE STUDENT DIVISION CSD Programming Pre-law Programming Law Camp Participation
5 pts SOCIAL EVENTS Internal Relationship Development (parties, socials, mixers, dinners)
5 pts INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS H.O.P.E. for Haiti World AIDS Day International Book Drive
10 pts INTERVIEW 10 pts EVENT DOCUMENTATION Scrapbook Master Attendance List (Attendance Records) Optional – Multimedia presentation (e.g. Slideshow, video, etc)
5 pts REGIONAL PROGRAMMING Job Fair Participation Academic Retreat Participation Competition Participation
100 TOTAL 13
PLENARY GUIDE _______________________________________________________________
The following information outlines Regional Convention Plenary rules for 2010 - 2011. These rules mirror to the greatest extent possible new plenary rules adopted by the National Board for the National Convention. What is Plenary? Convention plenary sessions are where the major business of the Association is handled. Plenary is the part of the Convention during which NEBLSA nominates officers, elects officers, receive officer reports, amendments to the Bylaws and/or Constitution are discussed and ratified, and delegates may address the NEBLSA Executive Board. Convention delegates - representatives from each of NEBLSA's chapters - meet in efficient and productive plenary sessions to obtain a report on the current state of the organization and determine its future direction. While plenary sessions are open to all convention attendees, at least one representative from each registered Chapter must attend. We invite you to obtain an unique insider's perspective of the business of NEBLSA. Delegate Registration -
Each chapter planning to attend the Regional Convention must register at least one attendee as a Delegate. Each chapter shall be represented in accordance with the number of members in the chapter. o Chapters with less than ten (10) members shall have one (1) vote; o Chapters with ten or more members but less than twenty-five (25) shall have two (2) votes; o Chapters with twenty-five (25) or more members but less than fifty (50) shall have three (3) votes; and o Chapters with fifty (50) or more members shall have four (4) votes.
Accountability -
Signing in and out of Plenary o As delegates enter and exit plenary sessions at least one person from each chapter will be required to notify the Sergeant at Arms who will have a list of all registered chapters at the door. o Statistics of missing and late chapters will be listed and posted before each plenary session.
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Seat requirement o There will be a minimum of two seats provided for each chapter with excess seating for alternates at the back of the room. At least one representative from each chapter is required to be seated during plenary. If a chapter’s seat is empty through the duration of the session, that chapter will be marked absent. Special consideration given to chapters with only one representative, however, if the seat is vacant for the majority of the session, that chapter will be marked as absent.
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Delegate information o The Sergeant at Arms will collect the name and contact information for each chapter delegate. o Upon arrival at convention Delegates will be required to provide their cell phone numbers and hotel room information at the registration table. Chapters whose delegates are not represented at the beginning of plenary session will be contacted using this information. If a delegate knows their chapter will miss a plenary session beforehand that information must be provided when the delegate checks in at the registration table. Delegates must provide the contact information of their proxy if one has already been established
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Penalties: -
Absences o Chapters must attend 75% of all plenary sessions combined (meaning they will be allowed to miss 1 plenary session without penalties). o Chapters who are not present for 75% of all plenary sessions (and do not provide a proxy) forfeit their voting privileges for the election of Regional officers.
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Tardiness o A chapter check in sheet will be checked 10 minutes after the designated start time for plenary. Any missing Chapter delegates will be contacted. o
o o
Chapters 15 or more minutes late will be subject to the following penalties 1 infraction Notification letter sent to Chapter faculty sponsor/advisor indicating tardiness 2 infractions Northeast Chapter of the year point deduction- After completion of Plenary, all chapter’s tardies will be calculated. Chapters with 2 or more infractions will not receive full point allocation for Regional Convention participation and plenary attendance. 3 infractions Chapter fine- Chapters with 3 or more infractions will be fined $25 for each subsequent infraction. Chapters who refuse to pay the fine may have their voting privileges revoked until the fine is paid and/or will be deemed “inactive” for the purposes of the upcoming academic year until the fine is paid. Notice In the event of an infraction chapter presidents will be notified by the Sergeant of Arms. Extenuating Circumstances In the event of extenuating circumstances, penalties are subject to review by the Regional Parliamentarian.
Elections/Amendments: - Voting o Only delegates will be able to submit votes o As per the penalty section, only chapters who have attended at least 75% of Plenary may cast a vote
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