Thinking about running for the BALIF board, or know someone who should run? BALIF seeks a board that reflects the diversity of our LGBTQI legal community, and we especially encourage people of color, women, transgender people, and non-binary/gender non-conforming people to run for the Board. BALIF's Directors are elected by the BALIF membership, and each Director holds office for two years. Any BALIF member is welcome to run for the Board or nominate another BALIF member. Serving on the BALIF board is a great way to serve the LGBTQI legal community by developing the programming and events that support BALIF’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession on behalf of all LGBTQI people.

How To Run
To run for the Board or nominate someone else, please send a candidate statement of up to 250 words to our secretary (secretary@balif.org) and BALIF's Administrator, Katie Carlson (balif@balif.org) by April 2, 2020 at 5:30 pm. BALIF's bylaws require gender parity on the Board, with an equal number of positions allocated to Directors who identify as male, female, and trans/gender non-conforming. The following seats are open in this election: 3 trans/gender non-conforming seats; 2 male seats; 1 female seat; and 3 law student representative seats. Please indicate in your statement whether you are running for the male, female, or trans/gender non-conforming seats.

Board Member Expectations

The board retreat is currently set for May 2 and May 3, 2020, subject to change based on shelter-in-place requirements. All board members must attend the retreat. Board members are generally expected to attend monthly board meetings. We are a working board, and therefore it is expected that Directors actively support BALIF by organizing programs, attending events, participating in our mentoring program, and through other means. Board members generally find service on the board to be very rewarding, and the time commitment manageable.

Due to COVID-19 and the shelter-in-place order, elections will be held solely online. After the deadline for candidate statements closes, BALIF will announce the names of the candidates and will circulate instructions on how to vote online. 

Thinking about seeking a position? Know someone who would make a fabulous addition to the Board? Want to learn more about BALIF and what's involved in being on the Board? Please contact Katie at balif@balif.org.