The Greater Washington Area Chapter of the Women Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association (“GWAC”) is committed to continuing its legacy of electing effective and promising leaders to build upon the solid foundation of the organization. As an active member of this organization, you are encouraged to answer the call to leadership for our organization for the 2024-2025 term by either identifying and recommending qualified candidates or applying to participate in the upcoming election. 

GWAC Elections for the 2024-2025 term will take place at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Please see the table below for available elected positions:

President-Elect	Historian
Treasurer	Corresponding Secretary
Recording Secretary	Financial Secretary

Below, please find the following information:

1. Election Process & Timeline
2. Election Voting
3. Eligibility Requirements
4. Officer Expectations
5. Officer Roles & Responsibilities

In addition, there are opportunities to chair one of GWAC’s many committees, and that appointment process will take place following the board elections.

PROCESS & TIMELINE

DATE	EVENT
May 21	Applications Open
June 6	Applications Close
June 7	Candidate slate determined and disseminated
June 7	Online voting opens
June 12	Online voting closes at 5pm.  Members must join or renew GWAC membership for 2024-25 bar year to be eligible to vote
June 12	Elections (GWAC Candidate Forum: Q&A) Election Results Revealed
June 15	Election Results Posted Electronically
June 15 – June 30	Board Transition Period
June 25	Mandatory Swearing-In Ceremony
July 1	GWAC 2023-2024 Bar Year begins

VOTING

Voting.

Voter Qualifications: Only GWAC members in good standing are eligible to vote. A list of all members qualified to vote will be available at the Annual Elections Meeting on June 12, 2024. If you have any questions about your voter eligibility, please submit your inquiry to president@gwacbar.org.

Ballots: Voting shall be by ballot. Electronic ballots are available to all members and must be completed by the date specified in the Elections Timetable if a member wishes to vote electronically (rather than during the virtual Annual Elections Meeting). Each ballot contains the names of all eligible candidates for all open positions. Each voting member shall cast ONE ballot.

Election Results.

If more than one candidate runs for an officer position, the winner will be the candidate who received a plurality of votes cast. In the event that a candidate is unopposed, such candidate must have received a majority of the votes cast for that position. In the event of a tie vote, a run-off election shall occur as described in Run-Off Election below. The results shall be announced at the Annual Elections Meeting on June 12, 2024 and electronically on June 15, 2024.

Run-Off Election.

In the event of a tie vote for an officer position, the candidates with the highest equal votes shall participate in a run-off election until one candidate receives a plurality of votes cast. The run-off election shall occur during the virtual Annual Elections Meeting on June 12, 2024.

Unfilled Positions.

If an officer position is not filled at the Annual Elections Meeting, a successor shall be elected at the next regular or special meeting, for which adequate notice shall have been given. The incoming President shall appoint an acting officer until the election is held. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

ALL POSITIONS

1. Candidate must be a member in good standing according to the recent edition of GWAC Bylaws.
2. Candidate must be willing to adhere to the Officers Roles & Responsibilities.
3. Candidate must be willing to commit to the transition process/period outlined in the candidate application.

PRESIDENT-ELECT ELIGIBILITY

1. Each candidate for the office of President-Elect of GWAC shall have been a financial regular member for three years preceding the election or be a life member of GWAC.
2. Candidate shall have registered for and attended at least one (1) national convention of the National Bar Association in the three (3) years preceding the election or the National Bar Association Mid-Year Conference immediately preceding the election.

 OTHER GWAC OFFICER ELIGIBILITY

1. Candidate shall have been a financial regular member of GWAC for at least one full year immediately preceding the election or be a life member of GWAC.

OFFICER EXPECTATIONS

1. Monthly Board Meeting Attendance & Participation

Each officer is expected to attend all Board of Directors Meetings held on a monthly basis and prepare a monthly officer report in advance of the meeting. In the event that the officer cannot attend, the officer must designate a proxy in her absence.

2. GWAC General Body Meeting Attendance

Each officer is expected to attend all General Body Meetings, held approximately quarterly, throughout the bar year.

3. GWAC Events and Initiatives

Each officer is expected to attend, at minimum, five (5) GWAC programs or initiatives throughout the bar year. These programs include, but are not limited to:

            (1) Charlotte E. Ray Awards Reception

            (2) Annual Networking and Awards Reception

            (3) Annual Judicial Reception

            (4) Events co-sponsored by GWAC and other area bar associations

(5) Events co-sponsored by the National Bar Association and/or Washington Bar Association

(6) Events co-sponsored by GWAC and the GWAC Foundation

4. Accountability

Each Officer is expected to be accountable to the Board of Directors and the GWAC members. Each officer will be issued two warnings for lack of accountability. A third warning may result in dismissal from the Board of Directors in accordance with Bylaws procedures.

OFFICER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

OFFICER ROLES	RESPONSIBILITIES
PRESIDENT	Presiding officer of the Board of Directors and of GWAC. Preside over all executive board meetings and general body meetings. General supervision of the activities of the Board of Directors and of GWAC. Serves as spokesperson for GWAC at events, programs, and other appearances upon request. Must produce an official transition report at the close of the term of office.
PRESIDENT-ELECT	Serves as officer on the Board of Directors and of GWAC. Performs the duties of the President in the event of her absence, resignation, or disability. Performs other duties as assigned to her by the Board of Directors. Must produce an official year-in review report at the close of the term of office, and prior to assuming the office of President. This report shall serve as the basis for the GWAC Affiliate of the Year submission to the National Bar Association. Must produce an official transition report at the close of the term of office.
RECORDING SECRETARY	Maintains accurate minutes/notes for Board of Director meetings and GWAC general body meetings. Ensures that the books, reports, statements, and all other documents required by law are properly kept and filed. Performs other duties as assigned to her by Board of Directors. Must produce an official transition report at the close of the term of office.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY	Performs internal administrative correspondence for the Board of Directors to include, but not limited to, notice of meetings. Maintains current membership list in conjunction with Director of Membership and Treasurer. Must produce an official transition report, which shall include, at minimum, a complete roster of the current financial members of GWAC.
TREASURER	Must bond herself fiscally to the organization (i.e. serve as signatory on GWAC’s official bank account, PayPal). Prepare and furnish financial reports to the President, Board of Directors, and GWAC, whenever required. Collect/Record all receipts and disbursements. Shall perform other duties as are assigned to her by the Board of Directors. Must produce an official transition report at the close of the term of office.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY	Bills members for their dues and assists the Treasurer in performing assigned duties. Must produce an official transition report at the close of the term of office.
HISTORIAN	Prepares all documentation of GWAC activities through photographs, video or notes. Supplies GWAC background, history, and event history. Serves as Chair of the Historical Committee. Shall perform other duties as are assigned to her by the Board of Directors. Must produce an official transition report at the close of the term of office.