If you are interested in running for a position as a director or officer of the Austin Bar Association, please fill out this form by Jan. 31.
All candidates must be current attorneys and Austin Bar members in good standing.
Officer positions are one-year terms; director positions are for two years. Nominees for the office of president-elect must have served at least two years on the board of directors prior to assuming office.
The number of candidates to be nominated for each position shall be left to the discretion of a majority of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee’s decision will be announced on or before March 15. Any qualified member not receiving the nomination of the committee may be included on the ballot by submitting a written petition signed by 75 members of the Austin Bar. Such petitions must be submitted by April 10.
Voting will run until 4 p.m. on May 1.
Voting on board positions will be conducted via electronic ballot. If you have any questions about the nomination or election process, please contact DeLaine Ward at delaine@austinbar.org; 512-472-0279 ext. 104.
Board Duties & Expectations
Each board member is expected to actively support the Austin Bar’s mission, programs, and activities.
Each new board member is expected to participate in the formal board orientation activities and to become familiar with the Google docs related to the affairs of the Austin Bar. Additional information should be sought from the executive director or president as the year progresses, to ensure full participation in board deliberations.
Each Austin Bar board member is expected to attend the Bench Bar Conference and the Austin Bar Foundation Gala. Additionally, each Austin Bar Board member is expected to assist in securing an item of $100 or more value for use in the silent auction at the gala.
Each Austin Bar board member is encouraged to support Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas through financial and/or volunteer efforts and is expected to encourage other legal professionals to do so as well.
The board usually meets on the last Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to approximately 7:00 p.m. Occasionally, alternative dates are selected or additional sessions held. Attendance at these meetings is expected, and unexcused absences are grounds for removal. An absence is unexcused if not conveyed to and excused by the executive director and/or Austin Bar president prior to the meeting. Directors, section chairs, and affiliate representatives are welcome to attend executive committee meetings but are not required.
Executive committee meetings usually occur the Monday prior to the last Wednesday of each month from 12:00 to approximately 1:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Each Austin Bar board member is expected to serve as a member or chair of at least one Austin Bar committee and as a liaison to his/her assigned Austin Bar sections. The president seeks board input when making these annual appointments.
Each Austin Bar board member is expected to prepare for and participate in board and committee meetings, which includes being knowledgeable about related meeting agendas and materials, being prepared to develop and/or articulate Austin Bar Association policy, asking substantive questions, and/or suggesting agenda items on significant member or professional issues.
In order to participate in Board meetings, it is imperative that each Austin Bar board member attend the entire meeting. Failure to arrive by 5:45 p.m., or before the first action item is considered, whichever is earlier, is an unexcused absence.
Each Austin Bar board member must be a current attorney Austin Bar member.