Election Process

Elected positions:

All officers and voting members of the Board of Governors also serve as the Board of Directors (BOD) of the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center.

President-Elect: 3-year commitment
Year 1: President-Elect and a member of most Board and Bar committees and performs the duties of the President during any absence or temporary disability of the President.
Year 2:  President presides over all meetings of the Bar and Board of Governors and ais a member of most Board and Bar committees.
Year 3: Immediate-Past President

Treasurer-Elect: 3-year commitment
Year 1: Treasurer-Elect and responsible for the duties of Treasurer during any absence of the Treasurer.  The Treasurer-Elect is not an officer of either Board.
Year 2: Treasurer reports on the Bar’s and Pro Bono Center’s financial condition and prepares the Treasurer-Elect.
Year 3: Remain on the Board as an at-large member for one year following their year as Treasurer.

Elected members: 3-year commitment (up to 2 consecutive 3-year terms)

Duties, Responsibilities, and Board “Action Items”

• Approve appointments to various committees and commissions
• Receive reports and recommendations from committees and task forces, and decide what actions to pursue
• Approve the 5-year strategic plans
• Review and approve certain D.C. Bar policies
• Receive the external auditor’s report
• Approve the annual budgets for the Bar and Pro Bono Center
• Set the annual license fee rate for active, inactive, and judicial members
• Attend up to 8 regular meetings per year (typically 2nd or 3rd Tuesday of the month)

Qualifications of a Board candidate

Active D.C. Bar members in good standing are eligible to run for the Board. While not required, some experience in service to the legal community and a desire to contribute to the Bar’s future and provide strategic guidance is valuable among prospective Board members.

Process and Timeline

November – February
D.C. Bar Nominations Committee, appointed by the President, evaluates nominations for Board vacancies to build a slate of candidates for the annual elections. Active members are encouraged to nominate candidates or themselves to run for a seat on the Board.

Early March
Candidate slate is announced.

Mid-April – early June
Online voting is available, and candidates can promote their candidacy to the networks and at the D.C. Bar Candidate Forum.

Mid-June
Election results are announced.

Late June
New Board members sworn in and recognized at the D.C. Bar Celebration of Leadership.