Colorado Women's Bar Association - BOARD SERVICE & NOMINATION PROCESS

CWBA BOARD SERVICE:
Application & Selection Process

Each year between August 1 and October 15, the CWBA President-Elect selects a Nominating Committee whose responsibility it is to select the slate of Board members. Applications are accepted electronically starting November 1 and are due this year by December 5, 2021. Board members serve for one year, starting at the Annual Convention typically held in May.

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This year's Nominating Committee is coordinated by CWBA President-Elect Kathryn Starnella. Nominating Committee members for the 2022-2023 CWBA Board of Directors include the following:

Miranda Hawkins, Chair, CWBA Immediate Past President
Judge Mariana Vielma, Former CWBA Board Member
Jennifer Carty, Former CWBA Board Member
Nicole Gorham, Former CWBA Board Member
Magnolia Movido, CWBA Member

Board elections will take place at the 45th Annual Convention on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, and Board terms officially begin immediately upon election.

We encourage diverse candidates to apply.
Please see the CWBA’s statement on Diversity & Inclusion.

If you are interested in board service and missed attending our "Pathways To CWBA Leadership" Board Information Session held virtually on November 10, 2021, we encourage you to watch the video recording.

You'll hear an informal discussion about serving on the Board, including responsibilities, estimated time commitments, the various committees and positions available, as well as how the selection process works. They will explain the role of the CWBA's Nominating Committee, including details about the updated nomination form, and share their own personal paths to leadership.

Presenters include CWBA President Gina L. Glockner, President-Elect Kathryn Starnella, CWBA Executive Director Kim Sporrer, and the following current Board members:

Alison Connaughty, Co-Chair of Public Policy Committee
Courtney Holm, Co-Chair of History Committee
Beth Robinson, Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
Deborah Yim, Co-Chair of Legal Services Committee

WATCH THE VIDEO

Check out some board service insights shared by President-Elect Kathryn Starnella in her blog post on The 1891.

Check out some board service insights shared by President-Elect Kathryn Starnella in her blog post on The 1891.

How does one become part of the CWBA’s Board of Directors?

The Nominating Committee evaluates the applications received to determine interest in the various available positions and evaluates the qualifications of each candidate. At its discretion, the Nominating Committee may conduct interviews, either by phone/online or in person, with interested candidates. Several Board positions are appointed by partner organizations, and candidates may wish to approach those groups to indicate interest in being appointed.

What is the Nominating Committee?

Pursuant to the newly revised CWBA Bylaws, Section 5.1 Nominations:

(a) At least three (3) months prior to the Annual Business Meeting, the President-Elect shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of at least three (3) Voting Members. The roster of the Nominating Committee shall be presented to the Board for its approval.

Voting members include those who have paid their membership dues for the current fiscal year, and who meet the requirements of the following class descriptions: Attorney Members, Law Student Members, Emeritus Members.
Non-voting members who are ineligible to hold office on the Board include the following: Allied Legal Professional Members , and Other Student Members (including Paralegal Students.)

(b) Once approved by the Board, the Nominating Committee shall review the qualifications of those Voting Members who are willing to serve in an official capacity and shall present a slate of candidates to the Board of Directors at least one month prior to the Convention. No member of the Nominating Committee shall be placed on the slate of candidates.

(c) Additional nominations may be taken from the floor at the Annual Business Meeting, and the candidates may present information on their own behalf.

The following additional guidelines help form the Nominating Committee: (1) the Immediate Past President or other current officers have been allowed to serve on the Nominating Committee if those persons will not serve on the Board the following year; (2) at least one of the voting members of the Nominating Committee should have expertise in diversity and inclusion, which may be evidenced by involvement with the CWBA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee or past leadership experience with another Diversity Bar Association; and (3) at least one of the members of the Nominating Committee should have previously served on the CWBA Executive Committee.

What is required for CWBA Board service?

You, or the person you nominate, must be willing to attend monthly Board meetings, lead monthly committee meetings if applicable, and attend various events in support of the organization, the broader legal community, and fellow Board members throughout the year. As with any Board, there is a time and financial commitment required. Our attendance policy allows for no more than three missed meetings. Please reach out to any current Board member or to our Executive Director Kim Sporrer with specific questions.

What Board positions does the Nominating Committee appoint?

President-Elect* (The Nominating Committee will interview candidates who are nominated or indicate interest in the President-Elect position on their Applications.)
Vice President*
Secretary*
Treasurer*
Inclusion Officer*
Convention Committee Co-Chairs
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs
History Committee Co-Chairs
Judicial Committee Co-Chairs
Legal Services Committee Co-Chairs
Membership Committee Co-Chairs
(Ad Hoc) Mentorship Committee Co-Chairs
Professional Advancement Committee Co-Chairs
Programs Committee Co-Chairs
Publications Committee Co-Chairs
Public Policy Committee Co-Chairs

* Denotes Executive Committee positions

What Board positions are appointed by someone other than the Nominating Committee?

At-Large Representatives (appointed by CWBA President)
CBA Board of Governors Representative
Asian-Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado Representative
Colorado Hispanic Bar Association Representative
Colorado LGBT Bar Association Representative
Sam Cary Bar Association Representative
South Asian Bar Association of Colorado Representative
Center for Legal Inclusiveness Representative
Chapter Representative (Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, Mountain, Pueblo, Southwest, Weld)
Law Schools' Liaisons (CU and DU Student Organizations)