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| By ADAM MARTINEZ, Arizona State University |
The following ten points (in no particular order) summarize my vision of a successful J. Reuben Clark Law Society Student Chapter.
1. Tap into the professional chapter in your area: The student chapter president should sit on the board of the professional chapter and make known the needs and desires of the law students. Students should be invited to all of the professional chapter’s CLE and other activities (and usually at little or no cost to the student). They can also be a resource of funding, networking, clerkships, externships, and other job opportunities. Specifically, the professional chapter may be able to supply some or all of the student chapter’s working budget, pay for some of its students to attend the JRCLS annual conference, and host student JRCLS events.
2. Tap into the LDS Institute: Some Institutes will grant Institute credit to students who attend a class where the JRCLS curriculum LDS Perspectives on the Law is taught. Additionally, they may also grant the student chapter a budget to offer food to attract students to attend. If you have non-LDS students, encourage them to invite members of their faith to come and speak on ethics and balancing religious values and the practice of law. Also encourage them to hold meetings similar to the LDS Perspectives on the Law course. Invite non-LDS students to the LDS class, and LDS students to the non-LDS class.
3. Carry each other: Offer mentoring relationships to first-year students. Create an outline bank for JRCLS first-year and upper-class students and don’t be greedy. Pass on job references and opportunities.
4. Work with other student groups: Work with other student groups to host events and provide service. Partner with pro bono organizations to provide service. Pro bono groups will always appreciate the group of JRCLS students who come and do service for them, even if only once. Often law schools have other religious-minded student organizations. While the JRCLS is not exclusive to LDS students, it often has a dominant LDS membership. JRCLS can partner with them to give service to others. They can also foster greater understanding of its members and others by hosting events with the Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, and other student societies. These might compare and contrast the history and foundation of the religion’s laws for personal conduct, and the role of scriptural authority, or they might simply highlight the importance of religious conviction or ethical behavior.
5. Tap into your school’s funding sources: This may require you to register as a student organization with the university. Use your lawyering skills, read the bylaws and determine the basis for the university’s decision to grant student organizations funds. Then craft your proposals to ensure that the university should grant your request based on the principles it uses. The annual JRCLS usually has high profile speakers and highlights community service and ethical conduct. Many universities have granted travel reimbursements to these events.
6. Fundraise: Figure out your best means of fundraising. Find individuals who would be interested in donating to the student chapter. Create promotional material that looks professional and sharp and that highlights the value of the student organization and the benefits it offers.
7. Hold fun activities: Sometimes students need to do something other than learn about law, ethics, and balancing work and family. Hold a golf tournament or some other activity that is for no other reason than to enjoy each other’s company.
8. Involve spouses: Unless you are going to school in the same area where you and your spouse (if married) lived before law school, chances are your spouse may feel a bit isolated. He or she is likely not alone. Offer spouses the chance to associate with other men and women similarly situated. This may be done informally and naturally, or it may be organized. You have likely developed or will develop strong friendships with your JRCLS peers at law school and enjoy spending time with them. Plan activities outside of school and involve your families. One successful activity has been a JRCLS dinner with a few members of the professional chapter that serve as a panel, and where JRCLS members are invited to bring their spouse (or guest). Before the panel speaks on a subject, such as life as a religious-minded attorney or judge, the JRCLS students introduce themselves and their spouse, and then the spouse is asked to tell what their favorite and least favorite thing about their spouse being in law school is.
9. Involve Families: Using the same principles above, involve families in some activities that JRCLS students are involved in. Sometimes law schools have student organizations made up of parents who are law students. These groups sometimes hold a “lunch with your children” day where children come to the law school and meet on the lawn or in some other area for lunch. The JRCLS could also host such an event and invite other parents at the law school to bring their children.
10. Organize: Plan well and plan ahead. Schedule rooms before other student organizations get to it. If you need to open a checking account, do so before you need to use it. Get others involved in leadership and delegate responsibilities. Find favorable faculty advisors, institute teachers, and professional JRCLS members to assist in advising you. Make your chapter and its members known to the law school administration and seek to become known as the most active and influential student organization on campus. Find out who is in charge of the IT department and other departments that may help you carry out your plans. |
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