July 2021

At the Board’s virtual meeting in July, the Board carefully reviewed and approved a $4.3 million budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year. This balanced budget, while based on many pre-pandemic "return-to-normal" assumptions, remains conservative in light of the ongoing uncertainty regarding the pandemic and how it may impact NALP and its members. As part of the budget approval, the Board adopted membership dues and educational programming registrations fees for 2021-2022:

FY 2022 DUES STRUCTURE

*new category

2021-2022 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & FEES (MEMBER, EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEES)

• Using Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Assessments in the Recruiting Process, October 7, 2021, half-day, virtual, $250
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Symposium, November 4, 2021, half-day, virtual, $250
• Canadian Winter Meeting, December 7-8, 2021, Toronto, ON, Canada, virtual, $75
• Canadian Diversity Summit, December TBD, 2021, Toronto, ON, Canada, virtual, $50
• Professional Development Institute, December 2-3, 2021, Washington, DC, $750
• Public Service Mini-Conference, December 13-14, 2021, virtual, $50
• Legal Recruiting Summit, January 27, 2022, New York, NY, $550
• Newer Professionals Forum, February 10-12, 2022, Louisville, KY, $600
• Annual Education Conference, April 5-8, 2022, New Orleans, LA, $850

NALP ended the 2021 Fiscal Year in strong financial shape, notwithstanding the many ups and downs that occurred over the past year with various items that make up NALP’s budget.

Members overwhelmingly approved revisions to NALP’s By-Laws. The updated By-Laws are currently posted to the NALP website at www.nalp.org./bylaws. Among the changes approved by NALP members:

• The expansion of NALP’s Board of Directors by adding a Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Members may begin nominating candidates for this new Vice President position with the next nomination cycle which will begin in mid-October.
• Recognizing the increase of NALP’s Canadian membership, the amended By-Laws increase volunteer opportunities for our Canadian members by permitting both a conference planning coordinator and nominating committee member each year, plus 2 regional representatives.
• To increase leadership opportunities and to promote diverse leadership teams, the amended By-Laws limit repeat service for the AEC planning committee, nominating committee, and regional resource council.
• Finally, the amended By-Laws clarify electronic voting procedures for all NALP elections, including the elections of officers and directors.

The Board spent considerable time discussing the health and well-being of NALP members and brainstormed a variety of ways that NALP can add value to its members in these areas, and we look forward to continuing to incorporate health and wellness into future programming and resources, including during regional, section, work group and advisory group meetings.

The Board participated in an advanced Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging training with Anu Gupta of BeMore (bemorewithanu.com).

The Board spent considerable time reviewing its Statement Against Racism, with a particular focus on how we can increase the pipeline of diverse candidates entering our profession, including possibly working with historically diverse colleges and universities and our own law students to promote these opportunities.

Board members also reviewed the feedback from members provided through Director outreach calls and Regional Resource Council member reports; reviewed several of the documents used by the Nominating Committee to educate the membership about leadership position; reviewed and updated Board policies, including the fiscal policy; and heard an update from the NALP Foundation on current research projects, including the Alumni Study on Employment and Career Satisfaction and the Associate Attrition Study, and upcoming programs and collaborations including a Town Hall with NALP on August 12 with deans and hiring partners and a General Counsel panel in the fall.

Board members also heard from Board Liaisons about the work of several Sections, Work Groups, Committees, Advisory Groups, and Task Forces.

Finally, NALP hosted several successful Town Halls focusing on return-to-office issues and the OCI callback process. Several additional Town Halls, webinars, and round tables are scheduled and the list can be found on the NALP website at www.nalp.org/events.