Forming a new Substantive Law Section

To form a new section, a core group of at least 10 people is required. Organizational meetings can be held virtually or with proper notice at the Bar office. An interim chairperson should be selected until regular elections can be held. Submit the names of all interested individuals along with a letter requesting the formation of the new section to the Board of Governors, who will vote on the matter at their next meeting. See sample letter. 

Considerations for Forming a Section

If the section targets a small group of Bar members, consider the following: Previous small, niche sections have gone inactive within a year or two due to low attendance, difficulty drawing a large enough audience for required CLEs, and challenges in sustaining engaging topics and speakers. This is not to discourage you but to highlight the responsibilities involved. The Alaska Bar will support your section in achieving its continuing education goals.

Membership

Membership in one section is included in your Bar dues. Additional sections cost $15 each. Non-Bar members may join for $15 per section but are non-voting members and cannot serve on the Executive Committee. Membership runs from January 1st through December 31st.

Membership Benefits

All section members receive emails and information from section chairs. Currently, all section meetings are conducted virtually.

Budget

Sections do not have individual budgets. One Bar line item covers all costs associated with sections, including staff time and Zoom accounts.

Section Responsibilities

Each section must:

1. Hold monthly (meet every other month or quarterly as needed) meetings with substantive topics.
2. Present at least one CLE seminar every two years.
3. Lead the annual section meeting and electing new executive committee members or chairs by September 30.

Note: Associate members are non-voting members and cannot serve on the executive committee.

Bar Support for Sections

• Meetings: The Bar arranges regular section meetings via Zoom. With prior notice, meetings can also be held in the Bar conference room. The Bar will email materials to members and maintain section webpages. Note: Most sections do not meet over the summer (June – August).
• CLE: The CLE Director must approve the topic, date, and location of the CLE. Once approved, the CLE Bar staff will provide administrative and logistical support for the program including but not limited to creating the budget and all marketing materials.  The section is responsible for providing members to assist in planning, presenting the topic, and developing materials.
• Updates: Professional updates covering significant cases and legislation affecting the section’s area of law are presented to members either at regular section meetings or CLEs and materials are posted on the Bar website.

For additional information on forming a section, please contact the Section Coordinator, Lynn Whittingham, at sections@alaskabar.org or (907) 272-7469.