Chartering, Dissolving/Merging Chapters:
NALS Membership In The 21st Century
By Mary E. Burns, PP, PLS, 2004-5 NALS President

Membership in any association is not easy in today’s busy world. Our personal and professional lives contain duties, goals, responsibilities and time constraints. NALS is aware of these obstacles and through the efforts of the NALS Resource Center, the NALS Membership Committee and the NALS Board of Directors is trying to make the evolution of “NALS Membership in the 21st Century” an obtainable goal for all.

Two areas of membership which are changing are the beginning and end of chapter life as we know it. Chartering a chapter and dissolving/merging a chapter are the areas in which we are seeing the most alteration. Below are some simple procedures for your use in facing our changing times in chapter and state life.

Chartering a chapter in NALS is an exciting time for all. A minimum of five enthusiastic, legal professionals are required to apply for a chapter charter. Work of a legal nature is still a requirement for a potential member; however, the areas of legal work have grown and are endless. It is important for the interested individuals to contact the NALS Member Services Manager to obtain a Chapter Start Kit. This kit contains all of the information needed to begin the path to establish a new chapter of NALS.

The dissolution/merger process is not an easy one. It is a time of hard decisions for many who have spent many years nurturing the growth of their chapter or state association. However, there may come a time when a merger of chapters and/or a merger with the state association is the best solution to problems such as lack of interest, lack of manpower to accomplish basic chapter/state business or lack of members in one particular area. The NALS Member Services Manager, NALS Membership Committee and the NALS Board of Directors are available to assist in these processes when the time comes for these hard decisions for you and your chapter. Notice provisions, bylaws and standing rules review, meetings with your chapter/state members, voting procedures are all areas in which NALS staff can assist. The first step is to contact the NALS Resource Center. Chapters and states are not in these types of situations alone. The NALS Board of Directors and staff are here to assist in any way possible to determine the best answer to difficult questions on the chapter or state level.

Louisa May Alcott wrote the following . . .

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead.”

We have high aspirations in our personal and professional lives. We also have to make changes in our lives as our aspirations are heightened. Let NALS change with you and let NALS take you to new heights in your legal professional career.