GULC BLSA Programming Guide

GULC BLSA Building Leadership Service Activism

Georgetown University Law Center Chapter of

The Black Law Students Association 600 New Jersey Avenue| Washington, D.C. 20002

Email: [email protected] Web: www.georgetownblsa.org

Content

4 Academic

5 Career

6 Social Justice

7 Community Service

8 Recruitment & Retention

“For over 40 years, the Georgetown Law Chapter of the Black Law Students Association has supported diversity both in the

legal profession and educational settings.”

Fall 2010 Programming Guide

9 Alumni

10 Social

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Fall 2010 GULC BLSA Building Leadership Service Activism

Welcome to Georgetown’s Black Law Students Association!

On behalf of the 2010-2011 Georgetown BLSA Executive Boar we welcome you to Georgetown Law Center and thank you for your interest in BLSA!

I am truly honored to serve as your BLSA Chair for the 2010-2011 academic year and am excited to work with the many talented members of the executive board this year. Our strategic planning and development is already in full swing and we are working very hard on your behalf to strengthen our core programming. Now more than ever, BLSA must remember our purpose and mission: to provide the academic, professional, and community needed to support each of our members.

Over the past 40 years, BLSA has become the largest student group at Georgetown Law with nearly 200 members. As we continue to grow, we must ensure that each of you is fully equipped with the tools necessary to succeed not only in law school, but also in your post-graduate pursuits. Accordingly, this year BLSA will continue to develop programming under our theme of “Building Leadership, Service, and Activism.”

We will be more intentional in our efforts to recruit minority candidates to Georgetown Law Center. This year, we are welcoming to the board a new Recruitment and Retention position. This position will spearhead the existing Project 100 Initiative and the Student of Color Outreach Day, while also working closely with the Admissions office to ensure that we continue to attract black candidates to Georgetown Law. By serving as a student representative on college panels, traveling to Law School Fairs and re-designing the Mentor/Mentee Program, we are committed to increasing our representation here at Georgetown Law Center.

We will be more creative in our endeavors to enhance career and professional development opportunities. To this end, we also welcome a new Career Chair position to the executive board. This year’s Career Chair, in collaboration with our executive board and community partners, will be designing comprehensive career development programming. From resume reviews to networking seminars, we are excited to offer you more tailored guidance throughout this process.

We will be more aware of our power to connect with and positively affect the lives of those around us. We are looking forward to working with our Community Service Chair in this year’s DC AIDS walk; with our Attorney General in programs such as Sasha Bruce Youthwork; with our Social Chair and new family-style potlucks and

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community theater nights; with our Alumni Chair who will continue to engage with local and national alums through quarterly newsletters; and finally, with our Academic Chair who will provide guidance for incoming 1Ls during our annual Boot Camp and Exam Prep Sessions. Georgetown BLSA has the unique opportunity to not only foster growth and success for ourselves, but for our community as well.

The executive board is here to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. We are looking forward to a challenging and rewarding year, but we cannot succeed without your help. Partner with us by attending events, reaching out to fellow students, and by letting us know how we are doing. We welcome your feedback, comments, and concerns at anytime; in fact, please feel free to call or email me directly at [email protected] or (314) 814-0808 should you have any questions. Thank you in advance for your support, and all the best this academic year!

Warmest regards, Senayt G. Rahwa Black Law Students Association President 2010-2011

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August

1L Boot Camp

September

3L Bar Exam Prep Session

LRW Workshop

October

Outlining Workshop

Memo Writing Workshop

November

Exam Prep Workshop

December

Academic Programming BLSA is committed to ensuring students are equipped with all the tools necessary to excel academically. Each year students often reflect on BLSA’s Academic programming as providing the guideposts needed to navigate through first year and beyond. Our academic programming includes the following programs this fall:

Annual 1L Boot Camp

This academic program is geared towards preparing 1Ls for their first week and semester of law school all at once. Through case briefing sessions and Professor talks, this is one of the highlights of BLSA’s academic programming and has been instrumental in the success of our students each year.

Legal Research and Writing Workshop

In collaboration with Westlaw and Lexis, BLSA will organize a workshop to prepare 1L students on the basics of researching and legal writing. This event focuses on the tools needed to do effective research, the resources available to practice legal writing before the first semester memos are due, and provides a forum for 2L and 3L members to share advice as well.

Outlining and Exam Preparation

Led by BLSA members who have excelled academically and in partnership with professors, this workshop provides course reviews and tips on outlining and exam strategy.

A Look Forward at the spring:

Barrister’s Council: Advocacy Preparation

Journal Write-On Workshop

For more information contact our Academic Chair, Monica Clark at

[email protected]

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August

Interview Prep Session

September

Effective Networking Presentation

October

Getting to Yes: How to Secure a Job in a Tough Economy

November

Interactive Resume Review

1st Annual Diversity Reception

December

Career Programming BLSA is committed to providing our members with comprehensive professional development programming. Through our network of alumni and community partners, BLSA members have the opportunity to explore their options and receive individual guidance throughout the job search process. Assisting our students in their career development is a process that begins 1L year and continues well beyond graduation.

Interview Prep Sessions

Third year student panelist provide “The Inside Scoop” on Early Interview Week, demystifying the process and sharing information such as: how to manage difficult questions, what the protocol is for hospitality suits, and how to best prepare for each interview.

Interactive Resume Review

In advance of the NALP deadline, this program is an opportunity for first-year students to receive one-on-one feedback on their resume. Alumni, current students, and friends of BLSA assist in coaching students on the particulars of a legal resume.

Fall Diversity Reception

Bringing together our nearly 200 members with representatives and attorneys from local and national law firms, the reception provides the ideal setting for students to learn more about each firm, ask questions to junior associates and partners alike, and begin to build relationships that will last throughout their law school and legal careers.


“How to Market Yourself Effectively”

Public Interest Diversity Reception

For more information contact our Career Chair, Ife Hassan at [email protected]

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August

September

Voter Disenfranchisement Rally

SashaBruce Youthworks Evening

Congressional Black Caucus Events

October

Voter Registration Program

November

December

Social Justice Programming The Georgetown BLSA is dedicated to being a powerful force involved in the political, social, and economic issues affecting the largely African American residential population of DC. Through panels, volunteer evenings at local public interest organizations, networking events, partnerships with other professional, BLSA ensures that our memberships stay abreast to the socioeconomic and political issues of the day.

Voter Protection Program

BLSA will be working with local social organizations to do election protection and voter registration leading up to the mid-term elections. Too many people believe that the presidential elections are the only important election to prepare for, but BLSA seeks to illustrate that these mid-term elections were local and state representatives are elected are just as important, if not even more impactful in the everyday lives of citizens.

Congressional Black Caucus Weekend

Georgetown BLSA will be participating in the events and programs hosted and organized by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the National Black Law Students Association for the annual Congressional Black Caucus Weekend. BLSA will be joining thousands of African Americans from across the country that come together to discuss the socioeconomic issues affecting our community, to celebrate our accomplishments, and to network and empower one another.

Networking Reception

In collaboration with IMPACT, a local organization of emerging leaders in the corporate, political, and non-profit sectors, BLSA will host network receptions for young professionals to mix, mingle, and learn more about excelling and interacting with one another through our professional careers.


Bridging the Gap: Connecting Young Professionals

For more information contact our Attorney General, Britni Rillera at

[email protected]

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August

September

“So Others Might Eat” Project

October

DC AIDS Walk

November

DC Central Kitchen Day

December

Annual Coat Drive

Community Service Programming

BLSA’s reach extends beyond the classroom walls as we aim to ensure our members are engaged in the local community. We are active in many organizations throughout the DC area: serving as mentors for high school students, partnering with programs needing volunteers, and raising awareness about the needs of the underserved and underprivileged in the DC community.

HIV/AIDS Walk

In conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Black Law Students Association, GULC along with other local BLSA chapters will be participating in the annual DC AIDS Walk benefiting the Whitman-Walker Clinic. This clinic is a non-profit community-based health organization providing comprehensive health care to those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Youth Mentorship Program

GULC BLSA is partnering with SashaBruce Youthworks to mentor youth ages 15 – 24 who have struggled with the juvenile justice system. BLSA mentors will provide guidance through weekly group sessions on topics such as navigating DC law and the importance of education. The goal is to provide positive examples and support for each mentee.

DC Central Kitchen Service Day

Each year, BLSA continues to stay involved with the DC Central Kitchen’s volunteer food preparation program. As one of the largest soup kitchen’s in the area, DC Central Kitchen providing more than 4,000 meals a day to homeless and at-risk people in the DC area.


Martin Luther King Day of Service

Haiti Relief Project

For more information contact our Community Service Chair, Khaliah

Barnes at [email protected]

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August

Mentor/Mentee Brunch

September

Admissions Open House

Professor Meet and Greet

October

Student of Color Outreach Day

November

Recruitment Phone Banking Day

December

Recruitment and Retention BLSA is actively involved in working to increasing the number of diverse candidates and particularly African-Americans both at Georgetown Law Center and in turn in the legal profession. As one of the largest BLSA chapters nationwide, we are dedicated to the recruitment and retention of students from diverse backgrounds.

Student of Color Outreach Day

In collaboration with the Admissions Office of GULC, this event serves as BLSA’s primary recruitment program. With college students and young professionals attending, we provide an opportunity for potential minority students to learn about every aspect of the admissions process. The full-day of programming includes personal statement review, panels with current students and alumni, and sessions with the Dean of Admissions and financial aid representatives.

Mentorship

The Mentor/Mentee program continues to be the conduit for providing each incoming 1L with the support needed to thrive in the law school environment. Through various programming year-round, students are able to receive academic and professional guidance on a more personalized level.

Project 100 Initiatives

Each year, BLSA strives to increase the number of African Americans at Georgetown Law. Project 100 is a larger initiative encompassing various modes of outreach to prospective students throughout the application process. Via phone banking days and speaking at undergraduate pre-law panels, BLSA is committed to assisting Black candidates from preparation for the LSAT through their enrollment at GULC.


High School Law Day

Admitted Students Reception

For more information contact our Recruitment and Retention Chair,

Melanie Dickson at [email protected]

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August

September

Alumni Roundtable

BLSA Quarterly Newsletter

October

Alumni Affairs Brunch

November

Fall Happy Hour

December

Kwanzaa Cultural Expo

Alumni Outreach and Programming Through our Alumni programming, BLSA coordinates events

aimed at reconnecting Georgetown alums with BLSA, Georgetown, and their fellow alumni. The Georgetown BLSA network is rich with knowledge, wisdom, and experience. It is important that Georgetown BLSA facilitate events that allow current and past members to share in this wealth.

Alumni Affairs Brunch

Each year Alumni Affairs in concert with BLSA hosts a Fall Brunch for all GULC BLSA Alumni. This is an opportunity for alumni to gather with family and friends and reconnect with the Law Center.

Networking Mixer

Many Georgetown BLSA Alum have stayed local—and continue to work in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia areas. Each semester, BLSA hosts an informal mixer at a local DC venue for alumni and students to gather and take a break from school and work.

Quarterly Newsletter

Twice a semester, alumni will electronically receive information on upcoming events, topics of interest, and highlights of past events including pictures and stories. This newsletter is another medium to connect BLSA to the chapter and organization.


BLSA Alumni Conference

Spring Happy Hour

For more information contact our Alumni Chair, Adam Edris at [email protected]

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August

Boot Camp After Party

September

Welcome Back to DC BBQ

October

First Sundays Potluck

BLSA Sponsored Bar Review

November

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Event

First Sundays Potluck

December

First Sundays Potluck Study Break

Social Programming Though BLSA is committed to ensuring its members thrive academically, it is equally committed to fostering strong bonds and relationships amongst its members that will last long after graduation. BLSA hosts a variety of social events throughout the year, often with other student groups, to give members an opportunity to relax, make new friends, and have a good time. Our social programming includes the following events for the fall:

First Sundays Monthly Potluck

On the first Sunday of each month, BLSA members will gather at a cozy location to enjoy good food and good company. In the tradition of the Black family “Sunday Dinner,” these potlucks are geared towards, not only feeding the body, but feeding the soul through stimulating conversation, encouragement, camaraderie, and, of course, great food!

Kwanzaa Cultural Expo

In the great tradition of not only the Law Center, but of Blacks across the Diaspora, the Kwanzaa Cultural Expo serves as an opportunity for BLSA members and the larger DC community to come together to celebrate Black culture. In the past, the Expo has featured African drummers and dancers, dynamic speakers, and gospel choirs. It is a high-energy, spirited event where members are reminded of the very special privilege we have been afforded as students of color at the Law Center. The Expo also serves as one of the final major events before final exams and winter break.


Hot Chocolate Talent Showcase

For more information contact Senayt Rahwa at [email protected].

GULC BLSA Building Leadership Service Activism

Visit us on the web at www.georgetownblsa.org

Georgetown University Law Center Chapter of The Black Law Students Association

600 New Jersey Avenue| Washington, D.C. 20002 Email: [email protected]

Documents

GULC BLSA Programming Guide