Hi Everyone,

The MLSA elections for the 2010 – 2011 school year are upon us again! This message is to announce preliminary details about the election so that students who are considering running have time to prepare their campaign.

Elections will be held on March 24, 25, and 26^th. Voting will be from 12 noon until 4:30 pm. Results will be announced as soon as counting has been completed on March 26^th.

Nomination forms are now available for pickup from the General Office or the MLSA office. They must be completed and returned to the General Office no later than March 16, 2010 at 4:00 pm. Nomination forms must include the name and student number of ten other law students; the position you are running for; and your email address.

Candidates will learn if they are eligible on the evening of March 16^th by email. At that time, a detailed explanation regarding campaign rules and procedures will be attached. Candidates will be announced formally to the student population on March 17, 2010.

Campaigning begins on March 17, 2010 at 9 am. No posters, campaign literature, or ‘goodies’ can be handed out or posted prior to this date. Campaigning will end on March 26, 2010 at 4:30.

This year, we have decided to try something different so there will be two debate forums in which the candidates will have the opportunity to speak about their platforms and answer any questions from the student body.

The dates are as follows:

            Monday, March 22 – Class representatives, UMSU Representative, Senator, and the Manitoba             Bar Association Representative

            Tuesday, March 23 – MLSA executive (President, Vice-President, Treasurer)

The following is a list of positions available and their respective descriptions:

1.     President – Primary responsibilities include:

a.     Overseeing the activities and management of the MLSA and the delegation of duties;

b.     Acts as CFO, signing authority, and spokesman of the MLSA;

c.     Shall submit an annual report outlining the activities of the year and recommendations for the upcoming year;

2.     Vice-President – Primary responsibilities include:

a.     Assisting the President and discharging the duties of the President in the President’s absence;

b.     Ensuring that the MLSA is sensitive to the needs of students in particular circumstances (ex: International, part-time, graduate, etc.)

3.     Treasurer – Primary responsibilities include:

a.     Preparation of a proposed budge subject to Council approval;

b.     Record keeping of all financial transactions;

c.     Attending all Council meetings during which they may be required to report on the MLSA’s financial position;

d.     Making available all financial records, documents, and books.

4.     Class Representative

a.     Two Third Year Representatives

b.     Two Second Year Representative

                                               i.     Primary responsibilities include attending all Council meetings at which they represent the interests of their respective classes. They may be assigned to various committee projects by the President.

5.     The University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) Representative – responsible for representing the students of the Faculty of Law on the University of Manitoba Students’ Union Council, and attending and participating in UMSU activities.

6.     Senator – Primary responsibilities include:

a.     Representing the interests of the students on the University of Manitoba Senate;

b.     Acting as a liaison between the Council and the University of Manitoba Senate; and

c.     Attending all meetings of the Council, and participating in the Senate Student Caucus.

7.     Manitoba Bar Association Representative – Primary responsibilities include:

a.     Representing the students of the Faculty of Law in the Manitoba Bar Association;

b.     Acting as a liaison between the MLSA and the MBA;

c.     Attending MBA meetings, giving written and oral reports to the MBA regarding the Council or student business, and organizing the Mentorship Program.

In addition, third year students will also vote on a class valedictorian and class historians (one from A01, A02, and A03). Please note that for class historians and class valedictorians, the nomination forms are different but are due at the same time as the other nomination forms.

There will also be plebiscite on the ballot about changing the designation from LL.B. to J.D. Further information on the plebiscite will follow.

For clarification sake, this is what each year will be voting for:

-       First years will vote for second year reps and all other MLSA positions, except third year reps.

-       Second years will vote for third year reps and all other MLSA positions, except second year reps.

-       Third years will vote for a valedictorian, class historians (specific to their section) and for all MLSA positions, except second and third year reps.

All this information can be found on the MLSA website and on a poster located on the bulletin board outside the Moot Court Room. Additional election information (as well as particulars regarding poster sizes, etc.) can be found in the Constitution located on the MLSA website. Also note that once you are a confirmed candidate, you will receive in-depth information regarding election rules.

However, for those who are interested in getting a poster up right away on the 17^th, the rules regarding posters are as follows: each candidate is limited to two 30” x 30” posters. The posters cannot be located in the main hallway in the area between Rooms 200A and 200B (as this is where voting will take place so the posters will have to be removed) or on any glass (such as doors). The campaign spending limit is $100/candidate.

Volunteers are needed to help out supervising the voting table and also counting votes. If you are interested, please let me know.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks!

Courtney Pope

Chief Returning Officer

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