The Board of Directors:
The MLBA Board of Directors is comprised of an all volunteer Board. Each Board Member is elected by the membership to serve a two year term. The Board is dedicated to promoting MLBA’s mission and vision to the greater Minnesota legal community. Board Members are responsible for actively participating in committee work, fundraising for the organization, and building collegial and collaborative relationships with LGBT and allied organizations to promote LGBT equality within the legal profession.

The Board is governed by the Executive Committee which consists of two Co-chairs who serve as the principal executive officers of the organization, the Secretary and the Treasurer.

MLBA Committees
The Board completes the majority of its work through committees. In 2011, MLBA decided to add three more committees to the already existing four. These new committees include the Marketing and Communications Committee, the Annual MLBA Conference Committee, and the Policy Committee.

Members are strongly encouraged to join a committee. MLBA can only accomplish its goals with the help of its membership. The Board sincerely hopes that the new committees will foster new opportunities for individual members to become more involved with the organization.
Members who are interested in volunteering with a specific committee should contact the Chair of that committee.
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Board Development Committee:
Ensures effective Board processes and structures, and roles.

* Prepares priorities for Board composition.
* Meets with prospective Board members and recommend candidates to the Board.
* Recommends a slate of officers to the Board.
* Conducts orientation for new Board members.
* Organizes annual Board-wide retreat.
* Identifies and organizes necessary Board-wide training.
* Develops job descriptions for Board members and committees.
* Assures the Board regularly engages in self-assessment.

Finance Committee:
Oversees development of the budget; ensures accurate tracking/monitoring/accountability for funds; ensures adequate financial controls.

* Initiates and oversees annual member drive and fundraising from outside firms/organizations.
* Initiates biennial process to set biennial budget.
* Recommends biennial budget to the Board for approval.
* Ensures development and Board review of financial policies and procedures.

Marketing & Communications Committee:
Communicates with members and persons outside the organization.

* Communicates with members, including: sends member renewal letters, welcomes new and renewing members, collects information for the online member directory, and keeps the online member directory up-to-date.
* Regularly checks the organization’s voicemail and returns calls.
* Receives the organization’s email and distributes to appropriate Board members.
* Receives the organization’s U.S. postal mail and distributes to appropriate Board members.
* Updates and maintains the organization’s web site, Facebook account, and e-newsletter.
* Identifies advertising opportunities outside of Facebook, the organization’s web site, and member e-newsletter.
* Monitors and assesses the organization’s communication tools and makes recommendations to the Board to improve/change those tools to effect the organization’s mission.

Annual MLBA Conference Committee:
Plans and implements all aspects of the Annual MLBA Conference. 

* Oversees, plans, and implements all aspects of the Annual MLBA Conference.
* Monitors and assesses the annual conference and makes recommendations to the Board to improve or change the annual conference as appropriate to effect the organization’s mission.
* Identifies key stakeholders for collaboration

Continuing Legal Education Committee:
Plans and implements all aspects of continuing legal education outside of the Annual MLBA Conference.

* Oversees, plans, and implements all aspects of continuing legal education outside of the Annual MLBA Conference.
* Monitors and assesses the continuing legal education programs and makes recommendations to the Board to improve or change annual organization offerings as appropriate to effect the organization’s mission.
* Identifies key stakeholders for collaboration.

Social Events & Community Outreach Committee:
Plans and implements all aspects of social events and community outreach.

* Oversees, plans, and implements all aspects of the organization’s social events and community outreach, including planning the annual member meeting and outreach and events at Pride.
* Monitors and assesses social events and community outreach, making recommendations to the Board to improve or change annual organization offerings as appropriate to effect the organization’s mission.
* Identifies key stakeholders for collaboration.

Policy Committee:
Responsible for organizing and implementing advocacy regarding legislative and litigation issues of importance to the organization’s mission.

* Identifies and recommends positions for the Board’s consideration.
* Oversees, plans, and implements actions for the organization’s members and collaborators to take in support of positions taken by the Board.
* Identifies key stakeholders for collaboration.