Genesee County Bar Association

“New Admittee - 0-5 years since admission to the State Bar of Michigan. Members are eligible to vote and hold office. Regular Member - Over 5 years since admission to the State Bar of Michigan. Members are eligible to vote and hold office. Associate Member - Licensed to practice, however, has not engaged in the practice of law for compensation in the last year and will not practice law for compensation in the forthcoming year. Members shall participate in all Association functions, except Lawyer Referral, but shall not be eligible to vote on Association matters nor as a committee member. Law Student Member - Submit evidence demonstrating current student in goodstanding in an accredited Michigan Law School. Members shall not be eligible to vote on Association matters nor as a committee member. Law Group Member - Submit evidence demonstrating current student in goodstanding in an accredited Michigan undergraduate program. Members shall not be eligible to vote on Association matters nor as a committee member. Honorary Member - Attorneys who have been a member of the Association for 40 years having reached the age of 70 shall be exempt from dues. An Honorary member is eligible to vote on all Association matters as well as committees, able to be a chairperson or member of the Board of Director/Executive Committee, and entitled to participate in Lawyer Referral. Sustaining Member - Attorneys who agree to pay increased membership duesfor additional privileges as established by the Board of Directors. Members are eligible to vote and hold office. Affiliate Member - Any person employed in Genesee County as a legal professional, including but not limited to, paralegals, legal secretaries, judicial secretaries, court clerks, court administrators, court reporters, legal support staff. Members enjoy all privileges of membership except those specifically restricted to attorney members. Affiliate Members may serve on any committee or sub-committee but may not be a chairperson of a lawyer practice area committee. However, an Affiliate Member is not prohibited from serving as a chairperson of an Affiliate Member professional development/ practice committee. Business Affiliate - Employee or owner of an active and authorized businessoperating in Genesee County, Michigan. Business Members may serve on any committee or sub-committee but may not be a chairperson of a lawyer practice area committee, and otherwise enjoy all privileges of membership except those specifically restricted to attorney members or unless otherwise restricted by the Board of Directors. Business Members shall not be eligible to vote nor to serve on the Board of Directors of the Association and shall not be eligible for the various insurance plans available to attorney members and shall not have access to mailing lists of members, or contact information of members unless authorized by the Board of Directors of the Association. The Board of Directors of the Association may also allow advertising and sponsorships in any and all Bar publications or events at rates above those of Attorney.”

“The board of directors is elected by a vote of the membership.”

“The membership of the Association has the right to approve dues assessed to the members.”

“A copy of the Form 990 is provided to all board members for their review prior to filing the return.”

“If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member the opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take apporpriate disciplinary and corrective action.”

“In conjunction with the budgeting process each year, the board evaluates the director's salary in relation to other bar assocations and other not for profit organizations in the Genesee County area in addition to the relative time and experience requirements of the job.”

“Documents are made available upon request and Form 990 is also available at websites such as Guidestar and Charity Navigator.”