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LEAD RESPONSIBLY
Lead responsibly. For instance, I recall receiving information about a job
opportunity for members, so I communicated that to the person whose job it was to
disseminate that information to other members of the organization. When that person
indicated that they would be taking that opportunity for themselves and refused to
disseminate the information, I disseminated that information myself. That person’s
reputation suffered somewhat within the organization for just overall acting selfishly.
While not everyone will like you personally or agree with you, at least not all of the time,
serve the organization in such a way that no one could deny your contributions- whether
they like you or not. Although it is not always easy, do what is best for the organization,
not yourself, and it may personally pay off sometime in the future. Do this even though
you may see those without good intentions promoted through the organization – you do
not need to point it out as that can result in backlash against you, however unfairly. It
could be as clear as day to you that the other person is acting selfishly but no matter.
Let them discover others’ true motivations for themselves.

MAINTAIN A PROFESSIONAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OTHER BOARD MEMBERS
You do not need to personally like everyone! Refusing to speak with other
members when there is a problem is also a bad call. In one of my positions, there was
a board member who refused to speak to any other board member besides myself.
While I was flattered, this created more frustration for the other members as I had to
serve as the go-between. Someone may judge that member who refused to speak with
the other board members as being unprofessional or immature.

PRESENT A UNITED FRONT
Do not disagree with other board members publicly/in front of general members!
Especially not for your own personal benefit! Give your fellow board members that
deference. The executive board should be a united front among others. Do not throw
your fellow board members under the bus. And give the heads up to fellow board
members about what you plan to say at general body meetings. Additionally, if you
make a bad call, do not let a fellow board member take the fall for your decision. Own
up to it- all of the members will probably, at least silently, admire your courage in doing
so. Disagreeing publicly with other board members allows general members who may
be feeling insecure about their own accomplishments, in comparison to the board
members or others, the go-ahead to be challenging or downright rude to your fellow
board members. Open season! In many organizations, an “us vs. them” mentality
seems to develop particularly at larger meetings where general members think it’s going
to be impressive to rudely question even the most minute details of a decision by the
board. They all too often forget that board members are members and law students just
like they are! It also turns off other members to the organization.

Two examples:
(1) while serving as National Parliamentarian of NBLSA, I attended a
convention of another organization, in which I was not yet an official
member, primarily to pick up some ideas for NBLSA.

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