How to run for Office

Instructions for Prospective Officers

Students of LJCL,

If you are motivated and would love to experience the fun and rewarding experience of being a state officer for the upcoming school year, please follow the steps below:

How to pre-file:

  1. Fill out the candidate permission form and scan it or send a picture of it to ljclparliamentarian@gmail.com.

Candidate Permission Slip

  1. Fill out the candidate questionnaire.

Candidate for State or National Office Form

  1. If you’ve done everything correctly, you should receive an email saying you from the parliamentarian informing you of your candidate status. Before you’re officially nominated at nom com, only discuss your candidacy with people in your chapter or school, the parliamentarian, and family members

Campaign materials:

There is a $40 cap on campaign spending, and you need to present receipts for them, not including materials you already had at home. For example, receipts aren’t required for posters you already had at home and didn’t have to go out and buy specifically for the purpose of campaigning two months prior to convention. The same goes for flyers. Only put posters along the walls directly outside of and inside of the ballroom.

Nom com:

You will first be nominated by voting delegates from your chapter on the first night of convention. Do not begin campaigning until after nom com. Only 2 candidates may run per office so if there are more than two candidates who are pre filed for your office you will have to deliver a 1-minute speech and a vote will be held to determine the two advancing candidates. You will present your campaign materials and receipts to the parliamentarian after nom com.

GA II:

You will deliver a 2-minute speech and have a 1-minute introduction by a speaker of your choice.

Candidates’ Open Forum:

Candidates’ open forum is a Q and A session where you will be asked questions specific to your office as well as silly ones like “what’s your spirit animal?”

Campaign tips and regulations:

  • Don’t appear on stage for roll call or that’s entertainment
  • Don’t worry too much, campaigning is a very relaxed event and a fun opportunity to meet and talk to people.
  • No mudslinging of other candidates or wearing of their materials
  • Have specific ideas and email the person who currently holds your desired office about any ideas you may have for improving LJCL and possibly work with them to implement it.
  • Take deep breaths before your speech and just go for it.

Check out the LJCL campaign corner and constitution (LJCL Constitution) for a more comprehensive list of everything else to know as well as the below videos of current and past state officers talking about their offices. Please email ljclparliamentarian@gmail.com if you have any more questions.