25 th Annual National Conference Raising the bar: Striving for Excellence February 12 th to 14 th Toronto, Ontario www.blsacanada.com
Striding toward Excellence Contents Letter to Potential Sponsor... 2 Our Philosophy... 3 Conference Highlights... 4 Conference Sponsorship Opportunities... 5 Display Sponsorship... 7 Mentorship Program... 8 Mentorship Activities... 8 Scholarship Program... 9 Community Involvement... 10 BLSA Cares Sponsorship Opportunities... 11 Single Event Sponsor... 12 1
Letter to Potential Sponsor Legal community and corporate partners It is our pleasure to introduce you to the Black Law Students Association of Canada (BLSA Canada). We are a national organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for black students and other underrepresented minorities across the country who are either aspiring to, or currently attending law school. Founded in 1991, BLSA Canada was established to identify and work towards the removal of systemic barriers in the legal profession and to promote access to law school for black students. Our mandate also includes the provision of services, activities, publications and facilities that address the needs and objectives of all underrepresented minorities. Additionally, through BLSACare s, a community based initiative, we have extended our engagement to black high school and undergraduate students, as well as the community at large. More specifically, BLSACares engages in grassroots community based outreach by providing career-building spaces outside of formalized educational settings. The desire to further such initiatives stems from a will to increase the amount of racialized students in Canadian law schools, and in conjunction with this, professionals in legal academia and practice. This year marks the 25 th anniversary of BLSA Canada, a significant milestone for our organization. We warmly extend a partnership opportunity to you, hoping that this year we can work together to make a difference in our community. To make this possible, BLSA Canada is reaching out for the generous support and advice of valued community activists and corporate partners to provide educational, innovative ways in which to empower Black students. As an esteemed sponsor and partner of BLSA Canada, you will experience the unique opportunity to gain significant exposure via our Annual National Conference, as well as our BLSACares Mentorship and community building initiatives. In particular, the Annual National Conference is a significant social and educational gathering of law students from across the country. We are excited to announce that in 2016, BLSA Canada will host its annual conference in Toronto, Ontario. This event is the largest single gathering of black law students in Canada, and brings together legal professionals from across the country. We can provide your organization with a unique opportunity for heightened exposure to these professionals, as well as a the wider legal community. We invite you to support our initiatives through sponsorship and/or advertisements. We have developed a tiered capitalization plan that emphasizes both physical interaction with students and a media savvy platform. Our initiatives will provide a marketing base through which to develop and support your ongoing business needs. We invite you to browse through our partnership package and engage with the suggested approach, or tailor a plan best suited to your organizational and promotional goals. We sincerely appreciate your interest in our cause and are looking forward to collaborating with you in order to further equality and diversity within the Canadian legal landscape. Should you require further information, please contact Drew Hampden via email at finance@blsacanada.com or Stéphanie Déborah Jules at president@blsacanada.com. Kindest Regards, Drew Hampden, Treasurer Stéphanie Déborah Jules, President 2
Our Philosophy Striding Toward Excellence. Our Vision In aiming to promote diversity in the legal profession, BLSA Canada champions the ideals of courage and leadership. On our 25th anniversary, we are proud that these notions underpin our efforts to promote the welfare and interests of Black law students and to encourage a more inclusive vision of the legal profession. As we reflect on the great things this organization has accomplished since its inception, we have greater expectations for the future. As such, this year s national theme is Raising The Bar: Striding Toward Excellence. At this milestone, the national executive seeks to encourage greatness at every BLSA chapter and to elevate our organization toward excellence. To this end, BLSA Canada will be putting greater emphasis on engaging with students from high school to undergraduates who plan to pursue legal education. As well, we seek to increase networking and collaboration between BLSA Canada s national constituency and practicing lawyers. We appreciate your interest in our cause and look forward to collaborating with you to further promote equality and diversity within the Canadian legal landscape. 3
Conference Highlights Uniting. Enriching. Challenging. As the crown jewel event of the year, our National Conference serves as a forum for underrepresented students to learn more about the legal profession from prominent lawyers, judges and politicians. This year, the 25 th Annual National Conference, entitled Raising the Bar: Striving Toward Excellence will be held from February 12 th to 14 th, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario. Participants will have the opportunity to attend speaker sessions, workshops, exhibits and social events designed to connect students, legal organizations and law firms. Workshops and Panels. BLSA Canada s workshops provide students with the practical tools they need to fulfil their career goals. The panels promote new and critical thinking about emerging legal issues, encourage professional competence and legal excellence, and help in identifying systemic barriers in the law and offering viable solutions. Diversity Moot. The Julius Alexander Isaac Diversity Moot is now accredited and is overseen by a body of academics and practitioners. Law students from across Canada are invited to participate in this bilingual moot and are selected based on their oral advocacy, writing and research skills. Community Outreach. Members of community organizations are invited to attend the conference. BLSA Canada s goal is to enhance the public s knowledge of the law and create an ongoing dialogue between marginalized communities and the legal profession. Networking and Mentorship Opportunities. BLSA Canada offers mentors and specialized conference panels for high school students and other aspiring lawyers. Gala. A black tie affair where BLSA Canada announces the winners of the Diversity Moot Court Competition, along with keynote addresses and exciting evening entertainment. Conference Composition Each of our events presents you with the opportunity to engage enthusiastic minds across the entire legal spectrum. The following pages will highlight all the diverse and unique sponsorship prospects available to you and your organization. We warmly welcome your participation in our 25 th Annual National Conference. 31% 8% Conference Composition Law and 6% 55% Articling Students Pre-Law Students Lawyers, Academics, Judiciary Community Members 4
Conference Sponsorship Opportunities Diamond Sponsor $10 000 Speaking opportunity at the Gala and one of the two Keynote Lunches Exclusive signage at one of the two Keynote Lunches Sponsor exhibit space for the duration of the Conference 10 all-access conference passes 1 reserved table at the Gala and at one of the two Keynote Lunches Premiere logo placement in all Conference marketing materials 3 marketing items included in Conference package Full page ad in BLSAC magazine Company name and logo listed as Diamond sponsor on official signage for the duration of the Conference Colour imprint of logo on conference bags Official donation receipts for income tax purposes Platinum Sponsor $5000 Sponsor exhibit space for the duration of the confernecde 3 all-access conference passes (excluding accommodation) 3 tickets to the Gala Prominent Logo placement in all Conference materials and website 2 marketing items included in Conference package purposes Silver Sponsor $2000 1 all-access conference pass Prominent Logo placement in all Conference materials and website Company name and logo listed as Silver Sponsor on official signage for the duration of the Conference purposes Gold Sponsor $3500 2 all-access conference Passes (excluding accommodation) 2 ticket to the Gala Prominent logo placement in all Conference materials and website 1 marketing items included in conference package purposes Bronze Sponsor $1000 Prominent Logo placement in all Conference materials and website. Company name and logo listed as Silver Sponsor on official signage for the duration of the Conference purposes 5
Open Ceremonies Title Sponsor $ 7 500 Exclusive signage at the opening ceremonies Speaking Opportunity at the Conference Opening 1 2 page ad in BLSAC Magazine and on website Logo placement on website 3 all-access conference passes Sponsor exhibit space for the duration of the Conference purposes Sponsor a Pre- law Student 250 Join us in opening the doors to success by offering pre-law students this unique opportunity to network with legal professionals in a collegial environment. BLSA Canada s National Conference offers high school and university students panels specifically geared to their interests and needs. BLSAC also provides an exclusive conference mentorship program that pairs up pre-law students with law students and professionals for the duration of the Conference. In some cases, BLSAC s National Conference may well be the only venue readily accessible to these students. Help these students by donating and/or by signing up as a mentor for the duration of the conference (see Commitment Forms for details).
Display Sponsorship Type of Sponsorship Amount Benefits Registration Desk $1,500 Logo on desk and item in conference gift bags Gala Table $1,000 Logo on Welcome table, recognition in conference materials Gala Entertainment $2,500 Coffee Break (4) $1,000 Podium introduction, firm display and signage and recognition in conference materials Logo on coffee table, recognition in conference materials Breakfast (1) $3,000 Lunch (2) $2,500 Verbal recognition, logo display and recognition in conference materials Verbal recognition, logo display and recognition in conference materials BLSA Canada Magazine 250$ - 1 000$ BLSAC s yearly magazine covers topics relating to the practice of law, access to justice issues and legal issues affecting the Black community. It is distributed nationally and electronically to law students, legal professionals, law schools, community organizations and law firms. To have a greater reach within the community, the magazine will also be available online at blsacanada.com and through a link on BLSAC s social networks. Place an advertisement in our 2012-2013 BLSAC Magazine to promote your organization s services, products or career opportunities (finished digital artwork must be supplied by the advertiser)! 7
Mentorship Program The Future Of The Legal Landscape GOAL We aim at informing young high school and undergraduate students about the law school application process and about life as a law student. We seek to advise them on how to navigate law school, and offer them the opportunity to be mentored by law students and legal professionals. In addition, in our effort to cultivate a sense of belonging, BLSACares will inform members about the practice of law as well as other relevant areas that substantiate a law degree. Mentorship Activities Applying to law school Each Mentor will assist undergraduate students in preparing for the Law School Admissions Test. These events will include a mock LSAT, LSAT Prep Courses, and a guide to registering for the LSAT. Further, mentors will also guide aspiring law students in preparing their application: CV, Cover Letter and reference letters. Courthouse/ Law School Tour It is important that pre-law students are exposed to the profession to which they aspire to work in. With the help of the BLSA Canada chapters, BLSACares will organize tours of local courthouses and schedule a tour of the law schools with the schools admissions department. The visit and tour will host groups of 5 mentors at a time and will end with a sponsored lunch where students will be invited to reflect on what they have learned and to ask questions. There will also be a mini trivia game, which will test the students on the visit and the new terms or concepts learned throughout the day. The winner will receive a sponsored school bag. 8
Scholarship Program Providing Opportunities The BLSACares Scholarships are to be awarded on the basis of financial need to a visible minority student in his or her second year of study in an LLB or JD program at a Canadian law school. Applicants will be required to satisfy the criteria described below and write an essay on a legal issue to be determined by the BLSACares Scholarship Awards Committee. As part of the selection process, each short-listed candidate will be interviewed via telephone. TERMS Scholarship Administrator BLSACares. Scholarship Sponsor Funds to be disbursed by the sponsor to the Scholarship recipient at a ceremony or in such other manner as may be determined by the Sponsor. This is a needs based scholarship. The recipient will be a member of a visible minority or an active member of the BLSA community. The Scholarship will be available to law students in their second year of an LL.B. or J.D. program enrolled in a Canadian Law School. The Scholarship funds will also be provided in the final term of the last high-school or CEGEP year, with the intent that it will be of assistance to the recipient in his or her fist year of study. A complete application will include a completed application form, a résumé of the applicant, and an original essay on an issue relating to a legal area (either solicitor based or advocacy based), as determined by the Scholarship Awards Committee. Recipients will be required to commit to participate in an initiative to give back to the community. The Scholarship Awards Committee and the Scholarship recipient will discuss and agree on the nature of the community involvement. For example, the successful applicant may attend and participate in BLSACares speaking events for high school or undergraduate students to discuss the path to law school. 9
Community Involvement Because Knowledge is Power Knowledge is Power" is an event that focuses on young people in deprived communities in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. It is a day where students between the ages of 14 and 19 are offered the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops. The workshops are practical so that students develop the skills needed to meet the application criteria for post-secondary education. Moreover, these are skills that will benefit them for life. The workshops will focus on interview strategies, financial budget (Scholarship, loans), networking and career planning. We would also like to offer young people the experience of a fictitious moot to give them a glimpse of what a trial is. In addition, we will have specific workshop for girls titled "EmpowerUs". EmpowerUS was created not only to help young girls to improve and get new skills, but also to help them to believe in themselves and in their dreams. GOALS 1. Skill-building 2. Providing empowering tools for professional and personal growth 3. Building mentorship opportunities and connections 4. Targeting drop out rates throughout Montréal, Ottawa and Toronto NATURE OF ACTIVITY Inspirational Empowering Practical Interactive Educational METHOD One-day conference and interactive workshops revolving around the law: Knowing your rights Financial Literacy Workshop for girls Etiquette Scholarship Writing Mock Trial Networking Public speaking Career Planning Interview Strategies 10
BLSA Cares Sponsorship Opportunities Diamond Sponsor $5 000 $3,000 BLSACares Scholarship $2,000 Knowledge is Power Prominent Logo placement in all BLSACares organized events Prominent Logo on website and BLSACares printed materials. Official donation receipts for income tax purposes Platinum Sponsor $ 3 000 $2,000 BLSACares Scholarship $1,000 Knowledge is Power Prominent Logo placement in all BLSACares organized events Prominent Logo on website and BLSACares printed materials. purposes Silver Sponsor $ 2000 $1,000 BLSACares Scholarship $1,000 Knowledge is Power Prominent Logo placement in all BLSACares organized events Prominent Logo on website and BLSACares printed materials. purposes. Gold Sponsor $ 4 000 $3,000 BLSACares Scholarship $1, 000 Knowledge is Power Prominent Logo placement in all BLSACares organized events Prominent Logo on website and BLSACares printed materials. purposes Bronze Sponsor $ 1, 500 $1000 BLSACares Scholarship $500 Knowledge is Power Prominent Logo placement in all BLSACares organized events Prominent Logo on website and BLSACares printed materials. purposes 11
Single Event Sponsor Knowledge is Power Sponsor $ 1500 Prominent Logo placement in all BLSACares organized events Prominent Logo on website and BLSACares printed materials. purposes BLSA Cares Scholarship 5 000$ 5000$ BLSACares Scholarship Prominent Logo placement in all BLSACares organized events Prominent Logo on website and BLSACares printed materials. purposes *Please direct sponsorship or advertisement questions to Drew Hampden, BLSA Canada s Vice President of Finance at finance@blsacanada.com. For questions pertaining to the conference and programming please contact Michelle Smith, BLSA Canada s Conference Chair at conference@blsacanada.com. 12
SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT FORM Company/Organization Name: Address: City: Province: Postal Code: Contact Name: Phone: Fax: Email: Signature: TOTAL SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT: Conference Sponsorship r Diamond Sponsor $10 000 r Platinum Sponsor $ 5 000 r Gold Sponsor $ 3 500 r Silver Sponsor $ 2 000 r Bronze Sponsor $ 1 000 Community Sponsorship r Diamond Sponsor $5 000 r Platinum Sponsor $3 000 r Gold Sponsor $4 000 r Silver Sponsor $2 000 r Bronze Sponsor $1 000 r I/We cannot accept your invitation to participate as a sponsor, but we would like to support BLSAC s mission. Enclosed is a contribution of. Please make check payable to Black Law Students Association of Canada and mail to: 5778 South Street, app. # 407 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 4N5 13