WLAO Current Constitution - Policy Guideline 2003: 1
Law Society of Upper Canada Bencher Elections

The Women's Law Association of Ontario may endorse and/or support a candidate or candidates standing for election as Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada. The decision to endorse and/or support any candidate will be made by the Executive Committee in its sole discretion. The decision so taken is final.
A decision to endorse and/or support a candidate will be made utilizing the following criteria:

• The candidate must be a member in good standing of the Women's Law Association and the Law Society of Upper Canada.
  
  
• The candidate must adhere to the principles of the Association's Mission Statement and provide, in writing, an example of having put those principles into action.
  
  
• The candidate must refer to and espouse the principles of the Association's Mission Statement in their campaign materials, in particular, the Candidate Profile information published by the Law Society of Upper Canada.
  

  OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
  
  Advancing the interests of women in the legal profession and society through advocacy, professional achievements, success in practice, progressive law reform and equitable policies.

  WLAO provides networking, social, business and professional development opportunities for its members.
  
  WLAO enables its members to creatively respond to issues, needs and developing interests impacting women lawyers.
  
  WLAO promotes members in leadership positions in the legal profession.
  
  WLAO partners with other legal and non-legal professional associations in developing events and programs.
  
  WLAO sponsors seminars on diverse topics of interest to our members including sessions on pursuing law partnerships, becoming a judge, election as a Bencher and pursuing law-related and alternative careers.
  
  WLAO hosts speakers' forums with prominent leaders on contemporary issues.
  
  WLAO honours women for significant contributions to women in the legal profession with an annual President's Award.

That a candidate meets the above criteria is not a guarantee the Association will endorse and/or support the candidate.
Endorsement or support of a candidate by the Association is based in material and/or information provided by the candidate and has not been independently verified.
By soliciting the Association's endorsement and/or support, the candidate agrees to have all relevant information submitted by him/her to the Association posted on the WLAO Web site and in any Newsletter, Bulletin or other media which may be distributed by the Association.
Candidates are entitled to receive a copy of this Guideline in advance of soliciting the Association's endorsement and/or support.

Date: February 11, 2003