OWLS 2019 Roberts & Deiz Award Dinner Committee
Volunteer committees are the backbone of Oregon Women Lawyers. Committee work varies in duration and time commitment, with some committees serving as limited-term “project” committees and others providing year-round guidance and oversight for issue areas. Committee work is one of the best ways to support OWLS – and make friends and professional connections in the process. Committee members are members of OWLS.
AdvanceSheet Committee
Oversees production and publication of the OWLS quarterly newsletter. A standing committee, the group meets quarterly and consists of staff, OWLS members, and board members. Committee work includes planning, soliciting and writing articles and features. Chair: Joslyn Keating
Awards Committee
Tracks local and national awards. Makes recommendations to the Board regarding OWLS members to nominate for such awards, and coordinates nomination packets for Board-approved nominees. Committee consists of OWLS members and board members. Chair: Adele Ridenour
Community Service Committee
Organizes OWLS members and friends for community-related philanthropic activities, including volunteering, fundraising, and donation acquisition. To help re-ignite this committee, contact Linda Tomassi, OWLS ED.
Contract Lawyers Referral Service
OWLS maintains and markets a listing of available OWLS contract lawyers. The Contract Lawyers Service provides job listings and information for contract lawyers.
Fall CLE Committee
Plans and coordinate the annual OWLS Fall conference. The committees typically convenes for 4-6 months. Activities include everything from preparing the brochure to arranging the conference site, obtaining speakers, sponsors and vendors, and sending thank-you letters. 2022 Chair: Kristin Sterling.
Judicial Work Group
Disseminates information about judicial vacancies to its membership; responds to requests for information and support from members; advises members through the judicial application process; advocates for diverse viewpoints in the appointment process. Co-Chairs: Kathryn Olney and Jennifer Nicholls
Leadership Committee
The OWLS Leadership Committee plans and coordinates events focused on assisting women and other lawyers outside the dominant culture in developing their leadership skills and goals. This standing committee consists of OWLS members and board members. Co–Chairs: Marisa Moneyhun and Emily Busse
OWLS IN (Intersectionality Network)
Strengthens networks to promote recognition and understanding of intersectionality through meaningful partnership with specialty bars, affirmative programming, and promotion of diversity throughout our legal community. Co–Chairs: Jacqueline Alarcon and Keshmira McVey
Membership/PR Committee
Works with OWLS staff to develop strategies and materials to increase and retain OWLS membership and to ensure that OWLS is relevant and accessible to members in all geographic regions of the state. Committee consists of board members and members. Co-Chairs: Sara Kobak and Erin Dawson
Public Relations
Works to develop and implement a public relations plan to increase OWLS’ profile in the legal profession and the Oregon community by:
- promoting OWLS’ activities and accomplishments;
- cultivating earned media coverage and providing media-related resources and information to other OWLS committees;
- tracking local and national awards, making recommendations to the Board of OWLS members to nominate for such awards, and coordinating nomination packets for Board-approved nominees;
- overseeing the content and maintenance of OWLS’ website.
Roberts & Deiz Award Committee
Solicits nominees and makes recommendations to the Board for the yearly award to individuals for the OWLS Roberts and Deiz award. In addition, the committee plans and coordinates an award event the second Friday of March for presentation of the award(s). The committee is a standing committee, but is especially active from September to March. Co-Chairs: Alejandra Torres, Kalia Walker, Amy Heverly
Transformation Committee
Assists the OWLS Board, other committees and the Executive Director with implementing the “transformation” element of the OWLS mission statement, and infusing it into OWLS events and activities. The committee is a standing committee with periods of more intense activity, and consists of OWLS board and members.
The Polices and Practices Subcommittee of the Transformation Committee furthers OWLS’ mission by researching, developing, and promoting model practices and policies for law firms and legal employers. The subcommittee works closely with the Working Parents Committee toward this goal. Chair: Sheeba Roberts
Working Parents Committee
Works to support lawyers who are parenting or contemplating becoming parents. The Committee provides programming related to family leave, work life-personal life balance, career advancement, alternate work schedules, childcare, and parenting skills.
This committee will work in partnership with the policies and practices subcommittee of the Transformation Committee to develop model policies and practices needed to recruit and retain talented parent lawyers. The Committee will explore establishing a parenting mentor system for lawyers who are new parents.
An OWLS Motherhood Group operates as a subcommittee to address issues faced by women lawyers related to fertility, giving birth, birth recovery and breastfeeding. The Committee also supports OWLS Playgroups statewide. Co-Chairs: Silvia Tanner and May Low.
