RESOLUTION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS 2012

The following are instructions to submit a resolution for consideration at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators 35th Annual Legislative Conference, Seeing Beyond: State Leadership, National Progress.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or later is required to complete the 2012 Proposed Resolution Submission Form posted on the NBCSL website. If Acrobat Reader is not already installed on your computer, you may download a free copy of the latest version at www.adobe.com/reader.

The national office is currently accepting Proposed Policy Resolutions. Legislators or their representative may use www.nbcsl.org/resolutionsubmission to access and complete the Resolution Submission form.

Once you have completed all required fields, you may verify your information before clicking the “Submit by Email” button at the bottom of the form to submit your completed form via Email. You may also print your completed form by clicking the “Print Form” button located at the bottom of the page. To reset the form to its original form click the “Reset Form” button located at the bottom of the page. We highly recommend that you “PRINT” your completed form for your records.

Once you have clicked on the “Submit by Email” button, the “Select Email Client” dialog box will appear presenting options for your choice of email methods. If you use Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Outlook Express for sending your email, select the “Desktop Email Application” option and follow the instructions. If you use an Internet Mail service such as “Yahoo”, Google Mail or “AOL”, use the “Internet Mail Option” selection. If you are unsure about what option to use, please select the “Other” options to proceed.

Pages 2 through 5 of the form can be used to enter the details of your proposed resolution. You may “copy” and “paste” contents from your original proposed resolution preparation document if you have one. In addition, you may also attach an electronic file to the email message that embodies your completed Resolution Submission Form.

Once you have made your selection, please remember to “Save” your completed information and “Print” your completed form. To submit via email, address all submissions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please note that submissions will only be accepted via email to the aforementioned email address.

Should you have further questions about the NBCSL resolution process, please contact the national office at 202-624-5457.

RESOLUTION DRAFTING GUIDELINES

Resolutions may only be submitted by NBCSL members in good financial standing at the time of resolution submission(s). NBCSL will verify current membership status.

Resolutions will be accepted from legislators and should be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Friday, September 16, 2011.

Resolution(s) received after the initial September 16, 2011 deadline must be submitted by a Chairperson for the policy committee under which the sponsor wishes to have the resolution reviewed. These resolutions may only be submitted by the Chairperson of the respective policy committee and emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Friday, September 30, 2011.

Resolution(s) submitted must be national in scope and should contain a qualifying background summary statement. Following is a sample format and language guideline in drafting your submission(s).

• WHEREAS - This clause should provide a brief, accurate background for the issue the resolution addresses.
• THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED – This clause should propose solutions or a recommended position/action that NBCSL.

For Example:

WHEREAS, on August 25, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast;

WHEREAS, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, nearly two thousand fellow countrymen lost their lives, 1.5 million residents were displaced and scattered across 49 states, the U.S. territories, and Puerto Rico; and hundreds of thousands of homes were destroyed in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama; and

WHEREAS, African American state legislators are committed to ensuring that the victims of Hurricane Katrina are able to return home, reconnect with their families, and participate in the rebuilding of their communities.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators supports efforts to develop a regional and national strategy for reauthorization and restoration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and defeat tactics such as the Georgia photo identification requirement and the Michigan affirmative action ballot initiative to deny equal opportunity to African Americans.