Student Organizations: The Democratic Law Society

The Appalachian School of Law Democratic Law Society

The Appalachian School of Law campus hosts two student organizations reflecting party politics: The Democratic Law Society and the Republican Law Society.

The Democratic Law Society, founded in 2003, dedicates its members to the principles that have historically sustained the Democratic Party.

The Mission Statement

The Preamble to the Constitution of the Democratic Law Society provides:

We wish to stimulate in people active participation in governmental affairs and promote their involvement in the political process.

We believe all people should have individual freedom in the framework of a just society, political freedom in the framework of a meaningful participation by all citizens. We are aware that a party must be responsive to be worthy of responsibility.

We pledge to promote student activity within the boundary of  the Appalachian School of Law as well as within the local community.  We wish to broaden our objectives and reach out to communities across the nation.  

We are dedicated to community service as well as student performance.

It admits as members all persons in the ASL community who embody the spirit of the preamble.  It expressly incorporates a non-discrimination policy.  Members pay annual dues, but the President can decide to offer persons in need financial aid in paying those dues.

Sponsored Activities and Events

For years, the DLS sponsored a costumed karaoke contest.  I had the pleasure of serving as a judge.  More recently, it held political debate parties and a phone bank during the last presidential and local elections.

Members participated in the Backpacks for Wounded Soldiers program sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project.  WWP backpacks are filled with essential care and comfort items such as clothing, toiletries, playing cards, and more - all designed to make a hospital stay more comfortable for wounded soldiers. Wounded service members receive backpacks as they arrive at military trauma units across the United States.  When the military evacuates injured warriors overseas from field hospitals to larger military treatment facilities stateside or abroad, these soldiers receive a smaller version of the WWP backpack, known as Transitional Care Packs (TCPs), for immediate comfort.

The DLS also sponsored a March Madness basketball brackets fundraising event and a kickball tournament. Monies raised benefited the American Cancer Society. 

Professor dale Rubin serves as faculty advisor for DLS.