Eligibility & Benefits

Eligibility 

The following attorneys are eligible for membership in NCCOSA:

• Attorneys who represent on a regular or continuing basis, any school district in North Carolina, which is a member of the NCSBA;
• In-house or outside counsel to NCSBA;
• Any staff attorneys employed by the North Carolina Department of Justice or the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (associate membership only);
• Any staff attorneys employed by the University of North Carolina who represents state elementary and secondary schools (associate membership only); and
• Any staff attorneys employed by the Institute of Government whose primary responsibility is in the area of education law (associate membership only).

NCCOSA membership dues are $150 per year. Membership is available without charge to NCSBA staff attorneys and to associate members.

Associate members are entitled to all state-level membership benefits, as described below. However, associate members are not entitled to membership in the National Council of School Attorneys or to any benefits of national membership.

Benefits of Membership

Membership in NCCOSA entitles school board attorneys to several benefits.

State Level Benefits

• Annual Conference -- NCCOSA sponsors an annual summer conference focusing on changes in school laws.
• Legislative Changes -- NCCOSA, through a legislative committee, actively works with the North Carolina School Boards Association Governmental Relations Department in promoting legislative changes that benefit school districts.
• NCCOSA Listserv -- Membership in NCCOSA includes access to NCCOSA's new e-mail listserve which allows attorneys to contact directly other school board attorneys to pose questions and to receive timely information that affects school boards throughout the state.
• Interaction with Fellow Attorneys -- Most importantly, NCCOSA membership provides school board attorneys the opportunity to learn and to interact with fellow school board attorneys on various issues, with NCCOSA serving as a resource and communication base.

National Level Benefits

Membership in NCCOSA, except associate membership, provides school board attorneys with an affiliate membership in the National Council of School Attorneys. Through the affiliate membership, attorneys receive:

• Publications that keep members apprised of national changes in school law, such as Inquiry & Analysis, A Word On and an annual copy of School Law in Review;
• Discounts on registration fees at the National School Board Association Conference; and
• Access to Members-Only Website that contains a brief bank, a national listserve and other helpful information for school board attorneys.