In November, SALT elected its incoming leadership: co-presidents elect Raquel Aldana and Steve Bender, along with new board members Ngai Pindell, Ben Davis, Jackie Gardina, and Olympia Duhart.  Returning for additional terms are Bryan Adamson, Jane Dolkart, Avi Soifer, and Kellye Testy. 

Raquel and Steve begin their term in office in January 2010 at the SALT Board meeting that coincides with the AALS Annual Meeting.  This upcoming year will be busy for Raquel, who is moving from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Boyd School of Law in the Fall 2009 to University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.  Steve just won the Oregon Book Award.  Both have worked together on immigration and Peace Post 911 Human Rights issues through SALT. 

Each of the new SALT board members also comes with experience working on SALT committees.  Ngai helped organize last year's successful Trina Grillo Social Justice Retreat.  Ben Davis has co-chaired the Peace Post 911 Human Rights Committee, adding his expertise in international human rights to the work of the committee.  Ben represented SALT in Geneva after we filed our first CERD petition and has authored articles and statements insisting upon accountability for US decisions to subject detainees to torture and other enhanced interrogation techniques.  Jackie Gardina has been instrumental in moving the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" provision closer to repeal through her work at the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.  And Olympia Duhart has contributed already through her work on the SALT Membership Committee. 

Interested in working on a SALT committee?  Contact Hazel Weiser at 631 650 2310 or via email at hweiser@saltlaw.org to find out how.   We are always looking for enthusiasm and fresh ideas.