The Law Student Division wants more law schools to say "A-OK" to OAI. Since its inception during the 1988/89 school year, the Outreach Assistance Initiative has distributed tens of thousands of dollars to help law schools start up public-service programs that are not being funded by either their schools or local bar associations. But as the tenth anniversary of the funding program nears, officers of the Law Student Division say they would like more law schools to take advantage of the program's financial incentives and administrative assistance."OAI has been one of the Law Student Division's best-kept secrets, but we don't want it to be kept a secret anymore," says Jeffrey Jacobson, chair of the Law Student Division. Through OAI, law schools can receive up to $500 to offset some of the costs incurred when starting up a new community-service project or continuing an existing one. The funding promotes public service and professional development activities that are designed to improve the image of the legal profession, help law students reach out to their communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for law students.
The funding may be used to cover expenses such as photocopying, long-distance telephone calls, and other start-up and overhead costs. Travel expenses and alcohol for social gatherings are not reimbursable.
"It's a financial incentive to start an ongoing community-service program and to remove that all-important monetary obstacle when setting up a program," Jacobson says. While preference is given to first-time service projects, existing programs are also eligible for funds. Law schools may apply as often as they like.
Each year, the Law Student Division sets aside between $4,000 and $6,000 to be earmarked for OAI-eligible programs. Last year, 25 law schools applied for OAI funds. Approximately 80 percent of the applicants received some funding, which ranged from $50 to $500.
Some of the projects which have received funding in past years include Habitat for Humanity, Law Students for Literacy, Race Judicata, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, and various Work-A-Day programs.
Much of OAI's success is evident in the number of recurring community-service programs which began with seed money from OAI funds, says Randa Ismail, immediate past secretary-treasurer of the division.
In addition to funding, law students may receive free pamphlets and an OAI handbook describing the types of public-service programs they can start. These resources describe programs that other law schools have organized and implemented under OAI and offer suggestions on how to set up similar activities and organizations. Both are available from the Law Student Division office in Chicago.
The handbook includes a step-by-step guide on how to launch a new community-service program. Sample press releases and other important materials are also contained in the handbook. "It's a whole recipe for ensuring success," Ismail says.
To be eligible for funds, law school representatives should complete an application form describing their program. Requests for reimbursement must be submitted along with an estimated and, later, actual budget statement. A simplified application form is available for law school organizations seeking reimbursements of up to $100. Division staff members review the reimbursement requests within two weeks of receipt.
Law schools may apply for OAI funding at any time during the year, but the actual program must be completed by the following May 1. Criteria used in selecting eligible recipients of the funding include whether the funds will be used for the initial implementation of the program, the number of law students participating in the program, and the likelihood of the program's success and continuation.
Students interested in obtaining an application form for reimbursement and additional information concerning the types of programs they can organize at their schools may call 312/988-5624 or write to the Outreach Assistance Initiative, c/o the American Bar Association/Law Student Division, at 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611.
Tommy Sangchompuphen
September 1997 Table of Contents | Student Lawyer | Law Student Division
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