Young Lawyers Division 2000-2001
Monique Branscomb is an assistant editor of The Affiliate and is a solo practitioner in Phoenix, Arizona.
Easy Projects on a Shoestring
Two for the Price of One Monique M. Branscomb
Some affiliates are small in numbers and low on cash. Nevertheless, small affiliates can be just as effective as larger, better-funded affiliates. For instance, a single project can serve several purposes. One project can help raise money for other projects, serve the public, and serve bar members, all at the same time. The following programs are low-budget, fundraising, public-serving, member-helping projects that do not require a mass membership.
Lawrence Hall Tutoring Project
The Chicago Bar Young Lawyer's Section (CB/YLS) developed this project in response to growing requests by young lawyers for nonlegal volunteer experience that would provide a balance to the often impersonal practice of law. CB/YLS identified Lawrence Hall, a local social service agency, as needing mentors and tutors. A group of only five CB/YLS young lawyers and Board members worked with the staff at Lawrence Hall to develop materials and solicit volunteers. Volunteers were matched with the youth of Lawrence Hall, and individual tutorials were scheduled once a week during the school year for one hour. The volunteers helped students with their homework or basic reading and math skills.Two for One: This project serves the need of the community for tutors, mentors, and role models while providing nonlegal volunteer opportunities for young lawyers.
This program is very low-budget and truly serves the community. Affiliate members may choose any local grade school or youth center to participate. The participating organization can provide the training, the teaching materials, and the facility.
Advertising to the public is not necessary for this type of program because affiliate members simply select the school or youth center that needs mentors and tutors.
The most difficult aspect of this program is getting the volunteers to make time commitments to participate over a month, a semester, or school year. Volunteers must make the time commitment. You can solicit volunteers at bar meetings, through your newsletters, through letters to local firms and legal agencies, or through personal contact.
If your affiliate is interested in this project, contact Alison Paul at 312/715-5149 for more information.
Evening Out for Tolerance
The Maricopa County Young Lawyers Division (MCBA/YLD) organized this program as a combination fundraiser for a public service program (The Tolerance Education Project) and a social event for members. The MCBA/YLD solicited restaurants, movie theaters, playhouses, and the symphony to participate in the program. Business owners and managers agreed to donate part of their revenues for a particular evening to the Tolerance Project. In return, the MCBA/YLD agreed to encourage patronage at these businesses or facilities for the evening of the program. The YLD conducted "Evening Out" during Law Week.Two for One: This program offers members an opportunity to relax and socialize while funding a YLD project that will ultimately serve the public. Additionally, the YLD can establish important relationships with local businesses for help with other projects.
An affiliate should consider advertising the project during Law Week, the state bar convention, or in the local bar news publication. Bar members can also contact young lawyers at local firms to encourage firms to participate. Of course, local merchants will be happy to help with the advertising, since they have an interest in lawyers from all over the county flooding into their establishments.
Cost is small. Since the "Evening Out" will be at local businesses, the affiliate will not pay overhead costs. The only costs associated with this program are for advertising.
For more information about the "Evening Out" program, contact Joe Bushong at 602/255-6000.
People's Law School
The Dallas Association of Young Lawyers sponsored a series of lectures by local attorneys and judges. Affiliate members designed the lectures to cover legal topics of interest to the public, and participants were encouraged to ask questions and interact with the faculty. A small affiliate could put on a similar program. A few volunteers could plan the topics and recruit the speakers. What lawyer or judge would pass up the opportunity to tell the public about what they do?Two for One: This program serves the public by providing a forum in which lawyers, judges, and laypeople can interact in a non-adversarial and informal environment. The People's Law School also serves the members of the bar because the program enhances the reputation of lawyers, provides positive exposure for the participating lawyers, and creates an opportunity for the speakers to develop important relationships with each other.
An affiliate can advertise the program on local television stations, radio stations, and in newspapers, both through paid advertisements and public service announcements. Young lawyers can also announce the program at high schools, churches, and other community gathering places.
The major expenditures would be for an appropriate facility and advertising, but the affiliate could conduct the program at city hall, the local law school, or even in a high school auditorium or local community college for free or a small fee. Participants could pay a small admission fee to subsidize advertising costs and to guarantee attendance.
For more information about The People's Law School, contact Scott McDonald at 214/999-4584.
