The Atlanta Lawyer December 2018 / January 2019 | Page 16

SIDE BAR NEW Side Bar Initiative – Have Fun while You Connect By Chris Lightner Alston & Bird LLP In an effort to foster meaningful member engagement, the Atlanta Bar Association is pleased to an- nounce the launch of our new Side Bar Initiative for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The Side Bar Initia- tive, at its core, will establish small mentor groups tasked only with doing at least one fun activity each month and remembering to document and share those ac- tivities with others participating in the Initiative. In addition to having some fun, a goal of the Side Bar Initiative is to provide an op- portunity to interact and engage with lawyers with varied years of experience and diverse practices and different interests. Recog- nizing the importance of philan- thropic causes to our members, the Initiative will also conclude each year with a charitable event, awarding superlatives to the best small mentor groups in different categories, while raising funds for a charitable organization directly selected by those participating in the Initiative. Those members who join the Ini- tiative will have the opportunity to learn from those more senior and more junior in their careers, while 16 December 2018/January 2019 doing so in informal, fun-focused settings. And although suggestions for activities will be provided by the Atlanta Bar Association, driven through social media, creativity and spontaneity will be valued. Monthly winners will be chosen, giving bragging rights and en- couraging friendly competition for following monthly activities. To ensure the success of the Side Bar Initiative, the Side Bar Com- mittee is currently looking for a diverse group of volunteers to participate in a Pilot Run of the Initiative, running from January to June 2019. We need roughly 8-10 volunteers; first come, first served, so don’t delay and con- tact Chris, Betsy, or Nora below if you’re interested! Also, if you would like to serve on the Side Bar Committee, helping to suggest monthly activities, pair mentor groups together, and/or plan the annual charitable event, please reach out to Chris, Betsy, or Nora. All ranges of career experience are welcome (and needed!) in both the Pilot Run and the Committee. Plus, you never know who you may meet; so sidle up to the Side Bar and sign up today! Chris Lightner ([email protected]) Betsy Griswold ([email protected]) Nora Robb ([email protected])