Feature Article
TIME WELL SPENT
Volunteer Opportunities for Bar Members
By Lisa Liang
Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc.
[email protected]
W
hat is well-known and established is that the
Atlanta Bar Association is the largest voluntary bar
association in the southeast with a membership
of over 6,000 members from twelve counties throughout
the metro Atlanta region. Similarly well-known and highly
regarded is the Bar’s national reputation for successful and
innovative programs. What is less-often talked about is the
relatively recent evolution of the Atlanta Bar as an association
with paid leaders. For many decades the Atlanta Bar was
run only by volunteer attorneys and staff and only in recent
memory, run by a paid Executive Director. With our growing
membership and flagship programs, we now have 14 staff
members and Terri Beck, our Executive Director. Even with
a nearly full staff, it takes
a legion of volunteers to
run not only the ship of the
Atlanta Bar Association, but
also its many programs and
projects.
“
Volunteer activities span from coaching mock interviews,
reviewing resumes, providing networking “how-tos”, and
general career advice.
• Atlanta Santa (Christmas season): Volunteers acting as
elves and Santa Clauses spread cheer during the holiday
season as they visit with children and adults with Santa Claus
at hospitals, shelters, foster care and nursing homes.
• Legal Runaround 5K Race (fall): Lace up your shoes or
assist in planning and executing this fun annual fall Atlanta
Bar fundraiser. Proceeds go to the Atlanta Bar Foundation to
be awarded as college scholarships for children of the Atlanta
Police officers who have been
injured or killed in the line of
duty.
“Service is the measure of
greatness; it always has
been true; it is true today,
and it always will be true,
that he is greatest who
does the most of good.”
A n n u a l l y, w e f o r m a l l y
pause to celebrate service
at our Celebrating Service
luncheon, but less formal
pause is given to the
actual Call to Service. Why
volunteer with the Atlanta
Bar Association? First and
foremost, as we all know, as
lawyers we have the unique
and special responsibility
to pro bono service as well
as community service. The
Atlanta Bar has many opportunities, spanning various
interests, skill sets and time commitments, for pro bono and
community service. For instance, consider volunteering with
the following activities:
• Law School Outreach Committee (ongoing): Join
colleagues and Georgia law school staff and professors to
deepen the relationship with law students. Help brainstorm
programs and services beneficial to law school students.
6 THE ATLANTA LAWYER
May 2014
• Bard Show Performance
(winter): In its eleventh year,
the Bard Show is the place
to showcase your thespian
talents or volunteer as a stage
hand or assistant. It’s an
all-lawyer song and dance
extravaganza that raises
money for the Atlanta Bar
Foundation.
• Law Day (April): Volunteers
can help teach scripted civics
lessons and help with mock
trials and other activities at
the Atlanta Bar Association’s
partner school, Therrell School of Law, Government and
Public Policy. Volunteers can also join the Dream Team Law
Day efforts as a representative of the Atlanta Bar.
• Therrell Task Force (ongoing): Volunteers assist in various
initiatives to support students and teachers with the goals
of improving graduation rates at Therrell High School and
encouraging students to pursue careers in law, government
and public policy.
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association