    |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PRO BONO AND COMMUNITY SERVICE IDEAS FOR MPA MEMBERS Submitted by Patrice Spencer, MPA Vice President One of the questions that comes up with regard to volunteering is how and where to find opportunities to offer your time, talent and resources. The Internet has become a useful resource for anyone looking for volunteer options. Listed below are some of sites you can check when you are considering either pro bono or community service work in the area. ProJusticeMN.org This is Minnesota’s online poverty law resource for legal professionals working with low-income or disadvantaged clients. The website address is www.projusticemn.org. This site contains an excellent database/clearinghouse for pro bono opportunities. From the left hand menu, choose the MSBA Pro Bono Directory. The next screen will offer you several drop down options to enter information for the desired county, area of law, type of group, “projects for” (put in “paralegal” here) and the database will search for a match for pro bono work. Using “All” and “paralegal”, you will receive a full two pages of search results. The search results will give you the organization name, along with the area of law, current projects and organization contact information. A recent search brought up thirty three (33) results including ARC Great Rivers, Cornerstone, Dispute Resolution Center, Domestic Abuse Project, Genesis II, Legal Rights Center, Legal CORPS, Missing Children Minnesota, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, WATCH and many others. Using a database resource can assist in narrowing down the kinds of places/work as well a direct link to a contact person at the organization. The search encompasses a wide variety of groups in many different kinds of social service areas. Chrysalis Law Clinics Chrysalis Center for Women has a long standing Law Clinic program. Clients are screened and attend a LAW Clinic held in several locations throughout the metro area at different times. They have the chance to meet with a volunteer attorney for about thirty (30) minutes to ask questions, pick up written resources and receive referrals to the Chrysalis Center network of attorneys. The Clinic is provided for a nominal fee. Chrysalis uses volunteers to help facilitate the Clinics. The website address is www.chrysaliswomen.org. Follow the links to the Legal Services for the Law Clinics. To see a description of volunteer opportunities, click on the “How You Can Help” link and follow to the volunteer section. The description has a job summary, responsibilities, qualifications, reporting relationship and time commitment. Chrysalis also has other volunteer opportunities including assisting with child care while clients have appointments at the center. Community Involvement If you are interested in community service projects, here are several “match” websites that can be used to find more information about volunteering. Volunteer Match can be found at www.volunteermatch.org. This website is also a clearing house for opportunities of all kinds in many different locations. Volunteers of America can be found at www.voa.org. Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and read their full potential. Hands On Twin Cities can be found at www.handsontwincities.org. This is also a clearinghouse site with a link to search/register for volunteer opportunities in the Twin Cities area. A small sampling of other local community service volunteer opportunities: The Habitat for Humanity local website can be found at http://www.tchabitat.org/ . Habitat for Humanity builds homes with families who demonstrate need and willingness to partner with Habitat by helping to construct their own housing. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity relies on volunteer labor and tax deductible contributions of cash, materials, professional services and property to build simple, decent homes with low-incomes families. Working under the faith-based principle that no profit should be gained from assisting those in need, Habitat for Humanity charges no interest on the homes that it sells. In operation since 1985, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has built more than 600 homes in the seven-county metro area. Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly can be found at http://www.littlebrothers.org/twincities/. Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) is an international non-profit volunteer-based organization committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. There are several kinds of volunteer opportunities including working at special celebrations and parties for the elders, visiting one on one with isolated elders in their homes, Friendship and Flowers for elders in nursing home facilities and expanded programs currently under development. Ronald McDonald House Charity can be found at http://www.rmhc.org with opportunities to help at the local chapters of the Ronald McDonald House. Here are some other frequently asked questions about volunteering: How do I find a good match with an organization? -Consider your interests, skills, abilities -Consider what kinds of volunteer work you really want to do -Consider your time (realistically) Use search engines to come up with possibilities for a match---saves time for you and help the organization to screen for volunteers with descriptions of duties What kinds of things should I look for in a volunteer situation? When you find a program you are interested in, take the time to check it out and review their website -Ask questions---is the volunteer program well established? -Is there an orientation for new volunteers? -Is there an application needed or background check (especially important when volunteering with vulnerable groups—children/elders) -Is there a volunteer coordinator? -Are the duties well defined? -Is your time acknowledged? -How does the organization communicate with volunteers (newsletters, email, etc…) -Is it easy to get in touch with the organization? What kinds of things do I need from the organization? Communication about duties, time commitments, expectations, code of conduct Respect for your time and commitment to their organization Clear boundaries about expectations What can I expect they may need from me? Possibilities: Application process, background check If doing any driving, information on your driving record and insurance Keep them informed about current contact information, phone numbers, email or address changes Honor your time commitments and communicate clearly about any time conflicts Ask questions if anything is unclear Attend orientation and review any materials provided to you There are a wide variety of community groups looking for help. Volunteering can be done individually and/or in groups providing a chance to spend time with family and friends while providing a service for your community. Using one of the volunteer database search pages is a great tool to tailor your time, talents and interests with people who can use your help. If you are looking for more information, please become involved with the Pro Bono committee through MPA by contacting the chair, Barb Peppersack at bpeppersack@larkinhoffman.com. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
MINNESOTA PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION
1711 W. County Road B #300N ♦ Roseville, MN 55113 The Minnesota Paralegal Association does not endorse or make referrals to any legal service providers. We strongly recommend that persons in need of legal services seek the advice of an attorney. At the present time, Minnesota has no minimum qualifications for persons calling themselves paralegals. The risk to the consumer of using such a person to provide legal services, without attorney oversight, is very high. The Minnesota State Bar Association offers attorney referrals as do both the Hennepin and Ramsey County Bar Associations. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Home