2013-‐2014
MABLSA Strong: Scholars. Advocates. Professionals.
MABLSA COMMUNITY SERVICE TOOLKIT Created by the 2013-‐2014 MABLSA Director of Community Service.
When you think of Community think of it broadly. Communities come in all shapes and sizes. As scholars, advocates, and professionals, it is our duty to give back to these communities. In addition to NBLSA and MABLSA’s various goals and initiatives, MABLSA will host pro-bono type legal service initiatives. This will enable us to make a difference in the community, but also enhance our resume and develop our skills where possible. The actual types of Service should also be thought of broadly. Service can be anything from a clothing drive or fundraiser to full-scale, hands on event. Find what works best for you and your chapter members! Starting Point Ø Look at the service your chapter has done in the past. What events are traditional? What can you do to make them better? What events can you add? What event just does not work? Ø Think about the community that you want to give back to and/or the organization you want to get involved with. Ø Research! Review the organization’s website to see what type of services it needs. You can contact most organizations via e-mail, but of course you can make a phone call. Ø Think about the organization’s mission. Is it one that you believe in? Ø Do volunteers need training or need to have certain qualifications? Collaboration Ø With the School - Team up with another student organization at your school. You can co-sponsor the event, help with advertising, and recruit members to participate. Participate in programs the school provides/hosts. Ø With an Organization - When an organization hosts an event that requests volunteers or if an event is open to the public, recruit your members to participate. If you have made a connection with an organization, work with them to prepare an event. Ø Follow-up as appropriate and take initiative to do so if the potential co-sponsor has not. Set the Date Ø Secure your date and venue. Ø Plan in advance if you need food, beverages, transportation. 2
Ø Recruit volunteers/chapter members. Let them know what you are doing and why. Coordinate volunteer training, if needed. Ø If your event is designed for an audience, it is best to promote the event early. Items Easily Forgotten: Ø Remember to have these, as applicable: o Boxes for collecting donated items. Boxes should be decorated, have the flyer and your contact info attached. Be sure to check your school’s policy for leaving boxes in designated areas o Lock boxes for collecting money o Sign-in sheet(s) are great for keeping track of members who participated and for reaching out to volunteers for future events o Water to stay hydrated for physically intensive events and events that require a lot of talking o Pens/pencils, paper and other stationary items o To-Do List(s) Day of Event: Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø
Have your “To Do List” and check it twice. Make sure all team players/volunteers are present and ready. Keep track of the time (you may have a designated person(s) to do so). Be prepared to improvise if something unexpected happens. Have fun! There is a level of stress and nervousness that comes with hosting/preparing any event, but in the end the service is rewarding for everyone.
After the Event: Ø Send “thank you” cards or e-mails to volunteers; co-hosts, co-sponsors. Ø Keep in touch with those who wish to be involved in the next event.
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NBLSA COMMUNITY SERVICE AREAS OF FOCUS & INITIATIVES Ø Youth Empowerment o Model Behavior Series: Chapter members are encouraged to serve as mentors to youth in their communities, particularly focusing on military youth and the unique situations in which they are placed. This mentorship should focus on homework help, peer pressure/other social issues § The key to creating success is to keep in touch with youth in the community, and to advocate for them whenever possible o A Healthier YOUth Series: Chapters are encouraged to host or volunteer for a health awareness event for youth in their communities. Ø Prison Reform/Prisoner Rehabilitation o Innocence Project Series: Chapters are encouraged to host an innocence project event in their community that promotes awareness and/or involves fundraising. o Liberating Minds Series: Chapters are encouraged to volunteer for and/or donate books to programs that provide books to prisoners. o No Return Series: Chapters are encouraged to educate juvenile offenders on legal issues, such as Fourth Amendment rights and diversion programs. The goal of this series is to reduce recidivism rates among juveniles in hopes that they will not return to the criminal justice system as repeat offenders Ø Human Rights Awareness o Born Free & Equal Series: Chapters are encouraged to educate youth and adults on their basic Human Rights; chapter can utilize the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and local human rights legislation as a teaching tool. o Change Starts With Us: Even though the United States is seen as a pioneer in many respects, it still stands behind other countries in terms of human rights. Chapters are encouraged to host a symposium or guest speaker and discuss what specific issues of individual human rights can be enacted/changed/suspended in the US. § Chapters should compare and contrast the American system with other nation states.
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Ø An Evolving History Before we move forward as an organization, it is necessary to look back at the people and forces that brought us where we are today. All chapters are encouraged to participate in community service projects within the following national schemes: o Martin Luther King: Chapters are encouraged to host a MLK Day of Service event in order to honor Dr. King’s legacy with a day on, not a day off o Black History Month: Chapters are encouraged to host an event highlighting any compelling moments of black history that occurred in their region
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MABLSA COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVES Ø Youth Empowerment o Operation HOPE – teach financial literacy from the Banking On Our Future Program (BOOF), in order to end the cycle of poverty. o Urban Alliance - Host an event to teach high school seniors resume building, interviewing skills, and provide the students with advice for going to college. Ø Promote and Increase Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, potentially disabling, autoimmune disease that affects the Central Nervous System (brain, spinal cord and optic nerves). Unlike some other autoimmune diseases, MS is not nationally reported. o Walk MS: Chapters are encouraged to fundraise and participate in Walk MS (most walks are held in April) o MS Activist: Members will be encouraged to write their legislative officials about their personal stories with MS and educate them on how legislation/funding will impact their community. Ø Increase Male Mentorship/Leadership o Mentorship: Chapters are encouraged to start their own mentorship program so members can be mentors. § Examples are Mentorship for Pre-Law Division member or Mentorship for 1Ls Ø Increase and Promote Participation in NBLSA’s International Service Initiatives o International Book Drive § Starts at the end of September and concludes in November. § Keep an eye out for opportunities from MABLSA for grants to assist to assist your chapter with the shipping and handling costs (up to $25.00) o World AIDS Day: Chapters are encouraged to host or co-host an event for World AIDS Day. § Submit your pictures and brief description of the event to mablsa.service@nblsa.org to be highlighted on our blog and social media accounts.
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Ø MLK Day o Change.org Petition: The Chapter with the most signatures will receive a prize! Ø Pro-bono Legal Service o Local Community Service: Chapters are encouraged to partner with the clinics at their school, Legal Aid, or other community partners to provide pro-bono legal service for their communities. MABLSA COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS September 30: International Book Drive -Begins October 3: Operation HOPE Training Webinar 7:
Operation HOPE Training Webinar
11-12: Annual Community Service Trip | Baltimore, MD o Friday: Operation HOPE service activity o Saturday: Pro-bono legal service activity MABLSA will offer a Service Trip grant to one person for accommodations in Baltimore. 26:
AIDS Walk | Washington, D.C. o Chapters are invited to continue in the MABLSA tradition and join the MABLSA team
November 4: International Book Drive - Ends December 1: World AIDS Day January 4: MABLSA Community Service Event | Philadelphia, PA 20: MLK Day – Sign Change.org Petition
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February 6: MABLSA Regional Convention Community Service Event | Portsmouth, VA March 1-31: MS Awareness Month April 1-30: Walk MS – held in most areas. EVENT IDEAS & TIPS Ø Youth Empowerment o Operation HOPE- MABLSA will offer webinar training for Operation HOPE, particularly for those sub-regions where Operation HOPE is not based. This will enable chapters to teach the financial literacy to youth at other events. o A Healthier YOUth - Host a panel/event that informs youth of Multiple Sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, and other diseases that plague the black community. Ø Prison Reform/Prisoner Rehabilitation o Book Drive: Research for the requirements for area prisons that accept book donations. Host a book drive by offering food/desserts to people who make a donation. If no book donation is given, ask for $5.00 Ø An Evolving History o Black History Month: Chapters can host Open Mic Nights, host an art exhibit at their school, or host an event teaching youth about historical events or locations in the local community. Ø Pro-Bono Legal Service Examples o Client Intake for legal service organizations o Assist small firms or solo practioners with pleadings, complaints, or other administrative needs. o Partner with a law firm to offer wills for seniors, military families, etc. o Estate planning (e.g., witness signing of documents) 8
o Expungements and pardons for ex-offenders o Voter registration in partnership with another organization o Restoration of rights for disenfranchised felons If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Community Service, Tenae L. Smith at mablsa.service@nblsa.org. Good luck!
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