LCL member/volunteers are the lifeblood of what we do. Our volunteers often tell us they feel great personal satisfaction knowing that they have helped make a difference for a colleague. That assistance helps individuals but also supports a healthier profession.
LCL’s member/volunteers offer support to colleagues and assistance to LCL in providing the best possible lawyer assistance program. Many volunteers are in recovery from mental health, including substance use issues themselves, and wish to share their experience, strength, and hope. Others have a particular interest in stress, well-being, or related topics. Member/volunteers may serve as peer supporters to individuals regarding mental health, substance use, or stress issues. There are opportunities to speak publicly as well as numerous ways to get involved in LCL’s success as an organization. There are no dues or fees for membership and the benefits are numerous.
LCL Member/Volunteer Requirements
Any lawyer, judge, or law student may apply to become a member/volunteer of LCL if he or she cares about those affected by, or afflicted with, the problems of addiction or dependency, mental illness, or other issues affecting the profession. In addition, he or she must be willing to give time and talent to helping those in the legal community.
Becoming a Member/Volunteer of LCL requires only a few simple steps:
Step 1: Complete a Member/Volunteer Application
Step 2: Mail or fax your application to our office, or scan and email it to help@mnlcl.org
Step 3: New applicants are introduced and formally inducted at the next scheduled Membership Meeting
Benefits
- Personal and professional networking with other members through membership meetings and events
- Invitations to LCL fellowship activities (picnic, holiday open house)
- Education about substance misuse disorders, mental health issues, and other topics
- Free training in areas such as mentoring and interventions
- Email updates on LCL needs and activities as well as information about resources and current topics in the lawyer assistance realm.
Provide Direct Service
- Provide one-on-one peer support to a colleague– Peer supporters are essential to the work of LCL. With LCL staff assistance, lawyers, judges, and law students requesting a peer mentor are connected with volunteers for a variety of levels of support.
- Visit colleagues who are receiving professional treatment– LCL has developed relationships with addiction and mental health providers to inform them of the value of a visit from a colleague. With permission, our volunteers visit and provide support for those receiving inpatient and outpatient professional services.
- Participate in interventions and other outreach– Trained volunteers assist with planning and carrying out interventions.
Educate the Profession
- LCL informational tables– LCL staff and volunteers host exhibit tables at law school orientations, CLE institutes, judicial conferences, and other events.
- Public Speaking– LCL staff and members make public service announcements and develop, facilitate, and present continuing legal education courses and law school presentations. These speaking engagements address a variety of topics related to mental health, substance use, stress, and other issues. The CLE courses often receive ethics or elimination of bias credit. Speakers may present substantive material or share their own experience, strength, and hope.
Assist with LCL Operations
- Serve on an LCL committee including Education and Outreach, Finance and Fundraising, New/Young Lawyers, Social or other initiatives.
- Assist with office projects– These can range from conducting research and writing resources to assisting with fundraising and awareness events.
Support LCL Financially
- LCL accepts online and direct donations. Please visit our Donation Page to contribute.
Board of Directors
- The LCL Board Member Selection Process begins with an application. To learn more about service on the LCL Board of Directors, please contact Joan Bibelhausen.
Education and Outreach Committee
The Education and Outreach committee is responsible for developing curricula for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and general presentations to lawyers, judges, and law students. The committee is also tasked with developing and maintaining partnerships with legal education providers and other entities, and providing training and development for members. To meet the evolving needs of the legal profession, LCL’s CLE curriculum can be adapted to the audience’s needs. The committee also addresses promotion, publication, and community relations.
Nominations and Governance Committee
The role of the Nominations and Governance committee, comprised of LCL board members, is to identify and recruit board members and promote a balance in the board’s diversity. Our belief is that the organization’s strength and vitality will be advanced by a regular infusion of new members who bring energy, diversity, and new ideas and interests. The LCL board includes mental health professionals, judges, law professors, and those with expertise in other areas. The Committee also recommends by-law changes and considers other governance issues.
Finance and Fundraising Committee
The Finance and Fundraising committee adheres to a clear and consistent statement of LCL’s mission and goals to educate potential donors about the importance of their support. The Committee also reviews financial policies when appropriate.
New/Young Lawyers Committee
This committee reaches out and connects with law students and lawyers who are new to the profession through support and social activities. The group also helps to staff law school tables and engage in related outreach.
Social Committee
This committee helps to plan LCL’s annual picnic, special events such as anniversary celebrations, and other opportunities for members to connect.
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS – Date and Time will be posted here
Every year, our volunteers report over 2000 hours of assistance to their colleagues and the profession through LCL. We know there are many more.
Use this form to report your volunteer hours to LCL. You may save and attach it to an email, fax or mail it. If you like, you may also call us to report your volunteer time.
Member volunteers are an integral part of the LCL structure. By volunteering, you help meet the needs of those who request our assistance. By reporting your volunteer activities, you help LCL achieve and maintain our high accountability standards and documentation requirements. Thank you for your service to LCL!
Please help us stay in touch with you. Use this form to provide updated contact information if you are already a member. By submitting online, we will accept that as agreement with the confidentiality statement. You may also update your information by calling us.
To become a Member of LCL, you may access the Membership Application by clicking HERE.