Tebow! Tebow! Tebow!
Yes, I am a Tebow fan - actually more like a Tebow fanatic. Not just because I love to watch him play football (or model Jockey T-shirts) but because I appreciate his determination, his team spirit and his willingness to volunteer and help others.
It amazes me how he can inspire and lead his teammates with such energy and how he volunteers countless hours of his time. He not only wants his team to excel, but he truly wants to make a difference in the community.
Our Bar Association’s mission has many of the same ideals that Tebow espouses. The Association serves to assist and encourage its members to practice with the highest professionalism and to provide unselfish service to the community. The Association strives to make a difference for its members.
However, in order to accomplish these ideals, the Association relies on volunteers who, like Tebow, are not only willing to give back but do so with undying enthusiasm. These volunteers chair and are members of our 42 practice sections and service committees.
Are you a section or committee member? Do you volunteer your time and talents?
I realize that many (FSU, Bama or Georgia fans, for instance) may not be able to look past football and see Tebow’s qualities. Similarly many may not be able to see the benefits in serving on one of the Association’s committees or sections. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous, not only to The Bar Association, our profession and our community, but to you.
Volunteering strengthens the bond within our professional association as it leads to camaraderie among the members and positive relations between the bench and bar. At the same time, it provides for service and commitment to the community of which we are a part and which depends on us.
Volunteering also is a way to help achieve professional and personal satisfaction It’s a guarantee that what one gives to the community or profession will in turn be given back to you.
In today’s busy society, it can be hard to think about finding time to volunteer and serve. After all, we have work and families that take up the majority of our time. Yet, volunteering does not take much. Sometimes it’s just a couple hours a month, if that, and frankly the benefits and rewards outweigh any downsides.
So, as summer comes to a close and The Bar Association’s year moves into high gear, take this opportunity to make a difference not only in our Association but in our community.
Our committees and sections range from service to the community through pro bono activities or holiday projects, to service to our membership through mentoring and judicial relations, to improving the practice of law by section meetings and CLE’s.
Now’s the time to find that determination and motivation and not only engage in The Bar Association’s activities, but join a committee or section and share some of your time. You will quickly realize that you too can make a difference in our community and our profession.