CBABC is a member-based organization — we are nothing without our members. One of the goals of my presidency is to ensure members feel empowered within the Association and appreciated for their efforts. This is particularly important given that all those efforts are done on a volunteer basis.

When I speak with leaders and policy makers on behalf of the association, I often emphasise that our recommendations are based on the experiences and expertise of our members, who are on the front lines of our justice system across the province. Providing your insights — be it in a ThoughtExchange, on a committee or Section Executive, in BarTalk, or as a panellist — is an important form of volunteering that helps keep the association strong and our recommendations on point.

Contrary to the punchlines of many lawyer jokes, the majority of lawyers are incredibly generous with their time. Through the CBABC, providing pro bono legal services, mentorship, or other work, lawyers in B.C. collectively donate thousands of hours of their time each year. These efforts are often motivated by a commitment to the principles that drew us to the profession to begin with, such as a sense of justice, the right to legal representation, and the desire to use our skills for the greater good.

Volunteering and pro bono work are not, of course, purely altruistic, nor need they be to be laudable. There are many well-known career benefits, including gaining experience in new practice areas, skills building, and developing your professional network. There are also many personal benefits that are often overlooked, most notably for mental health and wellness.

While it may seem paradoxical in an era of intense time pressures, volunteering has been shown to improve mental health. I see this happen in several ways within the legal profession.

Our practices are often narrower than our interests and passions. Volunteering is a way to help and connect with different clients, to pursue interests outside of our practice areas, and to work toward change at the system and policy level that’s beyond the scope of our day jobs.

Despite these efforts taking up precious time, they can improve satisfaction with our day jobs because they align with our best sense of ourselves and, often, our original motivations for picking this career path. Feeling meaning and connection with your work can reduce stress and anxiety.

If you’re looking for places to dedicate your time, here are some excellent options I recommend within the CBABC:

• Help build community and knowledge sharing in your practice area by joining a Section Executive.
• Help lawyers struggling with an issue in your area of law by becoming a practice coach.
• Help law students and junior lawyers find their path in the legal profession by becoming a mentor.
• Help educate the profession by speaking on panels in PD and Sections programing.
• Contribute to CBABC submissions to government, the regulator, and the courts by volunteering for committees.
• Help guide the CBABC’s work by running for Provincial Council.
• Quickly provide input to inform our work by filling out a ThoughtExchange.

All that said, sometimes the most radical thing you can do is rest. Many of us feel a lot of pressure to do something because we can. Having a sense of responsibility that is chronically in overdrive can quickly lead to burn out, which hurts everyone. Maintaining your own wellbeing is the first step in helping others. So remember to pause, my friends