Fenton, Jane --- "Charity work: time well spent" [1997] LawIJV 9; (1997) 71(1) The Law Institute Journal 23

• Charity work: time well spent

Charity work: time well spent

New Year is a good time to step back and take a look at the priorities for 1997 and perhaps make a few resolutions.

Some of these resolutions might relate to your professional life; others might relate to non-working aspects of your life that can provide you with a different sense of fulfilment.

When you're looking at your priorities, why not have a think about what you can do to help some of those people who may not be looking forward to such a good year and for whom 1997 may be a real struggle? Perhaps those thoughts could be devel¬oped into a resolution.

For while the practice of law is certainly harder than most of us ever imagined it would or could be, the financial rewards are often less than we had dreamed or planned for, and the demands are constant and often excessive, it could be worse!

Taking time out now to think of others is one way of appreciating and enjoying what you have, as well as providing an opportunity to make a contribution that is valuable both personally and profession-ally. Of course, your motives for helping others should be as personal and uncom¬plicated as the desire to do precisely that. But, at the same time, community and charity work can also benefit you pro¬fessionally.

Let me give you a personal example to illustrate the point. For a number of years, Fenton Communications has been involved with the Very Special Kids organisation. If you're not sure about the contribution this organisation makes to our community, I'll explain. VSK is a charity which provides much needed support for families who have a child with a progressive life threatening illness. It has just finished building Aust¬ralia's first children's hospice and respite centre.

I am on the board of management but the whole staff of Fenton Communications makes a contribution by preparing news-letters, sourcing printers and designers to do work voluntarily, assisting with public relations and becoming involved in the myriad of activities to raise funds and VSK's public profile.

This involvement takes time and effort but is invaluable for team building at the office as well as giving us all a high degree of personal and professional satisfaction. It also gives us a very clear line to take with all the other worthwhile causes which approach us looking for assistance. With a clear conscience, we tell them we are already completely committed to VSK.

Such an involvement can be excellent in terms of internal marketing as well as offering opportunities to make new con¬tacts, friends and referrers.

There are hundreds of charities and not-for-profit organisations crying out for the time, money and expertise of professional people.

If assisting one of these organisations becomes a New Year's resolution, you should choose a cause in which you have a gen¬uine interest. Sincerity speaks volumes and ensures that involvement is more en¬joyable and rewarding.

The list of worthwhile causes is endless. I often cite the case of the Wisewoulds associate who offered her legal services to help save Melbourne's W-class trams from the scrap heap. This was a heritage cause in which she had a personal interest. She had valuable skills to offer and was reward¬ed with positive media publicity for herself and her firm.

As marketing is a contact sport, you're unlikely to meet potential clients sitting behind your desk. You need to get out into the community and meet people on their own turf - not just at their workplaces but during their leisure time too. Community and charity work opens doors.

It is also possible that you will meet people needing your professional services in another capacity who will be impressed by your dedication and competence in your volunteer role. Conversely, you can tap your existing professional network for fundraising and for attendance at your charity's functions. Clients and business contacts will be impressed by your involve¬ment and, better still, may volunteer to join in!

Non-profit organisations are usually heavily reliant on generating publicity to boost their fundraising activities. If you are experienced at public speaking, you might offer to speak publicly about the cause to raise its profile or to liaise with the media. You will indirectly raise your own profile as a lawyer. Any public speak¬ing engagement is also an opportunity to practise and hone your professional skills.

Your expertise and your contacts as a lawyer will make you a valuable part of any fundraising or management team. You may be able to manage the organisation's legal affairs or arrange free legal advice from legal colleagues in other areas of law. You may also be able to draw on your referral network in accountancy, real estate or other professional spheres to assist the charity.

Many of us feel that we cannot spare the time for volunteer work. It's probably fair to say that, unless you can attend nearly all the organisation's meetings and be an active participant, you will disappoint and be disappointed.

If time is your problem, think about sparing a few dollars instead. It won't give you the same involvement or the same benefits as actively participating, but money always helps! Indeed, you can make a donation that I can guarantee will be greatly appreciated this month by sending a cheque or money order to Very Special Kids, 321 Glenferrie Road, Malvern 3144 or by phoning [phone] for more information.

Jane Fenton LLB (lions) is the principal of Fenton Communications, a consultancy established to advise professionals on all aspects of marketing and public relations.