It's Time to Join LAAC for 2006!

Here are eight reasons to renew your membership, or join us for the first time:

1. Advocacy: As a unified voice for the legal services community, LAAC advocates on behalf of member programs on important statewide issues, such as funding. LAAC also submits amicus briefs in cases affecting legal services, and invites member programs to alert the LAAC Board about possible advocacy issues on which LAAC could take a position to benefit the legal services community.

2. Creating Connections: LAAC annually publishes the Legal Services Directory for all of California's legal aid programs. Only LAAC members have access to a searchable online version of the Directory!

3. Trainings: LAAC continues to develop and sponsor high-quality, affordable MCLE trainings. In June 2005, LAAC cosponsored the Pathways to Justice conference in San Francisco. LAAC also provides Traveling Trainings, which connect Support Center trainers to legal services advocates in rural areas. The November 2005 Sacramento Traveling Training featured trainers from 19 different Support Centers! As a member of LAAC, you will be helping to ensure continued innovative, comprehensive and affordable training opportunities for legal services advocates. In addition, member programs receive significant discounts on all LAAC sponsored trainings.

4. Online Community: LAAC has created www.CALegalAdvocates.org, the new website for the legal services and pro bono community! It features a statewide training calendar, legal services news and events, job postings, a resource library, and a searchable pro bono database. Your support of LAAC enables us to expand this online community, plus only LAAC members can access the online Legal Services Directory and post jobs listings at no cost!

5. Supporting Law Students: Every year, LAAC awards Dan Bradley Fellowships to law students who work with California legal aid programs during the summer. LAAC will sponsor up to SIX Dan Bradley Fellows in 2006. Only LAAC organizational members are eligible to apply to host a Dan Bradley Fellow. The Fellowships not only provide an opportunity for your program to host a qualified and dedicated law student, but also help to foster the next generation of legal services attorneys!

6. Honoring Our Colleagues: Through its Awards of Merit and Annual Reception, LAAC creates an important forum for honoring outstanding leaders in our community. Only LAAC organizational members are eligible to make nominations for these Awards, which are one of the few honors to focus solely on celebrating the achievements of the California legal services community!

7. Guide LAAC's Work-Board and Elections: Only staff at LAAC member programs are eligible to serve on the LAAC Board of Directors and only LAAC member organizations may vote in the Board elections to decide whom within the community will represent the legal services community on a statewide level.

8. We Need Your Active Involvement: Our strength as an organization is directly related to your participation and support! Please join and play an active part in LAAC's advocacy, training, coordination, and technology efforts in 2006!