Why are Lawyers the Only Ones Who Get To Do Pro Bono Work?
Thanks go guest blogger Ami Bloomer for explaining why all types of pro bono are so important to charities
Why Are Lawyers The Only Ones Who Get To Do Pro Bono Work?
During my stint as a law student and latterly a baby barrister I had many opportunities to apply my legal prowess. The same could not be said to be true for my scholarly counterparts. At best, they could get into a heavily oversubscribed marketing internship; at worst they painted walls in derelict schools.
As my legal experience attests, the legal community has made pro bono service part of its culture and an expectation of barristers, lawyers and firms. The result: it is rare for a charity to pay for legal services.
Most organisations tackling social problems don’t have the access to the sales, design, marketing, technology or strategic resources they need to succeed. Without this talent, their intended impact on critical issues like health and education is overpromised and undelivered.
Inspired by the success of the pro bono movement within the legal profession, I started Give What You’re Good At in 2011 to make pro bono as prevalent in the other professions as it is in the legal profession.
Imagine if charities and social enterprises tacking social problems had the same access resources as companies. Give What You’re Good At’s mission is to change the way charity and social enterprise leaders think about volunteering. We have developed 40 projects which save charities between £2,500 - £20,000. These projects are informed by the problems charities experience such a ‘diversify income streams’ or ‘find a patron’.
Matching skilled volunteers, with the passion to the right project, at the right time is instilling hope that we might just be able to achieve our visions for a better society with talent.
Give What You’re Good At is launching their fully interactive matchmaking website on Valentines Day.
Register now for more information www.givewhatyouregoodat.co.uk
