WHAT IS VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering refers to the act of giving time and energy to help others, usually through non-profit organizations or community groups, without the expectation of monetary compensation. This can include a wide range of activities such as working with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities, providing education or mentoring, participating in environmental conservation projects, helping to organize community events, or working on fundraising campaigns. Volunteering can be done on a regular basis, such as weekly or monthly, or as a one-time event or project. It can be done locally or internationally, in person or virtually. Overall, volunteering is a way for individuals to make a positive impact on their community and the world while also gaining valuable skills and experiences.
Areas GSL Volunteers can volunteer
- Legal Clinics: Volunteers can participate in legal clinics that provide free legal services to underserved communities. Students who volunteer in these clinics can assist clients with legal advice, research legal issues, and help prepare legal documents.
- Legal aid organizations: GSL Volunteers can also volunteer at legal aid organizations, which provide free legal services to low-income individuals and communities. They can assist with research, client interviews, and drafting legal documents.
- Legislative and policy work: GSL Volunteers can also volunteer to work on legislative and policy issues, such as drafting bills, lobbying, and participating in advocacy campaigns.
- Mediation and arbitration: GSL Volunteers can also volunteer to work on Mediation and arbitration cases, which can help them learn about alternative dispute resolution methods, and gain experience in negotiation and communication.
- Community Service: GSL Volunteers can also volunteer in community service organizations, such as youth programs, homeless shelters, or food banks, which can help them develop their communication and leadership skills.
Overall, GSL Volunteers can choose to volunteer in a variety of organizations and programs, depending on their interests and career goals, which can provide them with valuable experience and skills while helping to make a positive impact on their community.
General benefits of volunteerism
- Career development: Volunteering can help students gain valuable skills and experiences that can be applied to their future careers.
- Personal growth: Volunteering can help students develop important personal qualities such as responsibility, leadership, and teamwork.
- Networking: Volunteering can provide students with the opportunity to meet and network with professionals in their field of interest.
- Sense of purpose: Volunteering can give students a sense of purpose and fulfillment by allowing them to make a positive impact on their community.
- Educational enhancement: Volunteering can enhance students’ educational experience by providing them with hands-on learning opportunities and a chance to apply what they have learned in the classroom.
- College application: Volunteering is often a very positive factor when it comes to college applications, as it shows that students are engaged in their community and have a strong work ethic.
Benefits of volunteering in college admission
- Demonstrating civic engagement: Volunteering shows that a student is actively involved in their community and cares about making a positive impact. This is an attractive quality to college admissions officers.
- Building skills and gaining experience: Through volunteering, students can gain valuable skills and experiences that can make them stand out on college applications.
- Showing a commitment to a cause: Volunteering for a cause that is important to a student can demonstrate their passion and commitment to that issue, which can be a positive factor in the admissions process.
- Enhancing leadership and teamwork abilities: Participating in volunteer activities can provide opportunities for students to develop leadership and teamwork skills, which are highly valued by colleges.
- Building a strong resume: Volunteer experience can help to add depth and diversity to a student’s resume, making them a more well-rounded candidate.
- College Application: Volunteering is often a very positive factor when it comes to college applications, as it shows that students are engaged in their community, have a strong work ethic, and are making a positive impact.
Benefits of volunteering in college admission
- Demonstrating civic engagement: Volunteering shows that a student is actively involved in their community and cares about making a positive impact. This is an attractive quality to college admissions officers.
- Building skills and gaining experience: Through volunteering, students can gain valuable skills and experiences that can make them stand out on college applications.
- Showing a commitment to a cause: Volunteering for a cause that is important to a student can demonstrate their passion and commitment to that issue, which can be a positive factor in the admissions process.
- Enhancing leadership and teamwork abilities: Participating in volunteer activities can provide opportunities for students to develop leadership and teamwork skills, which are highly valued by colleges.
- Building a strong resume: Volunteer experience can help to add depth and diversity to a student’s resume, making them a more well-rounded candidate.
- College Application: Volunteering is often a very positive factor when it comes to college applications, as it shows that students are engaged in their community, have a strong work ethic, and are making a positive impact.
Benefits of volunteering in the scholarship application
- Showing civic engagement: Many scholarships value students who demonstrate a commitment to community service and civic engagement. Volunteering can help students demonstrate this commitment.
- Building skills and gaining experience: Through volunteering, students can gain valuable skills and experiences that can make them stand out as candidates for scholarships.
- Showing a commitment to a cause: Volunteering for a cause that is important to a student can demonstrate their passion and commitment to that issue, which can be a positive factor in the scholarship process.
- Enhancing leadership and teamwork abilities: Participating in volunteer activities can provide opportunities for students to develop leadership and teamwork skills, which are highly valued by scholarship providers.
- Building a strong resume: Volunteer experience can help to add depth and diversity to a student’s resume, making them a more well-rounded candidate.
- Eligibility: Many scholarships are specifically for students who are involved in volunteer work. So, volunteering can make students eligible for a range of scholarships that they may not otherwise qualify for.
- Networking: Volunteering can also provide students with the opportunity to meet and network with professionals and leaders in their field of interest, which can open up new opportunities for scholarships and financial aid.
Rationale behind GSL Volunteers Initiative
The GSL volunteers initiative was developed with the primary aim of instilling the spirit of pro bono in professional law students.
Benefits to members
What is in it for members?
a. As a member, you will be provided with the platform to make meaningful contributions to the development of the society you live in through volunteering.
- Student members will unlock local and international opportunities for academic progression and career advancement.
An avenue to network and learn to work in a team.
As a member, your meaningful contribution will be recognized through the record of your volunteer hours.
b. Legal workshop and seminar
- Host workshops and seminars on various legal topics to enhance members
understanding of various aspects of law practice by practicing lawyers, judges, and legal scholars to share their insight and experience. - As a member, you are awarded certification for your contribution.
- A certificate that indicates the number of volunteer hours accumulated
to be issued to members at the end of their service.
c. Members’ legal writing and research skills will be enhanced through capacity building.
Areas of volunteering
Human rights awareness campaign
Human rights awareness campaign
- Raise awareness about human rights issues through awareness campaigns, workshops, and documentary screenings.
- Collaborate with human rights institutions to support their initiatives.
- Host workshops and seminars on various legal topics for the communities we serve
Collaborative programs with other NGOs and Clubs
- Partner with other student organizations to undertake projects to address legal issues of common interest such as environmental law, technology, and social justice.
Pro bono legal clinic
- We collaborate with professional lawyers to organize legal clinics where club members provide legal services and legal advice to underserved communities or individuals who cannot afford legal services.
- Collaborate with local legal aid organizations to identify legal needs within the community.
Community outreach and education
- Partner with schools, communities, and NGOs, state institutions to educate the public about their legal rights and responsibilities.
- Offer informational sessions on topics like consumer rights, family law, intellectual property, etc.
During vacation or when school is in session.
Policy advocacy and research
- Conduct research on legal issues and policies that impact the community.
- Advocate for changes and reforms in law and regulations through letter-writing campaigns, petitions, or meetings with legislators.
Legal Aid projects
- Collaborate with legal aid organizations to work on specific legal aid cases, providing research assistance, and support to attorneys.
- Assist with preparing the legal documents, conducting legal research, and compiling case materials.
Debates and discussion panels
Organize debate and panel discussions on controversial legal topics to encourage critical thinking and healthy discourse among members.
