 |
|
||
| |
COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT Three HBA Committees Partner to Teach Kids about Elections By Farrah Martinez To celebrate Law Day this past May, volunteers from three HBA committees – the Speakers Bureau, the Lawyers for Literacy Committee and the Law Week Committee – joined forces to educate children about presidential elections through reading the book, “Duck for President” by Doreen Cronin, to 85 local elementary school classes. “Duck for President” explores the campaign trail and details our election process. After each reading, the school’s library received a copy of the book. HBA volunteers made this event possible by “giving big” with their time and effort. According to Scarlet Collings, an associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and past co-chair of the Speakers Bureau Committee, “We read to as many schools as we can. The more volunteers we have, the more schools we can reach.” The Speakers Bureau Committee sends lawyers to schools, service clubs, and other civic organizations to educate these audiences about whatever topic they request. Last fall, volunteers read the book “A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution” to 55 elementary school classes in 12 school districts. Elinore Tecson, past co-chair of Lawyers for Literacy and a lawyer at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, stressed the need for HBA members to volunteer. The Lawyers for Literacy Committee not only participates in the Law Day readings, but also helps recruit volunteer attorneys to act as tutors for READ Commission projects and B.C. Elmore Middle School. The committee also conducts an annual book drive, collecting “gently-used” books for shelters and literacy projects. Denise Scofield, past co-chair of the Law Week Committee and a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, also emphasized the need for HBA members to volunteer. “Volunteering to read is a rewarding short term commitment. You’re in and out within an hour, but you make a big impact by introducing basic legal concepts to young children that teachers and parents are able to expand on after you leave,” said Scofield. The Law Week Committee plans and implements activities for Law Day (May 1), a national holiday set aside to recognize the importance of law in our society. Because this is our country’s general election year, “Duck for President” was ideal for beginning the dialogue between HBA volunteers and the schoolchildren. Volunteers were surprised at how knowledgeable these young students were about the candidates and the election process. John Nechman, a partner at Katine & Nechman, LLP volunteered seven times to read “Duck for President.” He did so because the HBA needed his help, and he truly enjoys talking to the kids about the election process. The Speakers Bureau, the Lawyers for Literacy Committee and the Law Week Committee encourage you to join this terrific project by reading to local students next year. For more information on becoming a volunteer for the next elementary school reading, contact Lara Price at (713) 951-1075 or Farrah Martinez at (713) 226-8920. Farrah Martinez is in private practice and focuses on criminal and juvenile defense and criminal appeals. She serves on The Houston Lawyer editorial board and is co-chair of the Speakers Bureau Committee. |
