Many Web sites feature information for nonprofit organizations on governance, association management, and leadership that is applicable to bar associations and foundations. Although many require memberships to access the full site, all offer some availability to articles, speaker suggestions, and links to additional related Web sites. Check out these top five:
BoardSource
www.boardsource.org
Formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards, BoardSource works to build strong and effective nonprofit boards. Of primary value is its Knowledge Center, which features a comprehensive array of governance resources, including topic papers, current trends information, summaries of essential knowledge for nonprofit boards, and a list of useful links.
Center for Association ¬Leadership
www.centeronline.org
The Center for Association Leadership is the premier provider of learning, future-focused and strategic research, and knowledge resources for the association community. Of particular benefit is the Knowledge Resource section that includes association case studies, models and samples, articles and white papers, and a “Ten Cool Ideas” collection, covering all aspects of association management—e.g., leadership and governance, staff management, fundraising, and technology.
CompassPoint Nonprofit Services
www.compasspoint.org
A nonprofit training, consulting, and research organization with offices in San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, CompassPoint provides nonprofits with management tools, concepts, and strategies necessary to shape change in their communities. It publishes a great newsletter and provides excellent resources and links to other sites.
Independent Sector
www.independentsector.org
Independent Sector is a leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in the United States and the world. It is both an advocate and resource for public policy targeting the philanthropic community, and it maintains current information on relevant legislation.
CharityChannel
www.charitychannel.com
CharityChannel is a networking resource for nonprofit professionals. It allows access to its discussion lists and electronic newsletters that offer tips and how-tos on a variety of topics, including writing grant proposals, fundraising and nonprofit boards, and governance.
Below are other law-related sites you may find helpful:
National Center for State Courts “CourTopics”
www.ncsconline.org/WCDS/topiclisting.htm
The National Center for State Courts has a wealth of information on a broad range of court-related topics, including bench–bar relations, gender and racial fairness, judicial independence, and judicial selection and retention.
American Judicature Society
www.ajs.org
The American Judicature Society is a nonpartisan organization with a national membership of judges, lawyers, and nonlegally trained citizens interested in the administration of justice. Through research, educational programs, and publications, AJS focuses on judicial independence, judicial selection, court administration, and public perception of the justice system.
Legal Management Resource Center
thesource.alanet.org
Part of the Association of Legal Admini-strators Web site (www.alanet.org), Legal Management Resource Center includes law office management information of interest to bar association members. Among the many topics addressed are disaster planning and recovery, records management, law firm marketing, and technology and information systems.
Barchives: The Blog for Bars
www.barchives.org
Created by Toby Brown and Lincoln Mead, staff at the Utah State Bar, Barchives examines various aspects of “owning and operating a bar association.” Among the list of topics on which anyone can comment are admissions, membership services and benefits, staffing, and Web sites. The site also posts regular updates on BarAlliance, an evolving consortium of bar associations pursuing a collective membership management software system.
There are several ABA sites that you should also bookmark:
Division for Bar Services
www.abanet.org/barserv
This site features a directory of state and local bar associations, “toolkits” targeting medical malpractice and judicial independence, BarCat, the Job Announcement Service, Partnership Awards projects (bar association diversity initiatives), and Bar Leader archives. This site also links you with the National Association of Bar Executives (www.abanet.org/nabe), the National Conference of Bar Presidents (www.ncbp.org), and the National Conference of Bar Foundations (www.ncbf.org).
ABA Market Research
www.abanet.org/marketresearch
A collection of surveys and studies on a wide array of topics related to the legal profession, the site also includes links to other sources.
ABA Web Store
www.ababooks.org
Search the catalog and order online for your convenience. The Web Store sells books, periodicals, CLE materials,
e-products, and gift certificates.
Center for Professional Responsibility
www.abanet.org/cpr
See the Client Protection and Multi-jurisdictional Practice pages for updates on professional liability insurance disclosure rules, current status of Ethics 2000 rules changes, and related topics and charts regarding MJP, pro hac vice rules, and GATS. Also see the Professionalism page for professionalism codes and links to professionalism commissions.
Government Affairs Office
www.abanet.org/poladv
The GAO maintains the Legislative and Governmental Advocacy site of the ABA. In addition to updates on national legislative activity affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice, this site includes information on the national grassroots network and the state legislative clearinghouse.
Division for Legal Services
www.abanet.org/legalservices
The Division’s site includes links to Find Legal Help, a lawyer referral and information service, the Pro Bono Center, lawyer assistance programs, and services for moderate means and indigent defense.
Legal Technology Resource Center
www.abanet.org/tech/ltrc
Check out the Center’s Bar Association Technology section of the site for current information on technology developments, effective electronic communications for small bars, and Web site design, to name a few.
Division for Public Education
www.abanet.org/publiced
This site houses Law Day program materials and award-winning projects, “Practical Law” targeting consumer topics, and law-related materials for use in schools and the community, particularly with regard to courts and how they work.
Keep this list as a handy reference when you need ready access to information in your leadership position. And let us know of sites that you find valuable in your bar association work.
Roseanne Lucianek, director, ABA Division for Bar Services, [email protected].