How is your heart today?

Isn’t that what is really meant when someone asks “How are you today?” How are YOU?

So I ask you to take a moment and think about that. Are you happy, sad, grateful, overwhelmed? Don’t tell me what’s on your schedule or where you have to be in 10 minutes -- tell me how you feel.

Do you recognize the many advantages you have in your life that keep you from worrying about food, shelter, and clothing? Are you grateful that your life has provided a fulfilling career and opportunities to pursue travel, leisure, and entertainment?

Sometimes it is important to remind ourselves why we are doing what we are doing, and offer up a big dose of generosity to help our legal service providers do their best to ensure safety, shelter, and sustenance.

Here are three opportunities to fill your heart with gratitude:

1.  Pro Bono Ethics: Practical Problems is the name of an upcoming CLE presented by Megan K. Dorritie of Harter Secrest & Emery LLP. The 1.5 credit hours in Ethics and Professionalism includes a continental breakfast (8:00-8:30) followed by the 8:30-10:00 a.m. program at the Genesee Valley Club on November 17. Registration required by Nov. 11.

The CLE is offered in exchange for a valued donation (at the door) of $100 to the Campaign for Justice 2016. This one-time donation does not constitute a pledge to the Campaign, but would be a way to increase your contribution to the three legal service providers who benefit from the annual fundraiser.

Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County, Inc., the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, and Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY) count on the generosity of those who can help so those who need help may receive guidance in housing, consumer, and custody matters.

2.  Volunteer to make calls: Sign up to be among the first team of volunteers to use the electronic donor database for this year’s Campaign for Justice phone-a-thon. No more stacks of alphabetized papers to locate donor contact information. It’s all in the database, and you will electronically record your results.

If you’ve participated in prior CFJ phone-a-thon events, you are already familiar with the fantastic results achieved by volunteers reaching out to friends and colleagues seeking CFJ pledges.

The problem has become “timing.” When can you reach someone? Morning may be better than evening, or cell number may be more direct than office line. For 30 years volunteers have been using a list of attorneys printed out with contact information to contact colleagues and friends about contributing to the Campaign for Justice.

Starting November 16, volunteer callers will work with an electronic list of attorneys, allowing them the freedom to make calls any time of day from whatever location is convenient to seek pledges for this year’s Campaign for Justice.

The goal is $280,000, and past history shows that over 35% of that comes from individual donors, contacted by colleagues. Contact Sheila Gaddis at 585-295-5702 or sgaddis@vlsprochester.org to become one of this year’s CFJ volunteer-callers … and fit it into your schedule as available.

3.  Celebrate CFJ: The CFJ leadership is planning a kickoff celebration on Monday, November 14 at 6 p.m. at the Telesca Center for Justice, 5th floor. Yet another great way to confirm your commitment to the campaign and to rally enthusiasm among colleagues.

Typically the first call-night of the phone-a-thon includes a brief training about the Campaign for Justice, script suggestions for those new to making calls and the excitement and encouragement from other volunteer callers. Join this year’s Celebrate CFJ by signing up as a volunteer caller.

Written by Nora A. Jones

Megan K. Dorritie