The Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC) has championed the rights of individuals with all types of disabilities since 1975, and although the DRLC has achieved many milestones on behalf of its clients, there remains a great deal of work to be done.
The DRLC Young Professionals’ Board was founded in the fall of 2000. It is an advisory board of young professionals who care about disability rights and who want to contribute to our organization. Professionals from every career field are welcome; however, attorneys are only eligible if they have been practicing for fewer than seven years. Law students are also eligible.
For our work with the Young Professionals Board, Independent Sector granted the DRLC the 2004 Leadership Award for Investing in People. This year the DRLC was named 2010 Outstanding Volunteer Organization by Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Los Angeles Chapter.
The Young Professionals Board is a great opportunity to work in the community, make professional contacts and have a fun time with your peers. We have worked on exciting fundraisers, such as Legendary Bingo, the Day at the Races, and the Annual Gala’s Silent Auction.
The Young Professionals Board fulfills the following mission in service to the Disability Rights Legal Center:
To demonstrate their commitment to our organization, members are asked to donate a minimum of $50 to the DRLC or to raise at least that sum through in-kind donations.
Young Professionals Board members serve on at least one of the following committees to fulfill their YPB requirement:
Outreach Committee: Fundraising, raising awareness, recruiting, event planning
Service Committee: Education, Disability self-advocacy Academies, trainings, pro bono legal work
Members participate in monthly meetings that alternate between general and committee groups. While we encourage members to attend the general meetings in person members may participate through a conference call if they are unable to attend. However, members are expected to personally attend the quarterly general meetings held on Sunday mornings unless they have an excused absence.