Vol. 34, No. 3, 6. Rom the Top.

• Author: by Brian E. Hultman President, Wyoming State Bar

Wyoming Bar Journal

2011.

Vol. 34, No. 3, 6.

Rom the Top

Wyoming Bar JournalIssue: June, 2011Rom the Topby Brian E. Hultman President, Wyoming State BarThe Spirit of Volunteerism

Volunteer: one who renders a service or takes part in a transaction while having no legal concern or interest. Recently, I had the pleasure of witnessing Wyoming lawyers at their finest. On April 29th, over 200 members of the Wyoming State Bar volunteered their precious time to spend a simple hour talking to fifth-grade students in every county across our state about the United States Constitution and Amendments (see the Liberty Day Honor Roll on page 69).

Teaching 6,000 children in 150 elementary schools was a logistical challenge conquered only with the tenacious attitude of a group of outstanding organizers working on the ground in each community. Phone calls recruiting potential coordinators for each county were all met with similar excitement about the prospect of being the person responsible for organizing the local effort.

"I've got a lot going on right now, but you know what, this is an important thing for us to be doing for our students. Count me in. I'll do what it takes to make it happen in my county." It reminded me of something my grandmother always loved to say, "If you need something done, ask someone who is busy."

These coordinators amazed me with their energy and efficiency. The massive lineup of lawyers they recruited to volunteer to teach the Liberty Day lesson was impressive. Everyone's willingness to contribute towards this opportunity for outreach and education was something of which we should be very proud.

How can we measure the impact we, as teaching lawyers, had on those children? Yes, the civics lesson itself was an important component, but the greater value could have been the inspiration we may have given to some of those individual students. For that hour, Wyoming lawyers served not only as guest teachers but also as role models. This was our chance to influence the children of our communities, and our volunteers resoundingly achieved that goal.

As young children, we are all shaped by a series of small, simple moments just like those that recently took place in the classrooms. They have the potential to have a lasting impression and even impact how we ultimately view the world as adults.

These types of...