An all-around smarter website

By Patricia Jordan

You are invited to visit the redesigned CBABC website at www.cba.org/bc. At the CBA, we are working to bring members better online access to services, tools and resources. Our updated site features seven main categories, which include Membership, Sections & Groups, Initiatives, CBA Publications, Practice Resources, Public & Media and About Us. Here is a brief introduction to each category.

Membership
Discover the many benefits of CBA membership online. Learn about “Member Savings” through the CBA Preferred Supplier Network and “Special Programs” such as the Birth/Adoption Benefit Program, Waiver of Dues Program, Members’ Special Circumstances Fund, and monthly payments. This area provides fee and eligibility information with links to join the CBA, renew membership and update your member profile online.

Initiatives
The CBA promotes the interests of its members on a number of fronts within the legal community and at large. Visit this area to learn about the CBA’s advocacy role and its submissions to government. Information on public awareness campaigns, the volunteer registry, Lawyer Referral Service and agreements with international bar associations is available online.

Sections & Groups
At the provincial, territorial and national levels, the CBA welcomes your involvement. CBABC offers a full range of Sections, Committees, and special interest groups as an entry point for members to become active in the Association. Read about Sections, Committees, the Women Lawyers Forum and the MLA Network in “Sections & Groups.” Through CBABC Sections members can access meeting notices, minutes, executive contact information, and more. Committee mandates and contact information is available in “Committees.”

Practice Resources
Practice Advisory Panel listings, the Member Dispute Resolution Service, information kits and standard forms, legal careers, and more are found here.

CBA Publications
This area has archives for BarTalk, Branch annual reports, Executive Committee and Provincial Council meeting minutes, Legislative Update and current issues in legislation and law reform. Links to the CBA Code of Professional Conduct and the National are also available. CBABC members have free access to the lawyers’ portion of the online directory at www.bccbadirectory.org, and to archived Section papers.

Public & Media
This section provides public access to information on CBABC programs, including Dial-A-Law, the Lawyer Referral Service and Law Week. The Media Contact Guide and an archive of CBABC news releases are available online. The “Public & Media” area offers a list of CBA and CBABC awards.

About Us
In this area you’ll find CBABC key contacts, bylaws, the privacy policy and frequently asked questions.

Patricia Jordan is the CBABC Manager, Interactive Media. She welcomes your comments, questions and suggestions. Tel: 604.646.7861 Email: pjordan@bccba.org

This article was published in the February 2005 issue of BarTalk. © 2005 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.