WSBA Volunteer Recognition
Appreciating the Heart of WSBA: Volunteers
WSBA Volunteers are essential to our mission, and we are committed to honoring the time, expertise and dedication they bring to the profession. Our Volunteer Recognition Program celebrates volunteers through meaningful, consistent appreciation. The program's goal is simple: ensure every volunteer feels, valued, supported and connected to the WSBA community.
Our Approach to Volunteer Appreciation
WSBA's recognition philosophy is grounded in gratitude, respect, and community. Volunteer appreciation is the intentional practice of acknowledging the contributions volunteers make to the profession and the public. Recognition occurs through both formal and informal method and seeks to deliver recognition in consistent, thoughtful ways that reflect our organizational values.
Goals of the Volunteer Recognition Program
- Celebrate impact.
- Foster connection.
- Build community.
- Inspire service.
Recognition includes both ongoing expressions of gratitude and formal initiatives, service pins (coming soon), celebrating National Volunteer Week and volunteers spotlights.
WSBA is grateful for the hundreds of volunteer who help make the profession and community better.
Who is Recognized
WSBA celebrates volunteers across the full spectrum of service including multi-year appointments, time-limited appointments, court appointed roles (administered by WSBA), and project-based volunteers.
All WSBA volunteers — regardless of appointment length, role type, or entity - contribute meaningfully to WSBA's work and are appreciated.
New! WSBA Volunteer Spotlight
Shine a Light on someone who inspires you — nominate a volunteer today!
The WSBA Volunteer Spotlight is a recurring feature in Washington State Bar News that highlights the exceptional WSBA volunteers and their contributions to the profession and the community. Volunteers are nominated through a simple submission form, and selected nominees are featured in an upcoming issue of Bar News. Nominations remain under consideration through the end of the fiscal year.
Eligibility
Anyone may submit a nomination. Nominees must be an individual who has served as a WSBA volunteer within the last twelve months from the date of submission
Volunteer refers to an individual who freely provides time, services and talents to the organization without promise or expectation of compensation for services rendered. WSBA Volunteer opportunities generally fall into two categories:
- Multi-Year: volunteer service on WSBA entities (boards, communities, councils, section executive committees, etc.)
- Project-Based: volunteer service is episodic, with a defined time-limited assignment such as a WSBA CLE speaker, mentor, or producing a work product such as a an article for publication.
Submissions
Submissions must be provided through the official WSBA Bar News Volunteer Spotlight Submission Form. Selection will be based on the below criteria emphasizing impact, service, and alignment with WSBA's mission and values. The review process is transparent, with clear timelines and communication with submitters and nominees.
Click here to spotlight a volunteer.
Submission Deadlines
A submission form can be submitted at any time. However, please keep the below dates in mind as they best correspond with submission review and Bar News publication dates.
- Quarter 1 Deadlines: Oct. 1, Nov. 1 and Dec. 1
- Quarter 2 Deadlines: Feb. 1, March 1
- Quarter 3 Deadlines: May 1, June 1
- Quarter 4 Deadlines: July 1, Aug. 1
Publication in a specific issue of Bar News is not guaranteed.
Selection Criteria
- Impact. Demonstrated positive effects on the WSBA, the public and/or the legal community.
- Innovation & Leadership. Creative approaches to volunteer work.
- Commitment. Length and depth of service.
- Equity & Inclusion. Contributions that advance inclusion and accessibility.
- Professionalism. Upholding the WSBA's mission and guiding principles.
Submission Review
The Manager of Volunteer Engagement oversees and coordinates the review process with the Bar News editor. Submissions will be reviewed and selected by the Editorial Advisory Committee.
Selected volunteers and submitters will be notified. Submissions not selected will remain in consideration for future issues until the end of the WSBA fiscal year (September 30), after which time the pool of submissions will be 'reset.' Previous submissions may be resubmitted each fiscal year. A volunteer can be nominated more than once, though the number of nominations may not factoring into the review process.
Publication
WSBA Bar News editor and Communications and Outreach Department staff will coordinate with the volunteer and submitter to prepare the Volunteer Spotlight feature.
The Volunteer Spotlight feature may include some or all of the following: the volunteer's name, current or most recent volunteer service, a brief overview of how the volunteers meets the criteria, a photo, and a Q&A with the volunteer.
Design and content of the Volunteer Spotlight will be determined by the Bar News editor, and standard publication review and approval procedures will apply. The spotlight will be no more than 750 words.
Congratulations to the Previous Volunteer Spotlight Recipients:
- Ann Guinn (April/May 2026)
