Every few years, I decide I’m going to attend the annual dinner of one of the charities I support. The event is touted as a great place for lawyers to meet each other but in truth, it’s really a lousy way to meet new lawyers. I go because it provides me with a quick way to shake a lot of hands (i.e. I know a lot of people in the organization so I see people I already know).

In sharp contrast, I joined a tiny Squash and Tennis club in my hometown and on the first day I went to work out, I met more new people than I ever do at one of these gala events.

I have nothing against large events. And I think this charity is extremely effective and does good work (and I’ll continue to support it.) But I don’t think I’m coming back. It’s just not worth the time and effort.

The reason is simple. Large crowded rooms filled with a lot of people you do not know are generally not a good environment for relationship building. If your objective in getting involved in non-profits is to make connections while doing good, aim for committees, projects or much smaller events where you will actually have the chance to connect with people you want to meet.

I’ve posted again as a guest blogger on the MA LOMAP blog. If you haven’t seen any of my earlier posts about LOMAP on this blog (and you are a lawyer in Massachusetts looking for cost effective resources to help you run and market your practice ( i.e. free consulting) this is a great place to spend some time.

For example, next week, LOMAP is one of the co-sponsors of a free workshop on the new data privacy law in Massachusetts.

This Thursday, January 7, I’ll be leading a discussion on how to integrate social media into your overall marketing plan. The session is sponsored by the Massachusetts Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP), a relatively new entity that is already doing great things to improve the quality of legal practice in Massachusetts. It is part of a marketing group that meets periodically by conference call. This first session of 2010 (which meets at noon) is open to anyone.

If you or someone you know has a limited budget for law practice consulting, LOMAP offers many free resources (particularly aimed at smaller firm practitioners who are just starting out; but anyone is welcome to participate.) If you can’t make this session, take a look at their website for other resources and upcoming programs.