1. Join Your Local LEAF

Volunteer with the LEAF branch closest to you.  LEAF Branches are largely volunteer run and are always happy to welcome new volunteers!  To find out more see our Membership and Branches page.

2. Board and Committee Work

LEAF’s National Board and Committees seek new members annually, usually for 4-year terms.  If you have an interest in applying you can contact the Chair of LEAF’s National Nominating Committee. Every board member sits on at least one committee as follows: Program Development; Law Program; Education; Nominating; Governance; and Fund Development. Click here for more information on LEAF Recruitment 2011

3. Join Our Speakers’ Bureau

Our Speakers’ Bureau seeks lawyers and others able to present to small or large groups, in informal or formal settings, on topics related to the substantive equality of women and girls and/or human rights.  Click Speaker’s Bureau or e-mail for more information education@leaf.ca

4. Help Youth and Others Learn About Equality Rights

Several branches facilitate the “No Means No” program or the “LEAF at Work” program in community settings.  Contact your nearest branch to discuss your interest in either of these programs. Email for more information education@leaf.ca

5. Help Us Celebrate Women’s Equality in Your Community

At both the National and Branch level, LEAF volunteers seize two opportunities each year to celebrate, meet with old and new LEAF friends, and yes, raise greatly needed funds!  Equality Day events, occur on a date close to April 15. It celebrates the 1985 enactment of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on April 15, 1985.  Persons Day events (usually Breakfasts), occur on a date close to October 18. These events celebrate when most Canadian women gained recognition as persons on October 18, 1929 (this recognition was denied to aboriginal women and other groups until much later).  These special events are possible because volunteers chair organizing committees, manage publicity, sell tickets, and find or offer in-kind supports. Email for more information donate@leaf.ca

6. Be a LEAF Pro Bono Lawyer

There are many opportunities to do pro bono legal work.  LEAF needs lawyers to volunteer their time and skills to complete research assignments, serve on the Legal Committee, and to represent LEAF in court.   Becoming LEAF counsel is perhaps the most exciting and important role for a lawyer at LEAF and several steps are involved.  Once LEAF’s Program Development Committee has approved a case for action LEAF receives applications from lawyers who wish to act as LEAF counsel. Lawyers are selected to work on a given case. The lead lawyer is called the “first chair” and the assisting lawyer is referred to as the “second chair.” Once the lawyers are chosen and retained by LEAF, they work with a subcommittee comprised of the National Legal Committee, volunteers and LEAF legal staff. Together they develop the legal theory and argument in the case, draft submissions, and prepare documentation for the court. Finally, the lawyers will go to court to argue the case. Email for more information info@leaf.ca

You can also phone the National Office to learn more about any of these opportunities…

416-595-7170 or toll-free 1-888-824-5323.
Extension 225 will put you directly in touch with LEAF’s Executive Director.
Extension 223 will put you directly in touch with LEAF’s Director of Litigation.