Local and specialty bar associations in Virginia comprise the Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations. The conference was established to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between the VSB and the local and specialty bar associations in the Commonwealth. It sponsors a Bar Leaders Institute each year to help new local and specialty bar officers plan their bar year and assists them with ethical issues, various programs and internal management policies and procedures; sponsors Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner Forums open to all VSB members; sponsors awards of merit, a Local Bar Leader of the Year Award, Specialty Bar Leader of the Year Award, and Bar Association of the Year Award; maintains an information database; and makes executive committee and staff members available for technical assistance or presentations to local and specialty bars. The conference publishes The Connection online newsletter with information of interest to bar leaders. The CLSBA also edits, prints and distributes the So You're 18 handbook, and created a website, which is used by many groups to inform young adults of their rights and responsibilities upon turning 18.