Issue 8 | September 2022

For those of you that have kids or grandkids in school, you know that in Indiana August (and in some places late July) brings the return of yellow school busses, back to school shopping, and the excitement of new teachers, new classes, and reconnecting with friends you may not have seen over the summer. At the Indiana Bar Foundation, the new school year also brings the new program year for our civic education programs like We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution and the Indiana High School Mock Trial program. In addition to those great longstanding programs, the Foundation is also excited to be the lead organization administering the Indiana Kids' Election (IKE) program. We are excited to partner with our colleagues at the Indiana State Bar Association to bring this important program to schools around the state. The IKE program provides students at all grade levels the opportunity to participate in mock elections, with real candidates for office, and help learn the importance of being an engaged citizen and participating in our democratic system of government. Stay tuned for more information about this program as we get closer to the general election in November, and check out our website for additional resources and opportunities to get involved.   

Pro bono leaders from across the state gathered in Muncie on August 25-26 for the 2022 Indiana Pro Bono Retreat. The intense two-day retreat focused on building relationships and connections as a statewide pro bono community to expand Indiana's pro bono system's ability to provide pro bono services throughout the state, improve collaboration, and how best to expand pro bono for housing stability legal services.

The retreat was a follow-up to a similar event held in 2018. Attendees included Indiana Bar Foundation (Foundation) and Indiana State Bar Association staff with representatives from the private/corporate sector, judicial and government, non-profits, and law schools. Prominent speakers included Foundation President & CEO Charles Dunlap, Joe Skeel, the Indiana State Bar Association Executive Director, and the Hon. Melissa May from the Indiana Court of Appeals. Additionally, retreat attendees heard from Scott Wylie, Executive Director of Pro Bono Indiana; Kate Guerrero, Director of Indiana Legal Help at theFoundation; Jeff Heck, Pro Bono Director of Indiana Legal Services; and Abbie Bush, Director of Grant Programs for the Foundation. Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter provided the closing remarks.

The retreat was hosted by the Indiana Bar Foundation and the Coalition for Court Access, the Presenting Sponsor was Faegre Drinker, and the retreat sponsor was the Indiana State Bar Association.

Individuals donating $1,000 or more are welcomed to the Foundation’s Keystone Society, which includes special recognition and unique events. Join our distinguished group of supporters and become a Keystone Society member today. Keystone Society contribution levels are listed below.

• The Barrister level – annual donation of $10,000
• The Advocate level – annual donation of $5,000
• The Counselor level – annual donation of $2,500
• The Partner level – annual donation of $1,000

                Please contact Director of Development Kim Berry with any questions.

Save the date of October 19 for the Keystone Society Reception. For more information on the reception or how you can become a Keystone Society member, contact Director of Development Kim Berry. 

The Indiana Bar Foundation and the Coalition for Court Access invite you to save the date for the Indiana Civil Legal Assistance conference on Friday, October 28 at the Ivy Tech Conference Center in Indianapolis. 

The conference will offer five CLE credits and include breakfast, lunch, and a reception at 5 p.m. The morning plenary session will include remarks from Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter and Jimmie McMillian, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This conference is intended for civil legal assistance providers, pro bono lawyers, paralegals, law students, academics, members of the judiciary, and other professionals who assist in the delivery of civil legal assistance to low- and modest means Hoosiers.

The CLE session tracks will include Family, Re-entry, Housing, Health & Benefits, Consumer, and Practice & Profession.

Fall We the People Online Professional Development

Join the Indiana Bar Foundation for a free, afterschool, online workshop to help you teach We the People, social studies, and civics in your classroom. On September 12, 4:00-6:00 pm ET, join Dr. Damani Philips, professor of Jazz and African American Studies from the University of Iowa, as he presents Using Music as a Teaching Tool for Your Civil Rights Lessons. Following Dr. Phillips, Adam Ferguson, teacher from Plainfield High School, will demonstrate the effective integration of music as a primary source into social studies classes using classroom-tested lessons. Visit this link to learn more and to register.

We the People Judges & Volunteers Needed

Join us as we bring We the People back in person fully for the first time since the pandemic. Regional and state competition judges are needed to bring this engaging program alive for the students. Regional competitions are going to be held in early November around the state. The state competition will be in early December in Indianapolis. Visit this link to see the dates/locations and judge. In addition to the judging role, we need volunteer facilitators at the events. Visit this link for dates/locations to be a volunteer facilitator.

Intro to Mock Trial Workshops

The Indiana Bar Foundation will present multiple Intro to Mock Trial workshops around the state. All teachers or legal advisors interested in learning mock trial basics, including what is mock trial, how to teach trial elements, and how to create the foundation for and solidify a program at your school are welcome to attend. Join us for this free workshop. Workshops are held in Gary (Sept 26), Fort Wayne (Sept 27), Indianapolis (Oct 3), and Evansville (Oct 6). Learn more and register here.

Mock Trial Diversity Initiative

The Foundation is pleased to continue the Mock Trial Diversity Initiative (MTDI), that began last year. The goal of the MTDI is to retain current and recruit new schools into mock trial by reducing financial and systemic barriers to participation. Schools that have a large concentration of non-white and free/reduced lunch students are invited to join the Initiative. MTDI schools will receive: grants to fund mock trial related costs, training at Introduction to Mock Trial workshops, resources in a Mock Trial Toolbox, and legal advisor assistance from partnering law firms. Teachers, administrators, or other representatives of an interested school can contact Director of Civic Education Tim Kalgreen (317-608-6503) with any questions.

We the People Class Registration

Teachers! Now is the time to register for the We the People competitions. Regional events are taking place in early November throughout the state. Visit this link to see regional dates, locations, regional questions, and registration. New this year: Register your class as a non-competitive showcase class if you’re not quite ready to compete. A more friendly, less competitive option is available for classes while still getting the experience of the program. Questions on WTP registrations can be directed to Joseph O’Connor (317-608-6504).

The Indiana Bar Foundation congratulates Justice Steven David on his retirement. Thank you for all you have done on behalf of the citizens of Indiana and your unwavering support of the Foundation. We look forward to continuing our on-going relationship through your presence on our Board of Directors.

Foundation Senior Counsel, Civil Legal Assistance Programs Marilyn Smith, and Director of Civic Education Tim Kalgreen attended a training presented by our partners at the Indiana State Bar Association that focused on legislative advocacy. We learned strategies to help with legislative policy advancement, testifying at a legislative hearing, and tips and tricks for how best to further our mission if that method is legislative action.

The Foundation is pleased to welcome Molly Flynn to the team. Molly is the new Administrative and Events Specialist. She previously worked at the Marion County Public Defender Agency.