February 2023

Dunlap’s Download

A message from Charles Dunlap, Indiana Bar Foundation President & CEO

I recently read a book about the importance of civics and citizenship I think is particularly relevant to the work of the Indiana Bar Foundation. A new book by Dr. Richard Haass entitled “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens” focuses on ten specific obligations he believes every citizen should know to preserve and strengthen our American democracy. Dr. Haass argues it is crucial to focus on our collective obligations as citizens and our rights to rebalance the perspectives and priorities of citizenship. One of the ideas in the book I found most interesting is that as a foreign policy expert, rather than the myriad of possible foreign threats to our country as the primary concern, Dr. Haass identified the more significant threat as coming from our current internal politics. He makes the case that our idea of citizenship needs to be revised and expanded. I am incredibly pleased to share that Dr. Haass has accepted our invitation to be the featured lunch speaker at the Indiana Bar Foundation's upcoming Indiana Civics Summit on April 13. Please save the date and plan to join us to hear from Dr. Haass directly and become inspired to move the needle to advance civics and citizenship in our state and country.   

-Chuck

An updated IndianaLegalHelp.org website was launched January 25. The impressive site contains an array of civil legal assistance information covering the state and providing unprecedented resources for Hoosiers looking for help in preparing for a myriad of civil legal issues. The new site design makes it easier for users to find resources. "IndianaLegalHelp.org has been the gold standard in providing helpful information to Indiana residents facing civil legal issues. The updated site establishes a new standard in the Foundation's commitment to working with our partners to provide resources to help Hoosiers in need," said Foundation President & CEO Charles Dunlap. The redesign of IndianaLegalHelp.org coincides with an effort to make IndianaLegalHelp.org resources available to more people around the state through the deployment of 150 legal information kiosks. Learn more about the kiosk program here.

Jason Thees joins the Foundation as Housing Help Desk & Kiosk Manager. Jason is a lifelong legal industry information technology professional and brings the Foundation an impressive IT skill set and experience working with lawyers and in legal settings. Jason spent nearly 20 years with Harrison Moberly, LLP, as Director of Information Technology. He is looking forward to using his skills to innovate ways to expand civic education and make the legal system more accessible to all Indiana residents.

In partnership with representatives from the Delaware County court system, the Foundation's Civil Legal Assistance staff is participating in the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Winter Forms Camp. Delaware County was the first in the state to provide a Self-Help Legal Center and has partnered with the Foundation through the Indiana Legal Help program to develop court forms for statewide use. Through the Winter Forms Camp, the team will focus on updating consumer debt/collection and eviction forms using best practices in plain language and form design. 

A reminder, the Foundation is accepting Unclaimed and Unidentified Lawyer Trust Account funds from attorneys, law firms, or estates of deceased attorneys after diligent efforts are made to identify and locate the rightful owner pursuant to Rule 1.15(h) of the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct. Learn more here.

The Indiana Council for Social Studies (ICSS) has selected the Foundation as the 2022 Stan Harris Citizen's Award winner. The Foundation is proud of our partnership with ICSS and its members. We are grateful for this prestigious recognition. The award will be presented during the ICSS Annual Meeting on February 24. Additionally, at the ICSS conference, Tim Kalgreen, director of civic education, will be presenting about getting ready for the new sixth grade civics class using We the People and other Foundation resources.. 

The Foundation is looking for both attorneys and non-attorneys to serve as judges at the upcoming Indiana Mock Trial competition. To volunteer, please complete and submit the Judge Volunteer Form.  

Multiple dates and locations are available to meet your scheduling needs: 

• February 18 – Evansville and South Bend Regional Competitions 
• February 25 – Hammond & Indianapolis Regional Competitions 
• March 11-12 – Indiana State Competition (Indianapolis) 
• For each competition, you will be able to select your preferred shift(s).

The following shifts are available each day.  

• Morning (8:15 am – 12:00 noon) 
• Afternoon (12:15 – 4:00 pm) 
• Evening (4:15 – 8:00 pm) 

Do you have a friend or colleague interested in volunteering? Please feel free to share this information with others who you think would make great volunteers. Please contact Civic Education Specialist Joseph O'Connor with any questions.

Foundation President & CEO Charles Dunlap and Director of Civic Education Tim Kalgreen were among those attending the launch of Ball State University's Civic Renewal through Education for Agency, Tolerance, and Engagement (CREATE) program. CREATE is an innovative approach to instruction, student learning and professional development in civics, that integrates American history, geography, government, and media literacy. Keynote Speaker for the event was Holly Korbey, author of "Building Better Citizens, A New Civics Education for All." Korbey is an education and parenting journalist writing about teachers, parents, and schools for a national audience. Learn more about the CREATE program here.

Pictured: Dunlap (left) Korbey (center), and Kalgreen (right)

The Foundation is grateful for the generosity of our Keystone Society donors. Your support allows us to achieve our vision of being the premier statewide charitable organization and trusted partner advancing civic literacy and the legal system. All Keystone Society Donors are listed on the Foundation website and have the opportunity to participate in unique member events. We extend an invitation to the Keystone Society with your gift of $1,000 or more. Thank you for making a contribution to the Foundation by visiting this link. Please contact Director of Development Kim Berry with any questions.

The Mock Trial Diversity Initiative (MTDI), Presented by Krieg DeVault, is expanding! Thirteen schools will participate this year, up five from a year ago when the program launched. There are schools in Fort Wayne, Gary, Hammond, Indianapolis, and South Bend / Mishawaka asking to be matched with legal advisors. If your firm is interested in supporting an MTDI school, please contact Tim Kalgreen. The MTDI began in the spring of 2021 to retain, expand, and diversify participating schools in the Indiana Mock Trial program by reducing financial and systemic barriers to participation. The support of Krieg DeVault, Faegre Drinker, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman, Ice Miller, Quarles & Brady LLP, various sections of the Indiana State Bar Association, Stewart Richardson Deposition Services, and Taft Law have helped extend assistance to MTDI schools across Indiana.