September 2021 Update From the Indiana Bar Foundation

Issue 9 | September 30, 2021

President & CEO Celebrates 20 Years with Organization

Indiana Bar Foundation (Foundation) President Charles Dunlap celebrated his 20th anniversary with the organization earlier this month. During his tenure, Dunlap has guided the Foundation to become a national leader in the areas of civic education and civil legal assistance initiatives. Read more.

Dunlap Represents Indiana During National Civics Education Panel

Dunlap participated in the CivXNow Policy Summit panel on September 22. Dunlap represented Indiana, which was called "a model for the rest of the country in terms of enhancing civic education" by the panel moderator. The Foundation was highlighted for its instrumental role in passing House Bill 1384, Under the legislation, civic education will be required in Indiana middle schools. In addition, and a 15-member Indiana Civic Education Commission will be established to determine and oversee curriculum.

Pro Bono Opportunity Guide Now Available

Indiana Legal Help has developed the Pro Bono Opportunity Guide, a new volunteer matching tool for legal professionals and legal assistance providers. The guide invites legal assistance organizations from around the state to post volunteer opportunities on one central website. Now, legal professionals can easily search for opportunities across multiple organizations that match their time, location, and skillset. Please join Indiana Legal Help in celebrating and sharing this new statewide resource. Contact Kate Guerrero for additional information.

Registration remains open for the 2021 Coalition for Court Access Annual Conference. The Friday, October 22 virtual (Zoom) meeting will begin at 10 a.m. (ET) and conclude at 3:30 p.m. The event fee is $25, including four CLE credits, or FREE if you are a civil legal aid/pro bono staff member or volunteer for one of Indiana’s civil legal aid/pro bono organizations. Learn more here. Please direct questions to Marilyn Smith, Vice President and Director of Civil Justice Programs at the Foundation.

'We the People' Dates and Regional Format Announced

Dates are set for the 2021 'We the People' competition administered annually by the Foundation. Based on curriculum provided by the Foundation, middle and high school students study the institutions of American constitutional democracy. Also, in an abundance of caution, regional competitions will be held virtually. Plans remain in place for the State Finals to be held in person. Learn more here. Contact Tim Kalgreen with any questions.

Volunteers are needed for the 'We the People' event to support the more than 800 Hoosier students participating this year. Please consider volunteering to be a judge or a facilitator. A judge listens, examines, and evaluates the students' arguments. A facilitator serves as a Zoom host and manages simple functions, including wait rooms, breakout rooms, basic technical checks, and timing the students' presentations. Please choose the role most interesting to you. Those interested in serving as a judge may register here, and those wishing to be a facilitator may register here. Additional information is available on the Foundation website. Please email Joseph O'Conner or call him at (317) 608-6504 with any questions.

Estate of Daniel R. Roby Makes Contribution to Foundation

The estate of Indiana Lawyer Daniel A. Roby has presented the Foundation with a $10,000 donation. Mr. Roby passed away in September of 2020. During the Celebration of Life honoring Mr. Roby, Kathy Roby, wife of Mr. Roby, joined Indiana Appellate Court Judge Paul D. Mathias (pictured) in announcing the donation to the Foundation. "Judge Mathias invited Dan to be a judge in the 'We the People' program, and Dan was hooked," said Mrs. Roby. "Dan was impressed with the critical thinking, the work invested by the students, and the appreciation of the Constitution most people do not get," said Mrs. Roby. Though his donation, it was Mr. Roby's desire that others invest their time and money to ensure the 'We the People' program can expand.

Kalgreen Appointed to State Education Committee

Tim Kalgrren, Director of Civic Education Programs for the Foundation, has been appointed to the Indiana Indiana Department of Education's newly created standards committee. The committee will assist in developing the new middle school civics course. "I am looking forward to working with other Hoosier educators to craft the new middle school civics standards, setting the stage for a quality civic education class for our students," sand Kalgreen, who has been with the Foundation during the past two years.

Staff Assignment Changes and New Staff Announced by Foundation

The Foundation continues to grow, expanding its staff to provide the best possible services to our constituents. Learn more here.

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