Nebraska State Bar Foundation

Outreach and Collaboration

The Public Education Outreach Promoting the Law & Equity (PEOPLE) Committee should help judges, foundation members and volunteer personnel develop skills in public outreach, community collaboration, community leadership, and public service.

Standard 1 Community Focus

All Committee programs and materials should seek to educate and inform community members at all levels and all ages to strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in the judicial branch and the legal system as a whole.

Standard 2 Collaboration and Leadership Model

The Committee should work closely with judicial branch leaders, bar leaders and their committees, as well as community partners to develop and institutionalize outreach programs that inform the public, court users, and policy makers about the legal system.

Standard 3 Programs and Materials

The Committee should develop community education programs and materials that help judicial branch personnel and lawyers implement outreach programs in their local courts and communities.

Standard 4 Responsibility of All Members

As stewards of justice, all judicial branch personnel and officers of the court should participate in education programs and projects on community outreach and collaboration that enhance public trust and confidence in the judicial branch, the legal system, and promotion of excellence in public service.

Commentary

The judicial branch can be independent and fair and maintain its integrity only if it has the public’s trust and confidence. The public wants government to be accountable and  responsive to community needs and may view judicial independence as inconsistent with those qualities. They expect service providers to educate them about available services. They expect excellent customer support. The information age and the Internet have changed the consumer’s relationship with service providers from passive recipient to more  active partner.

These changes in the court’s relationship with the public and community require judicial branch and court officers to make concerted efforts to inform the public of available  services.

All judicial branch personnel and court officers should be responsible for supporting and participating in outreach projects as an integral part of their jobs, as well as setting an  admirable example of service in their communities.

Committee Members:
Chair Judge Lyle E. Strom
Vice Chair Tom E. Keefe

Judge Lawrence D. Gendler
Katherine R. Hall
Judge Todd J. Hutton
Larry J. Karel
Judge Thomas A. Otepka
Judge Richard D. Sievers
Terry O. Waite
George D. Watson