Volunteer Spotlight
September – Kelly Francis
This month we want to thank Kelly Francis who is co-chair on the Public Policy Committee for the Minnesota Women Lawyers as well as a member of the Coalition for Impartial Justice’s board. She has been a tireless and motivated volunteer for CIJ’s outreach efforts this summer throughout the state. Her assistance with our grassroots outreach and as part of our board has had a positive impact on CIJ’s work.
Kelly says that she joined our board because in her words, “I wanted to do my part to help voters understand what could become of their judicial system if we don’t take steps to protect it, and empower them with information and choice.”
Kelly is extremely supportive of CIJ’s non-partisan mission and commented that “it’s encouraging to see that in spite of everything we see and hear when we turn on the news, people with conflicting ideologies can work together to get things done and better their communities.” Thanks to Kelly from all of us for her commitment to advancing impartial justice!
October – Peter Nelson
The Coalition for Impartial Justice has asked a lot of its members these past few months, with our expanded grassroots outreach and the Impartial Justice Action Team. The response has been overwhelming, but one volunteer has really stood out – Peter Nelson, CIJ Board member.
Peter spent the summer with us at parades around the state, as well as the Dakota County Fair. Recently his travels on behalf of CIJ took him to St Cloud for an in-district meeting with Rep. Steve Gottwalt on a beautiful Friday afternoon. Additionally, he has offered testimony on our behalf in front of the Senate. Peter has really put himself out there as a visible representative of CIJ. Thank you for all your work!
November – Melinda Sanders
In St. Cloud the Impartial Justice Act has a wealth of amazing advocates. Chief among those supporters is Melinda Sanders, an attorney with Quinlivan and Hughes, who continues to amaze all of us with her dedication to passing the Impartial Justice Act. Her firm, Quinlivan & Hughes, is also a major supporter of the Coalition and we want to thank the firm as well.
Melinda organized in-district meetings with both Senator John Pederson and Rep. Steve Gottwalt. These meetings were some of the best attended we’ve had in the state, helping to gain Rep. Gottwalt’s critical support and educate Sen. Pederson aout this issue.
She organized CIJ speakers to come to the Stearns/Benton Bar Association meeting to help educate others in the legal profession in St. Cloud and the surrounding area. Melinda has also worked closely with the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce to bring the message to the area business community. While doing all of this, Melinda has provided excellent tactical advice and helped to bring other volunteers to the cause.
We want to thank Melinda for all of her hard work and consistent dedication to this effort. It is advocates like her from around Minnesota who are pushing this campaign forward and will help ensure that Minnesota’s courts remain fair and impartial.
